Why a Manual: Changes in Real Time

In the books I co-authored in 1998, Marketing For People Not in Marketing, I referenced the cost of postcard postage at 19 cents. I wonder how outdated my information must seem to my readers. I worry that when they see outdated references, they may think all the information is outdated.

Once a book is printed, you’re pretty much stuck with your outdated references for a long time, if not forever. This is true even if you self-publish as your minimum print orders make re-publishing very expensive and inventory intensive.

With manuals you self publish (and don’t pile up inventory) you can make changes at any time. It’s a simple as a few keystrokes. You can fix errors, change outdated information, react to changes of thought and technology, add totally new ideas and sections, and delete ideas that don’t seem as new and unique as they did when you wrote them.

Just a week ago, I added 20% new material to my manual, Speaker Marketing 4Profit—and did some minor editing to the existing text. Next week I plan to add 20%-25% new material to my manual, Speak 4Profit and then divide it into three separate smaller manuals. In the process, I plan to raise the price.

Manuals give you complete control of your project and total flexibility for changes and improvements.