So you know a lot about something. You talk about it all the time, people even seek you out for advice on the topic. Maybe you are even the world’s foremost expert on the subject. Whatever the reason, you have decided it’s time to write an eBook. You also know that the average eBook…well it sucks. In fact it’s not just the average one, most eBooks are awful. Truly, truly awful. So how do you write an eBook that guarantees success and kudos rather than embarrassment and shame?
Step 1: Get the topic right
The first eBook I ever wrote was in 2006 on the topic of Geographic Positioning Systems, which we all now call GPS. Believe it or not, folk were afraid of these crazy gadgets when my clients first started selling TomToms and NavMans to the UK market, so my eBook was supposed to reassure them and convince them to buy…it did not do this.
There were two big issues with what I made. Firstly, I had no idea what a GPS was, or what it did. So I created a technical prologue that would have made sense to Army Marine Commandoes – rather than your average taxi driver who was my target market. Secondly, I wrote about what the product could do – not the problems it solved.
So lesson one – choose a topic you know lots about, and answer the questions that your audience has about the topic.
Step 2: Plan it out
You’ve done the research, maybe you’ve even gone so far as to carry out a survey or ask some potential readers what they’d like to read about. The next step is not ‘start writing’.
You need to plan your structure. I do it with post it notes on the floor, other people use clever software. One of my clients did the entire thing in Excel! Whatever works for you, but this is the only way you will make sure that you say everything you want to say and don’t repeat yourself.
Step 3: Start in the Middle
OK, not really the middle, but at least somewhere meaty. Don’t write your introduction, or your acknowledgements first! Start writing the bit you are really excited to write, there’s no rule to say it has to be chapter one, just start writing.
Step 4: Edit Yourself
Now there are two HUGELY important things when it comes to editing. Firstly, do not finish writing your last sentence and then flip to page one and start reading. You must leave it for a few days – preferably a whole week before you reread what you’ve written. You need to approach it with fresh eyes as a reader, not as the jaded writer.
Secondly, for the love of Thor, hit Save As and create a second copy of the document. Don’t go deleting things from your one and only copy of the eBook.
Step 5: Get Outside Help
At this point, you need a Proofreader. A good one, not just your Great Aunt Joan because she has time on her hands and is a good speller. You need someone who will look at the big picture, and the minutia and come up with constructive feedback that will complete the book.
Step 6: Publish it
Whether it’s a download on your blog, a listing in the Kindle Store, or something else entirely, there are a lot of choices when it comes to publishing your eBook.
How to choose the best format and how to market your eBook are topics for another day! If you are considering an eBook for yourself or your business, get in touch and I would be happy to help you on the journey.
