Reading stands above all among the most common leisure activities people enjoy. Although we will not lie that you will find more people spending time doing chores or scrolling through social media rather than being with a good book, a significant portion (22%) still give an hour to reading.
Just as technology has changed our habits, it has also impacted how we read. Today, eBooks are growing in popularity. Current data reveals an upward trend in eBook readers, with 982 million worldwide in 2023, which will continue to grow, reaching one billion by 2027.
If you have a passion for writing and wish to share your ideas with the world, then there can be no better time than the present. If you want to know how to write an eBook, you came to the right place.
The following blog offers some simple steps to create an eBook. From researching the target audience to discussing the best ways to advertise and sell eBooks online, we discuss everything. So, without further ado, let us look at the steps for writing an eBook.
What Is an EBook? How Does It Work
Before we learn the best ways to write an eBook, let us give a refresher on what an eBook is.
eBook, short for electronic book, is a digital format book you can read on any electronic device, including tablets, mobile phones, and laptops. In addition, eBooks are non-editable and reflowable, meaning the text and images in the eBook proportion themselves to fit the screen.
EBook Vs. Printed book: What’s the Difference?
Reading is not a new practice. The origin of literacy dates back to 3,000 BCE when clay tablets were used for writing. With years of progression and advancement, reading became evident on paper, and thanks to digital communication and the rise of electronics, it branched out into the digital eBook format.
Today, most people have this question: are eBooks better than Printed books? Some still love traditional reading, while others prefer to enjoy the essence of this digital era. Although you cannot tell which one is better – however, by familiarising yourself with both nuances, you will be able to make a better decision. Here is how digital eBooks differ from traditional printed books.
| COMPARISON BASIS | eBOOKS | PRINTED BOOKS |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | It is a book but in a digital format that can be read on dedicated electronic and handheld devices. | As the name implies, it is a printed book that uses pages bound inside a cover made by a publication company. |
| Layout | eBooks have a dynamic layout. | Printed books are made using the standards that the publication company follows. |
| Cost | eBooks are comparatively cheaper as they have no cost associated with printing. | The cost for printed books can vary depending on the book’s quality and size. |
| Storage | eBooks have no physical shape of their own. They can be stored inside electronic storage devices or applications. | You may have to dedicate some space inside your home to store a printed book. |
| Weight | Being a virtual file, they are weightless. You can carry a complete library on your handheld phone. | Depending on the book size and volume, they have weight. |
| Search | Finding an eBook is quite easy. | You may have to dig around to find the printed book you are looking for. |
| Sharing | Depending on the platform, you can share eBooks with others. | Sharing is pretty straightforward. |
How Much Money Can You Make from Writing an EBook?
Now, sharing your amazing stories and ideas with the world is a great reason for learning how to write an eBook. But did you know that eBooks also offer an incredibly lucrative opportunity?
EBooks are a great side hustle to earn a little extra. By creating eBooks, you create channels of passive income that can grow your capital with time.
In addition, recent figures revealed that the UK eBook market was able to generate £3.1 billion million revenue in 2023 alone. Seeing how eBooks are becoming the norm, you can only expect this market to grow and revenue to rise.
Among the biggest reasons people prefer writing an eBook is because they are easier to publish and offers more royalties compared to publishing a hard copy. So in this way, you earn more. It can be pretty hard to determine how much you can make via writing eBooks. But through proper planning, research and marketing, you can expect to earn a lot via selling eBooks online.
Things to Keep in Mind While Writing an EBook:
Before you learn the steps to writing an eBook, remember these tips to streamline the eBook writing process and improve your eBook’s overall content quality. Follow these :
- Be Concise: The thing about eBooks is that you can read them anywhere, anyplace. Most prefer to read them during travel. You do not want to overwhelm readers, so be concise while writing.
- Conduct thorough research: The more sugar you add, the sweeter it gets. Before getting to work, make sure you conduct thorough research to ensure all your facts are authentic.
- Know your Audience: Be sure to keep in mind who you are writing for. By understanding your audience, you can get a better idea of the things they are interested in. It can help as a guide while writing your eBook.
10 Steps Process: How to Write an EBook?
Step#1- Research your Target Audience:
Thinking that everyone will like to read the book is among the biggest mistakes first-time eBook writers tend to make. It is a fact that you need to ingrain in your minds that books cannot appeal to everyone.
Everyone has different interests, pain points and reasons for reading. So, you should never expect your book to connect with everyone. Rather, you should take the time to research your target audience extensively.
Defining your target audience should be your primary goal while create an eBook. The better you are able to define it, the better idea you will have of what you need to write for them. Personify your target audience to a specific person.
Here are some questions that can give you a good start to get to the bottom of who your target audience is:
- How old are they?
- What genre are they interested in?
- What issues do they deal with?
- How are they trying to solve those issues?
- How much do they earn annually?
Please Note: You are not limited to the questions above. You can ask different questions to get a better idea of who your target audience is. The better you can picture your target audience, the more chances you can get your idea across.
Here is an example of a well-defined target audience:
Upper-class women between the ages of 20-30 who are struggling to lose weight.
Step#2-Choose a Topic for Your EBook:
When you finally have a well-defined target audience, the next thing you want to consider is choosing the topic for your eBook. An eBook needs to cover the pain points and offer solutions to them.
Think of an eBook as a means for fame, a lead magnet or a revenue generator. Your eBook topic should match the goals you strive for. For instance, if you are writing an eBook for a lead magnet, your topic should be industry or product-specific.
Regardless of your goal, you should always ensure your title is readable and attention-grabbing. A great eBook title could be the reason someone gives it a try.
Take a look at some eBook title templates for inspiration:
- The Ultimate Guide to [Specific Business Strategy]
- What They Didn't Teach You in [Subject] Class: A Revelatory Guide
- The Complete Guide to [Healthy Lifestyle Habit]
- Raising Happy Kids: A Parent's Guide to [Key Aspect]
- Escape the [Problem] Trap: Your Roadmap to Freedom
Pro Tip: How do you create a hook for your readers on a topic?
Learning to make an attention-grabbing title can do wonders in your eBook journey. Here are some tips to follow to learn to write a hook title:
- Use Powerful Words
- Create Intrigue or Curiosity
- Emphasise Urgency
- Understand your Audience
- Be Unique and Original
- Be Clear and Concise
Step#3- Brainstorm and Outline the Chapters:
That is what you need to cover next. Before writing, you need to make an outline of what you aim to cover in your eBook. Having an idea of what you are writing will help during the writing stage.
First, start brainstorming ideas you might consider discussing in your eBook that are relevant to your target audience and eBook topic. You do not have to worry about whether the ideas will fit. Brainstorming helps get those ideas on paper, which can help you filter out what’s more crucial and what’s not.
Here are some tips to help you with brainstorming and organising your content.
- First, consider the end goal you wish for your book.
- Next, you want to backtrack to the ideas that can help you lead it to them.
- Then, you want to pick out the ideas that can act as main topics.
- These can be the chapters for your eBook.
- Next, you want to take those main topics and discuss ideas to accomplish them.
- For each chapter, briefly describe what you want to convey through it.
- Organise these chapters to make them readable.
Step#4- Kick Start Writing Each Chapter:
After deciding and organising the chapter, you want to start writing down the chapter. Think of each chapter as a long-form blog post. First, form an outline for each chapter, or simply consider using bullet points to summarise what you need to include.
This will help you write clearly. Do not worry about what you write, as this is your first draft. Take the time to construct your draft and let your creativity flow. As you progress writing, you will gain a better idea of what you need to write.
Focus on a single chapter first before moving on to the next one to avoid any repetition. While writing each chapter, follow a consistent structure to allow for a more natural transition.
Consider using these additional tips to improve chapter quality and structure:
- Keep a consistent format throughout each chapter. This will allow better readability.
- Use headings, bulleted lists, bold text, italics, and changes in font size to emphasise specific points that you want readers to know.
- Rather than sophisticated language and jargon, use simple language to make your book easy to follow.
Step#5- Edit, Edit And Edit Your EBook:
After you are done with the draft, you want to take the time to review it. This is where editing comes in. It is among the crucial steps to writing an eBook. There is a strong chance that your first draft has grammatical errors, spelling typos and even content changes. That is why you need to review your work carefully.
Screening through what you wrote will allow you to find those hidden errors and change them promptly. Here are some tips to help you effectively edit your eBook content:
- 1. Rather than completing your whole book, try to edit your eBook on a chapter-by-chapter basis.
- 2. Do not start editing right away after finishing a chapter, as you might find it harder to spot mistakes. Instead, give yourself a short break of 5 to 10 minutes. And with a fresh pair of eyes, view what you wrote.
- 3. It is a good idea that you allow someone else to proofread your eBook for you apart from looking at it yourself. They might spot errors you might have missed and offer insightful feedback, which you can integrate while editing.
- 4. Hire some professional book editing services to get expert assistance. They can take care of the complete eBook editing process. However, do keep in mind that professional eBook editors are not cheap.
- 5. In addition to services, you can also consider using editing tools as an alternative. Editing tools like Quill Bot and Grammarly can help spot errors and help with contextual issues. Sign up now and give these premium tools a try.
Step#6-Add Appealing Images and Visuals:
Apart from text, your eBook also needs to include relevant visuals and images to improve reader engagement. Research reveals that around 65% of the population are visual learners. That means that more than half the population understands better via graphical images than audio or text.
Think of visuals and images as support for your eBook content. They allow additional information that helps you make a point. For images you want to include in your eBook, ask yourself these questions first:
- In which sections in your eBook will images make the most impact?
- What type of images and visuals can help prove your point or explain data?
- How many images should you include in your eBook?
Although you have free reign over how many images your eBook should have, try not to overdo it. Try to find the right balance between visuals and text to grab the reader’s attention.
If you aim to make visuals yourself for your eBook, then consider going for Canva. This tool allows you to make high-quality visuals and images that you can use for your eBook. Consider signing up to give this premium tool a try.
Step#7-Leverage your EBook Design
When you are done writing and editing your eBook, The next step in creating an eBook is the design. Believe it or not but – Readers do consider the eBook design. The eBook’s appearance matters a lot. It can be the game changer for driving your book sales.
Your eBook design, from the book cover design to the layout, is the first impression readers get from your book. It can be the reason readers could give your eBook a try. Ensure the layout does not compromise the readability of eBooks.
You can hire a professional eBook designer to assist you with planning the layout, or you can download book templates using designing tools like Canva, Visme or Ideogram to help you with eBook design.
Step#8-Choose the Right EBook Format:
After finishing your eBook design, next up, you want to consider the format in which you want to save it. You can save your eBook in multiple formats. The right format will allow you to make your eBook accessible to more readers. Here are some common eBook formats you can use:
With this, your eBook is ready for publishing, which we will discuss in the next step.
Step#9- Publish and Share EBook
Now, you have your eBook ready pack, you need to consider the next phase, meaning, it’s time to publish and share it with your potential readers.
This step might be one of the last steps but stands as one of the most crucial steps in your eBook writing journey. There are several ways you can effectively share your eBook.
Consider the purpose that you wished your eBook to accomplish. If you made the eBook solely for the reason of a lead magnet, then you may consider offering it as a free downloadable file to visitors on your business website. Let them exchange it for their name and email address, so that you can use the latter in your email list for marketing efforts.
If you wish to publish it for users to buy, consider eBook publishing company , for that new need to close a book deal or use platforms like Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing). Follow these steps to get your eBook available on the Kindle market:
- 1. First, create a KDP account.
- 2. Choose a book title and briefly describe what the eBook is about.
- 3. Pick the right keywords to make your eBook more searchable.
- 4. Upload the eBook in AZW format, then upload your book cover.
- 5. Set the eBook price and click Publish to make it available for selling.
Step#10- Advertise and Sell Your EBook:
Finally, you must formulate the perfect strategy to advertise and sell your eBooks. Don’t even dare to underestimate it, as it can make or break your author game. There are multiple ways you can use to market your eBook. Here are some examples to help you sell your eBooks online:
- Share your eBook with your target audience using multiple channels, including newsletters or social media.
- Social media offers an excellent medium to create awareness regarding your eBook among the target audience.
- If you have positive reviews about your book, you can leverage it to promote it.
- Share it with your friends and family, and ask them to tell their friends too.
Final Thoughts
With these steps, you finally have learned How to start writing an ebook and sell ebook onlines. EBooks written by wrightbookassociates offer an amazing opportunity to get a name in the bustling literary world or convert visitors to leads. It can also offer a means to earn passive income, which makes creating an eBook all the more necessary. Be sure that you follow the steps to writing an eBook. With them, you are sure to make one by yourself.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Amazon presents the perfect opportunity to sell your eBooks online. Here’s how you can sell it on the online publishing platform:
- 1. First, create a KDP account.
- 2. Choose a book title and offer a brief description of what the eBook is about.
- 3. Pick the right keywords to make your eBook more searchable.
- 4. Upload the eBook in azw format, then upload the cover.
- 5. Set the eBook price and click Publish to make it available for selling.
EBook is a profitable passive income venture; depending on your eBook target audience, quality and marketing and selling strategy, they can prove to be lucrative opportunities to earn on the side.
If you wish to write an eBook without any kind of investment, here is how you do it:
- 1. Research the target audience.
- 2. Choose an eBook topic.
- 3. Organise the content.
- 4. Write each chapter using free writing tools.
- 5. Edit content using free editing tools.
- 6. Add stock-free images as visuals.
- 7. Save your eBook in the new format.
- 8. Publish your eBook and promote it via social media.
There is no definitive length of an eBook, as some can span only a few pages, while others can reach a thousand pages. However, it is better to keep it short. An ideal eBook should be around 5000-20,000 words.