Learn to fly in 2009

Regular readers of this blog know that I am a fan of ebooks as a great way to deliver information. When I find one that I like that is in a new market, I love to share with you. Sometimes what people write ebooks about are downright surprising – that's often what makes them work.

Max Trescott just released Learn to Fly, an ebook that is the perfect format for getting information out to people about a process—Learning to fly an airplane—which is non-trivial and often unclear to people.

Download Learn to Fly: Live your Dream and Get a Pilot's License! here

Sharing your passion with the world

Max began learning to fly at age 15 and became a part-time flight instructor while working at HP. In 2004, he left HP to found Glass Cockpit Publishing, a publisher of aviation training materials, so the eBook format nicely complements his more traditional products. And it does a great job in introducing people to his work. His passion is preserving and growing general aviation in the U.S. so that it remains available for future generations. He is the President of the SiliconValleyGA, which protects and promotes General Aviation in California's Silicon Valley and he is the "2008 National Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year."

Max told me that he came up with the idea of doing a blog a year ago while "stuck" in Jackson Hole waiting for an airplane to be repaired. (Hey I can relate, I do my best reading in airports! But in my case it is while waiting for commercial planes). It was a fortunate wait for Max because the ideas inspired him to start a blog as a vehicle for raising his profile.

Have you wanted to learn how to fly? I took a few lessons on college and would probably have kept going through to getting my license if I had enough money at the time. Now that I do have the financial resources, my wife won't let me. Too bad. But if you do, check out the blog and ebook that Max has published.

Better yet, if you’re in professional services, you can learn from what Max has done.

Why don't YOU start a blog or write an ebook? It will make your business soar. 2009 is the year to take off and fly in your market. (Sorry for the bad jokes).

Comments

[MarketingTwins-Randy]

Cool story! I love hearing these stories. I love the creativity of people!

ONE POINT OF QUESTION:

If the blog and ebook are used together to raise HIS profile, why not send people to his blog to download the ebook? I face this question alot when promoting other people's stuff - do I just put the ebook/PDF/video on my site, or do I let them have the traffic to their site where people can learn more? Do you have a regular practice on this? Is there advantage either way?

Happy New Year!

-Randy

[Duane Brown]

Hey David

Great post as always. Working on and finishing my ebook is my goal for next year... just figuring out my exact topic has been the challenge. I know it'll combine marketing and video games but at what point do they meet and make a great ebook.

Maybe I should just write and see where it takes me instead.

[Max Trescott]

David,
Thank you for your post about my "Learn to Fly" ebook. As you know, I'm a huge fan of yours. "The New Rules of Viral Marketing" ebook was the catalyst that got me started on this ebook. I've always been passionate about aviation, and doing the ebook seemed like a perfect way to give something back to the industry that will help encourage more people to learn to fly. Plus it was less time and effort that a printed book (as I'm reminded daily as I work to finish my 2nd print book)

I first read "The New Rules of Marketing and PR" a year ago and it prompted me to start my www.maxtrescott.com blog. I liked the design of your blog and borrowed heavily from it in creating mine. I recommend your book often.

In fact, I got my daughter to read the book and it made her much more savvy as she went about interviewing for her first job out of college. The San Francisco PR firm she interviewed at was particularly impressed with her knowledge of new media. I'm sure it also helped her with her interview at Facebook, where she started working in June.

David, when you're ready to finish your pilot license, let me know and I'll talk to your wife! Enjoy the holidays.

[David Meerman Scott]

Max, thanks for stopping by. And great job.

Randy, Good question. I think whatever is easiest for people who want to read is best. One click is much better than two. I did point to both Max's ebook and his blog in my post.

SEO is another important consideration. When I release ebooks, I prefer people download directly to increase the search engine rankings for that phrase. For example, go to Google and do a search for the phrase "viral marketing" - you will see a direct link to my ebook as the number 5 listing of 5 million hits. Not bad. This ebook has been downloaded nearly 500,000 times in a year.

[Hamilton Wallace]

What is your feeling about ebooks in our ever-shrinking-Twitter/Search-influenced world? I'm an old direct response guy: the more words the better, as long as you know what you're doing. Still apply in your opinion?

[David Meerman Scott]

I think ebooks are one of the single best ways to market online. For my work, they are the second most important after my blog.

[Chris Ryan]

David, excellent post about Learning to Fly. I also took some lessons back in my college days - six and half hours according to my now dusty pilots logbook. And your tips on doing an ebook are right on target - something I plan on doing in 2009.

Chris Ryan
http://gr8marketing.wordpress.com

[Sesli görüntülü sohbet]

David, excellent post about Learning to Fly. I also took some lessons back in my college days - six and half hours according to my now dusty pilots logbaook. And your tips on doing an ebook are right on target - something I plan on doing in 2009.