If you are looking for some ways to earn some extra cash, writing an eBook is a great way. You can write your eBook about anything that you want really including passions of yours and areas where you are considered an expert. If this is something that is piquing your interest, read on, because we will go over the steps you need to take to write your own eBook. 

What is an eBook? 

eBook stands for electronic book, a book that is digitally distributed. When you download an eBook, it can be read on a mobile phone, tablet, computer or an eBook reader like a Kindle or Nook.

The biggest difference between eBooks and print books is how they are consumed and distributed. eBooks are a great alternative for people who want to save space and carry multiple books at once, easily and stored on a small device. Just like regular books, eBooks have pages that can be flipped and are divided into chapters and sections. 

How to write an eBook 

1. Choose a topic 

Take some time to brainstorm what topic you want to write about in your eBook because having a clear vision while choosing the topic of your eBook will make your writing process a lot easier. Think about your expertise when coming up with a topic for your eBook. These questions can help your brainstorming process:

• What questions are you asked and answer repeatedly in your field?
• What problems do your customers or clients face that don’t currently have a clear solution?

Another good tip to take into account is that you don’t want to write a comprehensive guide for your first eBook where you just answer a bunch of questions. Instead, focus on one specific topic or question to present yourself as the expert. If you think this will make your eBook too short, don’t worry. In fact, eBooks that are short and focused will help you:

• Target specific segments of your audience
• Provide a thorough solution to your customers’ specific problem
• Build anticipation and ideas for your next eBook

2. Build your chapter outline 

Now that you have figured out the specific topic for your eBook, write a chapter outline that provides valuable information about your main topic. Don’t focus on aiming for a specific number of chapters, instead include as many chapters as you need to fully include all of the information necessary for your chosen topic. The more detailed your outline is, the easier and more structured your writing process will be. 

3. Start writing!

Now it’s time for the fun stuff: writing. Writing an entire eBook can seem like a daunting process, so just take it one chapter at a time. Keep your eBook flowing smoothly by following these guidelines:

• Keep your main topic in mind and remember that each chapter is there to support that main topic. A pro tip is to type your main topic at the top of each new page so you stay focused on it.
• Focus on your audience. What specific information do they need to solve the problem you’re addressing? Include data and graphics to support your ideas in every chapter.

4. Write the introduction and conclusion 

These are important parts of your book, the introduction will set the tone for the whole book and the conclusion may very well be the only part of the book that some people read. Plus, you’ll want to summarize your book perfectly so that those who did read it all will have a lasting impression of the expertise you provided in the book.

5. Proofread and edit 

Even if you’ve been editing as you go, you absolutely, one hundred percent must proofread and edit your book after it’s completed. Break down your editing and proofreading process into the following sections from less-specific to more-specific so you can focus on one aspect of your ebook at a time:

• Structure: Check the chapter order, headlines and subheadings. Make sure the structure flows properly and makes sense.
• Fluff: Read through the body of each section with and go through it with a fine tooth comb . Cut out anything that doesn’t support your main thought in each section. Then remove sections that don’t support your eBook’s main topic. Removing the fluff will move your readers through your book without losing their interest and keep your book concise and to-the-point. The last thing you want is to bore readers by drawing out topics longer than they have to be.
• Flow: Focus on sentence, paragraph, and chapter structure. Each one should flow seamlessly into the next, guiding your readers through your eBook until they reach the conclusion.
• Proofread: Look for any mistakes that you may have missed, including spelling, punctuation, and sentence fragments. A fresh, professional perspective is a valuable editing tool and we highly recommend hiring an editor to give it a final once over.

Before you start to edit your eBook, you will want to be sure that you have a copy of the original draft. This is because you will be moving sections, deleting paragraphs and rewording sentences. Sometimes, you may delete something only to realize you want to include it somewhere else. It’s best to keep a copy of your rough draft so you can go back to it throughout the entire editing process.

6. Format and design 

Now that the body of your eBook is good to go, it’s time to format and design the book to create the best reading experience possible for your audience. Generally speaking, you should follow these guidelines:

• Leave a lot of white space: Give your pages wide margins, large font size, and plenty of space between lines and paragraphs. Each of these components will keep your readers flowing easily through your book without having to strain their eyes to follow along.
• Include a header and footer: At minimum, you should include page numbers at the top or bottom of pages. But, you can also put other helpful information in the header and footers including the book’s title, chapter or even a link to your website.
• Write the front matter/end matter: Remember to create a table of contents, copyright page, and an “About the Author” page with a call-to-action. The call-to-action will tell your readers who you are and direct them to your website and any other places they can contact you.
• Double check pictures and graphics: If you included pictures and graphics in your eBook, be sure to list any copyright or source information. Lastly, check that they are positioned and proportioned correctly.

7. Publish 

Yay, it’s finally time to publish your hard work! You can either sell your eBook or offer it for free. If you pan to sell it on your website, you will need a sales page with payment processing so your audience can buy it. You can also self-publish your eBook via sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

8. Promotion 

Just because you have published your eBook, does not mean the work is complete. You need to promote your book in order to get the most sales/views possible. Here are some ideas for promotion:

• Schedule social media posts to announce the eBook
• Send the eBook to your email list and ask readers to share it
• Host a giveaway
• Target your audience with social media ads
• Work with influencers to promote your book  

Use this article as your guide to help you through the process of writing and publishing an eBook, w hope it helps and good luck!