Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Deb Lamb on October 12, 2008 at 1:35pm

Hi Becky,
Great idea to start this group! One reason I want to write an ebook is due to my passion I have for writing. I have said for many, many years now that someday I'm going to write a book. At that time I had no idea what to write about or even how to get started. After many hours of research and helpful advice, I think I could probably start something. Another reason, is to increase my business and exposure. I think writing an ebook would be a great way to do that too. So thanks to you Becky, I believe we could be on our way to successful writing! Looking so forward to learning all I can learn!
Deb :)

Permalink Reply by Becky on October 12, 2008 at 1:59pm

Great Deb! Ebooks are a wonderful way to generate business. While the actual process of writing and producing an ebook are fairly simple, the questions associated with it are a little more complex. If you're not familiar with Seth Godin, reading his books - particularly his latest - due out Oct. 15, is a good start. Go to www.changethis.com and search on his name and download anything you can find on him. Here are some free ebooks to get you started. I think you'll like them. The image I used for this group is an ebook I'm in the process of finishing for myself on how to generate ideas. It will be free as well and I'll upload it when it is finished too. I've invited a friend, Paul Durban, to this group. He teaches ebook design and graphics for a living...and I think he'll have a lot to contribute too. Hopefully we'll all benefit from the experience and you'll have an ebook soon!

Be thinking about who your clients are. What do they want to know? What kinds of questions do they ask? If you want to increase business, start by outlining what services you offer. Include a list of Frequently Asked Questions new clients ask. I looked at your web page and you do some amazing and wonderful things! There are several ebooks there! Why not do an ebook on all of them!

For instance, start with calligraphy. Have some examples of great calligraphy and talk about how a personal touch enhances any gift card or correspondence. Maybe talk about the history of calligraphy, use some clip art of great caligraphy and even talk about the tools etc. and answer questions about it. Maybe a 10 or even 20 page booklet would be great. Include samples of your work but don't make it read like an ad. Include links - maybe embed some video of you doing calligraphy in the book (that's possible!) Post the book on your website and send to friends and encourage them to send it to friends. In the "about me" section of the book is where you tout your writing skills, your business etc. As energetic as your site looks - you'll have more clients than you know what to do with!! Download these ebooks and start getting inspired!

Attachments:

• 8.01.BootstrappersBible.pdf, 1.1 MB
• Small_Business_Marketing_Guide-1.pdf, 741 KB
• giveaway-free-ebook.pdf, 188 KB

Permalink Reply by Deb Lamb on October 12, 2008 at 2:54pm

Wow Becky, what awesome advice! Thanks for taking a look at my site, it is brand new and really excited about it. He does have a few things he needs to add, but other than that, it is pretty much finished. Great idea on the calligraphy ebook. I never thought about writing on a particular service I offer, however, now that I think about it and you mentioned it, I think that is a great idea! You have really given me some great tips and advice and I greatle appreciate it! You have certainly inspired me to get going on it and like I always say, "nothing to it but to do it!" When I am done with it, I would love for you to take a look at it and then I might need some further advice on what to do next. Thanks so much again dear, really appreciate your time and expertise!
Deb :)

Permalink Reply by Becky on October 12, 2008 at 2:57pm

Glad it was helpful Deb. Read the ebooks I uploaded. They're free to download and are just regular books. That's the kind of feel you're going for - so your customers and potential clients know you really do care about them. You can write an e-book on every single service on your site! And you can produce it yourself with the right software. Can't beat that!

Permalink Reply by Jason Murphy on October 12, 2008 at 3:02pm

Becky, first this group already rocks, second, can you recommend some ebook software, free is best but anything helps.

Permalink Reply by Becky on October 12, 2008 at 3:20pm

Sure Jason, do you have a PC or a Mac? What software do you have now? I have a Mac and use iworks - great program. You can try it free for 30 days (I highly suggest that). It's $89 but you can find it on ebay cheaper if you look or if you are in school your school might have a discount. Also, get the family pack (you get two licenses) and split the cost with a friend. It'll save you $20. If you have a PC, check out Microsoft's free downloads. They have everything from slideshow creators to movie editors - free. You really just need to be able to create a PDF. I've invited a friend of mine who creates, designs and teaches ebook design and creation to join this group. He'll have even more info! Keep checking back!

Permalink Reply by Monique Terrell on October 12, 2008 at 4:38pm

Becky, what a great group thanks for creating it. I'm not an eBook writer and will probably never write one. But I have written an eBooklet and currently working on a white paper.

I'm more of a technical writer (How-to, processes, etc) so I give big shout out to all the eBook writers. However, I do support those that write eBooks with covers, formatting, graphics and distribution. You know the easy stuff!

I use Word & Publisher for the formatting and Adobe PDF for the production and recommend Lulu.com for distribution and printing. I'm looking forward to tapping into your creative minds.

Permalink Reply by Becky on October 12, 2008 at 6:07pm

Monique, it sounds like you're already writing the kind of ebooks we're talking about! an eBooklet and even white papers can be combined with images to motivate your clients and bring potential clients to you! You can show what you do and give yourself an edge in the tech community. Doing it yourself can save you money too. If you can make a PDF you're doing exactly what we're talking about. "Distribution" can be as simple as sending your book to friends, posting it on your website or adding it to any newsletters you may send out. If you can drop and drag or use a template (Microsoft and Mac programs have them already formatted - you just replace the text) you can create an ebook in a couple of hours. It's a powerful addition to a smart marketing program. Think about it. You have the skills already. Lulu is great, but have you tried www.blurb.com?

EBooks can be as short as 5 pages and as long as 150 or more! It's up to the writer and the message. Many companies will write ebooks to list all the FAQ's they get from clients or even to detail your boundaries and how you work, payment, milestones, expectations and details about the services you offer. Clients love having all that in one document they can open, print and refer to. If they love your ebook they might even hire you to produce a technical manual for them! Don't be too quick to count yourself out of the loop! But welcome to the group!

Permalink Reply by Monique Terrell on October 13, 2008 at 1:32am

Thanks Becky, I will check out blurb. I will keep what you said in mind about my writing.

Thanks,
Monique Terrell