Writing an eBook can help generate passive income or enhance your
professional reputation. Whether you plan to sell it or simply give it
away in order to add value to your online presence, here are some tips
to help you get started:
- Find your niche: You probably already have a good idea of what you want to write about, but many people become frustrated because they start off with a topic that is too broad. An eBook about yoga is probably going to be unsuccessful because there is too much competition. One way to narrow down your focus is to use one of the many free keyword planning tools available to discover topics with high value. If you have an AdWords account you can use the Keyword Planner. Another good option is the SEO Book Keyword Suggestion Tool, which requires a free signup. After trying out a few keywords, you might narrow your topic down to something more manageable, like yoga for relaxation or yoga for pain relief.
- Organize: Getting started is easy once you have a plan. First think of 10 chapter headings. (Of course, you can have any number of chapters, but 10 chapter ideas should give you a good head start.) Then, try to break your chapters down into five to 10 subheads. If you get stuck, you might want to go back to the keyword tool to help you brainstorm chapter ideas and subhead ideas.
- The more you are able to break up the text into headings and subheads, the easier it will be for your reader to enjoy your book on their computer, tablet or phone.
- Keep it simple: While it may seem like the world of web publishing is fresh and new enough that anything goes, once it comes time to submit your book to publishing platforms like Kindle, iBooks and Kobo you'll need to ensure it's formatted properly for them. That means you need to avoid text boxes, borders, homemade fonts and everything else that might make your manuscript worthy of a design award. If you need to include images, follow the instructions of the publishing platform carefully to avoid mishaps.
- Edit, edit, edit: Even the best writers make the silliest mistakes. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your family and friends. Having your younger brother notice that you don't seem to know the difference between "there" and "their" is much less embarrassing than having thousands of complete strangers notice (and worse, post the fact in your online reviews).
- Choose your platforms: The simplest way to get your eBook on the market is to choose a service that posts to multiple platforms on your behalf, like Smashwords. If you want more control over design and commissions, you'll have to post individually to the various platforms, which means more time spent formatting and setting up accounts. Make sure you read the formatting instructions closely so that your book will look good on all the different devices your readers will be using.
- Monitor and market: Once your book is out there, don't expect to see sales right away. It's up to you to move the merchandise by engaging in all the marketing efforts you can afford whether it's social media, affiliate marketing, giving talks on your subject, maintaining a website or paying for advertising.
