How To Write A Folio From Information That You Know

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Today, there are hundreds of enterprising men and women who write
simple research papers (known in the mail order trade as FOLIOS)
and sell them by mail.

In the pages that follow, I'll show you how you can do the same.
I'll show you how to select a subject, how to research it, how to
write it, how to get it printed, and how to sell it.

I'll show you the four ways to sell it.

If you are new to folio selling, I'll show you which of the four
ways would be the best for you.

I hope you will read what follows very carefully and very
thoroughly.

There are no catches. I have nothing more to sell to you (unless
you want to read some of the other folios which I have written).

I hope the information which follows can be of real benefit to
you.

That is why I have written it!

Exactly what is a folio?

A folio can be called a booklet, a pamphlet, a report, a
newsletter, a guide, an instruction manual, a plan, a manuscript,
etc.

A folio is simply an easy-to-understand manual which shows the
reader "How To" do something that he does not already know what to
do.

Most folios show the reader ... How to start or expand a hobby;
How to develop new abilities or qualities; How to start a new
business or expand an old one; How to prepare for a new career;
How to make or save money; How to solve personal problems; How to
spend leisure time.

A well written folio is authoritative, factual, and helpful. It
should be written in simple, easily understood language.
..page
It can be anything from a brief two-page photocopied report to a
professionally printed book bound in a hardback cover.

People who purchase folios by mail are interested in the
information they contain. Seldom do they care what brand of paper
the information is printed on.

What kind of folios are now being sold by mail?

Pick up almost any magazine at a news stand that carries
classified advertising and you will find ads written by people who
are selling their folios by mail.

Here are sample ads from magazines lying on the desk.

"Be secure, confident, successful! Learn the secret of personal
power. œ2.00"
"Secrets of the Spirit World! Only œ2.00 Postpaid!"
"Traffic Tickets? Beat them, step by step method. œ1.95".
"Fluorescent Tubes Rejuvenated at no cost. Instructions œ4.00"
"Why grow old and die? Li Chung Yun lived 256 years. You could
too".
"Guide to Witches Covens - œ12.00"
"Learning Bridge? Send œ12.95 for 20 page guide."
"Learn the secret of making every dress you sew fit perfectly.
Only œ3.00".
"10 Wonder Working Prayers. Enrich, Strengthen Your Life.
œ2.50".
"Home Made Cheese. Hard, soft and cottage. Make it yourself!
Complete instructions, recipes, œ2.00"
"Peterborough Area Job Opportunities œ2.00"
"Ship in Bottle. Instructions. Drawings. œ3.00"

If you can produce a "How To" manual that is novel, interesting
and genuinely helpful, you can do what the advertisers above have
done. You can print it yourself and sell it by mail!

What should you write about?

You should write

* only on subjects that really interest you, and
* on subjects that you already know something about.

For example, if you just love to cook, write a folio on cooking.

If people like the first folio they buy from you, they will buy
other folios in the future, as long as they are on the same basic
subject.

If you write on a subject that really does not interest you very
much, you will be bored to death by the time you get to your third
folio.

Ask yourself - what do I do with my spare time? Write a folio
about that!

How do you research the folio?

Make yourself an expert on the subject!

Talk to friends and neighbours. Ask questions. Read books,
newspapers, and magazines on the subject. Ask your librarian for
suggestions. As you read, keep notes on everything. When you
have read everything you could lay your hands on, sit down and
study your notes. Read them over slowly and carefully. Then lay
the notes aside and think about the whole subject for a day or
two. You will be amazed at what your mind will do with the
subject if you have researched it thoroughly.

How do you write it?

Here is a tip from a professional writer.

Sit down and pretend that you are a person who knows absolutely
nothing about the subject.

Write down fifteen questions that such a person might ask you.

Then write out, in your own words, the answers to the fifteen
questions.

Do not try to be literary!

When you are finished, lay it aside for a day or two.

Then re-read it with a red pencil, crossing out all unnecessary
words and sentences, inserting a new point here and there.

Rewrite the whole thing, and you will be amazed to discover that
your folio is ready to be published!

How do you get in printed?

Type it as neatly as possible onto A4 white typing paper. Single
space it, leaving two lines between each paragraph.

take it to a local copy/print shop, who will make you however many
copies of it, very reasonably, within 24 hours usually.
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If you have more than four pages, have it printed on both sides of
the paper. It will lower your printing costs slightly, and save
you extra postage in the future.

To give your folio a professional touch, have it printed on canary
yellow, pink, or light green paper.

How do you sell it?

1. Direct from ads in magazines and tabloid papers.

If economically possible, sell it for œ2.00 or œ3.00 per copy.
Write a brief, eye catching classified ad, asking those interested
to send their orders directly to you.

If your ad is novel, believable, and of genuine interest, you will
be surprised at how many people will do this.

If your folio is about stamp collecting, advertise it in the stamp
collecting papers.

If it is about astrology, advertise it in the Astrology magazines
- to do otherwise is fatal.

Be sure to run your ad in at least three issues. If you have
never sold folios by mail, I sincerely suggest you use this
method.

2. Advertise for Inquiries.

If your folio is quite elaborate, and must be sold for œ5.00 or
more, use this method. Write a brief, tempting ad describing your
folio, and offer free details. Then mail literature describing
the folio to those who answer the ads. Don't expect more than one
enquiry in ten to buy it from you.

Here are ads placed by folio writers in a recent issue of Exchange
and Mart who use this method:

"Never Won Anything? Anyone can win sweepstakes contests! Free
details".

"Troubled? God can help! Free information."

"Overweight? I lost 53 pounds. Easily - Permanently. New
Method. Information Free".

"Make money clipping newspapers at home in spare time. Details
free."

3. Direct Mail.

If you have written a folio showing how to get your inventions
patented, you could purchase a list of amateur inventors, and mail
your sales literature to each individual on the list.

If you are lucky, you'll sell your folio to about one person in
every twenty-five.

Direct mail can be very effective for experienced mail order
operators, but it is usually far too costly for the beginner.

It can easily cost you over two hundred pounds for each one
thousand letters you mail.

4. Selling through agents.

If you are willing to sell your folio in small wholesale
quantities, or if you are willing to drop ship folios for mail
dealers, then you might find this the most effective way to market
your folios.

Below are some ads placed by folio writers.

"Sell Health Books Mail Order! Write"

"Sell Books By Mail. Complete Dealer Set Up œ2.00"

"Sell Books by Mail! 400% Profit"

"Free Newsletter! Sell Books by Mail. We wholesale/dropship"

Some of the above ads have been running for over ten years,
indicating that this could be a very successful way to market your
folios.