Designing An eBook For Success
© 2001-2004 Shelley Lowery. All rights reserved.
Ebooks or Electronic books are self-contained "executable"
files of HTML. This HTML may be a web site you've created
or HTML you've specifically prepared to be compiled into a
downloadable .exe file for distribution. When downloaded,
this file will self install on your clients desktop.
Ebooks are completely interactive with the Internet and can
contain live links, graphics, forms, JavaScript, embedded
video, can be protected via password/userid, search
capabilities and more. This self-contained executable file can
be distributed in a number of ways including; CD, floppy disk,
download, etc.
With the rising popularity of the Internet, there is absolutely
no better time than right now to develop your own informational
product. Not only is there no better time, but it has never been
any easier for anyone to develop and sell their own products.
Information is the number one best-selling product on the
Internet. There are literally hundreds of Internet entrepreneurs
quietly making a fortune simply by selling information.
Why are ebooks so popular? Internet users have a sincere desire
to learn and want the information right now. They don't want to
wait a week or two for the information to arrive. Ebooks provide
your potential customers with instant gratification. As soon as
they pay for their order, they can have immediate access to the
information they desire.
The first step in creating your product is to decide upon a
subject. Select a subject in which you have a great deal of
knowledge. The knowledge you have within your own mind is
extremely valuable. Simply write about what you know and
teach others how to do the same thing. It's that simple.
Creating an Outline
The easiest way to begin writing is to create an outline.
Begin your outline with an opening statement or Introduction
followed by a Foreword. Your opening statement might tell
your readers a little bit about what they are going to learn or
may be a statement in regard to the subject matter. Your
Foreword might include information in regard to who you are,
your credentials, copyrights, and what you want your readers
to learn.
Your next step will be to either create a Table of Contents or
go directly into creating your Chapter Titles. If you're writing
your information in the form of a how-to manual, you may
want to use a Table of Contents. This will enable your readers
to quickly locate important information. If you're writing your
information in the form of a book, then you can leave out the
Table of Contents and simply use Chapter Titles.
Whether you're using a Table of Contents or Chapter Titles,
write your titles so that when they're read, they tell the story.
In other words, when you scan your titles they will give you a
step by step description of what your information is all about.
Finally, at the bottom of your outline, wrap everything up by
including a closing statement.
Once you've completed your outline you can begin filling in the
spaces. Write your text in small blocks and leave a space
between your paragraphs. Select a font that is easy to read
and use black text on a white background. In addition, write in
an everyday language that everyone can understand.
Designing Your Interface
Your ebook interface MUST look professional. No matter how
good your information is, if your ebook doesn't look professional,
its perceived value will be low. Ultimately costing you sales.
Design your ebook to be easily navigated and make sure you
include navigational graphics within each page.
In addition, your ebook should include all of the following:
- Introduction
- Table of Contents
- Foreword
- Copyrights
- About page
Your first step in designing your ebook will be to turn your text
into HTML. Simply divide your text into sections such as,
Introduction, Table of Contents, Chapters, etc., and create a
web page for each.
You can include graphics, live links, and almost everything
that HTML 4.0 supports.
In addition to designing an interface for your ebook, you will
also need to design a book cover. A book cover can increase
your sales up to 300% and is an essential part of your ebook's
success. Your book cover should compliment your ebook and be
displayed on your sales page.
If you're not confident in your ability to create a professional
looking ebook, you can find professionally designed ebook
templates and book cover templates here:
http://www.ebookstarter.com/click.php?lid=2&af=clickbankid
Delivering Your Information
In order to deliver your information to your customers, you'll
need to compress it into a downloadable file, better known
as an ebook. There are different types of compilation
methods however, for this example we will focus on HTML
compiled ebooks.
Selecting a Compiler
There are many good ebook compilers available on the Internet,
but only four that I can personally recommend. Each of the
following compilers support almost everything that HTML 4.0
supports and will compile your HTML into a downloadable .exe
format. They are as follows:
E-ditor- This is a nice ebook compiler that includes a step
by step interface that will guide you through the entire
process. Unlike other programs, this compiler comes with
five "skins" to enable your ebooks to have a unique look.
It also includes a pop-up message box that loads prior to
your ebook loading when your ebook is launched. This box
can contain system requirements, copyrights or whatever text
you'd like.
eBook Edit Pro - This is a great ebook compiler. Not only
is it easy to use, but it also includes a pop-up message
box that loads prior to your ebook loading. In addition,
you can select which buttons you would like to be displayed
such as, navigational, print and home buttons. It also has
an added feature that enables you to include an affiliate
ID within every ebook you create and make money for
referral sales. It also has a free demo.
Activ E-book - This program isn't as easy as E-ditor or Ebook Edit Pro, but with the aid of the instructions
you can easily create a nice ebook. The great thing about
this compiler is that it assigns an ESBN number to each
ebook you compile. It also has a free demo that is fully
functional for up to 10 files to be compiled (including
graphics). You can create and distribute ebooks with the
free demo, but you must register the software if you'd
like to sell your ebooks.
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/web/jump.cgi?ID=105
(Click here for more eBook Compilers.)
Taking Orders
In order for you to begin taking orders for your ebook, you'll
need to have the ability to accept credit cards. Unless you'd
like to get your own merchant account, the best way to
accept credit cards is to use an online service. The best
service I've found is ClickBank. This company will enable you
to accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover,
Eurocard, and Visa-Debit, MasterCard-Debit, and Novus cards.
They charge a one-time $49.95 activation fee, and a $1 + 7.5%
fee per sale. There are no monthly fees. The great thing about
this company is that over 60,000 affiliates can choose to sell
your products for you. ClickBank enables any web seller to
automatically pay sales commissions to affiliates. Clickbank
will bill your customers, pay you, and pay your affiliates a
commission. In other words, they'll run your entire affiliate
program for you.
There is absolutely no reason why you can't create your own
informational product. Think about it... Think about some
special talent you may have or knowledge you could share
and write about. Creating your own product will be one of
the best business decisions you'll ever make.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shelley Lowery is the author of Ebook Starter. Give Your
Ebooks the Look and Feel of a REAL Book...With the FIRST
and ONLY Automated Ebook Template Wizard. And, NEVER
worry about designing a great looking ebook again. Ebook
design simply doesn't get any easier than Ebook Starter
-- Guaranteed! Visit Ebook Starter to get started today.
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