A.S.K. About eBooks
There is NO REASON to die with a book inside of you!
Are you one of the 81% of Americans who say they have a dream of one day writing a book?
Explore the trends, tips, strategies, resources and approaches affecting the eBook authoring journey.
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eBook Authoring = Attitude + Skills + Knowledge
May 29, 2009, Is Being Succinct a Problem for You?
How do you keep your titles, sub-titles, headings, sub-headings, logos and branding messages short and effective?
It is a real challenge being succinct. Simply limiting yourself to a maximum of six (6) words as you are writing will make your objective easier to reach and create short, hard-hitting, memorable prose.
The more you practice the SUCCINCT SIX target in everything you write, the better you will become. The six-word limit still requires that you first decide exactly what it is your message must convey – humor, urgency, interest, confidence, curiosity… then you write the prose that delivers that message. It will require massaging the message but it will be worth the time and effort.
Examples
Make a difference. Leave a legacy.
Every day is a new adventure.
I just want to teach. Period.
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May 8, 2009, The Power of the Internet
An article in the Toronto Star newspaper recently shared a success story that demonstrates the power of the Internet.
Daniel St-Hilaire from Montreal typed "slam dunk basketball" into Google, found a video clip of an amazing slam dunker named Justin Darlington, Jus Fly, from Ajax Ontario, then located him on Facebook.
The end result was an offer to coach Justin as a high jumper with the goal of competing in the 2012 London Olympics for Canada.
The power of connection through the Internet!
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Mar 3, 2009, The Hell's Angels Can Teach eBook Authors About Branding
Does the headline have your attention? When you see the Hells' Angel Death Head logo, what messages does it send to you? How is their branding related to eBook authoring and growing a business around your eBook?
Read the full blog by following the link.
Click for more info
Feb 19, 2009, Are You Getting Excited About eBooks?
In the world of eBooks it is always encouraging to hear about advancements in eBook technology, marketing and acceptance as a genuine source of information.
In the not so distant past, eBooks got no respect BUT that appears to be changing.
Follow the URL for this bloglet to read more. It is good news for all of us eBookers.
Click for more info
Feb 8, 2009, Your eBook – Set it Aside BUT Don't Abandon It!
A.S.K. About eBooks: ATTITUDES – Skills – Knowledge
Patience! Patience! Patience! I was reminded recently after reading a newspaper item that for many eBook authors it is so easy to abandon your dream of writing a book because life gets in the way.
A lady in South Korea failed her written driving exam 771 times before finally succeeding on the 772nd time. It cost her almost $3000.00 and almost a daily attempt for ever and ever. She now has to pass a road test.
For those of you who truly want to write a book and life keeps getting in the way, I suggest that you set your dream aside TEMPORARILY but NEVER ABANDON your goal. There will always be eBook Authoring Services to help and you would be surprised at how many authors DO complete their books even after months and years of being on hold. Never give up your dream!
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Feb 4, 2009, Internet Target Markets by Age Group
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
When choosing a target market for your eBook, products or services on the Internet it is important that the target market actually "hangs out" there. In a recent report from eMarketer (http://www.emarketer.com) it is important to note that all age groups are increasing their use of the Internet.
Teenagers have 93% of them using the Internet. Ages 18-49 are 86%. Ages 50-59 are 74% with 60-69 ages at almost 60%. But in particular you should also note that those 70-75 are still at 45% participation. 75+ is 27%. These last two groups are almost double the participation from 2005.
Whatever age group your target market there are plenty of potential customers and clients. And the numbers appear to be increasing every year.
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Jan 17, 2009, Two Essentials for eBook Authoring Success
You need only two things to be able to author a successful eBook – passion and the ability to talk. Your passion for your topic will “sell” your eBook. The passion will give you purpose and direction. If you are able to talk passionately about your topic you can easily convert the spoken word into the written word with credibility. Your personal expertise will be evident in your written legacy, your eBook.
There are no hard and fast rules to writing an eBook. It is essentially a one-on-one personal conversation with the reader. The reader is only interested in one thing – the solution to his/her problem or the answers to her/his questions.
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Jan 5, 2009, Choosing a Domain Name – Part 2
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
In choosing a domain name for your web site you should heed the advice of the experts. In the case of domain names, Bob Parsons of Go Daddy, http://www.godaddy.com must be recognized as such an expert. He outlined several things to think about in a recent article. In this second of two blog entries I will outline several more things to consider. These are in no particular order.
It is often advisable to choose a name THAT WILL NOT BE MISUNDERSTOOD.
CHOOSE A SUFFIX (.COM) THAT IS BEST FOR YOU and your business. Try not to settle for an obscure domain type.
Generally speaking DELIBERATELY MISSPELLING A WORD makes it more difficult to remember such as fat and phat.
Once you settle on a name, MAKE SURE IT IS AVAILABLE. You may need an alternative that is close to your first choice and most providers can give you alternatives.
If you are lucky enough to FIND THE NAME YOU WANT, celebrate! Make sure you check the spelling before purchasing it.
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Dec 28, 2008, Choosing a Domain Name – Part 1
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
In choosing a domain name for your web site you should heed the advice of the experts. In the case of domain names, Bob Parsons of Go Daddy, http://www.godaddy.com must be recognized as such an expert. He outlined several things to think about in a recent article. In the next two blog entries I will outline his points. These are in no particular order.
In terms of length of the name, SHORTER is usually better.
Make certain the name is EASY TO SPELL.
AVOID NUMBERS and HYPHENS in your name.
Choose a name that is “UNIQUE” or “CATCHY” like Go Daddy.
Or choose a name that ACCURATELY DESCRIBES YOUR BUSINESS.
Avoid names that are close in spelling or sound to TRADEMARKS or COPYRIGHTED names.
Part 2 in the next blog.
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Sep 12, 2008, Sub-titles are Important!
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
What is the purpose of a sub-title? Titles of books are designed to be interesting to catch the attention of the reader. But what should sub-titles do?
The sub-title is often more important than the title itself especially if you always include the title and sub-title together which is a good idea. Display your sub-title prominently on your eBook or book cover; on your web site pages; in your email signature…
The sub-title is designed to appeal directly to the reader.
The sub-title could…
Provide a more detailed description of the book's content
Stress the major benefit to the reader
Inspire the reader to read the book and make changes in his/her life
Describe the problem faced by the reader
Explain the title if the title is "creative" rather than descriptive
Describe your target market so they can identify with the book's contents
Become more aware of the titles and sub-titles of the books you see every day!
Learn from them!
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Sep 5, 2008, Check out other authors!
Study successful authors who write in the same field as you do. Compare and contrast their styles, content, approaches, philosophies… with yours. Understand your competition. You have much to learn from your competitors including content and approaches they have used. Creating your own U.S.P. (Unique Selling Proposition) maintains your uniqueness. You will also be able to determine which of your competitors would make good joint venture partners.
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Jul 27, 2008, Is honesty still the best policy?
A.S.K. About eBooks: ATTITUDES – Skills – Knowledge
Be authentic in the recommendation/information age!
Is honesty still the best policy? Yes! Yes! Yes!
The internet has produced a marketing bonanza for entrepreneurs and infopreneurs in what is often called the information age and the recommendation age.
The web has viral marketers willing to purchase your products if they solve their problems and they are also willing to share that information with others by recommending you to them. A win – win – win!
Have you ever visited a web site, read the ad copy or listened to a sales' pitch that…
Claimed you could make plenty of money doing little or no work?
Inflated the values of their "free" products and services beyond any reasonably believable amount?
Exaggerated what they can do for you?
Claimed guaranteed success in a ridiculously short amount of time?
Provided a long list of bonuses valued (inflated values?) at much more than the value of the original product or service?
Made "claims" that made you question their judgement?
If you have seen all this, then learn from it.
Customers (one time buyers) who you want to become clients (repeat customers) deserve
TOTAL HONESY; ENTREPRENEURAL INTEGRITY; GENUINE COMMITMENT TO HELP SOLVE THEIR PROBLEM
You will reap the benefits of honesty!
Click for more info
Jun 14, 2008, Copyright Protection Using the Postman!
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
Copyright protection is automatically bestowed upon you and your eBook the minute it is written. It is the same on the Internet as it is elsewhere with written material that is uniquely yours.
You can spend quite a bit of money to have your eBook copyright protected with an ISBN number or registering it with companies that keep a copy of your digital material on special servers. There are even copyright lawyers that will charge you for advising you and keeping copies of your material.
A very inexpensive way to add legitimacy to your copyrighted material is to produce a final copy of it, place the material in a sealed envelope and mail it to yourself. In fact you can make several copies if you wish. This simple act will provide you with absolute proof that your eBook is yours. The envelope will be dated and sealed. Do not open it. If your copyright is ever challenged you have evidence of your copyright. If you ever need to have it opened you can do it in front of a lawyer to verify its authenticity.
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May 23, 2008, The Wisdom Formula
In the last blog the idea was shared with you that as an eBook author you are primarily sharing your wisdom with others. It is your wisdom that the target market wants in order to solve a problem that they have.
It is not always easy to find "wisdom" for a specific problem. That is the beauty of the Internet to be able to focus in on very specific problems with very small target markets and still make a profit and build a business at the same time.
Here is my explanation of wisdom. You can call it a formula if you wish.
The main focus of this formula is the reflective process to gain wisdom and it is also that same reflection that will guide you through the initial stages of planning your book and more specifically through the Table of Contents which is your blueprint for the book.
Consider this:
LEARNING TO WISDOM
– a TRANSITION
Step 1:
INFORMATION + EXPERIENCE = KNOWLEDGE
This is learning.
Knowledge is applied information + experience.
Step 2:
KNOWLEDGE + EXPERIENCE + REFLECTION = WISDOM
Wisdom takes time and is born out of reflection.
Wisdom is applied knowledge + experience + reflection.
“Without reflection, experience is not cumulative.”
“Knowledge becomes wisdom only after it has been put to practical use.”
WISDOM SHOULD BE SHARED
Prepared by: Paul Jackson © 2002
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May 18, 2008, Share Your Wisdom in an eBook
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
Few people today garner as much respect and admiration as those who, by profession or experience, are considered experts in their field. In fact, it’s safe to say that what the steam engine was to the Industrial Revolution, the same can be said for the expert in this Information Age. They are the ones who influence our culture and it is their valued opinions that affect change even down to the smallest segments of society. That is why Entrepreneurial Authoring has been gaining ground at such an amazing pace.
Hence the reason eBook sales are growing like wildfire! We don’t need more information. We don’t need more facts. What we need is information and facts filtered through the lens of experience.
And that is what an Entrepreneurial Author does! He takes a subject that he is comfortable with and well-versed in and boils it down to its key components. Then he offers it to us to help us understand, grow and satisfy our needs. He becomes, in word and deed, the expert that we are looking for.
Etch this on the walls of your mind. People want help solving their problems. They want answers and they want them now! And here is the good news: you hold the key!
And since we know that people are willing to pay to have their problems solved AND that the Internet is the biggest marketplace in history where people come to have their problems solved, we can see that a Person of Value (a published eBook author) has a great potential for generating income.
Follow the link with this blog to see how to get started with your eBook!
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May 2, 2008, Always Current
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
There are many unique qualities eBooks possess that standard published books can't even begin to address. Yes, there are major differences in the way eBooks are sold and marketed but the bottom line is always matching a customer's problem with the eBook author's solution.
The Internet is seen by consumers as a source for knowledge. By its very nature Internet surfers are looking for instant answers to questions, an incredible amount of choice, the ability to compare and contrast, sources of information they never dreamed possible, like-minded individuals, and the opportunity to have an adventure in exploring the Internet in search of answers.
Authors of eBooks come from a varied background. Some authors are seeking the opportunity to share with others their "story" for both inspiration and instructional objectives. Others are looking for the opportunity to share their wisdom with a defined target market. Still others are converting existing work they have done such as workshops, units of study, research papers, presentations, inventions, and creative processes… into a book. Most eBook authors are looking to build a business around their eBook.
One feature of eBooks that I wish to remind you of is the ability to keep the content of your eBook "always current". This feature gives you an incredible advantage over standard published books which are months out of date by the time they are printed. By retaining your original eBook in Word for example, you can easily update materials or make additions/deletions. Your eBook can be revised as often as you wish.
You can also take advantage of this ability to make changes easily and inexpensively to update your sales page in the eBook that outlines your products and services available as an UPSELL to your readers.
You can provide FREE updates of the entire eBook because you have the names and email addresses of your customers and can send them the updated versions at virtually no additional cost. You can see how this would convert a customer to a client!
But, you can't take advantage of this feature if you don't already have an eBook for sale. What's holding you back? Follow the link with this blog to discover THE DIRTY DOZEN OF EBOOK AUTHORING which outlines exactly how to get started writing your eBook.
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Apr 27, 2008, Anything Goes as an eBook Topic!
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
One of the hardest questions for me as a coach to answer when working with clients who want to write a book is what to write about. Thank goodness most people know what they want to write about and it's a case of narrowing the topic to something manageable for a single eBook.
I usually tell clients that I believe the two things that should determine what to write about are passion for the topic and personal wisdom that you wish to share. Wisdom I define as knowledge + experience + reflection = wisdom. And your target market is going to be the recipient of your wisdom to help them solve a problem they are facing.
With eBooks on the Internet you don't need the masses to be successful. You need a niche market that wants your information.
What can you write about? Recently in the newspaper I was reminded of how incredibly varied your topic can be. All that is required is a problem that needs a solution or a situation that requires change. Ideas are all around us. How often do you ask yourself I wish someone would write a book about ____ .
A Florida plastic surgeon has written a book for children to help them understand their Mommy's plastic surgery operation! Yes, "My Beautiful Mommy" is a picture book that attempts to calm the fears of kids with parents getting tummy tucks, breast enhancement procedures and nose jobs. Initial sales through the Internet required more copies to be printed almost immediately. Talk about a niche market!
Your idea for your eBook for your niche market is probably right in front of you.
Don't put obstacles in your way. Get started on the right track and keep going with help from eBook Authoring Services. Invest in the best resource available to set yourself up for a successfully published eBook – The Dirty Dozen of eBook Authoring – by clicking on the link at the end of this blog. The Dirty Dozen (actually a Baker's Dozen) focuses on what you need to do before you actually begin writing your book. And don't forget to contact me if you have any questions.
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Apr 6, 2008, Don't Start Writing Just Yet! Part XII
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
Chapter Formatting
You must also consider the "flow" of the content within your chapter as well as between chapters. You want the reader to not only see the logic of the presentation but you want her/him anticipating the next step and eager to seek it out.
Have some way to content one chapter to the other. At the end of one chapter you might add a paragraph that introduces the next chapter's content as the next logical step.
To begin a chapter you may summarize what has gone on before or mention the last chapter and its connection to this chapter.
You can add greatly to the usefulness of your book for the reader if you include in your chapters some opportunity to do something. Include some thoughtful questions for reflection or open-ended sentences for the reader to complete her/his thoughts as they ponder the content of this chapter and where it fits into the overall big picture.
You should consider giving the reader the opportunity to interact with you directly through an email so you can answer their questions and get their opinions. You will be amazed at what you learn. And you will be given ideas for future products and services that your readers see as important.
Once you have a template for your chapters the writing is even easier. With a well established TOC and a formatting plan for each chapter you just add the details.
Here is an example of how you might organize your content in a chapter.
Title (Heading)
Sub-title (sub-heading)
Introduction
Story
Story analysis
Lessons learned
Application of lessons learned
A challenge for the reader
Quote – that summarizes a main idea in the chapter (make sure quotes are content related)
The organization depends on the kind of content you are sharing. There is no right or wrong way or any magic formula. Your TOC and the content dictates what is best along with your knowledge of your target market.
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Apr 6, 2008, Don't Start Writing Just Yet! Part XII (A)
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
Chapter Formatting
For most how-to and self-help books you should organize your content in the chapters from a teaching-learning prospective.
Remember, that you are writing the book not for you sake but from the reader's point of view that your book will solve a problem she/he has. Never lose sight of the fact that in essence you are carrying on a conversation with your reader.
Your writing style should be conversational in tone, instructive, helpful and encouraging, action-oriented, simple and direct in the language used, clear and concise, bullet lists rather than pages of paragraphs, assuming nothing…
By chapter formatting it is meant that you should be trying to have the content in each chapter organized in such a way that it makes sense to the reader from a logical point of view, has some flow to it, contains a pattern of presentation or elements that are common to most chapters so that the reader is never confused about how the material is presented.
You can "chunk" your content in each chapter in identical ways or you can vary the approaches with some of the aspects remaining the same. For example, you may always start each chapter with a quote and summary of what the chapter is about. You may end each chapter with some reflective questions that force the reader to reconsider the information contained in the chapter.
My teaching background gives me some experience in the teaching/learning relationship that you must use as the author of a how-to or self-help book.
One very simple but effective way to organize your chapters is:
Tell the reader what you are going to talk about in the chapter (Introduction)
Tell the reader what you want to tell him/her (Body of Content)
Tell the reader what they have been told or taught (Summary or Conclusion)
Depending on the content you wish to share you may organize your chapter content to include such things as:
Personal or third-person stories
Interviews
Stories and an analysis
Questions and answers
Examples
Activities
Writing exercises
Skill exercises
Reflective questions
Quizzes
Surveys – inventories, self-reflection, self-assessment…
Hyperlinks to additional information on the Internet
Internal hyperlinks to other resources in the Appendix for example
Diagrams
Illustrations
Graphics
Research findings
Opinions
Data and analysis
Checklists
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Apr 2, 2008, Don't Start Writing Just Yet! Part XI
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
The Table of Contents
Your Table of Contents (TOC) must be a primary focus of attention before you begin to write your book.
Take your time writing the TOC but don't spend too much time on it. As important as it is, you can always make changes to it as you go along. In fact, that is probably what is going to happen anyway. What you absolutely need to do is a draft working copy of your TOC before you write any of the book.
How important as your Table of Contents? I believe it is the most important of anything you will write. The title and sub-title are probably equally important because all three will give you the master plan for your book and get your thought processes working on the content.
Here are some ways the TOC is so important.
The Table of Contents is your BLUEPRINT for the "construction" of your book
The Table of Contents gives you a list of the MAJOR IDEAS in the book
The Table of Contents is your CHAPTER SUMMARY
The Table of Contents ORGANIZES YOUR THOUGHTS
The Table of Contents and the sub-topics is your OUTLINE for writing individual chapters
The Table of Contents helps determine the ORDER OF PRESENTATION for ease of learning by the reader
The Table of Contents provides the reader with a ROAD MAP to success
The Table of Contents allows the write to "CHUNK" the book's contents into manageable parts
The Table of Contents provides the "FLOW" for the content from one topic to the next
The Table of Contents, once completed, is the MOTIVATION TO START WRITING and to keep writing, once chapter at a time
The Table of Contents is a "GUIDE" that can be followed, changed, altered, ignored but most of all it give you direction
The Table of Contents can be used very effectively to sell your book when used as part of the AD COPY or WEB COPY
The Table of Contents is a CHECKLIST FOR WORK COMPLETED
The Table of Contents is a graphic representation for your MASTER PLAN
The Table of Contents gives you CONFIDENCE
The Table of Contents represents the LOGICAL or SYSTEMIC organization of your material
The Table of Contents works on the SUBCONSCIOUS to GENERATE IDEAS and SOLVE PROBLEMS
The Table of Contents allows you to see the SCOPE OF YOUR BOOK on a single page
Are you convinced your TOC is important?
Your Table of Contents is the most important writing you will do for your eBook along with the Title and Sub-title and of course the sub-topics that will go into each chapter.
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Mar 23, 2008, Don't Start Writing Just Yet! Part X
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
The UPP – Unique Personal Proposition
Your UPP is much like your USP and MSP but a lot more personal!
While the USP is about the product or service, the UPP is about you. Keep in mind that when you are "selling" to your prospective client you are selling more than the eBook. Much more!
You are selling the eBook, yourself as a person, your other products and services and your business model.
Your UPP takes the point of view that you, as the author, have something about yourself that can help sell your eBook. It's not the product or service, but you personally.
The prospective customer/client should be made aware of the attitudes, skills and knowledge of the author that lends credibility to what is being shared in the book. Clients want to know what the author brings to the subject. They want to identify with you. They want to understand the author's point of view. They want reassurance that you have the experience and expertise to write the book and give it credibility.
The author's journey that brought her/him to the point of writing the book is part of the UPP. No two people are alike. Your "story" is a personal one. Share it.
Your life journey has shaped your attitudes, forced you to hone your skills or acquire new ones and provided opportunities to gain knowledge. The wisdom of experience needs to be shared.
Ask yourself what you can share with your audience in your book's introduction, your website ad copy, your newsletters, blogs entries, email signatures, biography and about the author page that is unique because it is your story?
Consider –
Special reports you have been involved in
Volunteer work that is relevant to your book
Awards and commendations
Experiences and stories
Career and jobs – work experiences
Hobbies and interests
Speaking engagements or presentations
Organizations you belong to or were part of the executive
Future plans
Hardships, obstacles overcome and learning experiences
Idiosyncrasies
Adventures
Successes
What about you would your reader find of interest as it relates to the topic of the book or the nature of your business?
What about you would make the reader curious enough to read your book and possibly engage you further as a coach, teleseminar leader, public speaker, mentor?
The UPP could be a part of your branding strategy if you are an integral part of the product or service.
Pick one or two UPP's and work them to your advantage.
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Mar 17, 2008, eBooks for Educators
Teachers and school administrator will benefit from the eBooks for educators written by an educator. The eBooks are professional development at its finest.
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Mar 17, 2008, 12 Must-Do's Before You Write a Single Word!
eBook authors just beginning the journey find it difficult to know where to begin. The Dirty Dozen are the 12 most important "must-dos" before you begin to write your eBook
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Mar 17, 2008, Don't Start Writing Just Yet! Part IX
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes - Skills - KNOWLEDGE
Your USP and MSP for your eBook
USP = Unique Selling Proposition
MSP = Multiple Selling Propositions
A USP for your eBook is what makes it unique among all the other books and materials available to your reader that will make your reader purchase your eBook and not someone else's.
The MSP is the same as the USP except there is more than one USP. This can sometimes happen but it is often best to promote your eBook using the most Unique of all the selling propositions. Where Multiple Selling Propositions come in is when you vary your target market or sell a product or service related to your eBook.
You will always have competition in the market place that is targeting your niche group. Take a good look at your competition to see what they are promoting that makes their product or service unique and enticing. It should be obvious if the product is a successful one.
Does it do something quicker, with less environmental impact, easier, less expensively, in a shorter time, with less clean up…?
Every product or service emphasizes what makes it better than the competition because of its uniqueness. You will have to find your USP and it can't be what the others have although it could be somewhat like the others.
Like every successful company who wishes to brand themselves you must consider ALL the selling propositions you have for your product/service and pick the one(s) that will be most effective.
From your MSP list you must select a couple (one is better) as a USP that differentiates you from your competitors. This may or may not be tied to your UPP (Unique Personal Proposition) but ideally you should save your UPP for your ad copy.
For eBook Authoring Services I have chosen, "Helping authors help themselves, from one eBook author to another". That is my motto. I am selling my teaching experience and my experience writing eBooks.
Your USP is what is going to make your book stand out! Like…
We have done your homework for you!
Learn the secrets of the millionaires
A unique 4 step approach to…
A profit in 10 days, guaranteed!
What others don't tell you about…
I have tried to be very general with the USP. You can find plenty of additional information with a search of the Internet. You have to have something that makes you and your product/service special.
"It melts in your mouth, not in your hand."
"It tastes awful but it works."
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Mar 16, 2008, Add Pizzazz to Your Viral Marketing eBook
Add Pizzazz to Your Viral Marketing eBook is the entrepreneurial author's guide to writing a promotional eBook. The guide provides the background information, a plan and a process to help you write an
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Mar 11, 2008, Don't Start Writing Just Yet! Part VIII
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes - Skills - KNOWLEDGE
Your eBook Thesis
What is a thesis and how is it related to writing an eBook?
By dictionary definition a thesis is…
1. a proposition or statement to be proved or to be maintained against objections
2. an essay; an essay presented by a candidate for a diploma or degree
For our purposes as eBook authors we are going to take a more general approach to the definition of a thesis.
A thesis as it relates to writing a non-fiction eBook may be considered the main idea of the book; the purpose of the book; the description of what the book is intended to do; the primary objective of the book.
A thesis may be thought of as a synopsis of the main idea of your book. It is the main idea that you wish to get across to your reader.
A thesis should be used as the guiding light to give your eBook focus, purpose and direction.
A thesis can be used in conversation or sales/ad copy to give others the essence of your book with a succinct summary of what the book is about.
A thesis can be summarized in a single sentence or phrase. This summary sentence can be used as the sub-title of your book.
The thesis of your book, when stated, could be:
Succinct, Interesting, Honest, "Catchy", A summary, Easily understood, Include your target market, Stress the main purpose, Explain your USP
The challenge - write your thesis statement.
Using the list above, hone it to make it the best that it can be. Edit it for ease of speech. Keep it short - less than 30 seconds worth of speech. Use it and share it at every opportunity. Brand yourself with it. Rehearse it until you can recite it from memory and with passion.
Example
Having written an eBook titled, The Supervision and Evaluation of Classroom Teachers, I may use the following statement to describe that book.
My eBook is for Elementary School Principals introducing them to the concept of supervision and evaluation of classroom teachers. It is designed to give them basic tools to assess and evaluate teachers to improve instruction for the students through improving the skills of the teacher.
The next time someone asks you, "What is your book about?", be prepared.
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Mar 10, 2008, Great eCovers for your eProducts
Every eProduct requires an eCover. eCovers are one the three most important things you must do to sell your products. See what eBook Authoring Services has to assist you in creating your eCovers.
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Mar 10, 2008, An eCover is Imperative for eProduct Sales!
An eBook or any eProduct depends on three things to sell them - a great eCover, a great title, and great ad copy. Learn about eCovers for all your products.
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Mar 9, 2008, Write Your eBook - 6 Great Ways to Find the Time
Finding time to do those things we want to do among the time spent doing things we have to do is always a problem. Writing an eBook is no easy task. But with the right attitudes, skills and knowledge
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Mar 9, 2008, 10 Excuses for NOT Authoring an eBook!
We all make excuses for not doing the things we don’t want to do, don’t feel confident about doing, are forced upon us, or that will mean a permanent change in our lives. Living in the comfort zone is
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Mar 9, 2008, 30 Truisms About eBook Authoring
The benefits of authoring an eBook are many and varied. Besides the ‘fame’ and ‘fortune’ incentives, there are the personal and professional bonuses that are often immeasurable. Consider these 30 trui
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Mar 9, 2008, Article Your Way To eBook Authoring Success
Articles play an important part in the learning process when it comes to writing an eBook. In addition to that, articles are a marketing tool par excellence once you have your eBook published. Learn a
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Mar 6, 2008, For Wannabe eBook Authors - 5 Key Questions
Knowing your “Why” is crucial to your success. Why you are doing something and an assessment of what it will take to accomplish what you want to do are important considerations for authoring an eBook.
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Mar 6, 2008, Reflection for Personal and Professional Development
Taking time to reflect brings you wisdom. Without reflection your knowledge, skills and attitudes won't convert to wisdom. Learn how to have daily professional development using reflection.
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Mar 4, 2008, The Leadership Secrets of the Canada Goose
Leave a leadership legacy by discovering your leadership philosphy through a series of entertaining and informative exercises.
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Dec 23, 2007, Don't Start Writing Just Yet! Part VII
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
What is the purpose of your book?
Understanding the personal "why" of writing your eBook is different from your personal objective of the book. You may want to use the eBook to make money or promote your business. But this isn't the "why" of writing your book that will have an impact on your target market. That is a different kind of "why" and it focuses on what you bring to the book and how your readers want to benefit from it.
Share your purpose in your ad copy, your web site content and the Introduction in your eBook.
Consider your purpose as an expression of your passion. Think about some of the following ideas as you prepare yourself to write your book, market your book or write sales copy.
Do you consider your purpose to be to…
Synthesize (summarize) a large amount of information
Act as a filter for all the information and misinformation that is available
Assist in the execution of specific tasks
Write an instructional manual
Provide a step by step solution to a problem
Introduce a new way of thinking, new ideas, a different attitude, new approaches…
Examine past, present and future directions
Provide opportunities for reflection
Challenge the status quo; shake up the topic
Outline a "springboard" for success
Share your experiences and wisdom for the benefit of others
Write a definitive "how-to" book
Take the time to think about some of these ideas and ones of your own. Then take the time to write your purpose. You will probably have more than one. Focus on the top two or three purposes and keep them in mind as you write.
In the content of your book it is perfectly legitimate to keep going back and reminding your reader (and yourself) what the book is all about.
I will use a teaching strategy from my teaching background. One of the effective methods of the teaching/learning approach for classroom teachers was a simple but effective one. For each lesson taught you break the lesson into 3 basic parts.
Introduction Tell them what you are going to teach and why.
Body Tell them all the attitudes, skills and knowledge they need.
Conclusion Tell them what you have taught them. i.e. summarize
You can organize your eBook in a similar fashion. It is simple but effective.
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Dec 12, 2007, Don't Start Writing Just Yet! Part VI
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
The "Why" of Writing Your eBook
Don't confuse your "why" of writing your eBook with your why of writing your book for the benefit of others. It is imperative that you must keep your niche market in mind when you write the content of your book. After all, the reader has purchased your book to solve his/her problem. They aren't interested in your motivations for actually writing the book.
Knowing your "why" of writing your eBook will influence many decisions that you must make during the writing, ePublishing and marketing of your book and your business.
For instance, the reason for writing the eBook may be to promote your current business. That affects the content you choose. If you are writing it to promote yourself as an "expert" and someone with whom a reader can connect for future products and services then your eBook will reflect that. If you are summarizing your knowledge, skills and experience on a topic, you may be looking for recognition for your contributions. In this situation you may not be up-selling any other products and services but rather just sharing information.
Your "why" will show up in the pages of your book, your ad copy, your public presentations, your networking conversations, your income, your level of enthusiasm, your organization of the content, the content itself, your branding presence…
Your "WHY" – accept it, adjust it but don't ignore it. If you why is to make money, don't be ashamed of it. That is a legitimate "why" that you must accept and work with it.
Consider the following list of INTRINSIC and EXTRINSIC motivations for writing your book. This is not a complete list. After reading the lists, answer this question.
"Which list do you consider the most important? Why?"
Intrinsic "whys"
Sharing experiences; a passion outlet; a legacy of life-long learning; to influence others; empathize with the niche market; consolidate your knowledge; correct misconceptions; to honour someone you admire; to introduce a new strategy/idea/plan/process; to get the message out…
Extrinsic "whys"
Make money; further your business success; establish yourself as an expert; prove a point; attract attention; to build a business around the book; establish an income stream; dominate the market; work with affiliate and joint venture partners…
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Nov 19, 2007, Don't Start Writing Just Yet! Part V
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
The Scope of the Book
What do we mean by the scope of the book?
In a novel for example, the story of the main character must start somewhere in his/her life and carry on to some end point where the story ends even if the life of the character doesn't. The time frame for a novel might be a day, a week, several years, from childhood to mid-life crisis…
Depending on your objective in writing your non-fiction book and considering your target market you may choose to have a starting and ending point to your book covering whatever topics you deem necessary.
For example, if your target audience is novices on the subject of your book, you wouldn't want to begin by addressing more advanced topics. If, on the other hand, your audience are extremely accomplished people then including "beginner" material wouldn't be warranted. This is the scope of the book – the range of topics to be covered.
You can readily see that defining the scope of your book based on your objectives and the description of the target market will also help you with creating your table of contents.
Ask yourself some of these questions regarding the scope.
What topics are you going to cover?
Are some topics too simple or too advanced for your objectives?
Is a certain amount of experience necessary before your content will be relevant to your reader?
How much background information will need to be provided in your book that your reader will find necessary, helpful, interesting, imperative… in order to make the best use of your book?
To what extent can you use links to the Internet to provide some of this background information for the reader without including it directly in your book?
Are you going to share information, develop skills, or change attitudes of the reader in your book? Or are you going to do all three? This decision will affect the scope of the book as well. Is it a training manual?
Once you have decided on the scope of the book you may find that you have enough content for two or three books. You can then decide the scope of all three before writing the first one.
What are the natural starting and stopping points for the topic of your book that are necessary for the reader?
Another benefit of defining the scope of your book is that you can then decide how you might organize the material in your book. Should the book be divided into sections, chapters, steps, actions, learning experiences, along a time line, logical sequencing, case studies, questions and answers…? You can also use the scope to determine whether you are going to emphasize knowledge, skills, or attitudes in the material presented.
Take the time to consider the scope of your book's content. It is time well spent. And you can always change your mind. But start with something.
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Oct 31, 2007, Don't Start Writing Just Yet! Part IV
Who exactly is your target market for your book?
You need an accurate description of your target market if you are going to write a book for them. It is imperative that you know who that market is before you begin to write. It is also imperative that you keep that target market in mind with every word you write.
You can't write for someone if you don't know who they are!
You can't write a book about you – it's about the target market!
You can't write a book from your perspective – it's about the perspective of the target market.
Consider the following ideas about your target market. Do whatever research you need to write a detailed description of the target market. Don't hesitate to add other descriptors to this list.
Age and Sex
Experience (novice, intermediate, master)
Educational background
Socio-economic status
Problems they face – Solutions you can offer
Obstacles your target market will face
Financial capabilities to purchase your products and services
Professional organizations to which they may belong
Where the "hang out" example: web sites; conferences; newsletters; magazines…
Job descriptions they presently have (if applicable)
Opportunities in their lives for advancement based on what you are selling
Your ability to empathize with them
Personal and professional development opportunities they may have
Benefits and advantages your information will have for the target market
Your UPP – Unique Personal Proposition – what your "life story" can add to their life story
Your USP – Unique Selling Proposition – how your message is different from anyone else's who is competing with you for the same target market
After consideration of all of the above, you will have a very good idea of who your target market really is. You should be able to create a list of "characteristics" of your target market then write your book for them.
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Oct 14, 2007, Don't Start Writing Just Yet! Part III
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
A Working Sub-title for Your eBook
The sub-title has a primary purpose of providing the reader with more information about what is in the book. It is often much longer than the title and more difficult to remember. It is sometimes so important that readers remember it better than the title itself so you must spend some serious time thinking about it.
Often the sub-title is a more detailed description of what the book is about. It may also attempt to share a message directly to your target market. It may appeal to the primary reason they might want your book in the first place. The sub-title may describe your target market so there is no confusion for whom you have written the book.
The sub-title can also expand on the title itself by explaining its meaning. If you used a "catchy" title but it might require some explanation as to the topic covered you can do that using the sub-title. Sub-titles tend to be more descriptive in nature than the short and sweet titles may be.
Stress the benefits of your book in your sub-title or describe the "problem" that is addressed. Push you USP (Unique Selling Proposition) if that is most beneficial.
Here is my final piece of advice. Take a careful look at titles and sub-titles of successful books in a book store or on your book shelf. You can use those same patterns you see there and modify them to fit your own book. You can create something totally new and interesting.
It is very important that as you begin writing your book that you have a "working" sub-title. No doubt it will change over time but it will change for the better – guaranteed!
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Oct 3, 2007, Don't Start Writing Just Yet! Part II
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
A Working Title for Your eBook
It is very important that you have a "working title" for your eBook as early as possible in the writing process. You are not locked into this title but it will highly motivating to have a title to start with. Besides that you want to be able to tell those who ask what your proposed title is.
Your title should draw interest, excitement, curiosity when a person hears it. It could be "catchy". It will likely contain your key words about your topic to create interest in it. It may also contain an idea of who the book it targeted for. Keep your title a reasonable length. You can always add more details in your sub-title which is the topic for the next part in this series.
You can focus on the problem to be solved in your book. The title may also be a description of what the main idea or topic is in your book. It may address the major benefit of the book to your prospective customer.
It is not easy to come up with a good title. Your title for the book may also become your URL for your web site and if that is the case then you must be even more careful in choosing a title. Remember you can always buy a domain name which is the name of the book and then redirect people to your main web site if that works for you.
During the process of writing your eBook you will be revisiting your title and sub-title many times. The final choice may be weeks and months away. There may be many changes or maybe none at all. Perhaps your "title" has been in your head for a long time already. But the main point is that you should have a working title as soon as possible after you decide to write a book. Don't delay.
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Sep 17, 2007, Don't Start Writing Just Yet! Part I
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – SKILLS – Knowledge
Before you write a single word of your eBook you should consider the following!
One of the first statements I hear when meeting clients for the first time or when clients request my eBook Authoring Starter KIT is "Where do I start?"
My initial answer is – the TOC (Table of Contents). Well, that's one of the first things anyway. But I got to thinking about the other things that are also important.
A few authors have said they don't like to have structure when they write. They like to write with the freedom to let their minds wander and the ideas to flow. That's great but in my experience these people seldom get their book finished.
Somewhere in the planning of the eBook you must consider how the audience is going to perceive the content. If they are confused and the content isn't organized and directed at them and their problem then you will have no audience. In reality it is the audience that matters not you.
So get yourself organized in some fashion that makes sense to your reader.
Here is a list of things I believe are important to consider before putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard writing the content.
A working title for the book
A working sub-title for the book
An accurate description of your target market
The scope of the book
Your "why" of writing the book
The purpose or objective of the book
The main "thesis" stated in a few words
The USP of the book
The UPP of the book
The TOC (Table of Contents)
It would appear that the TOC has slid to the bottom of the list. Although the list looks daunting it really isn't. And without considering all or most of these items you will have a difficult time getting past the TOC.
In subsequent blogs I shall attempt to briefly explain what each of these items involves, why they are important and how to go about doing them.
With this preliminary work completed the TOC and the content itself will be much easier to write with a plan and a process in place.
Find out more about the plan and the process by following the link that accompanies this blog.
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Sep 5, 2007, Market Your Business with an eBook – Part II
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
A viral marketing eBook is your opportunity to SELL yourself and your business. Part I gave you an overview. Part II will give you some suggestions for possible content for your marketing eBook.
Here are some things you could include:
"Good" examples of the kind of problems you can solve and how to solve them
Graphics, pictures, audio, visual messages
Testimonials/endorsements
Descriptions of all products and services
Biographies of key personnel
History of the company/business
Contact information
Links to additional information
Pictures of your place of business
Resources you have created for your clients
Guarantees of quality
You can include anything else that would convince a positive customer to become a client and to help you market your business to others by giving away your marketing eBook.
And it's always easy to make changes and updates to the information. Your marketing eBook is like a portable web site.
For additional help with your marketing eBook follow the link accompanying this blog to get you started using "Add Pizzazz to Your Marketing eBook".
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Aug 29, 2007, Market Your Business with an eBook – Part I
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
Marketing your business using eBooks is simple, effective and cost efficient.
This viral marketing technique gives the customer or prospective client much needed valuable information to help her/him solve a problem while at the same time extolling the advantages of continuing the relationship with your business.
It is imperative that your marketing eBook be of value to the customer. If it is, the next step of asking the customer to pass it along to someone who might benefit from it is a reasonable request that will produce the results you want. Namely - passing on the marketing eBook to others.
You can even build in incentives to encourage the sharing of your eBook if you wish.
Putting your eBook on your site for downloading or having a copy of your eBook at your business on a CD/DVD will allow for easy access and distribution with little or no cost.
The Marketing eBook is your opportunity to brag about yourself and your company!
Sell yourself!
Sell your products!
Sell your services!
Sell your customer satisfaction promise!
Sell your vision!
Sell your company history!
Sell! Sell! Sell! – Brag! Brag! Brag!
And convert a customer (a one time buyer) into a client (a regular customer).
Your Marketing eBook is a winner!
In Part II learn what you can put in your marketing eBook.
Use the link with this blog posting to get more information about marketing your business with an eBook.
"Add Pizzazz to Your Marketing eBook" will give you everything you need to know to successfully write your marketing message in eBook format.
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Aug 23, 2007, Marketing Strategies for the eBook Author
Innovative marketing strategies for marketing your eBook begin with a basic knowledge of Internet marketing.
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Aug 23, 2007, Innovative Marketing Strategies - the eBook
Using Innovative Marketing Strategies to promote your eBook and your business begins with some basic knowledge.
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Aug 23, 2007, Bathroom Reading for the Devoted Classroom Teacher - Volume 1
This collection of thought-provoking ideas will challenge classroom teachers to celebrate their successes, and change what needs to be changed.
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Aug 21, 2007, Bathroom Reading for the Devoted Classroom Teacher
Teaching is a rewarding job. Bathroom Reading is a collecion of ideas that will challenge you to create an ideal classroom for both students and teachers.
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Aug 20, 2007, Research for your eBook – Do it first or last?
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE
Most eBook authors write non-fiction "how-to" books that solve a problem for the reader. In solving that problem, the author brings with her/him a certain level of expertise, experience, knowledge and wisdom born of personal experience.
As you plan your eBook content starting with your Table of Contents and sub-topics, you should consider when to do any necessary research.
Doing your research first, before you write the book does provide you with an incredible amount of information. But, considering what you already bring to the situation and that you haven't written the book yet, is it possible you could have used that time doing research writing the book? Is it possible you could collect a great deal of information that you won't use?
What would happen if you wrote the first draft copy without doing any research at all? Instead, rely on your experiences, knowledge and wisdom to "talk" to your reader about the reader's problem you are addressing in the book. Would you not realize after completing the first draft what further research was needed? Would this not save you time, effort and money? Time is money!
What is better for you with your eBook topic – research before writing or after completing the first draft?
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Aug 4, 2007, Don't Just "Walk Your Talk!"; "Talk Your Walk!"
A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – SKILLS – Knowledge
You need to do what you need to do to get the creative juices flowing!
A recent newspaper article (August 3, 2007) quoted a research study that essentially said, "Children who gesture at math problems – who sweep their hands under each side of the equation as they solve it – are almost three times more likely than others to remember what they learned."
So concludes Susan Wagner Cook of the University of Rochester's Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences.
"The brain has a lot of neurons related to the process of moving our bodies…"
I thought to myself; and share it with you "If hands work, why not the entire body?"
As an eBook author, the implications are both humorous and serious. It's obvious to me what you are "meant" to do.
Close the door for this experiment, lest you be seen as "over the edge" but…
Get up and walk around!
Move your hands!
Dialogue with yourself!
Talk out loud!
Play devil's advocate!
"Talk" aloud to your target market!
Stop long enough to record what is worthy of recording!
Write while you move!
Move while you talk!
And hope no-one opens the door! Or better still, take a walk and talk and write in the woods!
I release you to do whatever works to get those creative juices flowing. You have permission to look foolish!
"Don't just walk your talk; talk your walk!"
P.S. I apologize to the authors of the research paper for taking such liberties with their research results.
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