There’s no question that an e-book can play an important role in both building your email list and driving profits but have you ever given any thought to just how you go about creating an e-book?
Recently I had Arlene who authored the book “Getting Adam Back” and internet entrepreneur Micki Hogan who created “The Complete Guide to Allergy Relief” on my podcast show to discuss just how they dealt with the process of creating their books.
The benefits of an e-book
Before we get into the “how to create an e-book” let’s talk about the “whys” to create an e-book. There’s an old marketing adage that says “the money is in the list” and it’s as true today as it was years ago when the first marketer uttered it. Having a clean list of opt in e-mails is vital to your affiliate marketing efforts.
One of the most popular ways to get people to opt in to your list is to offer something of value for free and a well written e-book that appeals to your visitor’s interest is a perfect fit for the task. Not only does it add an address to the list but it also offers the opportunity to build a relationship of trust and authority when you provide your new subscriber with content that is useful and helpful. This holds true if your site is about dollhouses or infrared photography or any topic.
While list building is a natural use of an e-book so is selling the piece. Both Arlene and Micki sell their books because they both offer content that addresses the age old quest of “If I Only Knew Then What I Know Now.” In Arlene’s case it’s how to cure acute epilepsy in a child naturally while Micki addresses how to remove the causes of allergy rather than just treating the symptoms.
People perceive real value in information like that and they express their value by plunking down their plastic and downloading the books. Both ladies have done very well with their book sales.
Turn passion to profit
Interestingly both Arlene and Micki started the process of creating their e-books without actually realizing it. Both moms were facing serious health challenges with a child and as a result became passionate researchers looking for a way to better e for their kids. The net result is they both had a volume of notes and a vast array of personal experience on their topics before the idea of a book popped into their minds.
And that is a key. You have to have a level of expertise in your topic to come across as believable and authentic. For Arlene and Micki it was health issues but it could just as well been how to reupholster antique furniture or a guide for retired persons who travel with their pets or anything of value to your visitors. Whatever the topic, you have to have the expertise and research to make the product valuable.
There is an exception to this and I’ll get to it in a bit.
The process
Arlene, Micki and I agree that an e-book starts with a table of contents. The TOC becomes the blueprint for the book and allows you to sort out your notes and research and drop it into appropriate chapters. It also sets up a natural, logical flow for the information. Now the table of contents is not written in stone and can be adjusted but it’s the best place to begin organizing.
Next comes the rough content and this is where people who really aren’t enthused about the topic usually either quit or outsource the work.
A word about outsourcing e-books. If you go this route you really have to be careful about who you hire. If you go to Elance and look at past jobs you’ll find 100 page e-books written for $100 or less. I can almost guarantee that they were written by non-native English speakers for non-native English buyers who can’t tell if the book is good or bad.
If you use a professional ghost writer, somebody with verifiable credentials, be prepared to lay out over $1,000 and don’t pick the first one that responds. You’ll want to short list the writers and ask clarifying questions before you decide. Think about what your potential ROI will be if you go this route.
So does that mean if you’re not a brilliant writer you’re doomed to a mediocre book? Not at all, it just becomes a more involved process.
Assembling the parts
My “Affiliate Marketing Answer Book” which I use as a subscription tool has been remarkably successful. Basically I took 40 hours of taped sessions with my students, gave the audio to a transcriptionist who in turn pulled out the questions and answers, and then I selected those that I thought were the best as the content for my book. I cleaned up the questions and added descriptive text and then gave it to an editor who checked for grammar and spelling and natural flow.
Micki used a unique method of finishing off her rough draft. She sought out 10 volunteers from her Facebook page to read the content and provide critical feedback. After she rewrote the draft she found ten more and did it again. After that review she sent her book to her mother who is a grammar freak for editing. After that review she got 5 more volunteers from Facebook and received nothing but rave reviews.
Once you have your final product then it’s a matter of converting the Word document to a PDF and there are a ton of free services that will do that, and creating a nice cover image which again you can do yourself but I always outsource to a specialist.
Your book is done. Now it’s a question of how to use it or market it and I’ll save that for another time.
Let me know if you have any comments or ideas by sharing your thoughts in the comment box below.
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Twitter: ForteProperties
says:
I’ve actually started an e-book recently and have been kind of getting stuck on what direction to go with it or how to utilize it. This post helped me greatly. Thanks for sharing!
Austin recently posted..What is Owner Financing in Real Estate? – VIDEO
Twitter: JamesMartell
says:
Hi Austin, glad to hear you enjoyed the article. Good luck with your ebook.
Twitter: PhotogHowto
says:
Good tips on writing. I was hoping for some more about the layout, though.
Yes, it’s easy enough to convert a Word document to PDF, but there’s a big difference between a an eBook that’s a basic Word Document and one that has some basic, but pretty, formatting. Simple things, like re-sizing the page/font to fit better on a screen, and including some color in the header go a long way towards making it more like an eBook and less like a manuscript.
Brian recently posted..What Is the New Max Image Size on Facebook in 2012?
Twitter: JamesMartell
says:
Hi Brian, good points. It is worth the time to go the extra mile with respect to the interior layout of the ebook. It is a great thing to outsource this to a professional. I personally use KillerCovers.com for most of my e-covers. They do great design work. They also include a cover the for PDF that includes a cover that fits the entire front page of the ebook.
An ebook is a novel idea to reward subscribers. Providing a wealth of information to readers not only builds lists, but also a trustworthy relationship. Thank you for sharing.
Jennifer Rai recently posted..What Can You Delegate This Week? Event Management!
Twitter: JamesMartell
says:
Hi Jennifer, good points…and “providing a wealth of information” the cornerstone of it all.
Really nice article.I’ve been thinking the idea of creating an ebook but I wasn’t sure about how beneficial could be for me and for my readers.I noticed also the process and the directions you are giving on how to organize the thoughts and the whole preparation.Thank you for sharing.
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Twitter: janc102
says:
James I have an outline for an ebook that I want to write, but that would be one for selling – so what would you suggest for the freebie? I don’t have a list at all yet and that is something I need to start pronto. Do you think giving somebody the first chapter along with the contents would be a suitable freebie or should it be something different altogether?
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Twitter: JamesMartell
says:
Hi Jan, when I first launched the Affiliate Marketers Handbook back in 2002 we gave away the table of contents and the first 39 pages. This took them through the entire preamble and to the end of chapter one. This worked very well.
I also offered a free report called “Hiring Authors” as an incentive to purchase the ebook.
Good luck with your ebook.
This article actually made me want even more to pursue my dream to make an e-book.. but i jut didn’t know how to get started at all this, i mean theres so much in it, layout, how to write it to attract readers, but also how to marketing it so people get their eyes open to it. thanks for this article, it helped on some of my many thoughts
Twitter: JamesMartell
says:
Hi Andrea, I am glad to hear you enjoyed the article. Good luck in your “pursue my dream to make an e-book”.
what a great idea, never thought about an ebook before, guess itll have to be something that helps people with their problems or health though, thanks youve given me food for thought
Twitter: techiespidie
says:
I am also writing a ebook and planning to give it as a give away to everyone who signs up on my blog,,,but i keep getting writers block,,this article did help me
manoj recently posted..Googles new Project Glass
Twitter: JamesMartell
says:
You may also want to consider outsourcing the writing to a pro.
Twitter: SendingShouts
says:
On a monthly basis I sit down for a few hours and write an e-book for my subscribers. The reason for this is because subscribers do not always want to hear about the latest deals; sometimes they may want a freebie or two. Thus creating an e-book is a great way to retain and even gain more subscribers through referrals from current subscribers.
Steve recently posted..My Experience With Proactiv — A Proactiv Review
Hi James,
Nice article. Good tips on writing a ebook.
Thanks
karlos196 recently posted..Ѕоmе WordPress Themes Аrе Better Тhаn Others
Twitter: prayaygc13
says:
If you already have a website, this is one of the good chance you found to make money. The site you have started is for business.If you are making money, you’re probably not able to make as much as you want to.This is especially important to do Adding advertising is the easiest and most common method of generating revenue from a site.
That’s a nice post, but when do you consider creating an ebook? I know that most of the successful network marketing gurus have ebooks, but they also have an established following. It would see that when you have a new website that it may be difficult to generate interest for your ebook if you are relatively unknown.
Jason recently posted..Using InfoBarrel to Make Money Writing
Twitter: tekkaus
says:
Yes. It is undeniable that writing an ebook is a good way to either earn money or building your list. However the ebook itself must be worthy to be be bought or downloaded.
tekkaus recently posted..Proton Preve Is Better Than Vios & Honda City?
Twitter: BlogSEOLady
says:
Yeah. I see websites offering ebooks all the time in exchange for an email address. It’s how they attract people to join their mailing lists. Unfortunately a lot of ebooks out there aren’t as good as they promise to be. Just make sure yours really does offer something unique and useful. It gets irritating after a while when you get offered a “free” download only in return for an address. Then again one could always use a minor account for subscriptions like this.
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Twitter: JamesMartell
says:
Those who do not offer something of great value are shooting themselves in the foot. The whole purpose of obtaining their email address to begin to build a relationship with them …by providing them with something that is very helpful, useful and valuable.
Twitter: s2v92
says:
Well as My site is new and i have read this Ebook concept many times on different site but not having idea that from where to start. This post helps me to do so as i got a way and idea to start writing an ebook for My site i mean to provide from my site.
Shahid recently posted..How to Create Google Chrome Themes
There are far too many ebooks these days being churned out in very low quality. How nice would it be if all of them were written by good writers writing from the heart about what they know best.
Daniel Kucinich recently posted..Photography Tips and Tricks for Beginners
Twitter: JamesMartell
says:
Hi Daniel, I agree. It is so important to develop a high quality piece. Those who do can see great rewards. Those who develop a “churned out” ebook are shooting themselves in the foot.
Twitter: rob_higdon
says:
Thanks for the advice on producing and marketing e-books! This is my eventual goal and any information that I can find on the process is very helpful. A good e-book should be more than common knowledge, but should bring the reader truly valuable information that is worthy of their time in reading it. Again, thanks for the advice.
Twitter: JamesMartell
says:
Hey Rob, you said it well “A good e-book should be more than common knowledge, but should bring the reader truly valuable information that is worthy of their time in reading it.”.
I have subscribed and received a lot of crappy ebooks and reports in my time. It’s an INSTANT credibility killer. I typically unsubscribe at that point.
On the flip side — is when I receive something that share valuable insight, I am much more likely to stay a subscriber. It’s kind of a no-brainer.
I’ve just found your ideas on writing an ebook at the right time as I’m just putting the finishing touches to one of mine. However you have given me some ideas i hadn’t considered, such as the one Micki used in asking volunteers for help.
That’s a great idea.
Many thanks
Dave E Wilkes recently posted..3 Things You Need to Know Before Using a Home Remedy For Bed Bugs
Twitter: hipnoterapiapoz
says:
Another good way to create book is to create a mind map, and expand this map until you have enough topics. Then you are asking questions to the topics. The answers are the new book.
Twitter: JamesMartell
says:
Hi Jakub, that’s a great idea. I would suggest creating a detailed table of contents as well. I find once it has been created that it’s much easier to slot in the content and ideas you want to cover in each chapter.
My mother recently released an e-book for peers in her industry. It was a fantastic way to broaden the knowledge of fresh faces in the trade.
Twitter: Technopsisblog
says:
I am planning of writing an e-book soon on Video Search Engine Optimalization (or VSEO) and this post gave me some new insights, thanks! Especially the part of getting facebook followers to review your content for you will be something I will surely try!
Jeroen Rommelaars recently posted..Blog – 5 tips to increase website speed
Twitter: metabolicdiets
says:
That is a fantastic way of getting an E-Book done.
Andrew recently posted..Learning How To Lose Belly Fat Fast Is Easy With The Right Approach
Yeah ! I agree with this strategy. Though this is one of the best marketing strategy, i am quite confused to market this marketing strategy. This would be a very good tactics for internet marketers. Let me try my luck with this strategy.
Thanks,
Balaji
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