Signing Ups the Value
New authors quickly learn that doing one simple thing can increase the value of their book ten fold, maybe more. At the very least it creates a friend for life.
It was one of the first books I had ever ordered online. I was scared because it was a used book. But the cost was so much cheaper than a new book, I just couldn’t resist.
That book I ordered was “Marketing With Newsletters” and I’ll never forget how delighted I was when it arrived.
From the outside I could see that it was well cared for, not all scuffed and tattered.
However, upon opening the front cover I saw that someone had written in this book. At first I was highly annoyed. But closer inspection revealed it was the author herself that had written in the book. This was a SIGNED copy of the authors book.
Zoom! The value immediately went up, in my mind if nowhere else.
Now this book was VERY special to me. It was a signed copy of the author’s work. Held directly in her hands at one time and presented with pride and distinction to the book’s first owner.
Think about it. How much value would the Declaration of Independence have if it were never signed? Plus, we’d never know where to put our “John Hancock”, a term synonymous with signing our name due to it’s fame.
Elvis Presley signatures are rare. In fact, a simple letter he wrote and signed while in the service fetched $35,000 at auction. Imagine, a piece of notebook paper worth less than a penny could be sold for more than 3.5 million times its value because it was signed by the author.
Now you may never be as famous as John Hancock or Elvis Presley, but I know you could be as famous as Elaine Floyd, the author of Marketing With Newsletters.
And while your autograph may never fetch you $1000’s at auction, it can endear the recipient of your book with a priceless bond or friendship to you in the future.
Do not underestimate the increase in value your book receives when you sign it.
Instantly it becomes special, “one-of-a-kind”. Signing the book costs you but a moment of your time yet creates a huge impression in the mind of the recipient.
In fact, it creates a debt. Subconsciously, when you do something special for someone, no matter how small the act, the tendency is for the recipient to feel a need to even the score. They feel obliged to do something for you in return. Often, the value of the return favor can be completely out of proportion to the value of the gift received.
You give me a signed book, (adding the signature cost you nothing, even if I had just paid cash for your book) and in return I decide to hire you on as my consultant – a job worth over $1000 per month.
It happens.
Or maybe the recipient just introduces you to the one person you need to skyrocket your career?
Why do you think book signings are so popular?
Imagine if you held one of the first Harry Potter books signed by J.K. Rowling?
At the time it may have been fairly worthless. Who knew then she would be such a hit?
And so it is with you. You may be great one day. Maybe you are today?
Many new authors underestimate the power and value created by a simple signature included in the front of their book. If you can personalize it by adding the recipients name and a relevant, legible comment about them, so much the better.
I was reminded of this great, simple, value-adding tip by my friend Greg Liberto this week. Greg presented me a signed copy of his new golf book, “18 Holes: How to Stop the A.N.T.’s From Stealing Your Game”
You can bet this book will have a special place on my bookshelf. Not just because I had helped him finally create it from thoughts in his head to book form, but moreover, it will serve as a constant reminded of who I should call if I ever decide to improve my atrocious golf game.
Would you like to secure a special place in the mind of your prospect or reader?
Sign the book.
It costs you nothing but a moment of time, yet creates a lifetime of value.
How’s that for a phenomenal return on investment?
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