E-books as a format are less than a decade old, but in that time they've managed to substantially level the publishing playing field for authors. The gatekeepers of old—editors—no longer get to decide whether your work has merit or will find an audience. Readers now decide who and what they want to read.
If you’ve decided the time is now to write an ebook, you have two choices: start from scratch or repurpose existing content.
All New Content
The hows of e-book writing start with the same foundation as any book. If you’re a writer with useful knowledge, a great story to share, and a unique perspective on how to tell that story, ebook writing is a great way to do it. Try these simple suggestions to get you started.
- Structure. Many e-books have a casual tone, but that doesn’t mean you get to skimp on structure. Create an outline so your ideas are organized and transitions between topics are smooth.
- Clarity. Brevity is your friend, so be ruthless when it comes to self-editing. Unnecessary words and phrases, no matter how witty, must go. The majority of e-books exist to educate, so strive not to confuse.
- Substance. Eye-catching covers are important, but your e-book writing is what needs to stand out. Your words must carry a certain weight—and be original— if you want to be seen as a thought leader. Bring your readers something new and exciting and make connections between points they may not have seen before.
- Rebel. Yes, do your research, but not to the point that you lose your own perspective and voice. Look for ways to make your best insights pop for your readers. Try bullets, text blocks, and excerpted quotes to keep them engaged.
Everything Old is New Again
Want to skip the legwork involved in writing new content? Take advantage of writing you’ve already been doing on your blog, in white papers, or in newsletters. Don’t think of repurposing your archives as “cheating,” either. You worked hard on that content, and using it again in the context of e-book writing gives your readers (new and old) a fresh way to engage with what you’re written. Just be sure to update any critical information. Follow these steps for ebook writing with repurposed content.
- Theme. Re-read your content and make note of any recurring themes that jump out at you. This doesn’t only apply to tangibles, so keep an eye out for tone, perspective, etc.
- Relevance. Browse your archives and identify the material that fits your theme. Don’t forget to include guest posts (yours and others) and insightful comments. Copyrights should be checked, and it’s always a great idea to ask permission from host bloggers before you re-use their content. The added bonus here is you’ll gain the support of influencers early on in the game.
- Outline. No matter if it’s new or old content, the dreaded outline must be written! Group your writings into categories which will help you form chapters. Take a fresh look to see what works with your theme and pare down repetitive or unnecessary information. Make notations where you think you may need to write fresh content.
- Proofread. Even if you’re using all repurposed content, give it another proofing. If it’s in your budget, hire a freelance editor. If not, consider enlisting the aid of beta readers, who will also be helpful when launch date approaches.
- Process. Consider writing your intro and conclusion first. It will help you see how the rest of your e-book should be structured. Use the intro to showcase your voice and the conclusion to direct your readers towards a specific action.
E-book Writing Tips
Think about using one or all of these tips to keep your ebook writing both engaging and on track:
- Take broad subjects and condense them into bite-size pieces.
- Give yourself deadlines that will not only push you to write, but help you head off writer’s fatigue.
- Don’t just follow the money. Choose a topic you know and enjoy writing about and the process will go that much faster.
Finally, try writing your entire e-book before giving it a title. This frees you from having to write to the topic and opens up previously unconsidered creative avenues.
E-book writing is a great way to take your career to the next level, so if it’s an idea you’ve had on your do-list for far too long, start the process today—your readers are waiting!
