10 Steps to Write an Ebook
Writing an ebook can be the tipping point that’ll turn your entire career around. While it might not seem like much, ebooks open new markets for you to help spread your word and get your name out there. But as simple as it may seem, there’s a lot that should be considered and done for your ebook to have the kind of impact you’re hoping for.
Which is why I’ve brought you 10 sure-fire tips to write a great ebook.
Step 1: Plan it.
Step 2: Research it.
Step 3: Start with an outline.
Step 4: Sit down and write.
Step 5: Write a captivating introduction.
Step 6: End it with a bang.
Step 7: Add interactive content.
Step 8: Design to impress.
Step 9: Gate the ebook behind a landing page.
Step 10: Reach out to your audience.
As Owen Hooter, writer at Aussie Writings, says when it comes to ebook writing: ‘’The more you think about doing it, the scarier it becomes. You should be prepared and work hard to get it right, but once you start thinking about writing your first ebook, you should sit down and start working on it.’’
Step 1: Plan it.
Before you jump into research and writing, plan the process. To create a valuable and interesting piece of content, you need to plan it. Think of different topics and stories and brainstorm them. Talk with others to see if your stories spike their interest. Make minor research to see if the topic is researchable. This part of the process is the first and foremost step to take when writing an ebook. It is the piece of the puzzle that determines if all next steps will be successful or not.
When you plan for your ebook, make sure to go through the following to-do list:
- Define the topic of your ebook.
- Define the angle from which you will approach the topic.
- Think about why you are writing the ebook. What does your reader expect from your ebook?
- Explore different topics and break them down into stages.
- Read books on similar topics for some inspiration and information.
- Research trends and news on the topic before you start any other research.
Step 2: Research it.
If you think that once you choose a topic, the writing part will just ‘come to you’, you are wrong. Chances are – you will get stuck somewhere in your writing. At some point, you will need more information and background, which can only be attained through research. With that in mind, your best chances at scoring the ebook writing part are to do research before you start writing.
Give yourself some time for research. If you don’t, you can easily get stuck in this stage, too. Gather materials on the topic, find resources to use and read as much as you can. Reading is the strongest tool you have for writing.
One thing to keep in mind is that whilst you’re in the midst of your research process, you need to be 100% certain of facts and statistics you use. This is part of the research process, but also something to pay attention to when you do the actual ebook writing. If you decide to use statistics and facts to back up your content, you need to check them more than once. Many authors fail to do so, which leads them to include fake or outdated information in their ebooks. This makes them lose credibility as writers and turns their ebook into a much worse version of itself.
Step 3: Start with an outline.
Any writing expert out there will tell you the same – content requires an outline. Whether you write academic content, articles or blog posts, or an ebook – the rule always applies. Without it, you will lose focus and can easily mistake the organization in your writing. This gets you back to the start, and you have a lot of time wasted just because you didn’t take some time to write an outline.
Generally speaking, an outline should include the following:
- Titles for your chapters and notes that contain the data you will use in each.
- Subsections for the chapters that organize the details you plan to cover in them.
Step 4: Sit down and write.
It’s easy to get caught up in the research, but at some point you’re going to have to stop and start writing. Once you do, focus on getting through the first draft as quickly as possible. It’s easy to get bogged down on finding just the right wording, but if you let the perfectionist in you take over you may end up frustrated and never complete your ebook. If you’re a perfectionist writer, get help.
If you’re not a writer at all, and the whole writing process is a mystery to you. You’ll find a detailed guide and handy infographic for you in Writing Process Explained for Non-Writers.
Step 5: Write a captivating introduction.
If your introduction is no good, the odds of people continuing their reading are slim. At this point, you should already have an outline and notes with data you will use in your writing. It is now time to start the writing process.
Think of it as the opening notes of a music piece. If they sound bad, people will turn it off. If they sound beautiful, they’ll be enticed to keep listening. Maintaining an excellent flow from start to finish also leads to people remembering your writing, sharing it with others, and becoming your fans.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves – this is the first part of your ebook. When you begin with the introduction, keep in mind that you need to include the data relevant to the topic challenge, as well as some enticing detail that lets the readers into what the book will be about.
Step 6: End it with a bang.
There’s no reason to believe that the conclusion is the least important because it comes last. It is equally important as the introduction or the story itself. To leave your readers in awe after they finish the ebook, end it with a brilliant conclusion. Provide a clear summary, keep them interested in the topic, and give them a reason to wait for your next ebook. That’s how powerful a conclusion can be.
Step 7: Add interactive content.
If you can, try to use interactive content within your book, it can be a great help to enrich your content and help give your readers a better overall experience. Interactive content can range from adding images, videos, audio, to other things such as tests, Instagram and Twitter feeds, and a lot more. The possibilities of interactivity have grown the past few years, for more on how to add interactive content to your ebook, you can refer to this guide to writing an interactive ebook.
Step 8: Design to impress.
Once you are done with the writing part, you need to edit and proofread. These are the obvious steps, but something that most writers forget about is the actual book appearance. An ebook does not only have to be written well – it has to look great, too.
Chances are, people will read the ebook on their devices. That’s why it is published in an ebook version. As such, you need to use a visually attractive cover that makes people want to download it in the first place. You also want to be consistent with the color themes you use, make each section readable, and provide readers with a content page. And most importantly, you need to ensure that your ebook is optimized for all devices.
Step 9: Gate the ebook behind a landing page.
If your goal is to capture relevant leads and get more readers invested in your brand, you need to gate the ebook behind a relevant landing page. Your landing page must highlight the ebook and the benefits it offers in order to push people to convert and to download.
Step 10: Reach out to your audience.
Making an excellent ebook should bring you a wide audience of readers, but this doesn’t happen overnight. Start spreading the word around to get your book acknowledged by the right people.
When it comes to this, what better place to share your book than with the audience you already have? If you have a newsletter or a blog, start your ebook marketing there. This audience will give you feedback and spread the word around. That’s the start of your ebook journey.
Need more ideas check out this monstrous list of 40 Ideas to Market Your Book and if you’re on a budget you’ll want see these 7 Free Ways to Promote Your Book.
Are you ready to start your first ebook? Take your time and use your skills – if you do, it will inspire and impress!
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