BURNING YOUR OWN CDs.

The CD Burning Process.

You want to burn a C D but you are not quite sure how to do it?

Here’s the deal :
You have all your files ready to burn a product on a CD or DVD, but are not sure how to go about it? Have doubts about which hardware and software to use for the best results?

First, should you use a CD or a DVD for your product? You should always use a CD when possible since many old system still have only a CD player. Of course, if you run out of space with a CD or are cutting it close you have to use a DVD, but don't make it harder on your users unless necessary.

Also, the brand of the media is important. You're better off with good brand names like Sony, Maxtor, Memorex and the like instead of blank no name ones. If you get unlucky with the cheap media, you could end up failing half of the CD and waste even more time and money. And you don't want a broken CD to get to your customers' door!

That's all fine, but which program should you use? I would recommend to try out first the software packaged with your computer. They're usually downgraded versions of good products like Nero and Easy CD Creator, so you shouldn't have problem there. If that doesn't work, you should try out the free CDBurnerXP Pro. It contains everything we need, even ISO file support.

What is an ISO file? It's a disk image containing all the info needed to create the CD or DVD. I recommend you try to create one for you product, so you only need to open that file with your software to create a new CD. Explaining the exact way is beyond the scope of this article, but it's no harder than creating the CD itself.

Now that you're ready to burn, which settings are important? First, you may which to close the CD instead of using multi session. This will work better on some older systems, and will prevent others from adding other files on the CD. You should also avoid intensive computer use during the burn, surfing or reading email is fine, but you're taking a risk if you do more than that. If the program lags and stops to burn, it's over: the CD will be useless.

Finally, When you have your CD. Just put it back on your computer to make sure you can read it. Also, if it's your first copy check if everything is in the right place and works as intended. Congratulations, you just burned your first CD for sale!


Looks are everything : Creating your CD label

They say that looks are everything, and it is true even if you want to sell CDs or DVDs. The first thing your customers will see when they get your CD is you label, and will see it again and again as they use the CD. But what are the elements of a good label, and how can you print labels at home?

Printing label used to be an impossible task, but not anymore. For a few dollars, you can now have 50 printable labels and the tool to place them. Make sure you get the tool, or create something like it to guide the label down. You will have a hard time centering your labels correctly without it, and they are so sticky that it leaves no room for mistakes.

You also need the software to design the label, but that part is easy enough. All good label manufacturers will give out their software with the labels or have it for download on their web site. You don't need anything fancy, the serious work can be done in Photoshop or in GIMP (free!). Just import your picture when you're happy with it, keeping in mind the shape of the CD. Also, make sure you choose the right label type in your software, many manufacturers will have more than one.

But what should you put on the label itself? First, the product name and your own name should be clearly written out. Also, if you have a logo, it's the perfect time to use it. Your web site also deserves a place of choice, so your customers always have an easy way to find you. Complete the look with pictures you used for your eCover (you had one, didn't you?), or a tasteful picture or two about your subject. Don't overdo it, it's ok to have a background color or white space. Also, don't forget about other related products you may have. It's always a good idea to keep a consistent layout for all your products.

What's left to prepare your CD? Well, since you already have a professional-looking label, you don't really need an insert, except if you want to add additional instructions Make sure you print your instructions on a good-quality paper, there's no point in creating a label if you cover it with a cheap black and white insert.If you don't need anything else, a transparent CD case will be more than enough to complete the look and ship your product safely to you customers' door.

Preparing a product for sale on a CD/DVD

Preparing a product for sale on a CD or DVD may not be as easy as it looks. You have a product already, with a professional look and a lot of potential buyers, but the next step may be a bit more tricky. Is your product really suited for sale on a CD, and should you only burn the files and it's over?

First, the product itself is the focus of your CD. Obviously, any digital product such a an ebook, audio, video,graphics and software is a good idea. Just make sure that the files are identified clearly when you create the CD. Nothing will get forgotten more easily than a CD without label containing a file named ebook.pdf. And if you have a lot of files, use folders to sort them and make it easier for your customers to find what they want.

Also, the whole point of sending a CD is to avoid downloads, so make sure you include all the software they may need to use the product (just make sure you have the right to distribute the components you need) . What's the point in selling on a CD, for example, a Visual Basic.Net program that's 10 Meg if they have to download the 200 Meg framework to make it work. You want to make this as simple and hassle-free as you can.

Another way to make things easier and give a more professional look and feel to your CD is to provide an autorun program. But what is an autorun? Simply put, it's a program that will start when they insert the CD in their computer. Then, they only need one click to launch the product, your web site or any necessary programs instead of trying to find them on your CD. There are many good programs that can create an autorun for you, or you can create one using HTML for application if you know a bit of HTML.

Finally, don't forget to test, test, test! What works on your computer could be a nightmare on another. Or the path for that screen shot in your HTML readme file refer to your hard drive and not the CD.
Just ask family and friends if you can try out the CD on their computer so you have an idea of what it's like for your customers and how everything will react when you use different configurations.


The extras : Taking advantage of the package

You're selling products on CD or DVD to your customers, or planning to? Good. But are you using all the advantages of this delivery method to improve the worth of your products in your customer's eye and advertise your business?

The first thing they will see is the package itself. Do you use a padded mailer, or a cheap envelope that's starting to tear apart? Are you using a real CD case, or some cheap paper one? It's not that expensive to use proper material, and will give an impression of credibility. You can also put a personal touch and write the address by hand instead of using label if you have good handwriting. Following that line of thought, a personal handwritten note in the package is always appreciated, even if it's only a few words, or at worst a signature at the bottom of a letter.

Including a printed manual is always a good idea, even if the product is relatively simple. A printed leaflet thanking them for buying the product and reminding them of how to use product can do wonder to get them started and cut down on the customer support. But make sure to include your email and web site address in case they do need to contact you, it's not an excuse for poor customer support either.

Since you're already printing a manual, why not include some cross-promotion for another product, or even for an affiliate product? Since you already have a qualified prospect that just bought a product for you, they will be a lot more receptive to your offers. And beside, you're already sending out a package, what's the harm in adding one or two sheets of paper (or a small catalog if you have a lot of products).

Also, now that you have their mailing address, use it! I don't meant flooding their mailbox with junk mail at the first occasion, but nobody will say no to polite thank you notes, such as a merry Christmas card. It can do wonders to remind them that you exist, since few business do it, and nothing stops you from mentioning that new product you just created, or your plans for the new year.

In conclusion, the contents of the package are very important to the overall experience when the customer receive the product, and is easy to improve with a few simple tricks. And an happy customer is a return customer!


Why should you sell your information products on CD/DVD

The eBook business has a lot of advantages. You can create a product once and sell it over and over, even during your sleep, and the product is automatically delivered to the customer. Why would you give that up and ship CD's instead?

First, a CD has an higher perceived value. You can price your product a lot higher only by burning it to a CD. You can even sell that version alongside your digital version, or as an upgrade. Not bad for a cd worth 0,50$! People will always put more value on things they can see and touch.

The fact that the CD itself is a physical product is indeed a great advantage. A single eBook can be forgotten pretty fast in a full hard drive, but they will see your CD again and again lying on their desk or their coffee table. Just make sure your brand and web site address are clearly written on the label so they remember where it comes from, and you'll have an ad directly in your customer's home that will last for years.

Also, believe it or not, the fact that they have to wait for your CD is a great advantage. They will have time to get excited about it and wonder each day as they check their mailbox if they received it already. When it's finally there, they have the pleasure of unwrapping a package that was personally sent to them, taking out their precious CD and putting it in their computer. That's a lot more involved than a simple PDF file, and they are a lot more likely to remember it.

You can also take advantage of the package itself. You're already sending out a package, so what's stopping you from putting more promotional material in the envelope? It has a lot more impact that an email and you can be sure your customer will look at it. A few cents more to send a mailing to a qualified prospect is a no-brainer. And you're building a list of home address instead of email address, which is a lot more valuable.

As you can see, selling your products on a CD has a lot of advantages for your business and can help boost your income. Beside, since all computers have CD burners and CD are so cheap, what could be the harm in trying? You could propel your business to the next level with your brand-new offer!

Why not go just one step further and make your latest creation ‘Auto-Run’.

Watch for my next blog that will show you how to do it.

RJF.
P.S. If you do decide to have a go at burning your own CDs. Be a pall and let me know how you get on.