Writing and Selling your eBook at the same time

Good data on writing an ebook - which seems different from a book, but the details of how to do it are fascinating. I just got hooked for $9.95 for an ebook which was really nothing more than dross - I've gotten more data (as covered in these recent posts) through simply polling through the Internet (and one good site). But the marketing sold me on it - as well as the price.

How to Build and Sell Your eBook at the Same Time
Judy Cullins, Guest Author

Why write an eBook?

You want ongoing, lifelong multiple streams of income. You want to raise your credibility and trust ratings with clients or customers. You want to get your message out so the world can be a better place.

Yet, you want to spend only a little time on it. (Would you be willing to spend 4 hours a week?) You want to get it out fast (Would 4-6 weeks be OK?) You want to market Online at a low-cost investment. And, for some of you, you are ready to be innovative and even take a small risk to get your eBook read by millions, rather than hundreds!

In order to finish your eBook fast you need to first, look at where you are now; second, where you want to be; and then you'll know how to get to your finish line.

Where are you now?

You have the idea for your eBook; you have a lot of ideas! Take a moment and decide which one you are most passionate about now and will be for the next year. Focus on one great idea, then add others you know will work.

You have your eBook well on its way, but aren't finished. You need advice on how to get it done, what's needed to publish (not much!), and how to distribute it.

Who Should Write an eBook?

• If you are ready to invest a little to reap a great deal
• If you are a business person who want to serve a wider community
• If you have a unique message you want to share with the world
• If are willing to write, publish yourself, and sell 2 years ahead of traditional publishing
• If you want to create active, lifelong streams of income
• If you want to promote yourself, service or products

How to get there.

Build and Sell your eBook at the same time. Every part of your book can be a sales tool. When you include the essential "Seven Hot-Selling Points" below before you write chapter one, you'll sell more books than you ever dreamed of!

1. Write for your one preferred audience. Not everyone wants your book. Find out what audience wants/needs your book? What problems does your book solve for them? Create an audience profile and keep your audience's picture in front of you as you write. Ask yourself, is my topic narrow enough? The Chicken Soup For The Teenager, For The Prisoner, and other specific groups sold far more copies than the original Chicken Soup.

NOTE Larry James wrote a poignant story to honor his mother in A Second Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul; see page 16 or read the story, "A Strawberry Malt and 3 Squeezes, Please!."

2. Write a sizzling book title including benefits. You have 8 seconds to hook your potential buyer. While an eBook cover doesn't need fancy graphics you will want to create one that can be printed both in color and black and white. It must be easy to see and read. Your title and cover should compel your audience to buy.

3. Write a thirty-sixty second "tell and sell." You only have a few seconds to impress your potential buyer. Include your title, a few benefits, and the audience. This billboard needs a sound bite to grab attention. "Write, Finish, and Publish your eBook Fast to Pull Online Sales" shows professionals how to shortcut each step of writing, publishing, and promoting a salable short eBook.

Add a sound bite to the above "tell and sell" something like this: Compare your book to someone who is famous. One client's title "Passion at Any Age" used the sound bite "this book is the 'Artist's Way' for seniors.

4. Write your sales letter before you write your book. Think about your potential buyer. What are his resistances? His problems or challenges? Be sure you address these. Your sales letter used to promote your book either by email or on your Web site needs to give the benefits your potential buyers want and need. Include compelling ad copy, features, testimonials, and a small blurb about you, the author. If your potential buyer likes it, they will buy on the spot.

5. Write your eBook's introduction. Include the problem your audience has, why you wrote the book, and its purpose. In a few paragraphs include more specific benefits, and how you will present it ( format). Keep it under a page. Your introduction will help you write your sales letter.

6. Create a table of contents. Each chapter should have a title, preferably a catchy one. If your reader can't understand the chapter title, then annotate it. Add some benefits or a sub title. In my first chapter called "Why Write an eBook?" I added this partial list of benefits: Ongoing lifelong multiple streams of income, credibility as the expert, products sell easily online, buyers are more targeted and hence you create more profit.

7. Reach out to opinion molders. After an initial contact of asking for feedback, resend them the same chapter and the table of contents of your book. Ask for a testimonial then. These influential contacts' testimonials will help promote your eBook Online.

Design every part of your eBook to be a sales tool and a beacon that brings out your best: writing - compelling, easy to read, organized, and enjoyable. Your book can sell to thousands, even hundreds of thousands when you design it correctly.