Learning how to write an ebook on a popular topic with the knowledge you have is an ideal way to do something once and profit forever.
In fact the sooner you can begin writing your ebook, the sooner you’ll start seeing those checks in the mail.
Here are 4 useful tips on how to write an ebook that will get you started…
1. Fill Your eBook With Quality information
No one wants to read dull, textbook, boring information that drones on for pages. Selling information is about selling quality not quantity. You’ll have much more success with writing a 30-40 page ebook that gets to the point quickly and delivers useful, beneficial information versus writing a 150 page ebook that wastes your reader’s time with information they don’t care about.
Your ebook has to get to the point of what it is about quickly and give your readers plenty of useful meat. You want readers to rave about the great usable information you are giving them.
Today’s electronic consumers are much more savvy. Readers want value in the form of concise information. They won’t tolerate meaningless fluff or information that has no real meaning for them. That will hurt your reputation and ultimately your sales.
2. Write Your eBook On A Topic of Interest
Choose a topic that people crave to know about. The hotter the topic the more of a ‘ready to buy’ audience you’ll attract.
This doesn’t have to be a hugely passionate interest but it should be something that you enjoy writing about or something you’ve had experience with. If you love your work and enjoy what you are writing about it will show in the quality of your writing.
If you’re shy on facts don’t let that stop you. Write what you know and research what you don’t know. I don’t suggest using the internet as your resource, instead use the library or bookstore. Provide information a reader won’t find just anywhere.
Use the internet to gather statistics and to learn what people want to know about your topic.
3. Stay Focused and Finish the Job
Stay focused until the job until your ebook is completed.
Writing an ebook or even a report, is really about repeating a few simple steps that build on each other taking it one step at a time. This is how you’ll get your ebook written quickly.
If you’re not sure about how to put your book together in a comprehensive outline, Jonathon Leger’s “Write That Report” includes the steps and the outline I use religiously, for $7 it’s completely worth it.
schedule time each day to work on your book. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, do something each day. If you get off schedule don’t stress, simply set a new time goal.
I usually start with a completion goal at 30 days, this keeps me moving at a steady pace, I also like having a project completed in a month, that means I can start making sales that much sooner 
4. Create Your eBook Cover
Once your eBook is written, it’s time to make it look good. You can have an ebook cover professionally created, but if you want to do it yourself, ecover software is an easy ’do it yourself’ product that let’s you create your own cover for a fraction of the cost of hiring someone to do it for you - and you don’t need Photoshop.
In Summary…
Write what you know and enjoy. Stay focused, be concise and persistent, and you’ll have an ebook written and published online in about a month.
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{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: alexwhalley23
August 18, 2010 at 7:03 am
You make it sound so simple Liz!
as the owner of my first ebook, I can say that in hindsight – yes it is that easy.
Wish I had read this post a few months ago though – GREAT tips here. None of that blog mumbo jumbo, just the honest truth about what is required.
Thanks Liz
Twitter: alexwhalley23
August 18, 2010 at 7:04 am
tip: Install Tweetmeme plugin so that readers (me) can tweet your post. I hate that share plugin you have and besides twitter is not listed, I have to go to ‘more’ and I can’t be bothered.
Hey thanks Alex, I’ve not fond of that share plugin either. I’ll look into tweetmeme. Always nice to get feedback recommendations from readers
Twitter: Josh_Garcia
August 18, 2010 at 9:06 am
Hey Liz,
You are providing great tips! I like how you say, you are better off writing a 30-40 page ebook with quality content vs. 100 page of filler.
I’m with Alex, you should install a tweet button so this info can be shared.
Chat with you later…
Josh
Hey Josh, Thanks for your comment, BTW I just installed a Tweet button with bookmarkify. But Ana over at http://www.trafficgenerationcafe.com/tweet-button-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-10544 has some good advice as well. Will test this one for awhile. Thanks so much for your input
Twitter: mlmfriend
August 18, 2010 at 10:09 am
Hi Liz, I’ve not yet written a proper eBook – I wrote a report once which I marketed through Clickbank, about 10 years ago I think, it was about 12 pages long & I sold it for $9. It seemed to take me forever!
I’ve always wanted to write a proper eBook but have never really taken a closer look at how to do it. This information you have shared here is really good advice that I will keep in mind when I do decide to write.
Thanks for sharing.
Stay inspired,
Michael
Hey Michael, I so hear you. My perfection demons comes out when I’m writing an ebook. I get so wrapped up in being perfect that I often miss my deadlines and sometimes I give up. I’m also thinking about more things to add that goes beyond my outline which can be frustration.
I found that if you do some research on what people really want to know about on the topic, create a thoughtful outline, then stick to the outline, it can be done and done on time. I like Jimmy D. Brown’s approach but another book I didn’t mention that I also use is Write That Report. For only $7 it’s an awesome guide to help you simplify things.
Twitter: GrowOnlineBiz
August 18, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Hi Liz,
You are sharing great tips here. What you have outlined here, will make the process easier
Thanks for sharing your insights.
All the best,
Mavis Nong
Twitter: luckyoliver70
August 18, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Hi Liz,
writing my first ebook is certainly something I’m going to do – let’s say in one year’s time. I’ve got other stuff to be done that has priority, so there’s no rush. But it’s good to know where to excellent advice for writing one – so thank you for sharing.
Take care
Oliver
Twitter: charlieholles
August 18, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Hi Liz
yes being concise and writing from your heart always touches people. Thanks for the 30 tips.
all the best
Charlie Holles
Twitter: JymTarrant
August 18, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Hey Liz,
Thanks for that post. Great tips which I hope to use soon. I feel that they can be scaled up or down for larger or smaller projects, but are spot on for any kind of content production.
You’ve inspired me to start putting my own e-book together!
Cheers,
Jym
Twitter: jeromeratliff
August 18, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Hi Liz,
Very great tips in writing an ebook. I’ve written a good share of them and each time I’ve learned something new. So I take what you wrote here to heart.
Thank you!
Have a good day,
Jerome Ratliff
Great topic Liz- definitely a big demand for quality content on this subject Thanks for sharing
Cheers Kiaran
Twitter: karen_newman
August 19, 2010 at 9:54 am
Liz…great tips! When I wrote my book last year the content poured out of me fast and furious because I was so passionate about the subject. While I did not have an issue getting it finished I did utilize an Editor to help me structure it properly. It’s always great to get a second opinion and have another set of eyes go through your book prior to releasing it to the public.
Cheers,
Karen
P.S. I’d love to send you a copy if you’re interested…email me if you are.
Twitter: dwaynehuggins
August 19, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Hey Liz
I am very glad I can by your blog (via Ana Hoffman’s).
I will soon embark on ebook writing. The tip about not stressing over quantity is great as I wasn’t sure how long I should make my ebook. Now I don’t have to care. I will just top quality, concise information.
Thank you.
I’ll be back
Dwayne
Hey Dwayne, Just as long as your content is comprehensive, easy to read and concise, I think you’ll do OK
Hi Liz,
This is great information! Thanks for sharing it! I have been thinking of writing my own ebook sometime down the road so these tips will come in very handy.
Ilka
Hi Ilka, If you’ve been thinking it I encourage you to ‘just do it’ as Nike says. It’s so rewarding and it will be a great source of income for you. Best of luck to you
Great information, as always, Liz. Once you get in the swing of writing and get started it ends up being so easy to just keep going and get it done ~ get out there and start everyone!
Twitter: stephensheather
August 19, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Guilty! I’ve taken too long to finish my book and I’m now bored with it and excited about new things! I appreciate your tips and I’ll make it my mission to finish my book in a month. I love the idea of a new “project” each month to stay focused and see it to completion!
Thanks for your awesome tips, Liz!
Heather
Hi Liz,
This post came right on time. I just talked with my mentor yesterday about writing an ebook…
I really liked all your tips. Knowing an acceptable length is a really great tip too!
Thanks for this.
Susanna
Twitter: WebTrafficCafe
August 20, 2010 at 11:56 am
Great advice on writing ebooks, Liz.
I am particularly fond of your first point – be concise. I am the kind of reader who always scans the text to find info that I can actually use and fluff is very distracting.
Ana Hoffman
PS I love it that you moved your sidebar to the left; now your opt-in form is definitely more prominent.
Hey Ana, Thanks for you comment and BTW, my sidebar move was a mistake :-0 I made a change to my widgets and the sidebar changed, go figure. I’ve moved it back to the right but now you have me thinking I should keep it on the left
Hey Susanna, how do you like having a mentor?
Twitter: tommydipietro
August 23, 2010 at 7:34 am
Hi Liz,
I really enjoyed your tips and will study these further if I decide to write
my very own ebook.
I try to be persistent anytime I write something, it helps keep my readers on track
and keeps them coming back for more.
Thanks
Tommy D.
Twitter: prfuller
August 23, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Hello Liz
I agree with 100%, especially about the fluff part.
I was reading an ebook the other day and it took 10 pages of reading before they got to the meat.
Peter, I’ve read books like that too. I hope that the meat was worth the fluff you had to go through first
Excellent post Ms. Liz.. I’m a huge fan of ebooks, I would prefer reading ebooks than real books. Back in college I always enjoy studying my ebooks. It’s so easy and convenient, all I need is my computer. I was thinking of starting making my own ebooks about tutorials on how to repair a computer or set up a network. Thank you very much for the tips. God bless you.
I want also to write an ebook, that’s why I keep on surfing the net to find some tips on how to write an ebook. Very simple tips and I think I can do this. I would just like to write about photoshop tutorials. Great tips!! Thanx!
I really love ebooks. I am one of the avid fans of it. I agree to your post that says writing ebook should be concise. As an ebook fanatic, I prefer to read those short but informative one compare to long though it is also informative but for me it is monotonous. Thanks for sharing this information to us. This will be a great for those ebook writers. Great tips Liz!
Im planning to make an e-book later this week. Im kinda messy on how i did it the last time so i look for posts that will make my ebooks better! thank you for sharing!
Twitter: ricoramiro
March 26, 2011 at 6:02 pm
You’re awesome. I’ve been reading on your site for the last 2 hours. I feel like I went to school. I look forward to your emails.
Hey Ramiro, I look forward to helping and getting to know you, Liz
Twitter: kdbbiz
March 27, 2011 at 11:08 am
These are great tips on getting started. I have written several ebooks both as informative reports and step by step tutorials with lots of screen shots. There are many different types of ebooks you can write and now with the ability to sell them on your own website, through places like Clickbank, and even changing the format to sell as a Kindle format, the opportunities for making a good living with your writing is far more obtainable than ever before.
I like how you set a deadline for completion. 30 days is a reasonable time-line depending on what you are writing. I usually think about a week or 2 to do the research(unless I am writing primarily from experience and just need reference links and quotes,etc) And then for me, it takes about a week to write the report with an average of 9 pages a day. IF you have an offline day job or cannot devote full time to writing, it will take longer and you may find that having a deadline just acts as a discouragement. You will find out what works for you the more you go along. Just get started!
Hey Melanie, Good to hear from you. “Just get started” is good advice. Thanks so much for your great feedback
Ebooks are an amazing medium and truly are a fantastic way to share information and make money online…probably the best way since they don’t have any overhead and can be sold and replicated digitally. I agree with Melanie, as an extension of your fourth tip, that apart from its own website, the ebook can be promoted and sold through a variety of third party channels and also bundled with other e-books or media to promote a similar topic.
E-book writing is really profitable online job nowadays and a lot of people are doing this already. It’s also a big advantage if you have skills in writing since in writing E-book it is required to write original articles. I think your post is truly a big help especially to the beginners in E-book writing. Keep posting!