In the midst of writing an ebook

igorhelpsyousucceed · 06-04-2009, 11:06 AM

Hey Warriors,

I know there are a lot of accomplished publishers
out there, hiding in the background of the WF.

I would like to hear some advice regarding writing
a "How TO" ebook. What mistakes to avoid?

Igor

Chaiwriter · 06-04-2009, 11:20 AM

1. Thinking you have to be in the mood to write. You don't. And you'll write just as well when it feels forced as when it feels like you're flowing like a wild river.

2. Giving too little information. You know what you're talking about so sometimes you'll go from point A to point C and skip over B. Make sure you clearly explain everything in a lot of detail.

3. Make sure you have some type of outline. It can be highly detailed and organized or it can be a few notes on a napkin, but it has to be something. You need some direction or you're bound to wind-up with a jumbled up mess.

Hope that helps a little...

Chai

Adrian Cooper · 06-04-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorhelpsyousucceed

Hey Warriors,

I know there are a lot of accomplished publishers
out there, hiding in the background of the WF.

I would like to hear some advice regarding writing
a "How TO" ebook. What mistakes to avoid?

Igor

Don't get hung up and writing it perfectly first time.

Just write whatever comes in to your head and then go back and edit it later so it makes sense, grammatically correct, spell checked etc.

Set yourself a target of writing a number of pages per day, and stick to it.

Shannon Tani · 06-04-2009, 07:01 PM

Since you're writing a how-to ebook, you need to make sure that you really do go through step-by-step. When you've finished writing it, ask someone that doesn't know about the topic to give it a read through and see if they have any questions. This will highlight any points that you may have missed.

Make a certain commitment and stick to it. This could be a page amount or a writing time. For example, you can commit to writing 3 pages a day or spending one hour writing. This can be hard, but it is ultimately better than waiting til the mood strikes.

Love,
Shannon

Mr McDonald · 06-04-2009, 07:28 PM

Want a good tip for your how to book? If you need some ideas find 4/5 goodforums in yr niche. Type "how to" in the search box and hey presto you have content,ideas,hot topics all for no price.

Good luck.

Peggy Baron · 06-04-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaiwriter

1. Thinking you have to be in the mood to write. You don't. And you'll write just as well when it feels forced as when it feels like you're flowing like a wild river.

2. Giving too little information. You know what you're talking about so sometimes you'll go from point A to point C and skip over B. Make sure you clearly explain everything in a lot of detail.

3. Make sure you have some type of outline. It can be highly detailed and organized or it can be a few notes on a napkin, but it has to be something. You need some direction or you're bound to wind-up with a jumbled up mess.

Chai

Yes! And just get going on it. Don't worry about perfection, just do it!

My favorite quote that relates:

"Rather than wait for the spirit to move you, sit down and move your spirit." ~Dr. David Schwartz

Peggy

Andy LaPointe · 06-04-2009, 07:56 PM

Two of the best secrets I learned to write an eBook is:

#1: Create a mindmap with all of your topics. An keep this insight as you write.

#2: As a normal processing of writing, at least for me, is after about 30-45 minutes of writing, I find I get mentally tired. When I feel myself getting mentally tried this means I am focusing to much on a specific topic. When this happens, I look at my mind map and I immediately am able to continue writing on another to topic. I feel reenergized and I am able to continue writing. This helped me tremendously.

I hope this helps,

Andy

George Wright · 06-04-2009, 08:08 PM

Turn off the biggest distraction. The TV? no. Radio? no.

Turn off your spell check. All those pop ups and red squiggly lines under words can kill the flow.

Of course spell check later. After each chapter or at the end of the first draft.

George Wright

Chaiwriter · 06-05-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peggy Baron

Yes! And just get going on it. Don't worry about perfection, just do it!

My favorite quote that relates:

"Rather than wait for the spirit to move you, sit down and move your spirit." ~Dr. David Schwartz

Peggy

I love that quote!

And along with turning off the spellchecker (which I just ignore), I would definitely turn off the television. It sucks my mind right out of me if I let it.

ayolov · 06-05-2009, 09:55 AM

Actualy, this is a "how-to" thread about writing!

Read as much as you can on the topic and take notes when you do. All these notes will be very helpful when you need ideas to write about.

Also, talk to the people you want to help, understand their frustrations, what are their biggest obstacles, what is confusing, etc.

Talk your method over and over until it flows naturally and you start solving their problems before they even have them! You are now on guru mode!

That's the signal you are ready to write the how-to book.

jbsmith · 06-05-2009, 10:49 AM

From dozens of ebooks and information products written and published to hundreds of others I've been involved with from subscribers, coaching and support perspective...here are my top 3

1. Miss the mark...not positioned correctly. Most people come up with a general topic and then begin writing AND THEN go about positioning themselves in the market. A much better approach is to know exactly what your sales letter SHOULD look like, what outcome you want to help your customer achieve, know what their main frustrations and "sticking" points are AND how you will position your ebook (in fact your information publishing business - see item #2) to achieve maximum value, impact and profit from the market.

2. Lack of...or Poor Monetization strategy. I have NEVER come across an ebook author in my hundreds of experiences helping with projects, answering questions, etc...that had a SOLID monetization plan for their information publishing business and understood the role of the ebook within that plan. Your ebook should be part of a bigger plan to capture and dominate your marketplace...even if you plan to eventually exit that market, your business will be worth much more if it is part of a grander monetization plan.

You can read more about this in a recent blog posting...
"How To Make Money Writing Non-Fiction Information Products"

3. Wrong Format...Informational Instead of Instructional. This is a biggie...
People buy information products NOT to be informed, but so that they can apply the information you give and achieve something in their life.

It could be pleasurable like getting a hot date, making more money, cooking a gourmet meal OR it could relieve pain or frustration such as weight loss, overcoming shyness, beating an illness or health condition.

So, what do you think would sell better...an ebook with 200 pages of information about why people are shy and some suggestions on how to handle it or A 5-step formula that anyone can start applying today that will beat shyness in 30-days or less?

Imagine if you wrote a 40-page ebook that outlined 5 clear steps (based on research, expert opinion, your own experience, or even outsourced) that walked your prospect through a clear set of steps - perhaps one each week, that they could apply and then see results. Now you have not only an ebook but a SYSTEM, a course, a blueprint, a formula that you can spin into a huge information publishing enterprise.

Hopefully this makes sense...avoiding these mistakes can make very big difference in your "how to" pubilshing profits.

Jeff

2ndAccount · 06-05-2009, 11:21 AM

i am just starting another product now. what i find helps loads is:

1. create a contents page in excel listing all the topics to cover.
2. play around to get the order right
3. add a Status column next to each item/section that will either be "pending", "in progress" or "complete" (this is a great motivator for me)
4. on another sheet in excel i create a 'project plan' similar to the above with all the other items i'll need to do (e.g. create sales page, pre-write articles, build squeeze page, set up email accounts, get testimonials etc etc etc)

i find i never get anything done unless i have every step of the process mapped out in excel first, allowing me to tick things off as i go.

06-04-2009, 11:06 AM	#1
igorhelpsyousucceed Mastermind Marketer Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: , , Israel. Posts: 653 Thanks: 106 Thanked 46 Times in 43 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	In the midst of writing an ebook Hey Warriors, I know there are a lot of accomplished publishers out there, hiding in the background of the WF. I would like to hear some advice regarding writing a "How TO" ebook. What mistakes to avoid? Igor
	IgorHelpsYouSucceed-Internet Marketing Tips For Online Entrepreneurs

06-04-2009, 07:01 PM	#4
Shannon Tani Space Master War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Honolulu, HI, USA. Posts: 709 Thanks: 39 Thanked 25 Times in 23 Posts	Re: In the midst of writing an ebook Since you're writing a how-to ebook, you need to make sure that you really do go through step-by-step. When you've finished writing it, ask someone that doesn't know about the topic to give it a read through and see if they have any questions. This will highlight any points that you may have missed. Make a certain commitment and stick to it. This could be a page amount or a writing time. For example, you can commit to writing 3 pages a day or spending one hour writing. This can be hard, but it is ultimately better than waiting til the mood strikes. Love, Shannon
	Free Weight Loss PLR! 50% Off My Writing Services

06-04-2009, 07:28 PM	#5
Mr McDonald My Friends Call Me Gavin Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 319 Thanks: 3 Thanked 21 Times in 18 Posts Social Networking	Re: In the midst of writing an ebook Want a good tip for your how to book? If you need some ideas find 4/5 goodforums in yr niche. Type "how to" in the search box and hey presto you have content,ideas,hot topics all for no price. Good luck.
	This is A Little Weird But It Will Get You A Flood Of Targeted Free Traffic On Autopilot.

06-04-2009, 07:56 PM	#7
Andy LaPointe Lapte War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cherry Capital of the World, Traverse City Michigan Posts: 162 Thanks: 8 Thanked 23 Times in 16 Posts	Re: In the midst of writing an ebook Two of the best secrets I learned to write an eBook is: #1: Create a mindmap with all of your topics. An keep this insight as you write. #2: As a normal processing of writing, at least for me, is after about 30-45 minutes of writing, I find I get mentally tired. When I feel myself getting mentally tried this means I am focusing to much on a specific topic. When this happens, I look at my mind map and I immediately am able to continue writing on another to topic. I feel reenergized and I am able to continue writing. This helped me tremendously. I hope this helps, Andy
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06-04-2009, 08:08 PM	#8
George Wright You R GREAT if you are A War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Shakey/Sunny CA, USA. Posts: 5,372 Blog Entries: 31 Thanks: 1,495 Thanked 750 Times in 269 Posts	Re: In the midst of writing an ebook Turn off the biggest distraction. The TV? no. Radio? no. Turn off your spell check. All those pop ups and red squiggly lines under words can kill the flow. Of course spell check later. After each chapter or at the end of the first draft. George Wright
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06-04-2009, 11:20 AM	#2
Chaiwriter Advanced Warrior Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NY , USA. Posts: 563 Thanks: 26 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts Social Networking	Re: In the midst of writing an ebook 1. Thinking you have to be in the mood to write. You don't. And you'll write just as well when it feels forced as when it feels like you're flowing like a wild river. 2. Giving too little information. You know what you're talking about so sometimes you'll go from point A to point C and skip over B. Make sure you clearly explain everything in a lot of detail. 3. Make sure you have some type of outline. It can be highly detailed and organized or it can be a few notes on a napkin, but it has to be something. You need some direction or you're bound to wind-up with a jumbled up mess. Hope that helps a little... Chai

06-05-2009, 09:55 AM	#10
ayolov HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Aguascalientes, Mexico Posts: 122 Thanks: 56 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: In the midst of writing an ebook Actualy, this is a "how-to" thread about writing! Read as much as you can on the topic and take notes when you do. All these notes will be very helpful when you need ideas to write about. Also, talk to the people you want to help, understand their frustrations, what are their biggest obstacles, what is confusing, etc. Talk your method over and over until it flows naturally and you start solving their problems before they even have them! You are now on guru mode! That's the signal you are ready to write the how-to book.
	Desarrollo Negocios Web Cómo hacer un próspero negocio web, ¡en español! A bilungual site to grow and prosper online

06-05-2009, 10:49 AM	#11
jbsmith Jeff War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ottawa,Canada. Posts: 1,299 Thanks: 0 Thanked 58 Times in 42 Posts Social Networking	Re: In the midst of writing an ebook From dozens of ebooks and information products written and published to hundreds of others I've been involved with from subscribers, coaching and support perspective...here are my top 3 1. Miss the mark...not positioned correctly. Most people come up with a general topic and then begin writing AND THEN go about positioning themselves in the market. A much better approach is to know exactly what your sales letter SHOULD look like, what outcome you want to help your customer achieve, know what their main frustrations and "sticking" points are AND how you will position your ebook (in fact your information publishing business - see item #2) to achieve maximum value, impact and profit from the market. 2. Lack of...or Poor Monetization strategy. I have NEVER come across an ebook author in my hundreds of experiences helping with projects, answering questions, etc...that had a SOLID monetization plan for their information publishing business and understood the role of the ebook within that plan. Your ebook should be part of a bigger plan to capture and dominate your marketplace...even if you plan to eventually exit that market, your business will be worth much more if it is part of a grander monetization plan. You can read more about this in a recent blog posting... "How To Make Money Writing Non-Fiction Information Products" 3. Wrong Format...Informational Instead of Instructional. This is a biggie... People buy information products NOT to be informed, but so that they can apply the information you give and achieve something in their life. It could be pleasurable like getting a hot date, making more money, cooking a gourmet meal OR it could relieve pain or frustration such as weight loss, overcoming shyness, beating an illness or health condition. So, what do you think would sell better...an ebook with 200 pages of information about why people are shy and some suggestions on how to handle it or A 5-step formula that anyone can start applying today that will beat shyness in 30-days or less? Imagine if you wrote a 40-page ebook that outlined 5 clear steps (based on research, expert opinion, your own experience, or even outsourced) that walked your prospect through a clear set of steps - perhaps one each week, that they could apply and then see results. Now you have not only an ebook but a SYSTEM, a course, a blueprint, a formula that you can spin into a huge information publishing enterprise. Hopefully this makes sense...avoiding these mistakes can make very big difference in your "how to" pubilshing profits. Jeff
	Writing eBooks Made Easy! Your Own Best-Selling Info Product In 20-days...Or Less

06-05-2009, 11:21 AM	#12
2ndAccount Active Warrior Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 54 Thanks: 4 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: In the midst of writing an ebook i am just starting another product now. what i find helps loads is: 1. create a contents page in excel listing all the topics to cover. 2. play around to get the order right 3. add a Status column next to each item/section that will either be "pending", "in progress" or "complete" (this is a great motivator for me) 4. on another sheet in excel i create a 'project plan' similar to the above with all the other items i'll need to do (e.g. create sales page, pre-write articles, build squeeze page, set up email accounts, get testimonials etc etc etc) i find i never get anything done unless i have every step of the process mapped out in excel first, allowing me to tick things off as i go.