Ewen Chia becomes the latest internet marketing celebrity to team up with Morgan James Publishing to produce a “print” book. And at just under $13, it’ll likely cost you far less than most other IM products that are released this year.
But is “How I Made My First Million on the Internet”, worth the paper it’s printed on?
At over 350 pages (albeit, with large print) it’s fairly weighty, and it bills itself as a “complete insider’s guide to making millions with your internet business”. After a brief, personal introduction – charting his rise to wealth and prominence - Ewen Chia gets on with the task of explaining the subject of internet marketing.
And, yes, that’s the ENTIRE subject of internet marketing.
In a well-ordered sequence of chapters, Ewen attempts to cover everything you might need to know to create any kind of IM business, whether it’s as an affiliate, a product owner, or both.
Suddenly, 350+ pages doesn’t sound nearly enough.
As you probably guessed by now, each topic is covered briefly, focusing on an overview, basic strategy, and where to go to find out more. If you’re an experienced IMer, you’re going to read a lot of material of which you’re already familiar. But I was pleased to discover a number of valuable nuggets of wisdom that I either hadn’t heard before, or had forgotten about.
While reading, I pondered a number of times whether there was any value in covering so many areas in one book. But then it occurred to me that most of the information that seemed familiar, was only so because I have been reading newsletters, magazines, emails and eBooks on these subjects for about six years.
I found myself wondering how much faster I could have progressed, if I had been given this book back in 2003.
Ewen has done an excellent job of condensing many of the major internet marketing themes, into just one book. Any new or aspiring internet marketer is certain to benefit from getting an overview of the key elements of online business, and discovering how these should be linked together.
I had, for some time, expected to be griping about a lack of recommended resources, as tools are often described in general terms rather than suggesting specific products. But when I got to the end of the book, I discovered a “Resources” section with 20 pages of links divided into appropriate categories.
A useful glossary of internet marketing words and phrases is also included.
In fact, the only disappointment I can mention is the brevity of information relating to Ewen Chia’s story. I had hoped for more “behind the scenes” stories, and more personal commentary on his experiences.
The fault probably lies mainly with my own expectations, but I tend to presume that printed books will provide something that you wouldn’t expect to find in an eBook. “How I Made My First Million on the Internet” would have been no less useful in PDF format and, in fact, being able to click on the various links that are included would have been a convenience that can’t be offered by a paperback.
So in fact, the most significant advantage of this book being published in print, is that the price is less than $13, rather than the $47-97 price tag that you might have expected from a digital version.
Returning to my original question, it is my opinion that Ewen Chia’s book, “How I Made My First Million on the Internet” is worth far more than the paper it is printed on, but will offer the greatest value to those new or inexperienced in internet marketing.
If you are of the more experienced variety of marketer however, that doesn’t mean you should dismiss this book out of hand. This publication is still a piece of internet marketing history and it’s worth spending a measly $13 to have a copy on your bookshelf. Additionally, if you’re not already aware, the strategy behind many of the books released by internet marketing celebrities, is to create a profit through a backend bonus system that involves various related products and services.
Typically, the customer is invited to visit a specific website and register their book purchase in order to receive some bonuses. A related offer of some sort usually follows.
I’ve had the opportunity to preview the backend bonuses and offers and they are worth seeing, even if it’s just for the chance of seeing an IM master at work.
The link below will take you to the main website, where you’ll find information on how to purchase the book at the reduced rate, as well as instructions on how to claim the bonuses.
PeterB
March 2, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Nice one am glad to see a review on it I’m still waiting for my copy for amazon uk.
I’m sure we can all learn or relearn something from it.
John Austwick
March 2, 2009 at 5:35 pm
I too am still waiting for delivery and will surely be looking out for the nuggets you mention thanks for the review David
Paul Perry
March 2, 2009 at 7:57 pm
I have been looking forward to reading this book for sometime.
And the bonus he gave with the book is well worth the money.
I signed up to Ewens list when I learned he was a super Affiliate.
This one of the best ways to learn marketing first hand, has a list
member. thanks for the review
secret marketing links
March 2, 2009 at 10:21 pm
I did not promote this book. I have read some of Chia’s books in the past, and for me it is far to basic stuff, but he explains it in a clear way understandable for the most newbies. Also he usuall try to upsell you, in this case for 97 dollars his upsell is quite good, with a complete money in the box system given to you; also some marketeers have done some good work online with extra bonus packages. I think the big strength of Chia is his huge ARMY of affiliates, and his own propriatairy software he created for them. If his site did crash in this case it is NOT because of a DENIAL of Service attack, but really because Eveyone in the marketing world online wanted to buy his book, and get the fast action bonusses he was giving away for nearly nothing.
himagain
March 3, 2009 at 12:44 am
The comment about price differential here really sums up the weird paradigm of the Internet – or “Cyberbog” as Kylneth accurately named it some years ago.
A “real” book being sold for $13 and an online version typically say, $47 as a “Course” is weird…….
However, when seen in context, that is the whole methodology of the sales methodology of the Internet in a nutshell:
Do ANYTHING to build a List.
A really dumb mechanism that is perpetuated by the success stories of the few tiny top 30 astounding marketers out of the now estimated 15 MILLION plus, active triers out there.
It *was* a workable mechanism 4-5 years ago, but today it is a self-extinguishing treadmill exercise, requiring running faster and faster simply to avoid falling down.
Just like the myth of SEO. Unless YOU have the organisation, the skills and the big money to compete, forget it.
The mystical belief in the “upsell” seems to fuel the imaginations of even the professional hustlers out in the Cyberbog. (Believing their own copywriters?).
Here is a prediction for the new, new world order:
The Internet will be rapidly (overnight?) regulated and big troubles will face the pitchmen setting illegal conditions (most countries do not allow price fixing or weird non-warranties) and that doesn’t include small details like provisional taxation requirements……
Whatever country you are working from, you need to get real. Get legal protection FIRST (a company) so that you don’t get caught by your use illegally of someone else’s images or copyrighted material – big money waiting for lawyer sharks there – or something else that can cost you your home or future credit/life as a bankrupt.
Only a duly incorporated company can protect you at all.
Final hint: Do start as an “affilliate”. Especially if you have not got a company for protection, yet. This allows you to test the wild claims of the promoters
just a little more safely – you are only hustling people to go to their Websites.
However, most countries do have laws about “accessories after/to the fact/act”…….
David Congreave
March 3, 2009 at 10:24 am
I was with you until “the myth of SEO”. You only need skills and organisation to compete in this area. Big money isn’t necessary.
Good point about establishing a company for legal protection though. Cheaper than indemnity insurance.
ken.
March 3, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Wow, that last post from ‘himagain’s just scared half your subscribers away.
Most are doing this in the vain hope of forever leaving the rat race and working (as little as possible) for themselves whilst getting obscenely rich.
They don’t worry about lawsuits or tax liabilities, and only crave what the chosen few have.
They say ignorance is bliss, I say ignorance equals bankruptcy.
Kenny G.
p.s. Still waiting for my copy from Amazon UK.