Top 10 eBook Mistakes and How to Correct Them
BY JUDY CULLINS
Did you know that you already have an
eBook inside you?
And 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 eBook 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 eBook 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 eBook.
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 eBook.
Emerging authors make this biggest mistake. They have information, so why
not write an eBook? 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 eBooks on Internet marketing and eBook 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 eBook 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
clichés are OK for book titles. Instead of "How to Market Online" offer a
title like a website 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.
6. You don't leverage your eBook for higher price sales.
When you look at the valuable information inside your eBook and you
realize you only make $20 a sale, you may want to investigate putting it
into an eCourse. 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 eBooks 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 eBook.
Whenever you put 2-4 bonus special reports at the end of your eBook
document in Portable Document Format, you make your offer so appealing, that
many will buy for the bonuses alone. For an eBook on How to Write your EBook
or Other Book - Fast!, an eBook 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 for only $24.95.
She put a new link on her website "Discounts of the Month." With a
limited time offer, from her ePromotion 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.
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 eBook'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
eBook will have you ready to promote the second you write your last word.
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 eBook earning 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 eBook mistakes so you can earn the
money you deserve.
Judy Cullins is a 20-year book and
Internet marketing coach who works with small business people who want
to make a difference in people's lives, build their credibility and
clients, and make a consistent life-long income. She is the author of 10
ebooks including Write Your eBook Fast and How to Market Your
Business on the Internet; she offers free help through
her website's 2 monthly ezines, The Book Coach Says... and Business Tip of the Month.
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