Dream A: You want to sell your books to people all over the world.
Dream B: You do not want to spend so much mass-producing copies of the same book and transporting them across continental boundaries.
Well, today, let’s see how you can achieve your “Dream A” without running the risk of “Dream B”.
Now you can publish your books online and here is how.
Step 1: Create your eBook
This will likely be the most challenging and most rewarding part of your journey.
Decide on your topic
Think about what you’re passionate about and what content would help your target audience. You also need an original edge. The best eBooks share a personal story or experiences. Why? A personal story is engaging, builds authority, and creates empathy with the reader.
Tip: a great way to gauge what your audience responds to is to look at which of your blog posts and social media updates currently get the most comments or shares.
Before finalizing your topic, do some research on the existing market. Look at potential competitors already selling eBooks in similar categories on Amazon or their own site. Consider ways in which your story and unique perspective can help you to stand out. Get creative.
“To be known, you don’t have to be a subject matter expert. But you must have the determination and patience to become one. A professional is simply an amateur who didn’t quit.” –Mark Schaefer
Come up with a Good Title
When selling eBooks, the title can be a game changer. Be specific. Your eBook title could be a word, a clause or a simple phrase. Always use a title that draws the reader to your book without necessarily giving out the information contained in a fell swoop.
Write the eBook
The key to selling eBooks is to write simply and clearly. People will buy your eBook because they want to learn from it. Start with the desired result (teaching an idea, skill, or process) and then work backwards. Set yourself deadlines and focus on one chapter at a time.
Overcoming writer’s block
At some stage, this is going to happen. You’ll sit down to write, your brain will go blank, and you’ll have no idea what to do next. When this happens, drop the pen and walk around. Do other things to engage yourself and then come back to the writing when the muse returns to you.
Here are a few of our favorite free tools for increasing writing productivity::
You can also get a freelancer here to help you through this step.
Step 2: Format your eBook
One key to selling eBooks is readability. Make it easy to digest the information you’re putting forward by keeping your formatting consistent and using a simple font like Ariel or Verdana at size 11 or 12. Less is more here, so don’t go overboard on your formatting. Stick to a simple color scheme. Try to maintain two or three types of headers and use lots of short paragraphs and lists.
Use great images
When we hear information, we’re likely to remember only about 10% of what was said three days later. Pair that information with a relevant image, however, and retention rate over the same period jumps to 65%.
Feeling creative? Enjoy photography? It’s absolutely possible to take your own photos with your smartphone or a DSLR camera. If you’re like me, though, and don’t trust your photography skills, you can buy them from an image library. Make sure to pay attention to the license on each image. There are also a ton sites offering free images that don’t require attribution- check out Gratisography, Unsplash, PicJumbo or DeathToStockPhoto.
If you are not really good with graphic designs, you can also contact a freelancer here to do that for you.
Step 3: Proof reading
Before getting another set of eyes on your eBook, check for spelling mistakes and do a round of editing on your own. Remember that fixing minor errors can distract your proofreader from bigger tasks, like checking content.
Reading aloud is a fantastic way to catch things that you might otherwise miss. Your brain automatically fills in gaps, corrects typos, and ignores incorrect words. You’ll also get a better sense of the flow of longer sections.
So you’ve poured in your blood, sweat, and tears and have a finished draft. Don’t make the mistake of giving it to your romantic partner or mom for edits. Find an objective outside party that isn’t overly concerned about hurting your feelings. We will suggest a freelancer here for the job. Don’t be offended if they suggest deleting paragraphs of your book. Remember: simplicity and clarity are what matter here.
Step 4: Get a cover that sells your eBook
Prospective buyers will judge your eBook by its cover. It may be cliché, but it’s a fact.
A good book cover suggests professionalism and gives customers a sense that work has gone into the product. Look at book covers in a similar niche to yours to get some ideas. Here are a few elements of a good eBook cover:
- Make the title a different color than the background
- Set your title in a large, easy to read font
- Visual elements should be 300 dpi
- Beware of copyright – don’t use images or design elements that you don’t have permission to use
- Use good images – avoid cheap standard stock photography
Unless you are proficient in graphic design, I would suggest finding someone to create the eBook cover for you. You could contact this freelancer here. He is highly skilled and professional.
Step 6: Add your eBook to a website
Now it’s time for the seriously simple part: creating a website and adding your eBooks (trust us, it really is simple!)
Using the Selz easy-to-use store builder, upload your eBook with an image of the front cover, add a description, set the price, and then add the product to your new store.
Step 7: Promote your eBook
It’s time to tell the world about your new eBook. Build a buzz within your audience and use that to drive sales.
One way to do this is to do ten to twenty guest posts for sites that your niche read. This isn’t for the purpose of SEO links, but to generate interest. You don’t have to directly mention your eBook, but the subject of the post should relate to the subject of your book. The aim is to get someone interested enough to land on your website and to then consider buying your book.
Consider giving away some copies to bloggers in your niche and request that they share it with their network if they enjoy it. Don’t bombard people with requests for reviews or shares without getting to know them first.