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Where do you get ideas for ebooks?

by writeaway
16 replies
What kind of niche detection system do you guys use in coming up with ebook topics?

I've noticed that some publishers use SEO keyword tactics like finding low competition keywords with decent monthly searches and decent CPC. I've seen others mention Twitter hashtag patterns. Others use Amazon search patterns. Any other approaches?
#ebooks #ideas
  • Profile picture of the author stoltingmediagroup
    What ever happened to an author writing about a topic they knew about, as opposed to first finding low competition keywords with decent monthly searches and decent CPC, or Twitter hashtag patterns, before deciding on what eBook topic to write about. Now that would be an unexplored concept wouldn't it.
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    • Profile picture of the author writeaway
      Originally Posted by stoltingmediagroup View Post

      What ever happened to an author writing about a topic they knew about, as opposed to first finding low competition keywords with decent monthly searches and decent CPC, or Twitter hashtag patterns, before deciding on what eBook topic to write about. Now that would be an unexplored concept wouldn't it.
      That goes without saying. I'm talking about ebook niche research techniques here. Anyone have other niche research techniques? I know there's an RSS-theme detection system. Any others?
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  • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
    I use a combination of discussion forums, amazon mining, expanding on existing top sellers and content mining (blogs, articles, even social these days).

    For me, I never lead with keyword research - I rather go with expressions of demand, frustration and desire along with following proven top selling content and then match the keywords when it comes time to pull in traffic

    Jeff
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    • Profile picture of the author writeaway
      Originally Posted by jbsmith View Post

      I use a combination of discussion forums, amazon mining, expanding on existing top sellers and content mining (blogs, articles, even social these days).

      For me, I never lead with keyword research - I rather go with expressions of demand, frustration and desire along with following proven top selling content and then match the keywords when it comes time to pull in traffic

      Jeff
      Awesome contribution, Jeff. Much appreciated. Quick follow up: do you cross reference your data points with social media mentions or other corroborating 3rd party data points?
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      • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
        I typically lead with evidence of selling around a certain problem or desire - then I extract that problem/desire and take a different (USP) approach - put my own solution together to address that problem (or a similar adjacent one)

        People buy non-fiction ebooks to satisfy a desire (either overcome a challenge, make something similar, because they want to transform a part of their life, etc...) - those desires are amazingly consistent, it is the approach to how you offer them a better, faster, simpler way to get where they want to go that sets you aside AND still taps into the proven demand.

        I mostly use social networks to guage how much demand their is around a certain niche and to help drill into it further - then quickly evolve to finding out what is selling.

        Originally Posted by writeaway View Post

        Awesome contribution, Jeff. Much appreciated. Quick follow up: do you cross reference your data points with social media mentions or other corroborating 3rd party data points?
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    • Profile picture of the author schttrj
      Originally Posted by jbsmith View Post

      I use a combination of discussion forums, amazon mining, expanding on existing top sellers and content mining (blogs, articles, even social these days).
      Jeff
      Nuggets of gold!

      Pay heed, my friend.
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      • Profile picture of the author McMissKathy
        Yawning on this one but from experience using three pen names with 17 books to date, use this formula for targeting readers.

        In non-fiction, find a topic to write about that is very useful to the masses out there. You know, something that is in today. That book will answer the problem that people will want an answer to.

        Its like Dr. Phil, he writes a book every so often on some sort of problem that peeps have and millions more buy the darn thing. Isn't that quite nifty?

        SEO?
        Marketing?
        Health Problems with Solutions?
        Teenager Woes?
        Money Management?
        Ways to Save Money?
        Investing Money with Solutions?
        Writing a Will?
        Creating an Online Business?
        Starting a Real Life Business?
        Business Startup Fundamentals?
        Taxes in Business?
        Parenting and Family?

        Just a few ideas above but do you get the idea? Get that creative mind cooking and those creative juices flowing!

        Kathy
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    • Profile picture of the author Wizardofwisdom
      Originally Posted by jbsmith View Post

      I use a combination of discussion forums, amazon mining, expanding on existing top sellers and content mining (blogs, articles, even social these days).

      For me, I never lead with keyword research - I rather go with expressions of demand, frustration and desire along with following proven top selling content and then match the keywords when it comes time to pull in traffic

      Jeff
      I'm with jbsmith on this - whatever your main topic, find a forum, or maybe Facebook group in some cases, and look at commonly asked questions and frustrations. Come up with a solution and you have your ebook title and content.

      Simple azzat!
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  • Profile picture of the author Kate C
    If you are active in forums you will see that people are asking questions just like you are about how to do certain things. This is what you would address and research in order to solve those problems. The e-book would be the product that you sell to solve the problem and you would do key word research based on whatever topic you are writing about then incorporate those key words into your e-book as you write it.
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    • Profile picture of the author Devid Farah
      Writeaway,

      Ideas for ebooks are literally EVERYWHERE. Just look around you.

      Look at the questions being asked over and over again here and in many other forums.

      Here are some techniques;

      I personally get ideas from magazines and forums. When i look at the cover of a magazine, it takes me literally seconds to come up with 3/4 ideas...

      ... but here's another technique;

      amazon books section;       go on the search bar, type the asterisk and click go. This will return all of their books. Again, look at your specific niche and click on the "sort by" drop down bar and select best selling. Plenty of categories and niches here. TONS and TONS of ideas...

      Then there's clickbank, commission junction, all the jvs platforms.
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  • Profile picture of the author lotsofsnow
    Just take a look at what people frequently ask here at the forums.
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  • Profile picture of the author OfficerIM
    be completely irrational and unrealistic i.e. just use your imagination and mix words, its kind of like rapping.
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  • Profile picture of the author kayfrank
    Take a look at any book discussions on Amazon and what is lacking in any of the books. Then write your improved version.
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  • Profile picture of the author mark healy
    i would say if you survey your list or get them to interact with you on your blog you will be tailoring your ebook to meet their needs.Alternatively use amazon reviews or look on forums and ask people what problems they are having, they will let you know and you can create an e-book solving one specific problem in your book.

    Hope that helps

    Mark
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  • Profile picture of the author muffty
    I'll just pass on some advice I've been given:-

    Looking at Topics go to:-

    Forums - what questions are they asking
    Magazines - top topics
    Dummies.com - they do loads of research before they go to print !!!
    Amazon - best selling books in different categories
    Post Article Titles - from top ranking blogs

    Also was on a Webinar last night Re: Kindle Marketing

    Their advice was :-

    So the Google Keyword Planner - input your topic Keyword

    See the 2, 3 or 4 (or more) word phrases that come up with good monthly searches

    Searches must have at least 10K month but no more than 100K as it's too broad!

    And there's your ~Title ~ this was about writing Kindle Books I have to add!

    There was a lot more to it of course but you probably get the general idea!

    Hope this is helpful - please don't shoot the messenger!!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mark Tandan
    'Where do I get ideas' and 'what kind of niche detection systems do I use' are 2 very different questions.
    Are you looking to find a hot market, then write books for it in order to capitalize? If so, start with niche research.
    Or are you a writer who loves to write, in which case you should write about what you know, and find the market for your products afterwards. It exists.
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