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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For a complimentary eBook with over 100 pages of tips, strategies, techniques and services contact Paul Jackson with your request, feedback on this blog and questions you would like answered in A.S.K. About eBooks.

eBook Authoring = Attitude + Skills + Knowledge

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.

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!

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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."

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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".

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.

Aug 23, 2007, Marketing Strategies for the eBook Author

Innovative marketing strategies for marketing your eBook begin with a basic knowledge of Internet marketing.

Aug 23, 2007, Innovative Marketing Strategies - the eBook

Using Innovative Marketing Strategies to promote your eBook and your business begins with some basic knowledge.

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.

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.

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?

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.

Jul 27, 2007, A Web Site to Sell Your eBook - Part II

A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE

Create Your Own Website

Choosing to create your own web site to sell your eBook is a good idea if:

• You want to maximize profits • You want to maintain as much control as possible over your eBook • You want to establish a business using your eBook as a focus • You want to be able to have additional products and services for your clients who purchase your eBook • You want your eBook to be the focus of your business establishing your "expertise" and "credibility"

After looking at all the options for owning and operating my own web site I chose to use a company that allowed me to:

• Control the entire process • Do most of the tedious work for me behind the scenes • Have expert help available when needed • Keep my expenses reasonable with value for the dollar • Work with other site owners as mentors • Learn how to do what I needed to do easily with a manual, videos, and on-line help • Make changes to my site's content whenever needed • Reach out to search engines easily, effectively, and with the latest technology without my doing anything • Maximize my eBook profits and provide additional services while providing plenty of information on my site for visitors • Experience the Internet and web site technology on a personal level • Prove to myself that I could do it and do it well ( 3 years and counting)

For my personal story using Site Build It (SBI) visit my site or follow the link that accompanies this blog.

You owe it to yourself to at least explore the idea of building your own site.

Jul 21, 2007, A Web Site to Sell Your eBook - Part I

A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE

Once you have your eBook published in Adobe Acrobat – PDF format you will be anxious to begin selling it.

You have several options including:

1. Create your own web site and selling your eBook from that site. This method allows you not only to control everything about your eBook but also nets the most profits – somewhere in the neighbourhood of 85-95%. That's good!

(Read more about this method in Part II of the blog.)

2. Sell your eBook on other people's sites that target your niche market. You can expect a profit margin of 40-60% which is far better than any standard published book.

3. Sell your eBook on Amazon or any other site that sells eBooks on the Internet to a variety of niche markets. Profits here are usually less than 50% depending on the site and the contractual agreements as to services offered.

You can also sell your eBook in other ways as well.

You can make copies of your eBook and burn them to a CD or DVD for sale via mail order or as "backroom" sales at speaking engagements or make them available at your business.

You can convert your eBook to a standard print book using self-publishing, Print on Demand or a regular publisher. These methods of selling your eBooks as print books requires an entirely different format with many more rules about what you can do with your content.

Regardless of how you decide to offer your eBook for sale, you will need to have an Internet presence of some kind.

Jun 24, 2007, What is behind your desire to write an eBook?

In reading "The Man Behind the DaVinci Code – An Unauthorized Biography of Dan Brown" by Lisa Rogak, Dan Brown says he "grew up in a household where riddles and codes were just part of the way we had fun".

Christmas morning became a treasure hunt for the presents complete with clues as to where the presents were hidden.

He also developed a strong interest in reading and writing, secret societies, history, art, puzzles and brain teasers and travel.

Is it any wonder he was destined to write a book like The DaVinci Code!

What brings you to eBook authoring? What about your personal and professional life experiences has been preparing you to embark on your incredible eBook authoring journey?

Take a few minutes to record your answers to the following questions.

1. Which life experiences have prepared me to write a book? 2. What personal/professional experiences have provided me with the kind of wisdom worth sharing with others? 3. Why is it so important to me to write this book?

You are laying the groundwork for your eBook authoring adventure from which there will be no turning back! You will never regret the decision.

May 18, 2007, Stop Complaining

A.S.K. About eBooks: ATTITUDES – Skills – Knowledge

Reverend Will Bowen at Christ Church Unity in Kansas City says, "When you're focusing your attention on what's wrong or complaining, you're going to get more of what you're complaining about."

He challenged his congregation to stop complaining for 21 days, the length of time is takes to break old habits and establish new ones.

Some complaining is good because the changes you want can be accomplished by making others aware of a problem and initiate a solution to the problem. Most complaining sends negative energy from you to others and you then get negative energy in return.

Most negative complaining is designed to elicit sympathy or attract attention. If that is your goal, keep it up! If not, take a good look at why you are complaining. Be honest with yourself.

As an eBook author, stop complaining about not knowing…

Where to get started What to do now and to keep going Where to turn for information and help How to turn a word document into an eBook format How to format the pages of the book How to get the book ready for ePublishing

Stop Complaining! Do Something! Order your eBook Authoring Services Starter Kit today! Look no further than eBook Authoring Services to help stop your complaining!

May 7, 2007, Twenty-One Times

The easiest part of writing and eBook is having passion enough about something to write about it. The hardest part of writing and eBook is getting started which is why eBook Authoring Services offers a free kit, eBook Authoring Starter Kit.

The next hardest thing to do is discipline yourself to write on a regular basis. Some writers will claim they only write when they are inspired. There tend to be a few droughts between writing sessions with this method. The eBook seems further and further away. Your drive and desire begin to fade.

Most successful writers say they must discipline themselves to write on a regular basis. In other words, the writing sessions must become a habit.

Here's where the 21 comes in. Research says to change an old habit or begin a new habit takes 21 repetitions. Twenty-one seems to be a magic number. Schedule yourself to write when your busy schedule allows it. The habit is entrenched after 21 repetitions. That's 3 weeks writing daily! Missing a writing session should be quickly noted by you and a feeling of irritation at missing it must be present. Then you know you have the habit.

Make writing sessions for your eBook a habit!

Apr 27, 2007, How badly do you want to write an eBook?

As a retired educator, both classroom teacher and administrator, I have been involved with assessment and evaluation of students and myself for years. One of the techniques teachers use for assessment is the rubric.

The rubric is simply a rating scale either using numbers of descriptors to describe each point on the scale. A four point scale is the preferred number since you can not simply take the middle point as you would on an odd numbered scale.

Assume for a moment you were rating yourself on a rubric scale as to how badly you want to write and publish an eBook. It is a self-assessment. I provide the rubric and the descriptors. You provide the honest assessment. I suggest what you can do with the assessment. You do what you need to do. Okay?

Rubric Scale

Level 1 Seems like a good idea but it's too much work and I don't really want to take on that kind of commitment. I'm not really sure I have something worthwhile to share.

Level 2 I believe I have something worthwhile sharing and a book would be a good method of sharing it but I've never done anything like this before and I'm not so sure I can do it.

Level 3 I've often thought of writing a book and even some other people have encouraged me to do it. Since the idea has been bouncing around in my head for some time I should at least explore the possibilities. I might kick myself for not having at least tried to do it. I should give it a try.

Level 4 Writing and publishing a book has always been a dream of mine. I just haven't gotten around to doing it yet. When will that every happen? When is the right time? I very much want to write a book. And it won't happen unless I do something about it. I'm ready. The first step is to make contact with Paul Jackson at eBook Authoring Services.

Well? At which rubric level are you?

Analysis

If you are at level 1 or 2 why are you still subscribing to this Blog? Either move up to level 3 or 4 or give up on the idea altogether.

If you are at level 3 or 4 what's holding you back? Take some action. Get involved. Allow eBook Authoring Services the opportunity to help you with your authoring adventure and your personal journey of discovery.

Begin by ordering your eBook Authoring Starter Kit from the home page.

Apr 22, 2007, A Client is a Research Tool

A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – SKILLS – Knowledge

The April edition of Fast Company contained an article "Gadget Freak" featuring an employee of Microsoft's Start.com which contains all kinds of "gadgets" or "widgets" that consumers can add to their computers to accomplish all kinds of tasks.

The employee, Sanaz Ahari, lead program manager describes a situation where Microsoft posted a weather widget that stated the temperature in Fahrenheit only. Being a Canadian, Sanaz heard about the fact the Celsius wasn't available. That situation was quickly rectified.

The point I'm making is that your clients will tell you what is working, what is lacking, what they would like to see, what they are willing to pay for, what product or service they would like to see, what problems they are currently having that you may be able to help them with… This is the research you need to develop new products and services that you know will have a ready market.

But in order to do that you must provide a way to give you that information. This could take many forms. There could be a link in your eBook; a comment form on your site; a direct request in a follow-up letter after a purchase; a contest; feedback during a teleseminar; a request for feedback in your newsletter or ezine with a special bonus for suggestions; a survey of customer service or new product introduction.

The products or services you deliver will dictate what is appropriate for your situation. The list I provided is a starting point. Add to it. The important thing to remember that feedback from your present clients will lead to products and services that they want and that prospective clients will be interested in.

Think about it! Great research at a great price.

Apr 13, 2007, Announcing Another Method of Keeping Up-to-Date with Your eBook Authoring

A.S.K. About eBooks: Attitudes – Skills – KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge is one of three components of all teaching and all learning. It is the easiest of the three to teach and the easiest to access. You can tell I am a retired educator.

To that end, one of the goals of eBook Authoring Services is to provide eBook authors with the kind of relevant knowledge that will make authoring and ePublishing an eBook a successful and rewarding experience.

In the near future I am launching a Newsletter appropriately called A.S.K. About eBooks which is the same name as the blog. I liked it so much I decided to keep the same name for both. You won't confuse a blog with a Newsletter I'm quite sure.

The Newsletter will be distributed quarterly so you will not be bombarded with all kinds of information. There may a few other special announcements through the Newsletter but I promise to keep them to a minimum. You will get first access to new articles and special offers through the Newsletter. I will also keep you abreast of the trends in the eBook authoring business.

Your name is added to the initial mailing list if you contact me directly for additional information or if you sign up to receive an eBook Authoring Starter Kit or purchase one of my eBooks. You will always be given the option to cancel your subscription at any time and be taken off the mailing list.

That means YOU NOW HAVE THREE WAYS TO KEEP INFORMED through eBook Authoring Services.

The BLOG – A.S.K. About eBooks - feel free to share this with others The NEWSLETTER – A.S.K. About eBooks (coming soon) The KIT – eBook Authoring Starter Kit (sign up on the home page)

PLUS: You can always contact me directly using the Contact Us link on the home page.

Visit http://www.ebookwritingandpublishing.com for more information.

It is always appreciated when you share what eBook Authoring Services has available for eBook authors.

Apr 6, 2007, You Are Never Too Old To Write Your First Book!

I am currently reading Teacher Man by Frank McCourt. You probably know him best as the author of the best seller Angela's Ashes or perhaps 'Tis. In the forward to Teacher Man he shares with the reader that he wrote and published Angela's Ashes when he was sixty-six years old and 'Tis at sixty-nine.

This is not as unusual as you might think and for some very good reasons. For Frank McCourt and possibly YOU, he never quite found the time to write that he always wanted to do. He taught English at a New York high school for thirty years in a very difficult vocational school.

Like Frank, you have accumulated a vast amount of Wisdom over your years on this earth. It is wisdom that could be very helpful to others. Regardless of your age or station in life (working or retired), you have much to share. Writing a book is a tremendous way to do just that and writing an eBook makes it easy, affordable and above all else DOABLE with only one thing necessary – PASSION FOR YOUR SUBJECT.

Frank's passion was about teaching and living. His story, as he tells it would seem ordinary to him but extraordinary to others. Your story and the wisdom you bring to your subject will be equally extraordinary to others who have not lived in your shoes.

I often wonder how much invaluable knowledge, attitudes and skills are being lost to present and future generations by not having recorded the experiences of ordinary people who have so much to contribute to solving the problems of life and making a living.

I encourage you to consider writing that book that has been inside of you for years now and you haven't gotten around to putting it on paper. Now is the time. The eBook Authoring Starter Kit offered through the link on this blog is a great starting point.

Leave a written legacy of your wisdom. There are thousands of people who will benefit from a book written by you, not the least of which is you!

Mar 31, 2007, Find a Mentor to Make Your eBook Authoring Journey a Success

A.S.K. About eBooks: ATTITUDES – Skills – Knowledge

Whether you call someone who is giving you advice and direction a mentor or a coach, it is well documented that successful authors and entrepreneurs have all had one (or more). There is not a business-related magazine or book that doesn't credit a mentor/coach with helping make the person or business the success it is.

eBook authoring along with the ePublishing and selling of the eBook is no exception. The journey will be more productive, less time consuming, have fewer set-backs, be more cost effective, reduce stress for the author… if you have a mentor or coach to help you along the way.

Both professional and amateur athletes have coaches. If coaching is important for Tiger Woods, it is important for you too. The success of these athletes is dramatically affected by the coaching they receive. It is no different when you are embarking on your eBook authoring journey.

One myth about a mentor/coach is that he/she will be way too expensive to be able to afford. Under the right circumstances, you can find people willing to help you for nothing. Or in return for something you can offer them. And even if you must pay for the coaching, weigh the "costs" versus the benefits.

And even if you have to pay for some coaching you should look at the coaching as an investment not an expense. You are investing time and money in you! It allows you to lay the groundwork for future work. It is you helping yourself to someone else's wisdom and expertise in order to build a sound foundation for your future. Coaching is a gift you give to yourself.

eBook Authoring Services (eBAS) fulfills the function of coach and mentor to aspiring and established authors as they write their eBooks. "Helping eBook authors help themselves, from one eBook author to another" is the motto of eBAS. eBAS is a one-on-one operation.

Give yourself the gift of a mentor/coach. Start with the complimentary eBook Authoring Starter Kit from eBAS. Allow eBAS to work with you on your eBook authoring journey. Read more about the kit at the home page of eBook Authoring Services. Use the link below to request your Kit. Now is the time!