{"id":4912,"date":"2022-10-04T05:45:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-04T13:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/?p=4912"},"modified":"2026-05-11T12:33:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T20:33:25","slug":"how-to-create-an-ebook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/how-to-create-an-ebook\/","title":{"rendered":"How to create an ebook and market it successfully"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p><strong><em>TL;DR: Need a comprehensive guide to creating and selling your ebook? Read on to explore ebook types, formats, and FAQs.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Thinking about creating an ebook? If you have a wealth of knowledge or experience you want to share with the world, have a story to tell, or simply want to try your hand at creating an ebook, we\u2019re here to help.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>But how do you <em>actually<\/em> create one?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>It\u2019s nowhere near as hard as it may seem, but the key is being prepared and having a plan. We\u2019ll show you not only how to create an ebook but how to market it successfully, too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>While we can\u2019t guarantee that you\u2019ll become a bestselling author or an overnight success raking in thousands of dollars, we <em>can <\/em>assure you that if you follow the steps in this article, you\u2019ll finally finish your ebook and see it lining digital shelves before you know it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t<a class=\"cta-block has-button\" style=\"background-color: #5a71b6; color:#000000;\"\n\t   href=\"https:\/\/app.flodesk.com\/sign-up\" target=\"\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"cta-block__wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"cta-block__headline\">Brilliant email marketing, made beautifully simple<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta-block__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Own your growth with powerful, intuitive tools designed to drive big wins for your small business.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"cta-block__button\" style=\"background-color: #000000; color: #5a71b6;\">\n\t\t\t\tStart Free Trial\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\n<div id=\"six-types-of-ebooks\" name=\"six-types-of-ebooks\" data-animate data-destination=\"six-types-of-ebooks\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Six types of ebooks<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Before you start your ebook, you\u2019ll need to decide which type you want to create. Start by asking yourself:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do I want to write a fiction or nonfiction ebook?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do I want to sell my ebook or offer it as a freebie?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>When it comes to paid versus free ebooks, you can think of paid versions as your core digital product. Freebies are marketing tactics used to generate interest and grow your email list. These are typically a cut-back version of your ebook (a few chapters or pages to entice readers to buy the full version).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>After you\u2019ve figured out the above, narrow it down even further and determine which type of ebook you want to create. Need some inspiration? Here are a few we love.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"1-novels-short-stories-and-novellas\" name=\"1-novels-short-stories-and-novellas\" data-animate data-destination=\"1-novels-short-stories-and-novellas\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Novels, short stories, and novellas<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>If you want your ebook to be fiction, these are your best options. The main difference between the three is generally the length.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Novels are typically between 50,000 and 110,000 words<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Novellas are often between 10,000 and 40,000 words<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Short stories tend to be anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 words<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Regardless of which option you choose, try to follow the traditional structure to tell a compelling story that goes beyond \u201cbeginning, middle, end.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>A simple (but effective) story arc usually flows along these lines:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Introduce your protagonist (the hero of your story)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meet their enemy or a challenge they must overcome<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have your hero overcome that enemy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Show your protagonist emerging transformed from the experience<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>If you study great stories, you\u2019ll likely notice some commonalities: they start with life as normal, life upturned by some event, and finally, back to some form of normality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p><em><strong>Marketing tip<\/strong>: These simple story structures can also be a great source of inspiration for creating marketing content to sell your ebook (or just about any physical or digital product). For example, your protagonist is the reader\u2014your potential customer. Their enemy is the problem they\u2019re seeking a solution for. Your ebook or product is how they overcome it, and the resulting transformation is evidenced by their reviews.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"2-instructional-books\" name=\"2-instructional-books\" data-animate data-destination=\"2-instructional-books\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Instructional books<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Instructional books are one of the most common nonfiction ebooks you can write. They include how-to guides, personal development books, and self-help books.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>These might start as a collection of blogs or even social media content you\u2019ve shared. Whatever their roots, these books offer your insights and allow you to provide direct advice to readers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Often, you\u2019ll choose one specific topic to cover per book. A few examples could be:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Conquering social media<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learning about financial investing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Teaching sales tactics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Overcoming specific setbacks or challenges<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"3-cookbooks\" name=\"3-cookbooks\" data-animate data-destination=\"3-cookbooks\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Cookbooks<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div data-animate-children class=\"image-block\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/flodesk-member-to-watch-kathleen-ashmore-of-her-namesake-business\/\"   class=\"image-options aspectholder \">\n      <div \n  class=\"image  \"\n  data-widget=\"image\"\n  data-init=\"lazy\"\n  data-width=\"1150\"\n  data-height=\"1544\"\n  data-svg=\"\"\n    data-orientation='portrait'  data-fit='cover'  >\n    <div class=\"-img-wrapper\">\n                  <img\n                  draggable=\"false\"\n      class=\"-img --fit --fit-cover \"\n            data-init=\"lazy\"\n      data-src=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/food.jpg\" \n      data-srcset=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/food-32x43.jpg 32w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/food-200x269.jpg 200w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/food-450x604.jpg 450w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/food-700x940.jpg 700w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/food-1000x1343.jpg 1000w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/food.jpg 1150w\"\n            data-width=\"1150\"\n      data-height=\"1544\"\n      data-fit=\"cover\"\n      width=\"1150\"\n      height=\"1544\"\n      loading=\"eager\"\n      alt=\"Kathleen Ashmore's soup recipe\"\n      \/>    <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n  <\/a>\n  <div class=\"caption grey\">\n    <p>Kathleen Ashmore&#8217;s soup<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>If you\u2019re a foodie or <a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/flodesk-member-to-watch-kathleen-ashmore-of-her-namesake-business\/\">food blogger<\/a>, cookbooks are a natural fit since you probably already have all the material you need for your very own digital cookbook.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Pull together your favorite recipes, throw in some professional-quality photos, <em>et voil\u00e0!<\/em> One cookbook, ready to order.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>This is a great opportunity to cater to a specific niche too, and even release a series of ebooks covering different categories, including:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Vegan recipes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Air-fryer recipes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Succulent meat-smoking recipes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paleo recipes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>The only limit is your palate and culinary expertise or preferences.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"4-blog-collection\" name=\"4-blog-collection\" data-animate data-destination=\"4-blog-collection\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Blog collection<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Do you have a long-running blog with regular readers? It may be time to gather your best posts and evolve them into an ebook collection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Now, selling this well is going to take more than copying and pasting your existing content into an ebook template. Readers will likely expect additional insights and asides, maybe even a few new chapters exclusively available within the ebook, so consider what you can add to make it valuable enough to purchase.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Of course, that\u2019s not to say that simply gathering together all your blogs on a certain topic isn\u2019t valuable enough to stand on its own. But if you want this ebook to take off and you have more to offer, now\u2019s the perfect time to incorporate it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"5-biographies\" name=\"5-biographies\" data-animate data-destination=\"5-biographies\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Biographies<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>People love to peek behind the curtain. If you already have a following, or if you know someone who does, you might be perfectly positioned to create a biographical ebook.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Remember that much like with writing fiction, readers will expect some level of predictable storytelling beats\u2014a solid beginning, middle, and end, and ideally some form of transformation and character development.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Writing this type of ebook may start as something of a brain dump, but be sure it doesn\u2019t stay that way when you start editing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"6-poetry\" name=\"6-poetry\" data-animate data-destination=\"6-poetry\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Poetry<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Our final entry has a foot in both worlds, as poetry can quite comfortably be both fiction and nonfiction. And this (rather poetically, I might add) is beautifully reflective of the fluidity of writing: reality feeds fiction and vice versa. They are often entwined\u2014a lesson worth remembering when creating ebooks of any genre.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"how-to-create-an-ebook-in-eight-simple-steps\" name=\"how-to-create-an-ebook-in-eight-simple-steps\" data-animate data-destination=\"how-to-create-an-ebook-in-eight-simple-steps\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to create an ebook in eight simple steps<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>I remember an uncle congratulating me on the release of my first book and calling it a Herculean effort. That\u2019s what\u2019s ahead of you now\u2014a challenge that many consider impossible, and yet, absolutely within your grasp.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>So long as you have a plan and are committed to that plan, you can create an ebook before you know it. And that plan should follow these steps:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#chooseatopic\">Choose a topic<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#createanoutline\">Create an outline<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#writefasteditslow\">Write fast, edit slow<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#marketyourebook\">Market your ebook<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#edit\">Edit<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#format\">Format<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#createyourebookcover\">Create your ebook cover<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#publishyourebook\">Publish your ebook<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"step-1-choose-a-topic\" name=\"step-1-choose-a-topic\" data-animate data-destination=\"step-1-choose-a-topic\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"chooseatopic\">Step 1: Choose a topic<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Fiction or nonfiction, you need to pick a topic for your ebook. There are two key points this topic should hit on:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It should be something you\u2019re excited to write about<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There should be an audience who\u2019ll want to read it<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>There\u2019s a common adage that you should write the book you wish existed. It\u2019s as true for fiction as nonfiction, but in the nonfiction world, it can best be interpreted as \u201cwrite the book your <em>reader<\/em> wishes existed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Consider the goal of your ebook. If you\u2019re creating an ebook to attract customers to your company, that ebook should be highly relevant to your industry and, more specifically, to your services.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Look to what you\u2019re an expert in (or what your company specializes in) and center your ebook around that.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>There\u2019s an infinite number of topics you can choose from\u2014what you settle on will depend entirely on your goals and audience. Hopefully, you\u2019ve already done some legwork to understand who your ideal reader (or customer) is. If not, search for answers to the following market research questions:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Who is your target reader?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are they struggling with?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What do they want?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What are they afraid of?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What language do they use?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Why are existing ebooks or solutions not working for them?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How suitable is your ebook for them?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How will your ebook make their lives better?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>You\u2019ll find all the insights you need online in places like social media, polls, forums, SEO keywords, and blogs. These questions are best suited if you\u2019re creating ebooks in the nonfiction category, but you can easily adapt them to fit a fiction author too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>A great way to discover how good your ebook topic is and what your ideal reader wants (or doesn\u2019t want) is to study the reviews for similar ebooks that already exist. You can use those insights to help shape your book to be exactly what readers want.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"step-2-outline-the-structure-of-the-book\" name=\"step-2-outline-the-structure-of-the-book\" data-animate data-destination=\"step-2-outline-the-structure-of-the-book\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"createanoutline\">Step 2: Outline the structure of the book<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>To create your ebook, you\u2019re either going to repurpose your existing content or create content from scratch. Either way, you should be creating an outline before you start writing your first draft.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Can you get away without outlining? Absolutely\u2014but it\u2019s harder. Fiction authors who do this are often known as \u201cpantsers\u201d because they\u2019re seen to be winging it, flying by the seat of their pants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>There\u2019s nothing wrong with this approach. But realistically, if a piece of writing is important to you (as creating an ebook should be!) then it deserves an outline.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>All your outline needs to cover is the broad strokes of where your ebook is going from the first page to the last. The level of detail you go into is up to you, but the point is always the same: to help your ebook read smoothly, stay on track, and guide the reader through the story you want to tell or the message you want to share.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p><strong><em>Pro tip<\/em><\/strong><em>: Write down a short thesis for your ebook (a sentence or two) to explain the purpose of your ebook and why readers should care. This will help you keep your outline concise and relevant.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"step-3-write-fast-edit-slow\" name=\"step-3-write-fast-edit-slow\" data-animate data-destination=\"step-3-write-fast-edit-slow\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"writefasteditslow\">Step 3: Write fast, edit slow<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Writer\u2019s block. It\u2019s real, it\u2019s daunting, and it\u2019ll make you tear your hair out. Nothing is worse than staring at a blank page and hoping for words to appear\u2014except perhaps writing and rewriting the same page, paragraph, or word a thousand times over without satisfaction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>This step is the key to beating writer\u2019s block, and it couldn\u2019t be simpler: just keep writing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>You need to see writing and editing as two separate tasks. When you\u2019re in writing mode, the goal is to get words on the page and nothing else.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>At most, allow yourself room to pause for a moment of reflection or change the odd word as you go, but that\u2019s it. Don\u2019t sit there agonizing over word choice or perfect syntax, just get the words down. Write now, polish later.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p><strong><em>Pro tip<\/em><\/strong><em>: Give yourself the freedom to step away from the screen if the words really aren\u2019t coming. Sometimes a short break is exactly what you need to kick-start your writing muscles.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"step-4-market-your-ebook\" name=\"step-4-market-your-ebook\" data-animate data-destination=\"step-4-market-your-ebook\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"marketyourebook\">Step 4: Market your ebook<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Trust me, marketing is not a job for later. Make it as high a priority as creating your ebook\u2014you\u2019re only setting yourself up for failure if you don\u2019t.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>This step is so vital that we\u2019ve devoted an entire section to it after these how-to points. So for now, we\u2019ll keep this brief and highlight why this is also featured here in these \u201chow to create an ebook\u201d steps.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>While you\u2019re planning, writing, and creating your ebook, you have a unique opportunity to create content that documents the process. People love this kind of content\u2014we all love to see something transforming or being created. Miss this opportunity and it won\u2019t come again.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Marketing should be as much a part of creating your ebook as writing it is. We\u2019ll take a deeper look at how to do this in the \u201c<a href=\"#howtomarketandsellyourebook\">How to market and sell your ebook<\/a>\u201d section of this post.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"step-5-edit\" name=\"step-5-edit\" data-animate data-destination=\"step-5-edit\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"edit\">Step 5: Edit<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Editing is where the real magic happens. It\u2019s where you\u2019ll turn a wordy or unorganized draft into a mighty sales-worthy ebook. It\u2019s where you\u2019ll cut fluff and jargon, tighten up your thoughts and presentation, and strengthen your arguments and syntax.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>In short, editing is where your ebook becomes a masterpiece.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Here are some pro editing tips to help transform your ebook:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hire a professional<\/strong>. This can get expensive, but if you aren\u2019t a writer or editor by trade, it\u2019s a must. If your budget is limited, consider a less experienced editor or some editing software.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t edit your ebook right after writing it<\/strong>. Give yourself some distance from your ebook so you can come back to it with fresh eyes.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Read your content aloud<\/strong>. This gives you a clear idea of how well it flows and which sentences need tweaking.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cut any unnecessary \u201cfluff\u201d words and jargon<\/strong>. Reading aloud will help identify them (hint: there\u2019s more than you think!).<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Find \u201cbeta readers\u201d<\/strong> to read an advanced copy and provide detailed feedback on what they liked and didn\u2019t like.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ruthlessly question<\/strong> whether each chapter, scene, paragraph, or sentence belongs in your ebook. If the answer is no, cut it out.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep anything you cut out in a separate document<\/strong>\u2014it\u2019s still content, and you might find a use for it elsewhere.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consider adding a call to action (CTA)<\/strong> anywhere it\u2019s appropriate\u2014even fiction authors use these in their closing acknowledgments to urge readers to follow their social channels or join their email lists.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Learn when to stop editing<\/strong>. There is no such thing as a perfect book, so get comfortable with a \u201cbest version\u201d of your book and publish it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"step-6-format\" name=\"step-6-format\" data-animate data-destination=\"step-6-format\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"format\">Step 6: Format<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>A short but crucial step: make sure you format your ebook correctly. The \u201ccorrect\u201d format depends on where you\u2019ll be selling your ebook and how readers will read it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>The simplest option is PDF. You can save a Word document or Google Doc as a .pdf file and then upload it to your website or a dedicated sales page like the ones you can create on <a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/checkout\">Flodesk Checkout<\/a>. Or, you can set up a <a href=\"https:\/\/university.flodesk.com\/flodesk-workflows\">product delivery email<\/a> to send the PDF ebook to your email subscribers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>If you want your ebook customized for e-readers and able to adapt to any screen size, use a converter to create an EPUB file. <a href=\"https:\/\/calibre-ebook.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Calibre<\/a> is one of the most commonly used converters, and it\u2019s free.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>The key to using any of these converters is the same: make sure your document is smooth, professional, and accessible. How you do this varies based on the word processor you\u2019re using, but here are some essentials to tick off:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Format your chapter numbers and titles as headings<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Include a table of contents in the ebook\u2019s front matter (the pages before the book content begins, where you often see copyright info, dedications, and the like)<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Format your paragraphs as \u201cjustify\u201d so that every line is the same length<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Whether you use Calibre or another ebook creation software like Amazon\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Kindle-Create\/b?ie=UTF8&amp;node=18292298011\">Kindle Create<\/a>, it\u2019s easy to spot if you\u2019ve formatted your ebook correctly. If you can jump to the start of each chapter through the table of contents and your paragraphs all have a uniform line length, you\u2019re probably good.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Check your ebook on an e-reader or e-reading app on your smartphone to ensure it all looks professional; you don\u2019t want people putting your book down just because it doesn\u2019t appear to be carefully created. If you\u2019re struggling, the internet is full of free ebook templates to help you nail your book\u2019s formatting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"step-7-create-your-ebook-cover\" name=\"step-7-create-your-ebook-cover\" data-animate data-destination=\"step-7-create-your-ebook-cover\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"createyourebookcover\">Step 7: Create your ebook cover<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Unless you\u2019re a talented graphic designer, don\u2019t attempt to create your own ebook cover.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>It\u2019s remarkably easy to spot a DIY cover, and having one foreshadows potentially cheap and lazy content within.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Plenty of online advice advocates using Photoshop, Canva, or some similar tool to create your own, but I urge you to avoid that route if you want your ebook to succeed and be taken seriously\u2014again, unless you\u2019re especially talented with design work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>I cannot recommend hiring a cover designer enough. Even if you\u2019re working with a shoestring budget, there are plenty of skillful designers available in places like Fiverr who will create an ebook cover you\u2019ll not soon forget.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div data-animate-children class=\"image-block\">\n  <div  class=\"image-options aspectholder \">\n      <div \n  class=\"image  \"\n  data-widget=\"image\"\n  data-init=\"lazy\"\n  data-width=\"1150\"\n  data-height=\"703\"\n  data-svg=\"\"\n    data-orientation='landscape'  data-fit='cover'  >\n    <div class=\"-img-wrapper\">\n                  <img\n                  draggable=\"false\"\n      class=\"-img --fit --fit-cover \"\n            data-init=\"lazy\"\n      data-src=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/book-cover-design-offers-fiverr.jpg\" \n      data-srcset=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/book-cover-design-offers-fiverr-32x20.jpg 32w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/book-cover-design-offers-fiverr-200x122.jpg 200w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/book-cover-design-offers-fiverr-450x275.jpg 450w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/book-cover-design-offers-fiverr-700x428.jpg 700w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/book-cover-design-offers-fiverr-1000x611.jpg 1000w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/book-cover-design-offers-fiverr.jpg 1150w\"\n            data-width=\"1150\"\n      data-height=\"703\"\n      data-fit=\"cover\"\n      width=\"1150\"\n      height=\"703\"\n      loading=\"eager\"\n      alt=\"\"\n      \/>    <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"caption grey\">\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"step-8-publish-your-ebook\" name=\"step-8-publish-your-ebook\" data-animate data-destination=\"step-8-publish-your-ebook\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"publishyourebook\">Step 8: Publish your ebook<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Before you jump into publishing, perform a thorough review of <em>everything<\/em>. Put yourself in the reader\u2019s shoes, judge your cover critically, and read your ebook front to back (both out loud and in your head).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>When you\u2019re completely satisfied that your ebook checks all the boxes of a professional release, it\u2019s time to publish it!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>How you publish your ebook depends on your intentions:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If it\u2019s a lead magnet to build your email list, create a dedicated landing page with a <a href=\"https:\/\/help.flodesk.com\/en\/articles\/3200763-how-to-add-an-opt-in-form-to-your-website\">sign-up form<\/a> and set up a product delivery automation to email subscribers their copy.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you\u2019re selling ebooks through your <a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/how-to-start-an-ecommerce-side-hustle\/\">ecommerce store<\/a>, make sure you\u2019ve created a product that customers can view, purchase, and download immediately.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you\u2019re selling your ebook through an existing online marketplace like Amazon, add your ebook to their <a href=\"https:\/\/kdp.amazon.com\/en_US\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">KDP<\/a> program, hit publish, and it\u2019ll be available to buy worldwide within 72 hours. Or you can use Flodesk Checkout to create a sales, checkout, and delivery page that goes live once you hit <strong>Publish<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>These are just a few options, but they cover the three main ways you\u2019ll publish your eBook: on a marketplace, through your own ecommerce store, or as a freebie.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Now you\u2019re in for a world of focused marketing fun.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"how-to-market-and-sell-your-ebook\" name=\"how-to-market-and-sell-your-ebook\" data-animate data-destination=\"how-to-market-and-sell-your-ebook\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"howtomarketandsellyourebook\">How to market and sell your ebook<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Creating an ebook is only half the battle. Next comes the hard part: marketing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>I call it the hard part because chances are you\u2019re not a full-time marketer as well as a creative. But don\u2019t fret, follow these steps and you\u2019ll be on the right track and ticking all the necessary boxes for success.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"create-a-dedicated-ebook-landing-page\" name=\"create-a-dedicated-ebook-landing-page\" data-animate data-destination=\"create-a-dedicated-ebook-landing-page\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create a dedicated ebook landing page<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>A dedicated landing page for your ebook is essential, whether you\u2019re selling it on your website, giving it away for free, or listing it on an online marketplace like Amazon or Gumroad.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>It\u2019s where you\u2019ll describe your ebook, showcase your best reviews, and convince readers they should care about reading it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>If your ebook is a freebie designed to build your email list, this landing page is where you\u2019ll collect their details. Then, your <a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/email-marketing-software-for-ecommerce\/\">email marketing software<\/a> will deliver the product directly to them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>If you\u2019re selling your ebook through an online marketplace, you\u2019ll use this landing page to direct your website visitors to that marketplace so they can purchase your ebook.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Or, if your website is an ecommerce store, then your ebook landing page will be where you directly sell to your customers, much like our content marketing manager <a href=\"https:\/\/little-sunset-152.myflodesk.com\/\" class=\"broken_link\">Sheena<\/a> has done here using <a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/checkout\">Flodesk Checkout<\/a>:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div data-animate-children class=\"image-block\">\n  <div  class=\"image-options aspectholder \">\n      <div \n  class=\"image  \"\n  data-widget=\"image\"\n  data-init=\"lazy\"\n  data-width=\"1150\"\n  data-height=\"687\"\n  data-svg=\"\"\n    data-orientation='landscape'  data-fit='cover'  >\n    <div class=\"-img-wrapper\">\n                  <img\n                  draggable=\"false\"\n      class=\"-img --fit --fit-cover \"\n            data-init=\"lazy\"\n      data-src=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/simple-writing-tips.jpg\" \n      data-srcset=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/simple-writing-tips-32x19.jpg 32w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/simple-writing-tips-200x119.jpg 200w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/simple-writing-tips-450x269.jpg 450w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/simple-writing-tips-700x418.jpg 700w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/simple-writing-tips-1000x597.jpg 1000w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/simple-writing-tips.jpg 1150w\"\n            data-width=\"1150\"\n      data-height=\"687\"\n      data-fit=\"cover\"\n      width=\"1150\"\n      height=\"687\"\n      loading=\"eager\"\n      alt=\"\"\n      \/>    <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"caption grey\">\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Read our ultimate guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/the-ultimate-guide-to-flodesk-checkout\/\">Flodesk Checkout<\/a> for more information or check out our favorite <a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/sale-page-templates\/\">sale page templates<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t<a class=\"cta-block has-button\" style=\"background-color: #f0c8c7; color:#000000;\"\n\t   href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/checkout\" target=\"\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"cta-block__wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"cta-block__headline\">Create a sales and checkout page to sell your products effortlessly<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta-block__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Monetize your content and accept payments with beautiful checkout flows. No platform fees.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"cta-block__button\" style=\"background-color: #000000; color: #f0c8c7;\">\n\t\t\t\tStart Free Trial\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\n<div id=\"promote-on-social-media\" name=\"promote-on-social-media\" data-animate data-destination=\"promote-on-social-media\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Promote on social media<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>You\u2019d have to blatantly ignore what\u2019s going on with social media to not see its sales potential. Why else would <a href=\"https:\/\/www.slideshare.net\/secret\/kFdU767zyWS30G\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">73% of sales reps<\/a> who use social media in their sales process outperform those who don\u2019t?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>But how exactly do you promote on social media?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>It\u2019s pretty simple: Don\u2019t make it all about you. Too many hopefuls take to social media and throw out a stream of posts begging people to buy their digital products. What happens? They hear crickets chirping, get frustrated, and give up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Successful social media marketing requires more finesse than that. You need to invest time into it and build relationships. In short, you need to focus on building a community, not a following. Do this by:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Spending time talking to people on your chosen platform. Show an interest in what they\u2019re posting by leaving meaningful comments.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoiding the urge to talk about yourself for as long as possible.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sharing posts related to what you\u2019re doing, but not trying to <em>sell<\/em> what you\u2019re doing. At most, you should be trying to actively sell your ebook once every ten posts\u2014yes, you read that right.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Committing to long-term effort and consistency. A strong and supportive community isn\u2019t going to spring up overnight.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>This is an all but essential step in any kind of book marketing. Make this as high a priority as creating your ebook.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"document-your-creative-process\" name=\"document-your-creative-process\" data-animate data-destination=\"document-your-creative-process\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Document your creative process<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>We touched on this earlier because if you fly through creating your ebook without doing this, you\u2019ve missed an opportunity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>This marketing tactic has been popularized by the incomparable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.garyvaynerchuk.com\/creating-content-that-builds-your-personal-brand\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gary Vaynerchuk<\/a>, who often exclaims passionately that you should \u201cdocument, not create.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>People love transformative stories; we always have and always will. The process of creating your ebook is exactly that. It\u2019s the story of how a blank page became an ebook, and it\u2019s the story of how you became an author, achieved a goal, overcame challenges, and maybe even grew as a person.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>That\u2019s a social media goldmine.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Share content on your socials that shows how you\u2019re creating your ebook, offers tips on what you\u2019re learning, or even just shows the process unfold in a timelapse. By doing this, you\u2019ll be ticking off the \u201cpromote on social media\u201d marketing tip long before you\u2019re ready to sell your ebook.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>This can also lead perfectly to other marketing tactics. You can use this momentum to figure out what other social content to share, build an email list of interested readers, and prepare for a successful launch day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"plan-your-launch\" name=\"plan-your-launch\" data-animate data-destination=\"plan-your-launch\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plan your launch<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>If you\u2019ve been building momentum for the release of your ebook and creating a community of supporters (like we covered in the last two steps), you\u2019ll be in a great position for this.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>A successful product launch is as important as the product itself. You want your ebook to hit the ground running, so to speak, and that means you\u2019ll need a few things:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Early reviews<\/strong>: Reach out to people who\u2019ve expressed interest in your ebook and offer them an advanced review copy (ARC). Most authors offer these for free in exchange for the promise of an honest review on the day of release.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A \u201cstreet team\u201d<\/strong>:<strong> <\/strong>These will be your dedicated advocates\u2014people who will tell their friends, family, social communities, and just about anyone who\u2019ll listen to grab a copy of your ebook the day it\u2019s released.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Influencer power boost<\/strong>: Add some rocket fuel to your launch by convincing bloggers and influencers to share posts about your ebook in the build-up to release day as well as on the day itself. Some might charge you, others may be persuaded by a free copy\u2014it\u2019s up to you to decide what you\u2019re comfortable with.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>As many day-one sales as possible:<\/strong> This is where <a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/social-media-and-email-marketing-the-smb-marketing-dream-team\/\">social media and email marketing<\/a> unite to make sure everyone even remotely interested in your ebook grabs their copy on release day. Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/product-launch-email-template\/\">product launch email templates<\/a> to make announcing your launch easy, or read our post \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-product-launch-email\/\">How to write a product launch email<\/a>\u201d to create your own.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"leverage-email-marketing\" name=\"leverage-email-marketing\" data-animate data-destination=\"leverage-email-marketing\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leverage email marketing<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>We\u2019ve already touched on a few aspects of email marketing and how it can help you successfully market your ebook. Still, large and <a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/small-business-email-marketing\/\">small business email marketing<\/a> is our bread and butter, so it deserves a dedicated section.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Besides choosing the right email service provider for you, our best advice is to get started on <a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/how-to-build-an-email-list\/\">building your email list<\/a> ASAP. The best way to do this is by creating a lead magnet\u2014a freebie that anyone interested in your content can obtain by giving you their email address. Check out this perfect example by <a href=\"https:\/\/sousvideways.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"broken_link\">Sous Vide Ways<\/a>:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div data-animate-children class=\"image-block\">\n  <div  class=\"image-options aspectholder \">\n      <div \n  class=\"image  \"\n  data-widget=\"image\"\n  data-init=\"lazy\"\n  data-width=\"1150\"\n  data-height=\"949\"\n  data-svg=\"\"\n    data-orientation='landscape'  data-fit='cover'  >\n    <div class=\"-img-wrapper\">\n                  <img\n                  draggable=\"false\"\n      class=\"-img --fit --fit-cover \"\n            data-init=\"lazy\"\n      data-src=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/join-mailing-list.jpg\" \n      data-srcset=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/join-mailing-list-32x26.jpg 32w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/join-mailing-list-200x165.jpg 200w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/join-mailing-list-450x371.jpg 450w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/join-mailing-list-700x578.jpg 700w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/join-mailing-list-1000x825.jpg 1000w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/join-mailing-list.jpg 1150w\"\n            data-width=\"1150\"\n      data-height=\"949\"\n      data-fit=\"cover\"\n      width=\"1150\"\n      height=\"949\"\n      loading=\"eager\"\n      alt=\"\"\n      \/>    <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"caption grey\">\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>As we\u2019ve covered, you might be creating this ebook to <em>be<\/em> a lead magnet, but if you intend to sell your ebook instead, a free sample of it could be the perfect lead magnet for you. Here\u2019s how you might set that up:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Create a landing page with a sign-up form.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create an email that will be sent to anyone who completes the sign-up form and include the free sample.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set up an automation workflow in your email provider so it knows to send that email to anyone who signs up via your new landing page form.<br><br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Share the landing page in social media posts, blogs, ads, and any other platform you have access to.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>And remember to keep your email list engaged. Don\u2019t let them forget about you: send them emails that will entertain or keep them informed of important events (like your ebook being available for pre-order or the release date). Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/teaser-email-campaign-examples\/\">teaser email campaign<\/a> examples and our tips on attention-grabbing <a href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/email-marketing-graphics\/\">email marketing graphics<\/a> for inspiration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Combine email marketing with building a community on social media and you\u2019ll have two of the most powerful digital marketing tools working hard to successfully market your ebook to the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t<a class=\"cta-block has-button\" style=\"background-color: #c2d7d4; color:#000000;\"\n\t   href=\"https:\/\/app.flodesk.com\/sign-up\" target=\"\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"cta-block__wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"cta-block__headline\">Find your perfect plan<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta-block__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>See exactly how pricing scales with your audience, and only pay for what you use. No hidden fees, no surprises.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"cta-block__button\" style=\"background-color: #000000; color: #c2d7d4;\">\n\t\t\t\tStart for free\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/a>\n\n\n<div id=\"faqs\" name=\"faqs\" data-animate data-destination=\"faqs\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQs<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"is-it-expensive-to-create-an-ebook\" name=\"is-it-expensive-to-create-an-ebook\" data-animate data-destination=\"is-it-expensive-to-create-an-ebook\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is it expensive to create an ebook?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>It is not expensive to create an ebook. In fact, most of the tools you\u2019ll need are free to use. The greatest expense you\u2019ll face is the time you spend and the cost of hiring a cover designer, and perhaps an editor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"what-software-do-i-need-to-create-an-ebook\" name=\"what-software-do-i-need-to-create-an-ebook\" data-animate data-destination=\"what-software-do-i-need-to-create-an-ebook\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What software do I need to create an ebook?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>You\u2019ll need a word processor\u2014you can\u2019t go wrong with Microsoft Word or Google Docs\u2014and possibly an ebook converter like Calibre or Kindle Create.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"what-types-of-ebooks-sell-the-most\" name=\"what-types-of-ebooks-sell-the-most\" data-animate data-destination=\"what-types-of-ebooks-sell-the-most\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What types of ebooks sell the most?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>Fiction, business, and self-development ebooks tend to sell best.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"how-long-should-ebooks-be\" name=\"how-long-should-ebooks-be\" data-animate data-destination=\"how-long-should-ebooks-be\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long should ebooks be?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>There is no cut-and-dry answer to this, but here are some averages to guide you:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Novels: 50,000 to 110,000 words<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Novellas: 10,000 to 40,000 words<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Short stories: 1,000 to 10,000 words<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nonfiction ebook: 10,000 words<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>B2B ebook: 2,500 words<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"what-file-format-is-best-for-your-ebook\" name=\"what-file-format-is-best-for-your-ebook\" data-animate data-destination=\"what-file-format-is-best-for-your-ebook\" class=\"heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What file format is best for your ebook?<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='p-block'>\n<p>The best ebook file format depends on how you distribute it and how readers will view it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div data-animate-children class='list-block'>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PDF: Best format for ebooks that will be read on a computer and promoted\/sold on your website rather than Kindle or iBooks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>EPUB: A flexible format that adapts the ebook\u2019s text to fit the screen it\u2019s viewed on. Ideal for e-readers and phones alike, making this your best choice for all-around use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MOBI: A largely retired ebook format that you probably want to avoid.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AZW: An ebook format designed specifically for reading on the Amazon Kindle device and mobile app.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>IBA: An ebook format for use with the Apple iBooks app.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div data-animate-children class=\"image-block\">\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/app.flodesk.com\/sign-up\"   class=\"image-options aspectholder \">\n      <div \n  class=\"image  \"\n  data-widget=\"image\"\n  data-init=\"lazy\"\n  data-width=\"2560\"\n  data-height=\"2560\"\n  data-svg=\"\"\n    data-orientation='square'  data-fit='cover'  >\n    <div class=\"-img-wrapper\">\n                  <img\n                  draggable=\"false\"\n      class=\"-img --fit --fit-cover \"\n            data-init=\"lazy\"\n      data-src=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Prospecting_Ads_Image_Two_v3-scaled.jpg\" \n      data-srcset=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Prospecting_Ads_Image_Two_v3-32x32.jpg 32w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Prospecting_Ads_Image_Two_v3-200x200.jpg 200w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Prospecting_Ads_Image_Two_v3-450x450.jpg 450w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Prospecting_Ads_Image_Two_v3-700x700.jpg 700w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Prospecting_Ads_Image_Two_v3-1000x1000.jpg 1000w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Prospecting_Ads_Image_Two_v3-1400x1400.jpg 1400w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Prospecting_Ads_Image_Two_v3-1800x1800.jpg 1800w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Prospecting_Ads_Image_Two_v3-2200x2200.jpg 2200w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Prospecting_Ads_Image_Two_v3-2500x2500.jpg 2500w,https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Prospecting_Ads_Image_Two_v3-scaled.jpg 2560w\"\n            data-width=\"2560\"\n      data-height=\"2560\"\n      data-fit=\"cover\"\n      width=\"2560\"\n      height=\"2560\"\n      loading=\"eager\"\n      alt=\"\"\n      \/>    <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n  <\/a>\n  <div class=\"caption grey\">\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TL;DR: Need a comprehensive guide to creating and selling your ebook? Read on to explore ebook types, formats, and FAQs. Thinking about creating an ebook? If you have a wealth of knowledge or experience you want to share with the world, have a story to tell, or simply want to try your hand at creating [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[92],"tags":[15,16,33],"table_tags":[],"class_list":["post-4912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-email-design","tag-best-practices","tag-content-ideas","tag-education"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Create an ebook &amp; Market it Successfully<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ebooks are a fantastic way to monetize a project or attract an audience \u2013 so we&#039;ve put together all you need to know about creating and selling your own!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/how-to-create-an-ebook\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Create an ebook &amp; Market it Successfully\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ebooks are a fantastic way to monetize a project or attract an audience \u2013 so we&#039;ve put together all you need to know about creating and selling your own!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/how-to-create-an-ebook\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Flodesk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/flodeskmaven\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-10-04T13:45:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-11T20:33:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Petra Molnar\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Petra Molnar\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"19 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/how-to-create-an-ebook\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/how-to-create-an-ebook\/\",\"name\":\"How to Create an ebook & Market it Successfully\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2022-10-04T13:45:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-05-11T20:33:25+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/6db2d30700a27c61925297b546ef015a\"},\"description\":\"Ebooks are a fantastic way to monetize a project or attract an audience \u2013 so we've put together all you need to know about creating and selling your own!\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/how-to-create-an-ebook\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/how-to-create-an-ebook\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/how-to-create-an-ebook\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How to create an ebook and market it successfully\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Flodesk\",\"description\":\"A blog sharing email marketing strategies and best practices for small business owners\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/6db2d30700a27c61925297b546ef015a\",\"name\":\"Petra Molnar\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/flodesk.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e4e45fe84436ef13ab65ab73059554dd16125eae5cfd5bbb6f72e848eec2e8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e4e45fe84436ef13ab65ab73059554dd16125eae5cfd5bbb6f72e848eec2e8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Petra Molnar\"},\"description\":\"Petra is an email marketing expert and the founder of Flodesk Maven, where she helps small service-based businesses with their email marketing strategy, content marketing ideas, and Flodesk setup. 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