How to Write an eBook That People Actually Want to Read
Are you thinking about writing your own ebook? Whether you want to write an ebook to share your expertise or to build your brand, this guide will show you how to get started.
Ebooks are a great way to reach a targeted audience with your message. And with the right approach, you can make an ebook that is both successful and profitable.
What is an ebook?
An ebook is an electronic book that can be downloaded and read on a computer, smartphone, or e-reader. For B2B companies, ebooks have become a primary content marketing tactic to get leads for their business.
Ebooks have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they offer a convenient and affordable way to read. With so many different non-fiction, fiction, and business ebooks available, it can be tricky to know how to write one that will stand out from the crowd.
How long should an ebook be?
The average ebook has between 2,000 and 4,000 words, and each section has about 300-350 words. Unlike print books, you want to convey your main points succinctly and concisely so as not to distract your reader.
Three pillars of an ebook
The three pillars of an excellent ebook include: audience insight, helpful information, and great writing.
Audience insight
To get started, consider who your target audience is and what needs or pain points they have that your ebook can address. Once you have a good understanding of your audience, you can begin developing ideas for content that will be useful and interesting to them.
💡Tip: Ask your current customers what issues they need help with. You can also ask them to contribute insight to your ebook. Incentivize them with a free month of your product, an Amazon gift card, or another small gift to thank them for participating.
Helpful information
To write helpful content, consider what questions your target audience will likely have and then structure your ebook around providing answers to those questions. Keep the tone conversational and approachable so that readers feel like they are learning from a friend rather than being lectured to.
💡Tip: Put action items and TL;DR sections in your ebook. Help readers find and apply useful information so they can genuinely solve a problem. Yes, you want to generate leads for your business. But you don’t want to leave people hanging by not giving practical, actionable advice.
Great writing
To write engaging content, start by ensuring that your grammar and spelling are impeccable. Then, focus on making your prose flow smoothly and using an active voice whenever possible.
Don't be afraid to infuse some personality into your writing so that readers feel they are getting to know you through your words.
💡Tip: Hire a B2B writer who produces long-form content. They have the skills to research and write well-thought-out, useful ebooks that build trust with readers and generate leads.
How to write an ebook step by step
1. Know why you’re writing the ebook
Before you start the writing process, there are a few things you need to do. First, you need to decide on the purpose of your ebook. Are you writing it to inform, entertain, or both? Once you know the purpose of your ebook, you can come up with a working title and subtitle.
2. Do your research upfront
Data from Orbit Media shows that bloggers spend 9.5% of their time researching and planning long-form content. To make your ebook convincing, you’ll need to back up your points with cold, hard facts.
Some ways to do research for your ebook:
Find facts and data points. Research fresh data to use in your article, no later than 2 years old.
Look into research studies. Browse Google Scholar to find concrete evidence for your ebook. For example, if you’re writing about managing SEO during a recession, psychology affects how people respond to fear and spending. Find studies by universities to corroborate your point.
Use Google Books. Pull quotes from published authors on your topic through Google Books.
Interview experts in the space. Give experts the chance to submit unique insight for you to include in your ebook. You use sites like HARO or Help a B2B Writer to find subject matter experts to contribute to your ebook.
Find good examples. Search for examples from brands related to your reader. For example, you don’t want to cite Nike, a multi-billion dollar company, as an example if your readers are ecommerce brands pulling in $20M in revenue. The same tactics may not work for them.
Ask your client. Collaboration is the secret to great content. Ask clients for intros to subject matter experts and a list of customer case studies to cite in the ebook. You can also ask to use any in-house data they have.
Good research informs your writing and ensures that your ebook is well-rounded and comprehensive. Before you bust open that new Google Doc, spend some time upfront on this step to avoid going back and forth later.
3. Write an outline
The outline serves as a roadmap for your writing and helps to keep you on track. It is important to be detailed in your outline so that you can refer back to it later on if needed.
An outline can be as simple as writing down the following subheadings:
Why understanding click-through rate is important
What factors influence click-through rate
How to improve click-through rate
The benefits of improving click-through rate
Case studies of businesses with high click-through rates
4. Write the first draft
After you've written an outline, you can move on to writing the first draft. It doesn't have to be perfect, but it should include all the essential information you want to include in your ebook. When you have finished writing the first draft, it is important to set it aside for a while and then return to it.
5. Edit your first draft
Editing is the final step in writing an ebook. In this step, you will review your draft and make any necessary changes or corrections.
Although editing can be time-consuming, your ebook must be error-free and ready for publication. I recommend hiring a professional editor or proofreading service like EditorNinja to double-check your piece before publishing.
Writing an ebook introduction
Your ebook is your chance to share your knowledge and expertise on a particular topic with the world. But before doing that, you need to write a great introduction that will entice readers to keep reading.
Here are a few tips to help you write an ebook introduction that's short, sweet, and to the point:
Start with a brief overview of what the ebook is about.
Elaborate on what the reader will learn by reading the ebook.
Use strong verbs to call the reader to action.
Ensure your introduction is engaging and makes the reader want to read more.
End your introduction with a cliffhanger or a teaser for the next section.
Following these tips, you can write an ebook introduction that will hook your readers and leave them wanting more.
Writing an ebook summary
Keep the summary short and sweet, and include a brief ebook overview. Include the ebook's main takeaways or key points, and end with a call to action. It’s also a good idea to add a table of contents so readers know what to expect from the ebook.
Tips for creating an ebook
Here are some tips on how to write an ebook that will grab attention and get results:
Start with a strong hook. Your ebook should start with a strong hook that will grab the reader’s attention. The first few sentences of your ebook should be interesting and engaging, so the reader wants to continue reading.
Keep it concise. An ebook should be easy to read and digest, so keep it concise. No one wants to wade through pages and pages of text – focus on quality over quantity.
Make it visually appealing. With so many visual elements available on computers and smartphones, there’s no excuse for an ugly or boring ebook! Use images, infographics, and other visuals to break up the text and make your ebook more visually appealing.
Use keyword-rich titles. When people are searching for ebooks online, they’ll often use keywords or phrases in their search engine queries. Make sure your ebook title includes relevant keywords so that it comes up in search results.
What to do after you've written your ebook
If you've written an ebook, congratulations! But what comes next? Here's a quick guide to what you need to do to ensure your ebook is successful.
Choose a good title for your ebook. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's one of the most important steps in ensuring your ebook is successful. A good title will help your ebook stand out from the crowd and attract attention.
Find a good cover design for your ebook. Like a good book cover, a good one will help your ebook stand out and attract attention. A good ebook cover should be eye-catching and accurately represent your ebook's content.
Convert your ebook into the proper format. There are several different ebook formats, and you'll need to make sure your ebook is converted into the proper format before publishing it.
Promote your ebook online. Once you’ve written your ebook, it’s important to promote it online so people can find and read it! Use social media, your email list, a landing page, and other digital channels to spread the word about your new ebook.
Need help with ebook design? You can find ebook templates for free on Canva or Visme. Alternatively, you can hire a professional designer to take care of your ebook design.
Ebook ideas
New research
A good ebook topic to write about is new research. What's hot in your industry right now? What are people talking about? Staying on top of the latest trends and developments in your field will ensure that your ebook is timely and relevant.
Case study
Case studies are always a great option for creating ebooks that will help B2B client clients. They provide valuable insights and can be used to show how your product or service has helped other businesses achieve their goals.
Include quotes from key stakeholders in your case study, as these can add weight and credibility to your story. And don’t forget to proofread carefully before you publish!
Product demos
Product demos are an excellent way to show your product or service in action and demonstrate its value to potential customers. Consider your target audience and what you want to achieve when planning a product demo. Then, create a script or storyboard for your demo, outlining the key points you want to hit.
Playbooks
A playbook is a great way to show clients how your product or service can help them overcome specific challenges. By outlining the steps involved in achieving a goal, you can give clients the confidence they need to take action.
Include case studies or success stories illustrating how your product or service has helped other businesses achieve their goals in your playbook. This will give potential clients concrete examples of what is possible.
Writing a successful ebook
Whether it's your fifth or first ebook, you want to create a really good one that delights and converts readers. Ebook writing is a special skill, so you want to hire a writer with experience in B2B content that can help.
Got questions? Want to share your thoughts? Let's connect on Twitter.
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