Making Kindle Ebook Advice All Areas

8 replies
Hi all,

I had some advice a while ago on here which was encouraging - I suggested I could write an ebook about how I get penny items on eBay - the thread is here:

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ml#post6001198

I now maybe have time to get this going and so have been doing a little research. My conclusion is that publishing an ebook that will sell reasonably well will require a fair bit of effort and some outsourcing, otherwise it may look unappealing.

I'm thinking maybe Fiverr for proofreading, formatting, cover, plus maybe editing and/or copywriting input or some kind of jazzing up and possible reviews. A blog plus social marketing are suggestions that sound useful for marketing.

Thing is, it seems it could take me a while to wade through the all the seemingly pertinent information I've bookmarked, but it all seems necessary to know. I suppose I could just do it all myself and hope for the best but I'd hate to sell shoddy goods and don't think I am entirely capable of avoiding it.

I was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions which would make the whole thing a little less painful?
#advice #areas #ebook #kindle #making
  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Originally Posted by samsmoot View Post

    Hi all,

    I had some advice a while ago on here which was encouraging - I suggested I could write an ebook about how I get penny items on eBay - the thread is here:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ml#post6001198

    I now maybe have time to get this going and so have been doing a little research. My conclusion is that publishing an ebook that will sell reasonably well will require a fair bit of effort and some outsourcing, otherwise it may look unappealing.

    I'm thinking maybe Fiverr for proofreading, formatting, cover, plus maybe editing and/or copywriting input or some kind of jazzing up and possible reviews. A blog plus social marketing are suggestions that sound useful for marketing.

    Thing is, it seems it could take me a while to wade through the all the seemingly pertinent information I've bookmarked, but it all seems necessary to know. I suppose I could just do it all myself and hope for the best but I'd hate to sell shoddy goods and don't think I am entirely capable of avoiding it.

    I was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions which would make the whole thing a little less painful?
    Wow. If you want this thing to be decent then stay far away from fiverr. Do you really think you're going to get quality proofreading there? I'd also strongly suggest you avoid them for covers unless the provider can show you proof they've got the proper license to use any image for your cover. I shudder to think what kind of copywriting you might come away with even if you paid for 20 gigs.

    Your post is very well written, which suggests you've got some talent as a writer. By all means, do yourself a favor and do this work yourself. Good luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author samsmoot
      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      Wow. If you want this thing to be decent then stay far away from fiverr. Do you really think you're going to get quality proofreading there? I'd also strongly suggest you avoid them for covers unless the provider can show you proof they've got the proper license to use any image for your cover. I shudder to think what kind of copywriting you might come away with even if you paid for 20 gigs.

      Your post is very well written, which suggests you've got some talent as a writer. By all means, do yourself a favor and do this work yourself. Good luck.
      Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. The thing that worries me most is getting the formatting right. Point taken about the cover. Maybe I could check out elance or similar for a higher standard of proofreading/editing.
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      • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
        Originally Posted by samsmoot View Post

        Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. The thing that worries me most is getting the formatting right. Point taken about the cover. Maybe I could check out elance or similar for a higher standard of proofreading/editing.
        If you need a cover get it here. There are plenty of good designers. As for the formatting, it's super easy. Write it in Word, single spaced. To start a new chapter, one space, then another space: write the chapter title, then two more spaces, and begin the text. Do that all the way through.

        If you need to hire someone check out DianaHeuser on this forum. She'll do an excellent job, very reasonably priced. She also does covers. Another guy that does a nice job with covers is superowid on this site. Good luck.
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        • Profile picture of the author LilBlackDress
          It is really simple - just break it down and do one step at a time.
          I personally:

          Write my book in Word
          Have it proofread by someone else (others have told me they use proof readers on Fiverr)
          Make a cover with my cover maker software or you can outsource on Fiverr
          Use an instant formatter to format it
          Take the file and load it to Kindle on my PC and check it for errors
          Load it to Kindle (and check it again in the previewer)

          Very easy process once you get the hang of it.
          Signature

          Pen Name + 8 eBooks + social media sites 4 SALE - PM me (evergreen beauty niche)

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          • Profile picture of the author samsmoot
            Originally Posted by LilBlackDress View Post

            It is really simple - just break it down and do one step at a time.
            I personally:

            Write my book in Word
            Have it proofread by someone else (others have told me they use proof readers on Fiverr)
            Make a cover with my cover maker software or you can outsource on Fiverr
            Use an instant formatter to format it
            Take the file and load it to Kindle on my PC and check it for errors
            Load it to Kindle (and check it again in the previewer)

            Very easy process once you get the hang of it.
            Thanks - that's a plan, which is a step forward. Appreciate the input - it all helps.
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        • Profile picture of the author samsmoot
          Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

          If you need a cover get it here. There are plenty of good designers. As for the formatting, it's super easy. Write it in Word, single spaced. To start a new chapter, one space, then another space: write the chapter title, then two more spaces, and begin the text. Do that all the way through.

          If you need to hire someone check out DianaHeuser on this forum. She'll do an excellent job, very reasonably priced. She also does covers. Another guy that does a nice job with covers is superowid on this site. Good luck.
          OK - thanks a lot for that travlinguy, I'll be guided by that advice.
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  • Profile picture of the author seobro
    Hi sam:

    I have found some excellent proofreaders on Fiverr and most are max. Biggest problem is getting eyes. Few people are going to buy your book if you do not have a big name. Right now, I do spend a lot of money. Most of it is on promos.
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    • Profile picture of the author samsmoot
      Originally Posted by seobro View Post

      Hi sam:

      I have found some excellent proofreaders on Fiverr and most are max. Biggest problem is getting eyes. Few people are going to buy your book if you do not have a big name. Right now, I do spend a lot of money. Most of it is on promos.
      Thanks for that. I do think that for me outsourced proofreading will be necessary (example why in first post).

      Promotion is obviously important and I'll have to look into paid and unpaid options.

      One other thing that occurred was how to/if I can obtain permission to use screenshots from eBay and sellers. I need some pics in there (I think), to better illustrate the process and the results.
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