Top Ten eBook Mistakes and How to Correct Them
Sankofa Literary Society Posting Home
Judy Cullins c. 2006
Did you know that you already have an eBook inside you? And, like your
coach, you can earn thousands of dollars each month?
Even if you are a non-techie like me, you can write your ebook at the
same time you write your print book. Or, solve your readers' problems
using other articles and reports already in your files. Expand a two-
page article with a story or add other how-to's.
If you want to double and triple your present book income, check out
these mistakes and correct them now.
Mistake 1. You don't write a short e-Book first to test the waters.
Short is in the eyes of the beholder, but let's say from 15-90 pages.
Your future customers will be glad to download these pages and print
only the ones they need to.
Your e-Book needs to be more concise, easy-to-read, and compelling
than your print book. That means you can shorten your analogies and
stories. You can use a "success format" that poses a question (a
heading) your reader wants answered, then answer it. This formula gets
to the point quickly, and always remember, your Online audience is
busy and doesn't want a wordy style.
Mistake 2. You don't check in with a professional editor or book coach
before you sell your e-Book.
Yes, it's good to get feedback from peers, but you need to get a
professional look at the final edition -someone who can set you
straight about words and grammar that makes your writing vital and
original. For instance, you need to drop your passive constructions
such as "there is" or any form of "is, has, begin or start". Limit the
-ly adverbs that merely tell rather than show. Your readers want a
picture and want to respond with their emotions. Limit your -ing forms
of the verbs. Keep your copy in present or past tense.
Mistake 3. You don't know your audience before you write your e-Book.
Emerging authors make this biggest mistake. They have information, so
why not write an e-Book? Instead think about the audience you will
serve. More targeted works well. People who want something quick and
easy that will save them time and money - another audience. The best
one so far in the untapped Internet or Online audience. Mostly small
business people, they are eager to buy what they need to make their
life or business more enjoyable, profitable, and easy.
Right now, think of your one or two preferred audiences, and keep
their profile of their needs, complaints, or problems as well as their
picture by your workstation. Then you will write the book your pre-
sold audience already wants!
Mistake 4. You don't automate your business.
As a newbie or non-techie, at first you may resist learning how to do
this. Three years ago I knew nothing about the net, and today I've
published five e-Books on Internet marketing and e-Book writing and
publishing. You can too, little by little.
Since each book will not bring you landslides of profit, think about
limiting your small priced books. Or, bundle them so that each sale is
around $20 and up.
Offer your e-Book for sale through an 800 number. One with excellent
service is MRC business Support at 800-366-5596. Set up a link for
people to download your book. Two companies to investigate are
Clickbank.com and Paypal.com.
Delegate some of this work to your computer assistant. Contact your
local high schools and technical schools where Online geniuses live.
And, the cost is nominal in comparison to the results.
Mistake 5. You don't have a title that sells well.
A good title is short, clear, and clever. The best title includes your
book's number one benefit. Use words your audience can relate to. Even
cliches are OK for book titles. Instead of "How to Market Online,"
offer a title like a Web site headline: "Quadruple your Monthly Book
Income - Market Online."
Brainstorm a list of your possible titles with associates through a
small marketing survey. Ask them to vote from 1-10 and offer their own
title ideas that would make them reach into their wallets and pay
$15-20 or more.
Mistake 6. You don't leverage your e-Book for higher price sales.
When you look at the valuable information inside your e-Book and you
realize you only make $20 a sale, you may want to investigate putting
it into an e-Course. These courses sell for $79 and up. With just a
little revising and tweaking, you can set your book up to be a hands-
on how to course.
You can bundle several lower cost e-Books and list their singular
prices. Then offer a fabulous discount to buy all three or four.
Mistake 7. You don't add bonus value to your e-Book.
Whenever you put 2-4 bonus special reports at the end of your e-Book
document in Portable Document Format, you make your offer so
appealing, that many will buy for the bonuses alone. For an e-Book on
How to Write your E-Book or Other Book - Fast! an e-Book that sells
for $24.95, the author offered these three valuable bonuses as an
incentive to buy. "Titles Sell Books" - value $4.95, 2. "Write Like a
Pro Checklist." - value $3.95, and 3. "How to Get Testimonials from
the Rich and Famous" - value $5.95. That's $15 of valuable reports
added to $24.95--Total value: $40.00 value for only $24.95.
She put a new link on her Web site "Discounts of the Month." With a
limited time offer, from her e-Promotion bi-monthly offers, she got
many new buyers. Everyone wants useful, original information. Everyone
also wants a bargain.
Mistake 8. You put too many topics in your book.
Remember, best sellers focus on one main topic. Each chapter must
support that subject. When you try to give too much, your information
isn't organized, short, and compelling. Instead of the end all, be all
book, concentrate on one "how-to" and give plenty of details to make
it useful to your reader.
Mistake 9. You don't market while you write.
Most writers wish someone else would do it for them. Not in this
lifetime! It's so much easier to put marketing into each chapter
title, each chapter's questions you will answer, rough draft of your e-
Book's back cover (sales letter), the One-Minute "Tell and Sell," and
knowing your targeted audience, thesis and table of contents before
you write a single chapter. Knowing these essential "Seven Hot-Selling
Points" before you finish your e-Book will have you ready to promote
the second you write your last word.
Mistake 10. You don't brand yourself, your business, and your book.
Some people join an affiliate program or set up an affiliate program
for others to sell their products and sell many products. As a
marketing coach, what I want for you is to think of the overview
"umbrella" you can house your products under. Think about your biggest
benefit you offer through your service. Think about your book title.
Can you put a key word from it into each chapter title? For the book,
"Passion at Any Age," the author put the word passion in each chapter
title such as "Passionate Self-Care". In one client's book, "Watch
Out! Your Relationships Can Be Hazardous To Your Health." the author
included the key words "watch out!" in each chapter title.
The e-Book learning curve while short is important for all writers to
conquer. It's easier when you contact a professional coach or take a
teleclass to inform yourself. Stop making e-Book mistakes so you can
earn the money you deserve.
For more information about writing, books, and publishing visit:
www.edc-creations.com
Book and Internet Marketing Coach, Judy Cullins, author of 11 books
including Write your eBook or Other Short Book Fast and The Fast and
Cheap Way to Explode Targeted Web Traffic" Get her free eBook"20 High
Octane Book Writing and Marketing Tips" and two free monthly ezines at
http://www.bookcoaching.com