While many people and brands realize the importance of content marketing, they seldom see beyond blog creation.
Actually, you need a variety of content to help your business grow online. You need to podcasts, videos, online courses, images, slides, and… ebooks.
In this post, I’ll share how ebooks will help your business grow and how to create one in the easiest way possible.
Why you should create ebooks.
With digital phones, tablets, and desktops available to so many people, reading has become an ‘on-the-go’ activity.
It makes sense to create ebooks that people can read online.
People often need content that’s more comprehensive than a blog post but not necessarily a novel-sized piece of work.
Ebooks have become an increasingly popular tool for content marketing and funnel-creation. By providing an easy-to-digest, comprehensive resource for readers, ebooks can be leveraged to:
- Increase brand awareness
- Reach new audiences
- Build qualified leads
- Create credibility, trust, and authority
- Get more search traffic
- Leverage multiple online platforms like ebook websites
- Create additional income
- Educate customers and audiences
There’s virtually unlimited potential derived from ebooks. You should use it if you want to grow your brand and build your online authority.
How to create an ebook
There are a few main steps to creating an ebook:
- You need to decide what your ebook will be about
- You create your ebook
- You publish it on appropriate channels i.e. distribute
- Promote your ebook
Let’s break it down further.
1. Brainstorm your ebook idea
This is where you decide what your book is about. You may have something in mind or may need to brainstorm what you want to share.
This is the point where you list everything know, value, and have expertise on. Choose the item on your list that you think will most benefit your audience.
2. Start with an ebook title
It’s a good idea to get started with your ebook title. Having a title serves as a guide that keeps you on track so you don’t go off in tangents.
I suggest using tools to help you craft an awesome ebook title. Don’t hesitate to use ChatGPT to get a few ideas. I also recommend using a subject line analyzer to give you a great title especially if you’re writing a marketing or business-related book.
3. Create outlines for each chapters
Once you have your title, create outlines for each chapter. Write down the main points you want to cover and break them into smaller sections or sub-sections if it’s necessary.
There are plotting tools and outlining platforms that make it easy to visualize your entire book from a bird’s eye view.
Having chapter outlines will keep you on track and ensure that your entire book is cohesive.
4. Start a first draft
Writing your actual book is intimidating but that’s because you likely want it to be perfect on the very first go.
But even the best writers never get it right the first time they write. They redraft and edit frequently. And they have skilled editors to help improve their work.
At first, focus on writing something down. Do not try to get things right or edit your work too much. Just write and figure out how to improve it later.
5. Use AI to speed up the process
Artificial intelligence writing tools can adopt your tone of voice and style. With the right prompts and instructions, you can get an AI tool to finish significant parts of your book.
For example, use an AI tool to create a summary or expand on something you write. You can let it outline your book or handle the tedious parts of your writing.
6. Take a break
It’s a good idea to put some distance between you and your book before editing it.
Take a few days off from writing or working on the project. Come back to it with fresh eyes, this way, you can easily spot errors, inconsistencies, and anything that needs improvement.
7. Edit & proofread
No matter how great a writer you are, there will always be mistakes in your first draft. This is where editing and proofreading come in. Editing ensures grammar, punctuation, and spelling are all correct while proofreading goes beyond that to ensure everything from the tone of voice to the plot development is on point.
Also, think about hiring a writer or letting a talented friend or peer to go over your work. Getting a third-party perspective will do a great deal of good and spot issues you might otherwise miss.
8. Design an ebook cover
You have many options to design an ebook cover. You can:
- Use a free design tool like Canva
- Use a free AI image generator like Midjourney
- Hire a freelancer on Fiverr or Upwork
These are some easy and affordable ways to get your ebook cover designed. Make sure you stick to the theme of your book. If you’re writing a B2B report, keep it professional and clean. If its an inspiring story, go for something that reflects your work.
9. Add links and a call to action
It’s important to include links in your ebook. Linking out relevant websites, products or services adds credibility and trustworthiness to your book.
Be sure to also add a call-to-action at the end of each chapter or throughout the book if applicable. This encourages readers to take action and continue engaging with other pieces of content from you such as blog posts, podcasts, etc.
10. Publish & distribute your ebook
Once you’re done editing and proofreading your book, it’s time to actually publish it.
Let’s look at some options:
- Publish to platforms like Kindle Desktop Publishing, Smashwords, Reedsy, or some other option
- Turn your ebook into a digital download on your website
- Use a third-party platform like Gumroad,Sellfy, and so on
The best option is to sell your ebook on your own site. To do this, you should use a simple tool like Easy Digital Downloads to turn your ebook into a downloadable file.
I recommend this step especially if you want to grow your brand. Make sure that you gate your ebook so that visitors have to provide their email address before downloading it. This will help you identify leads who will be interested in further services from you.
11. Create an ebook landing page
You can create a simple, one-page website specifically for your book and use it to promote your work. This is especially useful if you’re selling the ebook on your own website.
Share your landing page in different places and it’s also useful if you decide to use ads to promote your ebook.
12. Promote your ebook
There are many ways to make your ebook an appealing product for your audience.
You can turn it into a contest giveaway on social media and share that it’s available to your network for free if they comment on your posts.
Some other ways to promote your ebook include sharing it on relevant forums, guest blogging, and email campaigns.
Conclusion
An ebook is a necessary addition to your content offerings. It is a different format that gives your audience more details and information.
And it is a powerful tool that will build your online presence and authority.
Creating an ebook is a process that doesn’t have to be hard.
So, if you’re looking to create an ebook and get it out there, follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way.
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Syed Balkhi is an award-winning entrepreneur and online marketing expert. He is the co-founder of OptinMonster, WPBeginner, MonsterInsights, and WPForms.