Have you ever seen a website like this?...

I want to set up a site that basically asks visitors to contribute a chapter of a book I'm compiling. Not really a whole chapter, just a story -- 1-2 pages of 8.5 x 11 pdf.

My site would ask them to contribute their story in the form of those specs. Their story becomes part of the book. Not fiction -- just a story about their business or an anecdote from their life (all on a particular theme). They can include photos, etc.

The visitors/contributors are informed that whatever they submit becomes the my property, etc.

I'm trying to do this in a very high-end, sophisticated way. Ending up with an ebook, yes -- but more of a slick, coffee table style of ebook.

The benefit to the contributors is they would be a featured part of the finished book.

If you know the books called "Rules of Thumb" or even "Storms of Perfection," you know the kind of end result I'm aiming for -- but an ebook, not a real book.

So, here are my questions...

Have you ever done anything like that -- and, if so, how did it go? Was it successful for you?

Also, have you ever seen any other site like that? Can you direct me to a site like that?

Also I'm looking to brainstorm about what the benefits would be to the contributors -- the more angles, the merrier!

Thanks!!!

-- TW

[Ankesh]

MarketingSherpa.com does this every year.

Once a year, they ask their subscribers to send in their marketing ideas. These ideas are then compiled into a wisdom ebook. And given away for free.

They usually get a very good reaction. But they also have a massive subscriber list.

Thanks Ankesh! Can you post a link to the page that asks for the contributions? Or is it just done via email and/or the site only appears when they are doing the 'drive' for contributions?

Also, do you recall what the benefits listed to the contributors were?
Why should they do it?

Thanks again.

-- TW

In case Ankesh can't find the info...

A general overview on the idea...
http://www.google.com/search?q=marke...ient=firefox-a

Phil

[MMacGillivray]

It looks as if this is the link you need

http://www.sherpastore.com/marketingwisdom08.html

Margaret

TW,

There are all kinds of interesting “Twists” and ways to Creatively use story line type ideas online/offline in business these days...

Quick picks & examples... Good food for thought... On spinning Stories into $$$'s...

Here you go...

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/
http://www.experienceproject.com/
http://www.thesecret.tv/secret-treasures-stories.html
http://www.grocerylists.org/
http://blog.futurelab.net/2007/06/ev...torytelli.html
http://www.quickvideomarketing.com/vid3/
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/j...stories.htm l

Phil

Some good links there, I will have a look.

Thanks