Tips Guides Resources

For many people, the world that they grew up in is long gone. The entire universe has changed since people first started considering ideas that did not include cookies and milk.

Since then, in many ways, technology has changed into something controlling instead of something useful. Ideas have changed faster than we can get used to them; mindsets of entire nations have changed.

This is the perfect time to write an eBook that taps into the world as it is today and explains how some of those world changes will impact our everyday lives.

Old problems need new solutions. If you can find the problems and fill the need for solutions with your ideas and experience, you’ll have a winner of an eBook.

Browsers like to download eBooks on topics that interest them. They are usually free or inexpensive, don’t require production or shipping costs and are full of information they were looking for when they fell over your eBook.

Publishing an eBook is an entirely different ball game to publishing a physical book.

Books in print (hard copies) are very expensive to publish, costing several thousand dollars and it could be months or years before your mother will ever see your sweated-over tome in a bookstore window. Your universe might even have changed twice while you were writing your epic.

After spending the lengthy months required to write a book, submitting a print book to conventional publishing houses or to agents is similar to a vacation on Devil’s Island. You might be told “you’ve got what it takes” 30 times but it’s meaningless when your manuscript keeps coming back to you as fast as you mail it out to agents and publishers. It really doesn’t matter how good your book is if it doesn’t get past the multitude of editors looking for a reason to send it back to you.

A check of self-publishing options, “vanity presses”, can be just as grim and expensive. Most vanity publishers require minimal press runs while relieving you of your rainy-day savings. A press run between 500 and 2000 copies, including only printing and binding, might cost you several thousand dollars. Additional costs will include distribution, shipping and promotion. Do you have that much spare money to spend?

Before you do anything in this arena, do a Google search for “vanity press” (with quotes) and select among the 125,000 hits you will get for the information you need.

While all the steps required to get your book published as a traditional hard-copy book might make you change your mind entirely about doing this, let me assure you that there’s a much simpler, cheaper and faster way to get your book published and making sales.

OK, so you’re probably wondering why you should go to all the trouble of writing your book. How will you ever be able to afford either the time or the cash involved? Quit sitting at your computer and staring at a blank screen. Help has arrived.

eBooks have emerged out of the rapid change and evolution of the World Wide Web, and have become one of the most powerful ways to promote your business and educate people on any subject you can conjure up.

Your eBook can be sold from your own website. Once written and put in PDF format, it can be silently making sales for you all day and night without the intervention of a publisher. You are the publisher. Yes, YOU!

Say you have a passion for a special niche, stamp collecting, for example. Maybe you started your collection with your grandfather or dad when you were very young. What started with a few stamps and a tattered album has grown into a full-time hobby for you. You know all the prices, the best way to present your stamps to other collectors, where to buy reasonably-priced stamps, how to preserve them and, maybe, a few secret techniques you’ve developed yourself.

You have the perfect makings of an eBook to share your information with other collectors and make your reputation as an expert source in your niche.

Your eBook will promote your business silently while bringing much needed information to hungry stamp collectors. And if you find that you have more than enough information for one eBook (this is usually the case, more often than not), write another.

The wonderful thing about writing eBooks is that you can write them rapidly and have them online and making you money in a heartbeat.

Paula Brett is a writer and internet marketer. You can get her Free 7-day Product Creation eCourse here Visit her popular blog at http://www.PaulaBrettBlog.com

So why do it? There are obvious benefits to doing book-signings, such as meeting prospective book-buyers in person; the market research that can only come from talking directly to your audience; the local exposure you’ll experience and the overall promotion that’s part of this entire activity - but there are hidden benefits in doing book signings that are even more valuable than everything I’ve just mentioned!

HIDDEN VALUE #1 - DISTRIBUTION IN EVERY MARKET
It’s a known fact that distribution is a problem for publishers of all sizes. The reason is simple - with over 170,000 new books coming out each year, bookstores have to be very selective about the inventory of titles they choose to keep on their shelves. But, you can use book-signing events to force your book into distribution because when a bookstore agrees to schedule a book signing, they will automatically order a significant number of copies to sell through in their store!

HIDDEN VALUE #2 - FREE ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION
Let’s face it - stores are highly motivated to promote book signings, as these events are known to be a successful action for driving in customers and stimulating sales. Book signings after all are two way streets: they draw attention to you, but you also draw attention to the store. So promotional mailings to customers, announcements in newsletters, newspaper ads, media interviews, internet banners are all promotional actions some bookstores will take to draw attention to your arrival - priceless promotions that cost you nothing!

HIDDEN VALUE #3 - FREE MERCHANDISING
Another tool the store uses for promoting a scheduled book signing is through high profile display materials (provided by you or your publisher) that are set up at a table in front of the store, usually about a week prior to your event, with a prominent display of your book along with any other high quality promotional material you can provide them. What great positioning for you to all those customers who walk through that store.

HIDDEN VALUE #4 - WORD OF MOUTH PROMOTION
After all the advertising you do, it’s word-of-mouth marketing that will either crown or drown you. The smart author knows this and will try to infect bookstore employees every opportunity they can. When authors are at book signings they have the opportunity to meet all the store employees there at the time. Those authors smart enough to recognize the value of this opportunity will take the time to introduce themselves, shake hands, talk about their book in memorable “soundbites” and make each person feel singled out and important (as they are!).

Needless to say, the next time a customer comes into the store asking for a book on your topic they will be proud to boast about your book and that they shook your hand.

HIDDEN VALUE #5 - VALUABLE MARKET KNOWLEDGE
Going through the process of scheduling and executing successful book signings can open your eyes to not only the world of retail publishing, but also the door to the secrets of your market. You will be researching the cities that are suitable for your promotion which in turn will give you valuable marketing information. You will find out where your book is most relevant and where the most demand may be.

Finding out this information will enable you to fine tune your marketing plan and target the best markets, saving not only your valuable promotional dollars but your valuable time!
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Book signings are definitely a worthwhile investment of your time as long as you understand that they are so much more than just signing autographs! Not only are they a publicity goldmine, if executed effectively they will greatly increase your profile on a local level and create an awesome buzz.

Marsha Friedman has been a leading authority on publicity for authors for nearly two decades as CEO of Event Management Services, Inc (EMSI). If you would like to receive her free Ebook “How to Be a Great Talk Radio Guest” visit http://www.emsincorporated.com.

Ink cartridges have revolutionised written communications. Time and labour saving are just two of the assets of today’s ink cartridge. This is one small demonstration of the way the pace of life has picked up, to the point of not having time to hand write anything. Many people still extol the virtues of the written word, particularly older people who truly appreciate receiving a letter from a friend or relative.

Communication was more of a concern than speed before the invention of the ink cartridge. The human race have always had this built in need to leave their mark on the world, to communicate their life story and pass on useful information.

Cave men were not the Neanderthals people think, simply concerned with hunting, grunting and reproducing. They coped with every-day life just as we do but with different priorities. In a bid to leave their mark and not be forgotten, they used sharp implements to etch their memories on cave walls.

Clay tablets were developed later on to make information transportable, so much easier than lugging your cave around with you. Caveman etchings consisted of a series of pictures that any onlookers could understand and the first alphabet that was written left to right was invented by the Greeks in 400BC, all in upper case due to the rudimentary nature of writing implements fashioned from bone, ivory or metal.

They used these first ‘pens’ to mark wax coated tablets that were hinged together ‘book’ style, in order for them to close and protect the contents. I’m sure the Greeks would have appreciated the ease of ink cartridges but at least they were able to condense their communications with the first text messages without the need for pictures.

The Chinese invented ‘Indian Ink’ from a mixture of soot from pine smoke and lamp oil mixed with gelatine of donkey skin and musk. In common use by 1200BC, I’m sure this came with a fairly pungent smell! Other cultures used a mixture of natural dyes and some of these ideas have held fast until today.

Inventions of paper and ink pretty much paralleled over the years. Paper made from wood fibre came about in 105AD but was kept as a secret within the country until around 700AD, after which it rapidly spread. However, it wasn’t until the late 14th Century with the widespread building of paper mills that paper became available throughout Europe.

Reed pens made from hollow grass or bamboo stems were popular for a period but it was the quill pen that dominated for the longest. Quill pens only lasted a week, even if you chose the strongest feathers. It was well known that the strongest were taken from living birds in the spring from the five outer left wing feathers.

The left was picked because of the curvature of the quill when held in the right hand but this left the option of using quills from the right wing to make left handed pens. A special knife was used to sharpen these quills bringing about the first pen knife. Pens that last one week? What a throw away culture!

Today, of course, advancements are made all the time for different applications. Take, for example, the amount of money spent on trying to invent a pen that would work in outer space with zero gravity. I think the Russians had that one sussed by using a pencil!

And then, of course, is the invention of the disappearing biro. The one you put down and apparently morphes into its surroundings, never to be seen again. I’ve bought countless pens of that type. At least we know, when we buy an ink cartridge, that it’s just that bit too big to disappear on us.

Printing expert Catherine Harvey looks at the inventions that led up to the ink cartridges we use today. To find out more please visit http://www.inksave.co.uk/

The process of writing an Ebook is fairly straightforward if you follow a few simple tips. Before you begin, it helps to get your ideas organized; otherwise your book could end up an utter mess. Before you even start writing, figure out the topic of your book. What do you want to discuss? What kind of information do you want to distribute? Who is your target audience?

Next, write down a list of ten ideas or topics that you plan to cover in the Ebook. These topics should provide readers with good information directly related to the theme of your Ebook. If you have expert knowledge in a certain field, for example, your Ebook should offer valuable information that readers can’t find anywhere else.

If you plan on selling or giving away an Ebook for the purpose of advertising your other products or services, the book should provide helpful information, not just fluff. A well-written Ebook containing loads of interesting information can be the best marketing tool you’ve ever come across. The impression you make with your Ebook is important. A good one will nab you more customers, while a bad one may turn potential customers away.

Most people give Ebooks away for free as a way to inform people about the products they’re selling online. Every time a person downloads your Ebook, you have a chance to advertise your business and gain more customers. People love free stuff, especially if it is something of real value. A good Ebook also has the potential to drive traffic to your websites, increasing your monthly visitors and upping your income stream from ad revenue.

Once you have written down 10 main topics to discuss in the Ebook, get brainstorming by writing 500 words for each topic of interest. If you have a tendency to suffer from writer’s block, and don’t know how to get started with writing your Ebook, this is a beneficial exercise. Start with an introduction to each section (these will become the opening paragraphs of each chapter) and then write about 2-3 main ideas related to the topic at hand. Finish with a brief summary.

This is a great way to begin the process of writing an Ebook because it will get the juices flowing, and at the end of it all, you’ll have about 10 pages of good information to start off with.

In your Ebook, include links to your website or another free offer you provide. This way you can promote more than one website in one Ebook. Just make sure all the information flows smoothly, and your book doesn’t come across as one big ad. Always provide the reader with useful knowledge and insights. People know when they’re reading nonsense, and won’t want to buy your products if your Ebook comes across as too cheesy.

After you’ve finished the initial ten pages, fill in each chapter with sufficient information until you’ve completed the entire book. Write a little each day and before you know it, you will have an Ebook ready to be distributed across the web. But don’t forget to proofread and edit the piece before you publish.

David O Connell : How to write, publish, market and profit fast from your own e-books

It is very easy to download audio books. If you have access to the internet you can download them any hour of the day or night seven days a week - no opening hours of brick and mortar shops to observe!. You also won’t have to wait for weeks or pay for expensive shipping cost to get it the next day. Once you download your audio book it is ready and available immediately. In only minutes you can choose your book, download it, and start listening. It couldn’t be simpler.

Once you have downloaded your aduio book, you don’t have to lug that heavy book onto the airplane. After downloading your audio books, you can very easily and quickly transfer them to your MP3 player or burn them to CDs. That reduces the weight dramatically and you now have a portable library smaller than a deck of cards that you can take with you anywhere. Carry all those best sellers you’ve been meaning to read with you on vacation. They will not take up any extra room or weight. You can mix buzsiness and pleasure and throw in that business management book your boss wants you to read. It’s that easy and convenient!

Never downloaded an audio book? No sweat. Even if you’re a novice at downloading audio books, a good audio bookstore will offer tutorials that walk you through the process step by step and there are customer service agents waiting to help. Why not start with a free audio book. You will be much more relaxed if you don’t have to worry about possibly losing money if you run into problems. Most MP3 players make it possible to copy the audio file directly to your player. If you own an iPod, you might need to burn it to a CD first and then add it into iTunes. Making a copy on CD is a good idea even if you could directly load it onto your MP3 player. This way you have a backup of each audio book you download.

The key to smooth downloading is to take a moment to get the overview of the website from which you are downloading audio books. Check out the system requirements to make sure your computer doesn’t need extra software or memory. Many audio books are available both in MP3 or WMA format and they should work on most operating systems. The easiest online book stores offer you the possibility to just pick your book and download it. First take a moment and check the format. This avoids frustrations of buying an audio book in a format that is incompatible with your system.

To download audio books is super easy. There are only a few things to keep in mind. Checking the format for compatibility is the most important of them all. Even if you can download your book directly into your player, burn a copy of your downloaded audio book onto CD! This is the best way to backup your purchases and build a good audio books library. A good download site will offer tutorials to show you how their process works and you can start with a free audio book to test the download quality. Following these simple steps, you will build a portable library that can go everywhere you travel.

Rolf C. Zimmerli is the author; he is is the publisher of the online store where you can download audio books, an online audio book shop with a wide choice of quality audio books from ‘A’ like Audio Bibles to ‘F’ like Foreign Languages or Fiction, to ‘Z’ like ‘The Zahir’ by Paulo Coelho .

Ok, first we will take a moment just to make sure that you know what an info-product is. Information products are basically a book, video, or audio clip that teaches someone else how to do something. This can be as small as a few pages, a ten minute video, or a week long audio seminar. It all depends on what information is being provided, and how much there is to learn.

Now that we know what an info product is, let’s talk about how to get started with creating your own products.

Step 1) You first need to know what it is that you know a lot about. Take a moment to think of several topics that you know well. Can you carve statues with a chainsaw? Are you an excellent poker player? Perhaps you have a method of saving money on daily household items that no one has heard of before. Anything that you can do, that other people might be interested in learning, or that will benefit them, if they can do it too is considered a great product.

Step 2) Now make a simply list of your topic and all the things that you know about that topic. The better your list, the more effective your writing process will be.

Step 3) Take a moment to organize your list into an outline based on categories. If you’re writing about carving with a chainsaw, you might have a list of which chainsaws to buy as one category, and 10 best types of wood to use as another.

Step 4) As with step 2, you will now list everything you know about each sub-category you listed. Again, try to be as detailed as you can. You will be providing these details to your readers.

Step 5) Ok, now you can get started writing what you already know. You have created a list of your main topic, several sub-topics, and hopefully some text about what you know about each topic. During this step you will simply expand on this by writing out a few paragraphs about your topics and sub-topics. Try to write from the heart, as if you were simply sharing the information with a friend. Do not worry at this point about grammar and structure; you will be able to correct any problems with that later.

Important notes for step 5. If you are not comfortable writing out your product yet, try breaking it down into sections. Take each topic and write a small stand-alone article about that topic. Then go back and do this for each topic. You can then combine your articles into one larger book.

You will basically use the same process for audio of video products, as these products will still need a list of topics to discuss. The only difference is that you will be talking, and if you wrote it all down, then at least you have a script to follow.

Step 6) Proofreading. This is an essential part of your product. Make sure that you take the time to read it, and re-read it for errors and context. If you are unsure, then consider having a friend or family member read it. No one likes to see errors in printed materials, especially if it was your own error.

Step 7) Now all you have left to do is to put it all together. You now have your product topics, some content, and it has been written and proofed. Now you need to get it published through a publisher, convert it to a PDF File, or record it as necessary.

That’s it. You’re done with the product creation process. Now that you’re done, you can move on to the hard work. Selling your product!

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Derek Wood is a successful online and offline business owner, and has been actively building his internet-based technologies experience, including web-hosting, retail stores, online publishing, and online marketing for more then 20 years.