Writing Your First Ebook -
Easy Startup Tips
A
reflective look at what you should bring to the eBook authoring process
Are YOU ready for the eBook
authoring adventure? Do you have what it takes to author an eBook? Is
there an eBook author inside of you? Are you not sure whether or not
you have what it takes to write that book that's been living inside of
you for years? Are you reluctant to start writing your eBook, fearing
that you won't complete it?
Let's examine your attitudes, skills and knowledge that you bring to
the eBook authoring process. Let's look at some key questions you can
ask yourself to see if your "readiness" for embarking on this authoring
adventure is obvious.
The following questions are not meant to cover everything you should
know about yourself before beginning the authoring process but they
will give you a good idea where you stand. You may be surprised at some
of the criteria mentioned.
This is not your conventional assessment of what it takes to author an
eBook. Criteria like knowledge of the subject area, experience with the
problems addressed in the eBook, familiarity with members of the target
market for your eBook, and previous work done on your eBook topic are
assumed.
This is a reflective look at what you should and could bring to the
eBook authoring process. It's the non-conventional criteria that will
be addressed here.
Remember that we are talking about eBooks not pBooks (standard
published books) and therefore the attitudes, skills and knowledge you
require are different. eBooks are a marriage of creative writing (for
non-fiction primarily) and eBook technology. Your eBook is designed to
be viewed on a computer monitor. Your eBook is very much like a living
web page. You have at your disposal for use in your eBook the wonders
of internet, web and eBook technology. Writing is but one part of the
eBook authoring process.
Every step of the eBook authoring process is affected by the fact that
eBooks are inventions of technology, software programs, creative
writing and the World Wide Web among other aspects.
Consider: The Ten Steps of eBook
Authoring:
I
Idea
II Reflection
III Commitment
IV Big Picture
V Chunking
VI Writing
VII Editing
VIII Publishing
IX Marketing
X Celebrating
There is not one step in this process that will not require a different
way of thinking compared to the conventional ideas of writing a book.
That's not to say that there is no carry-over from pBook to eBook.
There is much in common but it is also necessary to approach the
writing of an eBook with a much different audience in mind that the one
who would normally purchase your book at a book store.
As an example, the fact that your customer will not be able to
physically touch your eBook before purchasing it means that your "Big
Picture" idea of a jacket for your pBook now becomes a look at an eBook
cover graphic digitally reproduced but no less appealing than your
standard pBook cover. In fact, cover design for eBooks is sometimes
even more important than for a standard book.
Another example is the technological expertise of your target market.
eBooks don't require any special skills to use them properly but it
does require that your target market have access to a computer, know
how to download information from the internet, and regularly seek
answers to their questions from the web.
All of these issues and plenty more make the eBook an interesting,
exciting, worthwhile, and rewarding venture into authoring. Add to this
list the fact that your expertise level will be enhanced in the same
way a standard published authors' would be but at a much reduced cost.
You have complete control your eBook all the time. You make much more
money selling eBooks than standard book unless you are already a
well-known author. You can become a published author quickly and
inexpensively while maintaining control of all aspects of the eBook
authoring process. You can share your expertise with a world-wide
audience 24/7.
Leave a written legacy of your knowledge and expertise. Author an eBook.
6 Key Ebook Authoring Questions
Question #1
Do YOU relish the
opportunity to share your expertise, knowledge, and skills?
The excitement generated when someone downloads your free eBook or
purchases your "expertise" makes your work well worth the effort.
eBooks provide an opportunity, at a very reasonable cost, to target a
world-wide market of people sharing your interests.
The Internet is the number one source of instant information. Your
eBook should be written to address the needs and problems of your
target market. Your objective in writing your eBook is to share what
you have learned with others. You will be seen as an expert. Your job
is to help people solve problems by sorting through the glut of
information available to your readers and get right to the heart of the
problem.
Readers want instant solutions to problems. They want the delivery of
the eBook answers immediately without leaving the office or home.
Readers appreciate the time you have taken to help them solve their
problem. Making contacts with "like minds" is a bonus, especially for
the author.
Do you have something about which you are passionate? About which you
have experience? About which you have gained insights and knowledge
that would be of value to others? About which your wisdom would best be
shared before it is lost forever?
So the very first question you have to answer is do you have an
interest or area of expertise that you are anxious to share with
others. Your passion for the subject will carry you throughout the
entire eBook authoring process.
Are you interested in sharing your knowledge, skills, attitudes, and
passions with the world?
Question #2
Are YOU willing to
continue along the road of life-long learning? Are you willing to
improve your computer literacy, word processing skills, and Internet
savvy?
Regardless of where you currently stand in terms of your knowledge,
skills, and attitudes regarding computer and Internet technology, you
will have plenty of opportunities to improve in these areas. The option
is always yours to learn what you need to know yourself or turn the
step over to someone who does. A big part of the adventure is learning
how to enhance the message in your eBook through the best techniques
available to you. The Internet is all about information. Information
sells if packaged well. Information sells when the purchaser sees the
benefits of the purchase to enhance his/her life, solve problems or
prevent mistakes.
By simply learning more about your word processing software you will
have taken a big step! Purchase a good instruction manual that has
plenty of pictures, is bright in color and uses the actual images you
will see on your computer monitor to help you learn how to do things.
The average person using word processing software has only a
superficial knowledge of what the software can do. Now you have the
opportunity to use this new-found knowledge in the best of all places ?
your eBook.
eBook technology, properly used, enhances your enjoyment in presenting
the material and your audience's reading enjoyment as well. Consider
for example that every single web page in the entire universe can
readily be placed into your eBook for easy reference. There is no need
to reproduce tons of material when a link from your eBook to a web site
will do the same thing. Not only that, but the reader doesn't have to
wade through material they already know. They can choose to follow the
link or not. Another marvelous use of eBook technology is that the
reader who leaves your eBook to visit a web page can just as easily
come back to your eBook.
Color is another example of eBook technology at its best. You have the
entire palette to use in your eBook. Your eBook comes alive with color.
There are no limitations unlike the standard pBook where adding color
means added costs and added costs mean higher prices and higher prices
mean fewer sales. You get the picture.
Considering this question about your personal learning curve, look at
your decision to author an eBook as an opportunity to embark on a
tremendous learning experience. You take on the role of both teacher
(eBook author) and learner (eBook author) with one experience.
Do the "learning" possibilities excite you? You will learn as much
about yourself as you will about eBook technology and computers if you
have the courage to take up the eBook authoring challenge.
Are you a life-long learner?
Question #3
Are YOU willing to do the
research required for your eBook?
It is very probable you already have a fair amount of information
readily available for the content of your eBook. This can come in the
form of personal experience, articles written by you, web site
resources, books and videos on the subject, workshop materials you have
presented, and seminars or training sessions you have done.
Research skills will be necessary to make your work accurate, relevant
and up-to-date. One of the most amazing aspects of eBook technology is
the fact that you continuously update the information in your eBook
with relative ease. It won't require producing an entirely new product
and tossing out the old books. All that's required is an electronic
update of your current eBook. And it costs little or nothing to produce
your new eBook. In fact it costs so little you could even afford to
give all previous purchasers a copy of the revised eBook for free!
There are virtually no distribution charges.
This "up-to-the-minute" research is a two-edged sword. As the author
charged with providing your readers with accurate information using the
Internet and sorting through that information to find what is truly
relevant, you also have the obligation to keep your eBook updated. It's
not a problem as an eBook. Your reputation will be enhanced among your
readers. Their trust in you will make up-selling other products and
services so much easier. You're credible and incredible!
Research isn't just about providing your target market with valuable
information. You must also be prepared to do your market research as
well. You must be willing to spend time "where your target market hangs
out". This means getting to know the right people, the right places,
and the right things that will help sell your eBook. In most
situations, eBook authors are also active members of organizations,
subscribers to magazines and periodicals, attendees at conferences and
workshops that your target market is likely to frequent. You are a
member of "the group". This is called marketing research for sales and
distribution of your eBook.
Of course, there are the technical aspects of the entire process that
will also require some attention on your part such as ePublishing.
Publishing in the traditional sense is usually done after a contract is
signed and the publisher takes over the entire process. No so with
eBooks. You are the one! Don't worry. It's not that difficult.
Remember, like any other aspect of the eBook authoring process, you can
always hire someone else to do it!!! ePublishing or compiling is the
term used to convert your book created using word processing software
into a format that becomes an electronic book (eBook) so your reader
can make best use of it. There are many formats to choose from. Adobe
Acrobat ? Portable Document Format (PDF) works with all platforms. Like
all of the eBook formats available to you, Adobe provides a free Reader
so your eBook can be used.
Research in its various forms should be considered part of the dues you
must pay to successfully author an eBook. One aspect of eBooks that
most appeals to authors and readers is that the writing style is
informal and the annotations and formal references used in University
papers isn't required. In fact, your readers will welcome that fact
that you can talk to them person to person in your eBook and they will
get the message. The research component in this question is more behind
the scenes but it's an important consideration when embarking on
writing an eBook.
Is research a dirty word for you or does it excite you?
Question #4
Do you see yourself as a
team player?
Success in anything is seldom accomplished without the help of others.
One of the most important methods of leverage is working cooperatively
with others to accomplish a particular goal. It makes success quicker
and easier. It's all about synergy-the concept that one plus one does
not equal two but eleven! Working together with your team you can
accomplish more and do it faster than trying to do everything yourself.
In eBook authoring there are many opportunities to work with others. In
fact, it would be safe to say that it is impossible that anyone could
do it alone. Consider these aspects of eBook authoring that may require
the assistance of others.
Mentors can make a tremendous difference to your personal success as an
author. Mentors can provide the emotional support you require to keep
you on task and encourage you to reach your goal. Mentors can help with
specific skills that you may be lacking like learning how to more
effectively use your word processing software. Mentors can be
experienced writers with whom you can share ideas and experiences.
Mentors can be 'experts' in your topic that provide you with insights
you might otherwise have not thought about. And mentors can also be
your proof-readers and editors when your draft copy requires 'outside'
approval and scrutiny.
Technical members of your team may be required to help you design and
operate a web site in order to sell your eBook. Technical expertise is
often required to compile or ePublish your book from the word
processing software to eBook format. Graphic experts can help you
design your eBook cover along with other graphics used on your web site
or for promotional purposes. Banners on sites and logos for your eBook
sales and ad copy many also require outside assistance.
And don't forget those people who form your inner circle of friends,
relatives and immediate family. Without the support and encouragement
of these people your eBook authoring experience will become more work
than adventure.
The last step of The 10 Steps to eBook Authoring is Celebrate. It's no
accident that this step is included. The celebration is a team
celebration. Without a team, you will not succeed. If you are not a
team player, you will find the authoring experience a difficult, in not
impossible one.
Are you a team player?
Question #5
Is the entrepreneurial
spirit alive in YOU?
Whether or not you have previous entrepreneurial experience you will be
able to see how the self-employed and small business operators make
money. As an author you will become a small business. Your active
involvement in all aspects of the process is essential even though you
may not be doing some things like compiling your finished eBook.
Learning the business of writing, publishing, and marketing your eBook
is fascinating.
It doesn't matter whether you plan to give away your eBook as a bonus
for purchasing other products or services or use it to advertise your
expertise or sell your eBook as a product, your entrepreneurial skills
will need to be addressed. Once more, your attitudes, skills and
knowledge will be tested. The learning curve will appear once more. You
will become a self-employed author operating a small business just like
thousands of other small business owners. Be prepared for this unique
adventure. It's exciting.
Time is your biggest investment in the authoring process. Some money
will need to be spent to publish and market your eBook. eBooks can be
written, published, marketed and sold for an investment of a few
hundred dollars at most. Recouping your expense will be much easier
than any other form of publishing ? self-publishing, standard
publishing through a company contract, or print on demand. Should you
choose to sell your eBook you will generate life-long income in the
order of 40- 95% of the selling price of each book depending on the
methods you choose to reach your customer. In addition, your eBook
authoring, related speaking engagements, and workshops qualifies you
for tax benefits as a self-employed person. An option always remains
open to you to publish your eBook in standard paperback or hard cover
format.
eBooks are the "doors of opportunity" for anyone wishing to enhance
their current careers, establish themselves as an expert in their
field, or begin a new career. Published eBooks put the author in a
unique position to build a business around this one eBook or other
eBooks related to the first one. Business opportunities are generated
by your status as a published author. You will have the opportunity to
conduct workshops, host teleseminars, produce other products, provide
additional services like consulting or coaching, facilitate training
sessions, do keynote addresses and of course write other eBooks. Your
eBook can become the center of your new entrepreneurial universe.
Does the entrepreneurial spirit in you lead you to eBook authoring?
There they are! Five questions worth your reflective consideration.
Five questions that will help you decide whether you have what it takes
to author an eBook.
The decision is yours. Let the journey begin! It all starts with an
Idea!
© Paul Jackson
Paul Jackson, a published eBook author and retired educator, clearly
appreciates what it takes to author an eBook. His experience as both a
writer and an instructor helping people realize their dream of
authoring a book qualifies him to ask these very important questions.
His business, eBook Authoring Services, at http://www.ebookwritingandpublishing.com
is a great starting point for aspiring eBook authors. |
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