| Are YOU ready for the eBook authoring adventure? | | | | done.Research skills will be necessary to make your |
| Do you have what it takes to author an eBook? Is | | | | work accurate, relevant and up-to-date. One of the |
| there an eBook author inside of you? Are you not | | | | most amazing aspects of eBook technology is the |
| sure whether or not you have what it takes to write | | | | fact that you continuously update the information in |
| that book that's been living inside of you for years? | | | | your eBook with relative ease. It won't require |
| Are you reluctant to start writing your eBook, fearing | | | | producing an entirely new product and tossing out the |
| that you won't complete it?Let's examine your | | | | old books. All that's required is an electronic update of |
| attitudes, skills and knowledge that you bring to the | | | | your current eBook. And it costs little or nothing to |
| eBook authoring process. Let's look at some key | | | | produce your new eBook. In fact it costs so little you |
| questions you can ask yourself to see if your | | | | could even afford to give all previous purchasers a |
| "readiness" for embarking on this authoring adventure | | | | copy of the revised eBook for free! There are virtually |
| is obvious.The following questions are not meant to | | | | no distribution charges.This "up-to-the-minute" research |
| cover everything you should know about yourself | | | | is a two-edged sword. As the author charged with |
| before beginning the authoring process but they will | | | | providing your readers with accurate information using |
| give you a good idea where you stand. You may be | | | | the Internet and sorting through that information to find |
| surprised at some of the criteria mentioned.This is not | | | | what is truly relevant, you also have the obligation to |
| your conventional assessment of what it takes to | | | | keep your eBook updated. It's not a problem as an |
| author an eBook. Criteria like knowledge of the subject | | | | eBook. Your reputation will be enhanced among your |
| area, experience with the problems addressed in the | | | | readers. Their trust in you will make up-selling other |
| eBook, familiarity with members of the target market | | | | products and services so much easier. You're credible |
| for your eBook, and previous work done on your | | | | and incredible!Research isn't just about providing your |
| eBook topic are assumed.This is a reflective look at | | | | target market with valuable information. You must also |
| what you should and could bring to the eBook | | | | be prepared to do your market research as well. You |
| authoring process. It's the non-conventional criteria that | | | | must be willing to spend time "where your target |
| will be addressed here.Remember that we are talking | | | | market hangs out". This means getting to know the |
| about eBooks not pBooks (standard published books) | | | | right people, the right places, and the right things that will |
| and therefore the attitudes, skills and knowledge you | | | | help sell your eBook. In most situations, eBook authors |
| require are different. eBooks are a marriage of | | | | are also active members of organizations, subscribers |
| creative writing (for non-fiction primarily) and eBook | | | | to magazines and periodicals, attendees at |
| technology. Your eBook is designed to be viewed on a | | | | conferences and workshops that your target market |
| computer monitor. Your eBook is very much like a | | | | is likely to frequent. You are a member of "the group". |
| living web page. You have at your disposal for use in | | | | This is called marketing research for sales and |
| your eBook the wonders of internet, web and eBook | | | | distribution of your eBook.Of course, there are the |
| technology. Writing is but one part of the eBook | | | | technical aspects of the entire process that will also |
| authoring process.Every step of the eBook authoring | | | | require some attention on your part such as |
| process is affected by the fact that eBooks are | | | | ePublishing. Publishing in the traditional sense is usually |
| inventions of technology, software programs, creative | | | | done after a contract is signed and the publisher takes |
| writing and the World Wide Web among other | | | | over the entire process. No so with eBooks. You are |
| aspects.Consider: The Ten Steps of eBook Authoring | | | | the one! Don't worry. It's not that difficult. Remember, |
| -I IdeaII ReflectionIII CommitmentIV Big PictureV | | | | like any other aspect of the eBook authoring process, |
| ChunkingVI WritingVII EditingVIII PublishingIX MarketingX | | | | you can always hire someone else to do it!!! ePublishing |
| CelebratingThere is not one step in this process that | | | | or compiling is the term used to convert your book |
| will not require a different way of thinking compared to | | | | created using word processing software into a format |
| the conventional ideas of writing a book. That's not to | | | | that becomes an electronic book (eBook) so your |
| say that there is no carry-over from pBook to eBook. | | | | reader can make best use of it. There are many |
| There is much in common but it is also necessary to | | | | formats to choose from. Adobe Acrobat - Portable |
| approach the writing of an eBook with a much | | | | Document Format (PDF) works with all platforms. Like |
| different audience in mind that the one who would | | | | all of the eBook formats available to you, Adobe |
| normally purchase your book at a book store.As an | | | | provides a free Reader so your eBook can be |
| example, the fact that your customer will not be able | | | | used.Research in its various forms should be |
| to physically touch your eBook before purchasing it | | | | considered part of the dues you must pay to |
| means that your "Big Picture" idea of a jacket for your | | | | successfully author an eBook. One aspect of eBooks |
| pBook now becomes a look at an eBook cover | | | | that most appeals to authors and readers is that the |
| graphic digitally reproduced but no less appealing than | | | | writing style is informal and the annotations and formal |
| your standard pBook cover. In fact, cover design for | | | | references used in University papers isn't required. In |
| eBooks is sometimes even more important than for a | | | | fact, your readers will welcome that fact that you can |
| standard book.Another example is the technological | | | | talk to them person to person in your eBook and they |
| expertise of your target market. eBooks don't require | | | | will get the message. The research component in this |
| any special skills to use them properly but it does | | | | question is more behind the scenes but it's an |
| require that your target market have access to a | | | | important consideration when embarking on writing an |
| computer, know how to download information from | | | | eBook.Is research a dirty word for you or does it |
| the internet, and regularly seek answers to their | | | | excite you?Question #4Do you see yourself as a |
| questions from the web.All of these issues and plenty | | | | team player?Success in anything is seldom |
| more make the eBook an interesting, exciting, | | | | accomplished without the help of others. One of the |
| worthwhile, and rewarding venture into authoring. Add | | | | most important methods of leverage is working |
| to this list the fact that your expertise level will be | | | | cooperatively with others to accomplish a particular |
| enhanced in the same way a standard published | | | | goal. It makes success quicker and easier. It's all about |
| authors' would be but at a much reduced cost. You | | | | synergy-the concept that one plus one does not equal |
| have complete control your eBook all the time. You | | | | two but eleven! Working together with your team you |
| make much more money selling eBooks than standard | | | | can accomplish more and do it faster than trying to do |
| book unless you are already a well-known author. You | | | | everything yourself.In eBook authoring there are many |
| can become a published author quickly and | | | | opportunities to work with others. In fact, it would be |
| inexpensively while maintaining control of all aspects of | | | | safe to say that it is impossible that anyone could do it |
| the eBook authoring process. You can share your | | | | alone. Consider these aspects of eBook authoring that |
| expertise with a world-wide audience 24/7.Leave a | | | | may require the assistance of others.Mentors can |
| written legacy of your knowledge and expertise. | | | | make a tremendous difference to your personal |
| Author an eBook.6 Key QuestionsQuestion #1Do YOU | | | | success as an author. Mentors can provide the |
| relish the opportunity to share your expertise, | | | | emotional support you require to keep you on task and |
| knowledge, and skills?The excitement generated when | | | | encourage you to reach your goal. Mentors can help |
| someone downloads your free eBook or purchases | | | | with specific skills that you may be lacking like learning |
| your "expertise" makes your work well worth the | | | | how to more effectively use your word processing |
| effort. eBooks provide an opportunity, at a very | | | | software. Mentors can be experienced writers with |
| reasonable cost, to target a world-wide market of | | | | whom you can share ideas and experiences. Mentors |
| people sharing your interests.The Internet is the number | | | | can be 'experts' in your topic that provide you with |
| one source of instant information. Your eBook should | | | | insights you might otherwise have not thought about. |
| be written to address the needs and problems of your | | | | And mentors can also be your proof-readers and |
| target market. Your objective in writing your eBook is | | | | editors when your draft copy requires 'outside' |
| to share what you have learned with others. You will | | | | approval and scrutiny.Technical members of your |
| be seen as an expert. Your job is to help people solve | | | | team may be required to help you design and operate |
| problems by sorting through the glut of information | | | | a web site in order to sell your eBook. Technical |
| available to your readers and get right to the heart of | | | | expertise is often required to compile or ePublish your |
| the problem.Readers want instant solutions to | | | | book from the word processing software to eBook |
| problems. They want the delivery of the eBook | | | | format. Graphic experts can help you design your |
| answers immediately without leaving the office or | | | | eBook cover along with other graphics used on your |
| home. Readers appreciate the time you have taken to | | | | web site or for promotional purposes. Banners on sites |
| help them solve their problem. Making contacts with | | | | and logos for your eBook sales and ad copy many |
| "like minds" is a bonus, especially for the author.Do you | | | | also require outside assistance.And don't forget those |
| have something about which you are passionate? | | | | people who form your inner circle of friends, relatives |
| About which you have experience? About which you | | | | and immediate family. Without the support and |
| have gained insights and knowledge that would be of | | | | encouragement of these people your eBook authoring |
| value to others? About which your wisdom would best | | | | experience will become more work than |
| be shared before it is lost forever?So the very first | | | | adventure.The last step of The 10 Steps to eBook |
| question you have to answer is do you have an | | | | Authoring is Celebrate. It's no accident that this step is |
| interest or area of expertise that you are anxious to | | | | included. The celebration is a team celebration. Without |
| share with others. Your passion for the subject will | | | | a team, you will not succeed. If you are not a team |
| carry you throughout the entire eBook authoring | | | | player, you will find the authoring experience a difficult, |
| process.Are you interested in sharing your knowledge, | | | | in not impossible one.Are you a team player?Question |
| skills, attitudes, and passions with the world?Question | | | | #5Is the entrepreneurial spirit alive in YOU?Whether or |
| #2Are YOU willing to continue along the road of | | | | not you have previous entrepreneurial experience you |
| life-long learning? Are you willing to improve your | | | | will be able to see how the self-employed and small |
| computer literacy, word processing skills, and Internet | | | | business operators make money. As an author you will |
| savvy?Regardless of where you currently stand in | | | | become a small business. Your active involvement in all |
| terms of your knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding | | | | aspects of the process is essential even though you |
| computer and Internet technology, you will have plenty | | | | may not be doing some things like compiling your |
| of opportunities to improve in these areas. The option | | | | finished eBook. Learning the business of writing, |
| is always yours to learn what you need to know | | | | publishing, and marketing your eBook is fascinating.It |
| yourself or turn the step over to someone who does. | | | | doesn't matter whether you plan to give away your |
| A big part of the adventure is learning how to enhance | | | | eBook as a bonus for purchasing other products or |
| the message in your eBook through the best | | | | services or use it to advertise your expertise or sell |
| techniques available to you. The Internet is all about | | | | your eBook as a product, your entrepreneurial skills will |
| information. Information sells if packaged well. | | | | need to be addressed. Once more, your attitudes, skills |
| Information sells when the purchaser sees the benefits | | | | and knowledge will be tested. The learning curve will |
| of the purchase to enhance his/her life, solve problems | | | | appear once more. You will become a self-employed |
| or prevent mistakes.By simply learning more about | | | | author operating a small business just like thousands of |
| your word processing software you will have taken a | | | | other small business owners. Be prepared for this |
| big step! Purchase a good instruction manual that has | | | | unique adventure. It's exciting.Time is your biggest |
| plenty of pictures, is bright in color and uses the actual | | | | investment in the authoring process. Some money will |
| images you will see on your computer monitor to help | | | | need to be spent to publish and market your eBook. |
| you learn how to do things. The average person using | | | | eBooks can be written, published, marketed and sold |
| word processing software has only a superficial | | | | for an investment of a few hundred dollars at most. |
| knowledge of what the software can do. Now you | | | | Recouping your expense will be much easier than any |
| have the opportunity to use this new-found knowledge | | | | other form of publishing - self-publishing, standard |
| in the best of all places - your eBook.eBook | | | | publishing through a company contract, or print on |
| technology, properly used, enhances your enjoyment in | | | | demand. Should you choose to sell your eBook you will |
| presenting the material and your audience's reading | | | | generate life-long income in the order of 40- 95% of |
| enjoyment as well. Consider for example that every | | | | the selling price of each book depending on the |
| single web page in the entire universe can readily be | | | | methods you choose to reach your customer. In |
| placed into your eBook for easy reference. There is | | | | addition, your eBook authoring, related speaking |
| no need to reproduce tons of material when a link | | | | engagements, and workshops qualifies you for tax |
| from your eBook to a web site will do the same thing. | | | | benefits as a self-employed person. An option always |
| Not only that, but the reader doesn't have to wade | | | | remains open to you to publish your eBook in standard |
| through material they already know. They can choose | | | | paperback or hard cover format.eBooks are the |
| to follow the link or not. Another marvelous use of | | | | "doors of opportunity" for anyone wishing to enhance |
| eBook technology is that the reader who leaves your | | | | their current careers, establish themselves as an |
| eBook to visit a web page can just as easily come | | | | expert in their field, or begin a new career. Published |
| back to your eBook.Color is another example of | | | | eBooks put the author in a unique position to build a |
| eBook technology at its best. You have the entire | | | | business around this one eBook or other eBooks |
| palette to use in your eBook. Your eBook comes alive | | | | related to the first one. Business opportunities are |
| with color. There are no limitations unlike the standard | | | | generated by your status as a published author. You |
| pBook where adding color means added costs and | | | | will have the opportunity to conduct workshops, host |
| added costs mean higher prices and higher prices | | | | teleseminars, produce other products, provide additional |
| mean fewer sales. You get the picture.Considering this | | | | services like consulting or coaching, facilitate training |
| question about your personal learning curve, look at | | | | sessions, do keynote addresses and of course write |
| your decision to author an eBook as an opportunity to | | | | other eBooks. Your eBook can become the center of |
| embark on a tremendous learning experience. You | | | | your new entrepreneurial universe.Does the |
| take on the role of both teacher (eBook author) and | | | | entrepreneurial spirit in you lead you to eBook |
| learner (eBook author) with one experience.Do the | | | | authoring?There they are! Five questions worth your |
| "learning" possibilities excite you? You will learn as | | | | reflective consideration. Five questions that will help |
| much about yourself as you will about eBook | | | | you decide whether you have what it takes to author |
| technology and computers if you have the courage to | | | | an eBook.The decision is yours. Let the journey begin! It |
| take up the eBook authoring challenge.Are you a | | | | all starts with an Idea!© 2005 Paul JacksonPaul |
| life-long learner?Question #3Are YOU willing to do the | | | | Jackson, a published eBook author and retired |
| research required for your eBook?It is very probable | | | | educator, clearly appreciates what it takes to author |
| you already have a fair amount of information readily | | | | an eBook. His experience as both a writer and an |
| available for the content of your eBook. This can | | | | instructor helping people realize their dream of |
| come in the form of personal experience, articles | | | | authoring a book qualifies him to ask these very |
| written by you, web site resources, books and videos | | | | important questions. His business, eBook Authoring |
| on the subject, workshop materials you have | | | | Services, at |
| presented, and seminars or training sessions you have | | | | is a great starting point for aspiring eBook authors. |