3D box shots (also known as “virtual box shots,” “virtual boxes,” “box covers,” or even “ecovers”) are images that appear to represent a 3D image of a product box. They are in fact just graphics (usually in PNG or JPEG format, but occasionally in other formats such as GIF, BMP or even Flash) associated with a product which is in reality completely non-physical and intangible, such as software, ebooks, video or music downloads, a subscription to a membership site or ezine, etc.

The purpose of these graphics is not to trick people, but instead to simply make a non-tangible product seem a little bit more real and comprehensible, as well as, of course, presenting it in a nice attractive light. If you think there’s any possibility that any of your visitors may be confused by the box shot, you can do as I do: Simply include a clear notice on your download or purchase page (or even the footer of every page), reminding people that your product is delivered as a digital product over the Internet and that no physical item is shipped.

There are a number of alternate ways to create box shots:

1. You can draw them yourself (you need to be good at art for this one)!
   
2. You can pay an artist to draw them for you (fine, but expensive if you need quite a few graphics).
   
3. You can get scripts for Adobe Photoshop that will facilitate drawing the box shot. Generally what these scripts do is take your 2D design of the front cover of the box, and make it 3D. This is generally a fine solution, but it does require Photoshop, which is of course quite expensive.
   
4. You can get standalone software which is specifically designed for creating box shots and ebook cover images.

Authors, marketers and product developers may use these graphics in a number of ways, including within the products themselves (for example, in the title or copyright information page of an ebook), in advertising materials, or as a navigational element on their website (for example, allowing users to choose between multiple products by clicking on the appropriate product box).

Sunil Tanna writes for Cover Factory, easy-to-use and affordable software for creating your own box shots and ebook covers.

Many people sell other people’s products, but making and selling your own product can make you a ton of money.

Affiliate Marketing is Common

Affiliate marketing is very common. This is when you sell someone else’s product on the Internet or offline. They make the product and then you just go out and sell it. You get paid a percentage or flat-fee “commission.”

The great thing about it is that you don’t need to spend any time making the product, you just go out and sell it and make money from day 1. But what about creating your own product? Could this be a good idea?

The Power of Creating Your Own Product

Creating and selling your own product has several advantages over selling someone else’s product.

No Commissions

First of all, instead of giving 50% or whatever to the guy who created the product, you can sell it yourself and keep all of the money. So you just use the same selling strategies as before and make double the money or more.

Explode Your Sales With Affiliates

The best part of making your own product is that you can recruit an army of affiliates. Give them 50% of any sales for this. At first, you might think that is a lot to give away. Don’t be greedy. Think of those sales as extra to what you could have made yourself. You wouldn’t have made those sales if it weren’t for the affiliates.

When you have tens or even hundreds of people selling your products, then you will start to earn thousands and thousands of dollars!

You Don’t Need to Be an Expert

You don’t even have to be an expert to create your own product. There are many ways to research and create a product. You learn what your market wants and then you go out and give it to them. You can even outsource the creation of the product if you want to.

Chris Smith makes money on the Internet from websites and articles. It’s easy when you know how. Learn his secrets today at Profits With Chris.