About to start selling low-content books for an easy cash grab?
Here’s what it says about you!
I promise you, I do not judge anyone looking for ways to increase their income. Even advanced economies such as Canada, France and the United Kingdom have seen declines in purchasing power ever since the pandemic. (United States Department of Treasury, ‘The Purchasing Power of American Households’, December 14, 2023).
I’ve referenced purchasing power here because, I consider the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) a more relatable metric for judging the economic health of a country. Unlike metrics such as the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), PPP hones in on people’s actual standard of living by utilizing a “basket of goods” approach. This way, it represents how much goods and services X amount of money can actually purchase. Therefore, it more easily conveys people’s actual daily living experience.
The pandemic of financial hardship
Worldwide, people seem to be experiencing financial hardship. Although the inflation rate in countries such as the United States is down from 2022, the normal man on the street isn’t feeling the relief. Economists credit this, in part, to sellers not dropping their prices in tandem with the drop in inflation. (Christina Pazzanese, The Harvard Gazette, ‘We’ll gather together — even though everything seems so much more expensive’, November 21, 2023). Food for one is up in price and has consistently been increasing in cost each year. It’s no wonder that many are looking to increase their income base.
The wave of side-hustles
Forty-five percent (45%) of Americans claim to have “an additional occupation that brings [them] extra money on top of their main source of income” (Self, ‘Side hustle statistics: Everything to know about side hustles’). This is what many commonly refer to as their side hustle. For about 30%, this extra money goes towards covering basic costs. I too have a few side hustles, one of which is tutoring law at a University.
The low-content side-hustle
This wave of finding new streams of income is what pushes many to explore the option of selling low-content books. A low-content book is essentially a book that “has minimal or no content on the interior pages”. A journal is a low-content book, for instance, and they’re relatively easy to make and publish. I certainly made one and had it published on the Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform. You can read all about my experience with this in another story called, “If you haven’t started selling low-content books as yet, DON’T!”.
Downsides of selling low-content books
In sum, what I came to realize is that the viability of selling low-content books online is low. I’ve watched tons of videos on how to get into this “trade”, many of which emphasize how little you have to do to make a lot of money. However, what the videos don’t say is that the market is saturated, your profit margins will be low, and it might still demand a considerable amount of your time and effort if you care about the quality of what you’re putting out. This is the reality many who try this venture will have to face.
What selling low-content books says about YOU
Although I’m never one to dissuade anyone from trying a new business venture, I feel differently about this one. This one, in particular, is rooted in the idea that you can achieve significant financial success without putting in the necessary effort. We all should be reminded that this is not true. More so, because this simple fact is quite easy to forget when you’re feverishly looking for ways to supplement your income. It happened to me, and based on my experience, it can only happen when at least one of these three things is true, even if only for a short time.
- You believe in easy money. Never forget this. “The money you make is a symbol of the value you create” (Idowu Koyenikan). Whether we work hard or we work smart, we should always be willing to earn the money we wish to be paid. There are no shortcuts. It’s the belief in easy money that often drives many to do unscrupulous things. This is why the Bible warns us saying, “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs” (1 Timothy 6:9–10). Let’s never expect to be rewarded for work not done because “[p]eople who look for easy money invariably pay for the privilege of proving that it cannot be found on this earth” (Jesse Lauriston Livermore).
- You have unrealistic expectations. Realistically, on average, a side-hustle brings in $688 per month, with 45.6% of people reporting that they earn less than $250 a month. (Self, ‘Side hustle statistics: Everything to know about side hustles’). In other words, side-hustles, in general, wouldn’t make you rich overnight. This is why it’s unrealistic to believe that you can simply upload a few books and watch money roll in.
- You underestimate the value you can actually give. By focusing solely on quick profits, you miss the opportunity to create truly valuable products that meet specific needs and build a loyal customer base. What you should do instead is think of ways you can add value to others. What skill, knowledge, experience or perspective can you share in exchange for a fair price. I did exactly this and ended up publishing my book, Grieving while Christian. In it, I shared how I reconcile the death of my dad with my belief that God is good. In far less time, it sold way more copies than the low-content book I attempted. If this is not your cup of tea, you can check out my other story for more ideas.
I hope this story encouraged you to think twice about going after an easy cash grab because it simply isn’t realistic. There’s so much more inside of you to give, so give it!
