| Decide on a topic. Successful e-books aim at a | | | | time. It's a good idea to decide on a topic and list |
| niche market that seeks specific information. The | | | | what you know will support readers to solve one |
| best combination is to know what you enjoy or | | | | or more specific problems or issues. These listings |
| feel a passionate commitment towards (or both), | | | | can be the section headers. Then, all you have to |
| as well as what potential readers would want to | | | | do is supply information to support each section; |
| know more about. You've heard it before: help | | | | create an Introduction; Table of Contents, if |
| them solve a problem or manage an issue. If | | | | needed; and provide contact information and a |
| what you enjoy is creating e-books about various | | | | call-to-action, if there is one. |
| topics, that's fine. Know what floats your boat | | | | Plan to edit and proofread, even if you pay |
| and start sailing. | | | | someone to do this for you. Another set of eyes |
| Be clear about your motivation. The reason most | | | | is important because you lose your objectivity |
| people write e-books is so they can either sell | | | | after you repeatedly work on a document. Errors |
| them or use them as free promotional tools to | | | | happen to the best of writers; but I peruse a lot |
| sell something else, or both. What helps you here | | | | of downloads from people who obviously didn't let |
| is to know whether your primary motivation is to | | | | another set of eyes that know what to look for |
| provide e-books from the perspective of an | | | | go through it before it went to the public. It will |
| Internet marketer or from someone who wishes | | | | never, ever, ever matter how exceptional a |
| to establish a long-term relationship with a niche | | | | writer you are . . . you will always need to edit |
| market. Both are valid; and if you find a way to | | | | and rewrite, and have someone look over what |
| blend the two that feels natural to you, that's | | | | you've written. |
| even better. Otherwise, get clear on which one | | | | It's ready, now what? You need to create a PDF, |
| causes you to pop out of bed in the morning like | | | | create ways to get the word out, and a way for |
| toast, and start there. You can avoid the | | | | people to download it for free or for a fee. There |
| frustration of bouncing back and forth between | | | | are numerous ways to do this; but what if you're |
| trying to become an Internet guru if you're more | | | | someone who's technically challenged or presently |
| personality driven or trying to build a long-term | | | | limited in some way? How can you get it going as |
| relationship with buyers if your true goal is to | | | | quickly and inexpensively as possible (if not for |
| master Internet marketing through e-books. | | | | free)? Research print-on-demand services offered |
| Decide what the format will look like. Look at | | | | online. The ones that let you publish for free allow |
| other e-books to get a sense of format options, | | | | you to upload your Word document; convert it to |
| graphics, font and size, ornate or simple. If your | | | | a PDF (which you save to your computer for |
| goal is to be easily recognized, you may want to | | | | additional marketing opportunities); create a "book" |
| consider either a logo or appearance that's | | | | cover, if you didn't create your own to upload; |
| immediately recognizable by readers. You may be | | | | and voila! Your e-book is now offered on their |
| comfortable with one format (think "Chicken Soup | | | | retail Web site. You can also create a designated |
| for the Soul") or your creativity may feel | | | | Website for your e-book. If you're one of the |
| constrained unless you can explore and play on an | | | | uninitiated as to how to create one or aren't |
| ongoing basis. | | | | ready to pay someone to create and maintain a |
| Do you intend to create a brand? "Chicken Soup | | | | site, research the free sites online. Some of them |
| for the Soul" and "Dummies" books are two | | | | even offer Web Stores so you can list your |
| prime examples of creating instant visual and title | | | | e-book(s) and link the purchases directly to your |
| recognition for readers. Each book may have a | | | | PayPal account. Easy-peasy. |
| different focus, but readers know what to | | | | Depending on how much time and attention you |
| expect from them. It may be that you start with | | | | can give to write and edit your e-book, you can |
| a brand, create a brand later, or never concern | | | | actually get one written and into the market in a |
| yourself with this. But, it's something to think | | | | week, give or take a few days. |
| about if you intend to create more than one | | | | If you've delayed writing your e-book for any |
| e-book. | | | | reason mentioned above, there's no reason to |
| Get clear on your content. Your title should inform | | | | delay it longer. I do want to suggest, though, that |
| readers what to expect and the content must | | | | whatever your desired outcome is, make your |
| support this. If you find yourself mixing in content | | | | most immediate target to get it done and have |
| that doesn't fit, copy and paste it into an Ideas | | | | fun while doing it. One step at a time completes a |
| document and create an e-book about it another | | | | journey. |