eBook Publishing Checklist
Laura Orsini, Guest Author
Adaped from Laura's "eBook Basics Workshop."
"My time with Laura Orsini was a Godsend! Her eBook Basics
Workshop was a terrific learning experience. The content was relevant, informative, presented in non-techie
terms and more than met my expectations. The handout was a treasure trove of ideas and handy reminders.
Highly recommended."
Larry James, Professional Speaker, Author, Author/Speaker
Coach
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 Determine the area in which you are an EXPERT.
Come up with a great idea for a book.
Determine your niche or specialty market.
Find a problem faced by your niche market
that you can solve with your eBook.
Ask your niche market what, specifically, they'd
like to know about solving that problem.
Visit association meetings, specialty shops,
online forums and/or chat rooms to ask experts on your subject to identify for you the 5 questions they are most frequently asked.
Research what other books/eBooks are out there on your subject.
Determine the angle which will make your eBook
different from all the others.
Create a chapter/section/content list.
Write the book.
Edit the book. Make sure to SpellCheck.
Double-check the spellings of all proper nouns.
Double-check the spellings/existence of all URLs
you have referenced in your eBook.
Double-check any phone numbers you may have included
in your eBook.
If appropriate, create an index for your eBook.
Once the book is as perfect as YOU can make it, go
back and tighten it up by cutting about 25% of the content.
Spend the money to have your manuscript professionally edited.
Come up with a working title.
Come up with a catchy, interesting subtitle.
Come up with an idea for a
cover design.
If youre not an artist, spend the money to have a
professional design a cover for you.
Decide on a URL for your Web site.
Research to see if that URL already exists.
Purchase your URL as soon as you find one that works for
you and is available.
Hire a Web designer or design your own site.
Remember: Your Web site doesn't have to be fancy or hi-tech
as much as it needs to be eye-catching and easy to navigate.
To the best of your ability, determine how your target audience
will read your eBook.
Let the way your target audience will read your eBook determine
which format(s) you will use for your eBook.
Purchase, borrow, or rent the necessary conversion software.
Convert your manuscript into eBook format
(Editor note: PDF format seems to be the most popular).
Don't get discouraged if this takes you a half-dozen or more
times to perfect it.
Check to make sure you haven't overused HTML links to the
point that theyre more distracting than helpful.
Determine whether and how you will protect your eBook from
unlawful distribution.
If you decide to protect your eBook, set necessary codes in
place, or Java encrypt it.
Secure an ISBN number
(International Standard Book Number) for your eBook.
Enter your eBook in the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) System.
Copyright your eBook.
Put a publication date on your eBook.
Make a list of the people (friends, family, clients, experts
in your field) you would like to have read the book and offer their feedback.
Send out advance copies to the people on your list.
If you asked for constructive feedback, accept it graciously.
Trust your instincts. If someone makes a suggestion you're
simply not comfortable with, ignore it! This is your book!
Determine whether you will pursue a contract with an eBook
publisher or self-publish.
Research e-publishers and submit query letters.
Determine whether you will hire an eBook publishing service.
Research eBook publishing services and submit query letters.
Decide how much you want to charge for your eBook.
Figure out what kinds of things you can include as bonuses
for people who buy your eBook.
Gather
testimonials from experts in your field who have reviewed your eBook.
Write an irresistible, catchy sales letter for your
Website that explains all the features and benefits of your product.
Remember to use the words "so that" when explaining your
features and benefits. My cookbook provides quick, easy recipes so that you can get out of the kitchen to sit down with your
family in mere minutes.
Set up your Website with e-commerce capability
(a shopping cart).
LAUNCH your Web site.
Take full advantage of all
search engine optimization (Editor note: keywords are a part of optimization)
tools at your disposal. This is the thing that will DRIVE traffic to your Web site. Without it, you may as well not have a Web site.
Create affiliate programs for your Web sales. These are
reciprocal arrangements whereby you sell others products from your Web site, and they sell your products from theirs.
Create a business plan for marketing to your niche audience.
Send media releases about your eBook to the appropriate
media outlets related to your field.
Cross-market (promote)
your eBook where appropriate. Market a book about golf courses around the world to golfers and to world travelers.
Get yourself positioned to appear as a guest author in
online chats and forums dedicated to your field or industry.
Use the power of e-mail! Send out e-mail announcements
about your eBook.
Add a signature about your eBook to the bottom of
all your e-mails.
Promote your eBook in an e-mail newsletter.
Spend time in online communities and groups where your
target audience spends time.
Create a blog dedicated to your eBook subject.
(Editors note: Appear as a guest on
radio talk shows).
Submit your book to eBook reviewers.
Enter your eBook in contests.
Submit your eBook to eBook clubs for publication/sale.
Find and participate in book fairs as an eBook author.
Write another eBook!
• • •
Copyright © - Laura Orsini. - Reprinted with permission. Adaped from Laura's "eBook Basics Workshop."
Laura is a professional writer and speaker, with a BA in nonfiction writing from the University of Arizona.
She is the author of the exceptional workbook, 1,001 Real-Life Questions for Women (offered as an eBook on her Web site,
www.1001RealLifeQuestions.com). She is
an accomplished and effective public speaker, with interest and expertise in the areas of eBooks, creativity,
brainstorming, visualization, business writing, handwriting analysis, and open adoption. Laura's
e-mail: Laura@1001RealLifeQuestions.com.
• • •
• If you would like to talk one-on-one with Larry James about
issues related to this article, you are invited to arrange for a private coaching session by telephone.
Go to Author & Speaker Coaching for specific details and fees.
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