3 ms·

I wrote a book[1] a year and a half ago that just recently crossed $42k in total revenue. These days it consistently earns $1.5k/mo without much further input f

by zrail 12y ago

I wrote a book[1] a year and a half ago that just recently crossed $42k in total revenue. These days it consistently earns $1.5k/mo without much further input from me, other than tweaks to the landing page copy and updates once in awhile when Stripe or Rails changes significantly. [1]: https://www.masteringmodernpayments.com https://www.masteringmodernpayments.com Edit: If you'd like to read a preview, you can do so here: https://www.masteringmodernpayments.com/read https://www.masteringmodernpayments.com/read

jchung 12y ago
What proportion of that revenue are you receiving?
- zrail 12y ago
  I use Stripe (and sometimes PayPal) so I get 97% of the gross revenue. Monthly recurring expenses are a cheap VPS to run the app and Facebook retargeting fees.
la6470 12y ago
Do you mind sharing how you advertised your book or made it popular?
- zrail 12y ago
  I wrote an article[1] all about it a few months after I originally launched. There was some HN discussion about it too[2]. [1]: https://www.petekeen.net/adventures-in-self-publishing https://www.petekeen.net/adventures-in-self-publishing [2]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6320333 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6320333
aakilfernandes 12y ago
I was thinking about doing something similar. Do you recommend using your own domain name (like nathan barry) or having a custom domain?
- zrail 12y ago
  If you have a domain name already, use it. I launched with just a page on my blog and later moved it over to a separate domain. I don't think it matters in the long run, and in the short run you get a boost from your personal domain that people already know.
- derefr 12y ago
  Why not both? Make a custom domain for the book, then treat your own site as if you were guest-blogging on it to pump link juice to the custom domain. That way, your venture ends up with the combined page-rank of your personal brand and the exact-domain bonus. (Whereas if you just redirect from one to the other, you lose one or the other.)
Obasan 12y ago
Hi, are you an expert or at least well established in the community? Because that usually helps a lot to sell. Thanks!

by zrail 12y ago

jchung 12y ago

What proportion of that revenue are you receiving?

zrail 12y ago
I use Stripe (and sometimes PayPal) so I get 97% of the gross revenue. Monthly recurring expenses are a cheap VPS to run the app and Facebook retargeting fees.

la6470 12y ago

Do you mind sharing how you advertised your book or made it popular?

zrail 12y ago
I wrote an article[1] all about it a few months after I originally launched. There was some HN discussion about it too[2]. [1]: https://www.petekeen.net/adventures-in-self-publishing https://www.petekeen.net/adventures-in-self-publishing [2]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6320333 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6320333

aakilfernandes 12y ago

I was thinking about doing something similar. Do you recommend using your own domain name (like nathan barry) or having a custom domain?

zrail 12y ago
If you have a domain name already, use it. I launched with just a page on my blog and later moved it over to a separate domain. I don't think it matters in the long run, and in the short run you get a boost from your personal domain that people already know.
derefr 12y ago
Why not both? Make a custom domain for the book, then treat your own site as if you were guest-blogging on it to pump link juice to the custom domain. That way, your venture ends up with the combined page-rank of your personal brand and the exact-domain bonus. (Whereas if you just redirect from one to the other, you lose one or the other.)

Obasan 12y ago

Hi, are you an expert or at least well established in the community? Because that usually helps a lot to sell. Thanks!