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Ebook basics

by authorfriendly
3 replies
I am ready to start writing an ebook, and wondered if anyone has suggestions about the basics, like should I use adobe, or some other program. Do I need to get an ISBN? What the advantages are of different lengths of ebooks? how to make links clickable (if they can be, in a pdf file)? How important is a cover, and if important, how to make one cheaply but well? Also curious about things like how to set up a sale that then leads to it being downloaded. Finally, any information about how to get it offered by Kindle, etc. as well as on Amazon.

There is probaby a good thread or two somewhere on here, that will answer most of these...
#basics #ebook
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Clay
    Microsoft Office 2010 allows you to save your documents as .PDF now. You could also use Adobe Acrobat Pro.

    There's also a lot of doc to pdf converters available on the web. You would just have to do a Google search to find them.
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    • Profile picture of the author marcuslim
      If you are planning to sell the ebook for less than $10, a short 14-17 page ebook will do. Focus on solving one problem for the reader. If you are planning to use the ebook as a give-away in exchange for an opt-in, a very easy way is one that Eric Louviere came up with - find 5 -6 articles from ezine or article directories and compile them in your ebook, but leave the resource boxes intact.

      Some say covers are important, others don't. But you should be able to get a cover done on Fiverr.com for $5.

      Kindle publishing - three basic ways - write yourself, outsource, use PLR. Here's a good webinar - Kindle publishing webinar by James Jones
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      Marcus Lim
      Silver Bullet Publishing

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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Originally Posted by authorfriendly View Post

    I am ready to start writing an ebook, and wondered if anyone has suggestions about the basics,
    I will do my best to help. Keep in mind that the answers are based on my experience and others may do things differently.

    ...like should I use adobe, or some other program.
    I recommend downloading a free copy of OpenOffice. All you need to do is write your book, then export it as a PDF...instant e-book!

    Do I need to get an ISBN?
    Not necessarily, especially if you plan on selling them in digital format only.

    What the advantages are of different lengths of ebooks?
    It depends what your goals are. If you are looking to build an e-mail list, then a shorter book that you can give away is fine. If you want to go into a lot of depth, then 100, 200 or 300 pages could be fine. HOWEVER, this is the golden rule for e-book length: it should be as long as it needs to be, and not any longer.

    how to make links clickable (if they can be, in a pdf file)?
    If you use OpenOffice it will automatically make links clickable.

    How important is a cover, and if important, how to make one cheaply but well?
    I think e-covers are incredibly important. They allow potential buyers to visualize what they're getting. Seriously, I think it flips a switch in their brain (in a good way). There is an easy way to make all the e-covers you want, and for free (or very low cost depending on the style of cover you want).

    Also curious about things like how to set up a sale that then leads to it being downloaded.
    Once the e-book is done, you upload it to your server. You then copy the full URL (such as http://[URL="http://www.yoursite.com/ebook.pdf"]www.yoursite.com/ebook.pdf[/URL]) for later reference. Then you go to PayPal and set up a buy button. When setting up the button, they will ask you where you want to send people after they buy. Enter the full URL of where you uploaded your book.

    Finally, any information about how to get it offered by Kindle, etc. as well as on Amazon.
    No idea. I haven't done this yet.

    There is probaby a good thread or two somewhere on here, that will answer most of these...
    There is. I hope my answers help you get a good start. Stick with it and you'll do great!

    All the best,
    Michael
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