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Designing
an Ebook for Success
Ebooks or Electronic books are self-contained
"executable"
files of HTML. This HTML may be a web site you've
created
or HTML you've specifically prepared to be compiled
into a
downloadable .exe file for distribution. When
downloaded,
this file will self install on your clients desktop.
Ebooks are completely interactive with the Internet
and can
contain live links, graphics, forms, JavaScript,
embedded
video, can be protected via password/userid, search
capabilities and more. This self-contained executable
file can
be distributed in a number of ways including; CD,
floppy disk,
download, etc.
With the rising popularity of the Internet, there is
absolutely
no better time than right now to develop your own
informational
product. Not only is there no better time, but it has
never been
any easier for anyone to develop and sell their own
products.
Information is the number one best-selling product on
the
Internet. There are literally hundreds of Internet
entrepreneurs
quietly making a fortune simply by selling
information.
Why are ebooks so popular? Internet users have a
sincere desire
to learn and want the information right now. They
don't want to
wait a week or two for the information to arrive.
Ebooks provide
your potential customers with instant gratification.
As soon as
they pay for their order, they can have immediate
access to the
information they desire.
The first step in creating your product is to decide
upon a
subject. Select a subject in which you have a great
deal of
knowledge. The knowledge you have within your own mind
is
extremely valuable. Simply write about what you know
and
teach others how to do the same thing. It's that
simple.
Creating an Outline
The easiest way to begin writing is to create an
outline.
Begin your outline with an opening statement or
Introduction
followed by a Foreword. Your opening statement might
tell
your readers a little bit about what they are going to
learn or
may be a statement in regard to the subject matter.
Your
Foreword might include information in regard to who
you are,
your credentials, copyrights, and what you want your
readers
to learn.
Your next step will be to either create a Table of
Contents or
go directly into creating your Chapter Titles. If
you're writing
your information in the form of a how-to manual, you
may
want to use a Table of Contents. This will enable your
readers
to quickly locate important information. If you're
writing your
information in the form of a book, then you can leave
out the
Table of Contents and simply use Chapter Titles.
Whether you're using a Table of Contents or Chapter
Titles,
write your titles so that when they're read, they tell
the story.
In other words, when you scan your titles they will
give you a
step by step description of what your information is
all about.
Finally, at the bottom of your outline, wrap
everything up by
including a closing statement.
Once you've completed your outline you can begin
filling in the
spaces. Write your text in small blocks and leave a
space
between your paragraphs. Select a font that is easy to
read
and use black text on a white background. In addition,
write in
an everyday language that everyone can understand.
Designing Your Interface
Your ebook interface MUST look professional. No matter
how
good your information is, if your ebook doesn't look
professional,
its perceived value will be low. Ultimately costing
you sales.
Design your ebook to be easily navigated and make sure
you
include navigational graphics within each page.
In addition, your ebook should include all of the
following:
- Introduction
- Table of Contents
- Foreword
- Copyrights
- About page
Your first step in designing your ebook will be to
turn your text
into HTML. Simply divide your text into sections such
as,
Introduction, Table of Contents, Chapters, etc., and
create a
web page for each.
You can include graphics, live links, and almost
everything
that HTML 4.0 supports.
In addition to designing an interface for your ebook,
you will
also need to design a book cover. A book cover can
increase
your sales up to 300% and is an essential part of your
ebook's
success. Your book cover should compliment your ebook
and be
displayed on your sales page.
If you're not confident in your ability to create a
professional
looking ebook, you can find professionally designed
ebook
templates and book cover templates here:
http://hop.clickbank.net/?loismj/wsnet
Delivering Your Information
In order to deliver your information to your
customers, you'll
need to compress it into a downloadable file, better
known
as an ebook. There are different types of compilation
methods however, for this example we will focus on
HTML
compiled ebooks.
Selecting a Compiler
There are many good ebook compilers available on the
Internet,
but only four that I can personally recommend. Each of
the
following compilers support almost everything that
HTML 4.0
supports and will compile your HTML into a
downloadable .exe
format. They are as follows:
E-ditor- This is a nice ebook compiler that includes a
step
by step interface that will guide you through the
entire
process. Unlike other programs, this compiler comes
with
five "skins" to enable your ebooks to have a
unique look.
It also includes a pop-up message box that loads prior
to
your ebook loading when your ebook is launched. This
box
can contain system requirements, copyrights or
whatever text
you'd like.
Cost: $97.00
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/web/jump.cgi?ID=2884
Ebook Edit Pro - This is a great ebook compiler. Not
only
is it easy to use, but it also includes a pop-up
message
box that loads prior to your ebook loading. In
addition,
you can select which buttons you would like to be
displayed
such as, navigational, print and home buttons. It also
has
an added feature that enables you to include an
affiliate
ID within every ebook you create and make money for
referral sales. It also has a free demo.
Cost: $64.95
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/web/jump.cgi?ID=2894
Activ E-book - This program isn't as easy as E-ditor
or Ebook Edit Pro, but with the aid of the
instructions
you can easily create a nice ebook. The great thing
about
this compiler is that it assigns an ESBN number to
each
ebook you compile. It also has a free demo that is
fully
functional for up to 10 files to be compiled
(including
graphics). You can create and distribute ebooks with
the
free demo, but you must register the software if you'd
like to sell your ebooks.
Cost: $29.95
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/web/jump.cgi?ID=105
WebCompiler - This program is a little complicated the
first time you use it however, once you've figured it
out, you can easily create an ebook. This program will
allow you to use your own product icon and also
includes
a search feature.
Cost: $149.00
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/web/jump.cgi?ID=2889
Taking Orders
In order for you to begin taking orders for your ebook,
you'll
need to have the ability to accept credit cards.
Unless you'd
like to get your own merchant account, the best way to
accept credit cards is to use an online service. The
best
service I've found is ClickBank. This company will
enable you
to accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express,
Discover,
Eurocard, and Visa-Debit, MasterCard-Debit, and Novus
cards.
They charge a one-time $49.95 activation fee, and a $1
+ 7.5%
fee per sale. There are no monthly fees. The great
thing about
this company is that over 60,000 affiliates can choose
to sell
your products for you. ClickBank enables any web
seller to
automatically pay sales commissions to affiliates.
Clickbank
will bill your customers, pay you, and pay your
affiliates a
commission. In other words, they'll run your entire
affiliate
program for you.
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/web/jump.cgi?ID=196
There is absolutely no reason why you can't create
your own
informational product. Think about it... Think about
some
special talent you may have or knowledge you could
share
and write about. Creating your own product will be one
of
the best business decisions you'll ever make.
Copyright
© 2001, all rights reserved
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of Ebook Starter. A
complete ebook
design kit including a guide to creating and marketing
an ebook
and over fifty predesigned ebook templates and book
covers.
http://hop.clickbank.net/?loismj/wsnet
Shelley invites you to partner with her in her Ebook
Starter
affiliate program.
Visit: http://www.web-source.net/ebookstarter.htm
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