How well do reference books sell?

djmcbell · 01-31-2012, 02:58 PM

I'm new to the ebook scene and am looking at possibly writing a book or two on how to use particular software. They wouldn't be huge books but would include exercises on how to do stuff.

I've done similar material for where I work, including a user guide for one piece of software that everyone uses, and people love the guide. It's reasonably short and to the point, with examples to get people used to it.

In any case, do such books exist as ebooks and do they sell? The software I'd be writing it for is extremely popular (one or two books do exist on Amazon) but I'd put it up quite cheaply if self-published.

I guess I'm basically just looking for someone to point me in the right direction. Thanks

Filark · 01-31-2012, 11:37 PM

Well, if it helps any, there are 695 items in the Sony ebookstore under the category Computers/Applications. Some of them must sell!

Sounds like a good idea to me -- good luck with it!

Lazer · 02-02-2012, 05:29 PM

I've got a book on analyzing ballistic evidence for investigators and it chugs along. 'Not breaking any records but it's geared to a very small group. Curiously for ever five sold in the U.S. I sell a couple in the U.K.

I think it's like anything else, it depends on your market size and how much competition you have.

Lemurion · 02-06-2012, 07:11 PM

As a general rule, the numbers are not high, but the people who do want them generally want them enough that they're willing to pay a fairly high price for them.

01-31-2012, 02:58 PM	#1
djmcbell Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: none	How well do reference books sell? I'm new to the ebook scene and am looking at possibly writing a book or two on how to use particular software. They wouldn't be huge books but would include exercises on how to do stuff. I've done similar material for where I work, including a user guide for one piece of software that everyone uses, and people love the guide. It's reasonably short and to the point, with examples to get people used to it. In any case, do such books exist as ebooks and do they sell? The software I'd be writing it for is extremely popular (one or two books do exist on Amazon) but I'd put it up quite cheaply if self-published. I guess I'm basically just looking for someone to point me in the right direction. Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Do reviews of reference books exist?	toronado	Reading Recommendations	2	11-28-2010 05:08 PM
"For every 100 books we sell in physical, we sell 48 Kindle books"	daffy4u	Amazon Kindle	24	12-07-2009 07:29 PM
For Every 100 Books amazon Sell In Physical, they Sell 48 Kindle Books	yagiz	News	3	12-01-2009 10:55 AM
Reference Books... Do you or don't you?	Stitchawl	Lounge	12	10-31-2009 03:31 PM
E-books worm into reference book market	Bob Russell	News	0	09-23-2005 09:12 PM

01-31-2012, 11:37 PM	#2
Filark Armed with a smile :) Posts: 1,421 Karma: 2463560 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California, USA Device: enTourage eDGe & Pocket eDGe, Samsung Galaxy Note II	Well, if it helps any, there are 695 items in the Sony ebookstore under the category Computers/Applications. Some of them must sell! Sounds like a good idea to me -- good luck with it!

02-02-2012, 05:29 PM	#3
Lazer Groupie Posts: 174 Karma: 1498858 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Kindle 3	I've got a book on analyzing ballistic evidence for investigators and it chugs along. 'Not breaking any records but it's geared to a very small group. Curiously for ever five sold in the U.S. I sell a couple in the U.K. I think it's like anything else, it depends on your market size and how much competition you have.

02-06-2012, 07:11 PM	#4
Lemurion eReader Posts: 2,750 Karma: 4968470 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Note 5; PW3; Nook HD+; ChuWi Hi12; iPad	As a general rule, the numbers are not high, but the people who do want them generally want them enough that they're willing to pay a fairly high price for them.

Advert