Producing an E-book requires just as much work as a regular book. Here’s some pointers on how it’s done.
Don’t Just Follow the Money
Some topics might sound like great possibilities because you know there’s a big market out there. You may find that the market is saturated, and only established big names are currently selling well. Instead, choose a topic that (a) you already know a lot about and (b) you’ll enjoy writing about. This saves you doing lots of research just to get up to speed, and it substantially increases the chance that you’ll see your ebook through to a final draft.
Choose the Right Topic
The first step in learning how to write an eBook, is making sure you choose a smart eBook idea (topic area) that’ll not only resonate with readers, but also mesh well with your own interests & goals. What kinds of eBook ideas in your niche have a strong potential to generate sales—or at least email subscribers (if you’ll be writing a free eBook to use as a lead magnet)? The most important mistake to avoid at this stage is being sure you don’t write an eBook about a topic that doesn’t have any real, proven demand in the marketplace.
Formatting
Generally speaking, you should follow these guidelines:
- Leave a lot of white space. Give your pages wide margins, large font size, and plenty of space between lines and paragraphs. Each of these components will keep your readers flowing easily through your content without having to strain their eyes to follow along.
- Include a header and footer. At minimum you should include page numbers at either the top or bottom of pages, but don’t be afraid to put other helpful items, e.g., the title of the chapter or ebook, or a link to your website.
- Write the front matter/end matter. Remember to create a table of contents, copyright page, and an “About the Author” page with a call-to-action. This last one will tell your readers who you are and direct them to your website.
- Double check pictures and graphics. If you included pictures and graphics in your ebook, be sure to list any copyright or source information. Finally, check that they are positioned and proportioned correctly.
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