How do I write my first ebook?

**imported_mikeb** · 06-23-2007, 03:22 PM

I have stumbled upon something that has generated some amazing revenue for me. I'm not sure I want to shout out from the rooftop what it is but I have been kicking around the idea of an ebook I could sell.

Does anyone have any info or links on how to create an ebook? I am completely new to that.

Thanks

**doolols** · 06-24-2007, 05:57 PM

Phew! Do you have enough material for an ebook? Can you write?

My advice would be to write a few 300-500 word articles first. See if you can write so that people will read, see if there is enough in this *amazing* stuff that can fill an ebook. Typically, you'd need to be able to write a minimum of 16 pages (4000 words), and a maximum of 50 pages (12,500 words) to be able to call it an ebook.

Selling ebooks is another matter. There are an awful lot of free ebooks around on "how to make money from the internet" and such. Why should anyone buy what you have to say?

You would need compelling text, and you would need to provide samples, or teasers (maybe a chapter or so), to enable potential buyers to evaluate your abilities, and the value in your writing.

Having said that, reading printed material is still (just) ahead of online material in the ease-of-use stakes. If you get your teaser material right, your pricing right, and your payment options right, you may be able to sell your ebook. But bear in mind it's far far far easier if you have a authoritative online presence first.

**Guaner** · 06-26-2007, 10:05 AM

Great feedback doolols!

I would also add that if you are needing online authority, I would get to posting on forums and other related blogs with meaningful and informative posts. Have people come to you to ask you questions about how you do things. Provide honest and insightful answers to them and your reputation will increase steadily. It will take some time to build yourself up as an authority so be patient and use that time to write our eBook.

**handsome rob** · 06-26-2007, 01:02 PM

Although this isn't the most honest of methods, I'd expand on the above suggestion...

Go to as many forums as you can that deal in one way or another with your topic, tell everyone you're an authority, make up credentials, whatever...

Then start a thread saying that in this thread they can ask you ANY question about the subject. See what people want to know.

You'll probably get a lot of flaming, but you might get some good ideas too.

**doolols** · 06-26-2007, 06:26 PM

The use of forums is a great idea. It doesn't take much to stand out from the large number of spammers frequenting almost any kind of forum. Anyone writing sensible, informative posts will get people following links in their signatures. Hint, hint!

**joachim12** · 07-06-2007, 09:17 AM

Also if you wanna write an ebook, DON'T copy and paste information you find on other websites because it might be copyrighted. Just to let you know

**mcindigo** · 07-06-2007, 10:36 PM

Free tele-seminar next week about "How to write, publish and sell your book"
I'm going to listen in myself and thought you might be interested...

Unfortunately I haven't made enough post to put URL here yet. So, if you are interested PM me, and I'll send you the link where you can register.
Cheers.

**mcindigo** · 07-07-2007, 09:21 PM

I can post the link now!

WildlyWealthy.com - The Secret to Prosperity
You can request the number to call and its pin numbers by registering yourself here, if you are interested. It is free to register.
She has Amazon.com best seller book which was self-published to start with.
Who knows? We may learn something from her.

**ablaye** · 07-11-2007, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doolols

The use of forums is a great idea. It doesn't take much to stand out from the large number of spammers frequenting almost any kind of forum. Anyone writing sensible, informative posts will get people following links in their signatures. Hint, hint!

I doubt that people pay much attention on signatures anymore. It's just there mainly for the search engines.
I almost never click on signatures no matter how good the post is.

**jesterx** · 07-23-2007, 07:17 AM

use places like rentacoder and elance but make sure you ask for samples of their work before you take the plunge

there is a big difference on good ghostwriters and bad ones. just my two cents

**beley** · 07-31-2007, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ablaye

I doubt that people pay much attention on signatures anymore. It's just there mainly for the search engines.
I almost never click on signatures no matter how good the post is.

I click links in signatures all the time, just not the spammy ones. If you've got a signature with a descriptive link to your site and I think it sounds interesting, I'll click it just to check it out.

**cognitive** · 05-03-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imported_mikeb

Does anyone have any info or links on how to create an ebook? I am completely new to that.

Thanks

You can find information you need in this selfpublishing site http://www.lulu.com/

(click on Lulu Demo in the right corner and take a tour )

**Plugin-Developer** · 05-03-2008, 10:53 AM

I would like to echo the first responders sentiments with a few other suggestions. First, you'll probably want to sit down and write an outline of all the things that you have to say. Try to organize the outline into distinct sections with appropriate section titles and subsection headers. Then, start writing small bits of the book. Make sure your sections are appropriate in length as far as word count goes, and then start packaging them together.

If you want to produce an eBook, you'll need to market it smartly and efficiently. Make yourself an authority on the subject, prove it by showing some results of your technique, and above all, good luck.

**qiwoman** · 05-03-2008, 09:41 PM

Writing a few ezines first and some lens in sqidgoo and Hubpages can also enhanv=ce your credibility and ge tyou more known in the Market place before you launch your ebook. Then people will know a lot more about you.

**VirtuosiMedia** · 05-04-2008, 02:18 PM

My advice for actually writing it is this: Document your entire process, with statistics, etc. Then add commentary about the process and statistics. Then talk about how to integrate it into a business model.

**princess06** · 05-05-2008, 11:10 PM

one advice, research, research and research

**NaughtyGirl** · 05-06-2008, 08:57 AM

I heard clickbank was a good place to sell ebooks. Let other people sell them for you!

Writing it is pretty easy. Write a rough draft with each point you want to discuss.. then expand it into sub points for each point, then write out a few paragraphs for each sub point. Feel free to ramble a bit but be sure to be clear and humorous.

You might want to hire a editor to look over it and correct any mistakes spell/grammar check didn't catch.

Good luck!

**vapourlock** · 05-08-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickohrn

I would like to echo the first responders sentiments with a few other suggestions. First, you'll probably want to sit down and write an outline of all the things that you have to say. Try to organize the outline into distinct sections with appropriate section titles and subsection headers. Then, start writing small bits of the book. Make sure your sections are appropriate in length as far as word count goes, and then start packaging them together.

If you want to produce an eBook, you'll need to market it smartly and efficiently. Make yourself an authority on the subject, prove it by showing some results of your technique, and above all, good luck.

I concur.

Making the ebook is very simple after doing what nickohrn suggested. String it all into a flowing ebook and convert the microsoft word doc into a PDF file. You would get free converters online. Voila...Find a place to sell it or make a landing page with a good sales letter. Price it right and it should work.

**cicero** · 05-12-2008, 02:07 AM

You'll first have to sit down and be confident enough to write a ebook. It will have to be above 10000 words obviously.

If you have the confidence and the patience, hopefully you can complete the book in a few weeks.

**chrishirst** · 05-13-2008, 04:36 AM

Quote:

It will have to be above 10000 words obviously.

Why?

It's a "ebook" not "War and Peace"