How to write an e-book that adds value

Tue, 15th March, 2011 - Posted by

Whether your e-book is a free offer or a product that you are charging for, you need to ensure that it is usable and provides value. Your audience may need more than a re-purposed teleclass or webinar transcript to feel that they have acquired something useful and not just a verbatim copy of a previous offer or purchase.

To add value to your e-book, a few well-chosen images can make your product more appealing and look more professional. Images are available from various web sites and are reasonably priced.

  • If you choose to use clipart be careful with its application as in some instances it can reduce the perceived value of your e-book.
  • Don’t overload your book with too many pictures. Too many images and it can appear to be short on content and you’ve filled it with photographs to disguise this fact.
  • A large amount of photography and you will have a very large file to deal with. Consider the size of the file for people who will be downloading your product.
  • A massive file can be a very frustrating download.
  • After you have compressed the file or converted it to a pdf check that your images don’t appear distorted.

    • Don’t be afraid to bring your personality to the book.
    If some of the information relates to you personally, include your anecdotes and snippets to humanise the writing. Be careful when including your personal points of view, that you are not offering professional advice. It may be a necessity to have a disclaimer statement, stating that you do not offer professional advice, so people cannot take legal action against you if they heed you words and it all goes horribly wrong.

    Resource lists within your e-book can add to the perceived value of your product. Include organisations, websites and online resources that will be useful for your customers. When promoting your e-book your resource list can be a promotional offer. If you use affiliate links in your list it can also be another way of monetising your product.

    Everyone loves a success story – so ask your customers or clients to share them in your e-book. A few sentences from people who have used your product or services, again brings the human element to the book, with which your new customers or clients can empathise. It’s not you alone that is singing your praises, because other people have found your product or service to be useful.

  • Get to know your audience and discover what they need then you can add value by supplying what they want.
  • Make it easy for you customer to take action,
  • Give them an easy step-by-step form or worksheet that they can work to and immediately implement things they have learned.
  • Include one free item with the chance to up-sell a number of others that are related to your e-book.
  • If you are still in doubt about what will work for your audience, don’t be afraid to ask them what they would like to receive or what they would like to see included in your book.

    • On a slightly different angle , but an e-book just the same.
    An article I read the other day: Amanda Hocking has never had a book printed in the traditional way, but in January she sold 450,000 copies of her para-normal novel @ $3 each via the Kindle store.
    Publishing by Kindle, the author receives 70% share of the revenue and the e-book can be available within a couple of hours.
    That just leaves you to advertise and promote your book and let Kindle do the rest.

    If you are struggling with the technology or are not sure which programme to use, telephone Tamara,(telephone 0203 468 8594) and she will be able to help you get your e-book online.

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    Category : Social media marketing