• By Joan Clout-Kruse
• Published 06/8/2008
• Non-Fiction

Writing a print book takes lots more time and money so a good way to start is to write an eBook instead. It takes months and sometimes years to get your print book into the publishing mode. It costs a lot more to pay for printing, advertising, promotion, fulfillment (storage and selling your book), plus many more expenses. Yet, it is important to you to let your prospects and clients recognize you as an expert and that you attract clients and build your business. You know that a print book can do all this for you, yet the time and expenses have been holding you back. A good way to start writing to build your business is to write an eBook. EBooks will not only promote your business, they will help you make a name for yourself and your company, and establish you as an expert in your field. You can write an eBook in a month or two and develop your website store yourself or get a good Webmaster to do it for you. In no time you will be ready to sell your eBook and other products on your site. Here are six tips to help you get started. 1. Why People buy eBooks? One of the most prevalent reasons people read eBooks is to find information that will help them solve a problem or answer a question. For example, writing an eBook about “10 Ways to Keep Your Car Running Forever,” is a good topic for an automobile franchise. Or, “How to Make Money on the Internet,” is a popular topic with Internet information gurus. You can do the same thing by helping your clients solve a problem with your eBook. 2. Do Some Research on the Internet. You do need to know the strategies of promoting and selling your eBooks on line. You can start by doing a search on the Internet on “writing an eBook,” or “how to market an eBook.” Many websites will offer you free information to start, hoping in the future you will buy from them. You also will be doing the same thing when your website is up and running. Figure out what your subject matter is, and then narrow it down. Research what’s out there already in your field, and try to find a void that your eBook might fill. People need advice that is easy to read and easily understood. 3. Turn your eBook into Profits. EBooks are a revolutionary way to publish your book without incurring the costs of print production. All have a quality product that answers some question or need of your target audience with NEW, innovative information. Learn how to write powerful sales copy, or hire someone to write it for you. Identify the reasons your target audience needs your book, and the benefits they will derive from buying it.

Use graphics in your promotional materials. Beautiful graphics have the power to instantly conve

y the quality and value of your eBook. They reassure the customer that the product is what it claims to be. Search online for “eBook covers” and you will find an expert who can help you design your cover inexpensively. 4. Invite Affiliates to Market Your eBook. You may want to create affiliate programs that will also market your eBook. Affiliates can be people or businesses worldwide that will all be working to sell your eBooks. Think about this. Do you see a formula for success here? You will find affiliates who will ask you to place their links within your eBook, and these affiliates will in turn go out and make your name known by putting your link in their eBooks or online. This is a good way to build your list. However, make sure that the Affiliates offer something with good content for your readers. Only accept those that you know would be helpful to your customers. 5. Market and Sell your eBook. Getting your eBook out is going to be your focus once you’ve finished writing it, just as it is with print books. People will hesitate to buy any book from an author they’ve never heard of. Wouldn’t you? The answer is simple: give it away! You will see profits in the form of promoting your own business and getting your name out. You will notice that on most sites offering products for sale also offer free eBooks. This helps them build their clientele list (lead generation) and the user gets some information that helps solve their problem. That’s why eBooks are so essential. Not only do they provide a forum for people to learn and make sense of their own thoughts, but they can also serve to promote your business at the same time. Finally, when you set-up your download link, offer a few bonuses that make your book even more enticing to purchase, but make sure the bonuses are valuable and high quality. Too many bonuses can be considered a load of useless stuff. Too much free stuff offered diminishes your credibility. Make sure your eBook is a quality product. Make sure it is relevant and current. Develop an effective marketing plan that includes excellent sales copy and excerpted articles! 6. Get Started Today! As a final review here are the basic things you must do. 1) Write your eBook of 50 to no more than 200 pages, 2) Sign up for a domain name, 3) Build your website store with an expert to help you, 4) Get a Paypal business account to collect money and later when the sales start rolling in you can sign up for a commercial credit card account, and 5) start sending people you know to your website and build a list of names by offering a free eZine or some information that will go out to them at least twice a month. So, get started today writing your eBook. This takes a lot less time and money than a print book. An eBook can get you started and help you get that expert recognition you need in your business.

Copyright 2008, Joan Clout-Kruse.