Guest Post by Melissa Cassera (Learn more about Melissa at the end of this post)
Ebooks are an excellent way to gain additional income for your business. Ebooks are not only for authors, speakers and industry experts – product and service based businesses can also develop ebooks on their areas of expertise. Are you a jewelry designer that can write about how to make wire earrings? A financial advisor that can offer a guide to smart investing? A chiropractor that can offer an ebook of exercises to strengthen your back? Think about what you do well, and write it down.
After you’ve written your ebook, create a nice cover and save the file as a PDF. If you aren’t graphically savvy, consider hiring a designer to create an eye-catching cover.
It’s not enough just to write your ebook, upload to your website, and wait for orders to come in. Follow these simple strategies to market your ebook effectively.
Sample Chapters
Give your audience a ‘taste’ of your ebook by offering a sample chapter download. This will give buyers a sense of your writing and the book content – and entice them to want to read more. You can also offer your table of contents as a download so prospective buyers can see all of the topics included in your ebook.
Write Effective Sales Copy
Devote a page on your website or blog to your ebook (referred to as a ‘landing page’). Include a photo of your ebook cover. Other items you can include on this page are excerpts, list of chapters, description of the book, author bio, benefits to the reader, and reviews. Don’t forget the purchase information!
Start a Blog Tour
More affordable than a book tour, a blog tour allows you to make ‘stops’ at various blogs that will help promote your book. Identify blogs that reach your target audience (think outside of just book review blogs) and contact them to ask for a review or interview. Host your blog tour schedule on your website or blog with links back to the blogs that are featuring your ebook.
Promote it Everywhere
Put your ebook link in your email signature, message board signature, Facebook page, Twitter page, LinkedIn page – basically anywhere you are visible.
Create an Ebook Buzz
Ask your readers to review the book in addition to your coverage through blogs. Collect these reviews and begin building your own media buzz. Send out a press release announcing the success of the book. Continue promoting through your own marketing on a blog or email newsletter. Consider some of the themes in your ebook as possible angles you can pitch to reporters.
Find Affiliates
Affiliates are people that will help you market your ebook for a fraction of the profits. Google ‘affiliate marketing networks’ and you’ll view tons of resources.
Ask Others to Help Promote
You never know until you ask. Ask your network of associates to promote the book on their blogs, websites, newsletters – ask them to stumble, link or tweet your ebook.
About the Author
Melissa Cassera is a publicity specialist, professional speaker and author helping small businesses gain exposure through media coverage in top outlets. She recently authored three ebooks on DIY publicity and marketing strategies available for purchase on her website http://www.casseracommunications.com
Susan Gunelius
Susan Gunelius is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Women on Business. She is a 30-year veteran of the marketing field and has authored a dozen books about marketing, branding, and social media, including the highly popular Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing, 30-Minute Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing for Dummies, Blogging All-in-One for Dummies and Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps. Susan’s marketing-related content can be found on Entrepreneur.com, Forbes.com, MSNBC.com, BusinessWeek.com, and more. Susan is President & CEO of KeySplash Creative, Inc., a marketing communications company. She has worked in corporate marketing roles and through client relationships with AT&T, HSBC, Citibank, Intuit, The New York Times, Cox Communications, and many more large and small companies around the world. Susan also speaks about marketing, branding and social media at events around the world and is frequently interviewed by television, online, radio, and print media organizations about these topics. She holds an MBA in Management and Strategy and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).
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Great tips! But don’t forget ebook stores like Kindle, Nook, iBookstore, Clickbank and many more! You’ll make money but more importantly you’ll generator leads and get incredible exposure.