Sell My Product Before I Make It?

[arobinson04]

Hey Everyone!

I'm launching a new business in the "job hunting" space.

I've spent the last month building a small list and running surveys to learn more about them, their struggles, their desires, and how I can help them.

I want to sell an ebook and I have a pretty good idea of the content it should contain.

BUT, that's obviously going to require a time investment.

Here's My Plan:
I want to sell my ebook, BEFORE I actually create it.

Here's how I'm thinking of doing it:

1. Write the copy
2. Create the landing page/funnel
3. Follow up for buyers with an even better offer

For step 3, once the customer purchases the ebook, I'd follow up with them and say something along the lines of...

"Hey There! I see you just purchased my ebook. It's actually still being created, and I launched the webpage a bit too soon.

Here's what I can do for you.

You can either receive a full refund, or you can take the $9.99 you paid for the ebook and use it to schedule a 1 hour coaching session with me (and I usually charge WAY more than $9.99 for one of these sessions."
​

I'd only do this for the first few customers. But with the goal of validating I can actually make this work.

I'd want to try this both with my existing (small) email list, AND by running an offer to cold traffic.

I'd love to hear if anyone has done something similar and what the results/lessons learned were.

Thanks!

- Tony

 

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[Nick M.]

One thing I'd check if I were you is whether or not this would actually be legal. When a customer buys a product, you are legally required to provide it. I'm not sure if offering a refund (or even the coaching session alternative) is legal because you are not providing the product they bought.

 

[arobinson04]

One thing I'd check if I were you is whether or not this would actually be legal. When a customer buys a product, you are legally required to provide it. I'm not sure if offering a refund (or even the coaching session alternative) is legal because you are not providing the product they bought.

Good point... But If I recall, I think I remember reading in the 4 Hour Work Week that he used a similar concept to test his offers.