9 Steps To Writing An Ebook That Actually Sells In 2023

Writing an eBook might seem challenging, but is it really that hard for authors to write an ebook that sells? Ebooks have democratized self-publishing. Now that most books are sold electronically, you may self-publish cheaply or for free. 

Forecasts place the total market size at US$16.08bn by 2027, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.38% between 2022 and 2027. This guide will help aspiring authors write an ebook that sells in 2023. 

How Do You Write An Ebook That Will Sell?

No more smudged pages or misplaced bookmarks! There are several benefits to reading an ebook rather than a paper book, which lead readers to purchase ebooks online. 

You may read an ebook on a computer or mobile device. Printed books are accessible as ebooks. Bestsellers, classics, references, and scholarly literature are included. Ebooks may comprise text, audio, video, and hyperlinks.

The list of successful self-published writers is lengthy. Despite the widespread “self-publishing stigma,” data shows that successful independent writers may earn six figures or more.

Kindle’s A Year in Review reports that thousands of self-published writers generate five-figure royalties. They may lead a comfortable life without relying on a huge publishing business.

However, writing an ebook brings challenges to writers. The most frequent questions worth answering are the questions of what, where, and how to sell an ebook. Thus, following these nine steps can make you change your mind about how ebooks can sell.

Conceptualize A Good Topic

The first step in developing an ebook is deciding on a topic that interests you. Because you will be scribbling over 20-30,000 words on the subject, you must choose something that interests you. Remember that you want to write an ebook that sells. 

The reason you’re writing an ebook is to earn money. You may use various strategies to know what will sell and what won’t. Here are some ways you can come up with a topic:

Research 

Conducting thorough research is essential before beginning work on your ebook. Doing so may zero in on your target audience’s most persuasive argumentative issue. The topics of your eBooks are up to you. 

They should be crafted to provide your readers with the information they need in a manner that interests and engages them. They should, however, be focused on a certain subject. Possible interesting topics you can explore are the following:

• Health and Fitness
• Relationship
• Life lessons/inspirational
• Recipes
• Pets
• How to guides
• Self-care tips
• Compilation/curation 
• Biographies
• Memoirs
• Technical topics 
• Study guides
• Storybook
• Children’s book
• Workbook
• Listicles 
• Case studies

Choose A Relevant Topic To Your Readers

While your readers probably have a wide variety of interests, you should stick to one subject at a time to provide them with the most relevant information you can. Create content that will resonate with your target audience to learn about their problems and what they care about.

Think about your and the readers’ goals before you begin writing the book. Developing book ideas helps you to have a firm grasp on your end goal.

Research the language your target audience speaks regularly. You can then determine which of your topics will interest them the most. Relevant topics for your readers could be:

• Instructions for using your products. 
• A more in-depth version of something already on your blog.
• Study of a real-world client’s experience.
• An interview with a recognized figure in your related field.
• A Q&A reference manual with all the answers you may ever need.
• An overview of your field or another related field.
• Statistics and research summaries related to specific industries.

If you know what you want to achieve with the book, you’ll have a much easier time thinking of topics to write about. The best way to connect with your audience is to find out what they want to learn from you in the future.

Draft And Write Your Ebook

Outlining will help build and organize ideas in a chronological and well-thought-out flow. By selecting pertinent material or quotations from sources early on, authors are provided with a solid basis and framework from which to build.

You can make a strategy for your ebook by outlining each chapter and the contents under each subtopic. Here are some reminders on how to draft your outline: 

• Start by brainstorming the concept. Make a note of the key points you want to discuss. You may expand on each bullet point with subtopics until you have enough content. 
• Find an angle to your topic. Analyzing the articles you’ve read for knowledge gaps is the simplest method to identify an angle. 
• Make a list of the most important ideas you want to present.
• Make use of subheadings to divide each chapter into easily digestible chunks of information.
• Create continuity from one chapter to the next.

Once you’ve created a coherent and helpful outline, you can dive headfirst into the creative process of writing an ebook. You should pay special attention to the following four areas: title, chapter titles, body copy, and conclusion.

Write A Compelling Title

Capturing attention and highlighting value begins with a catchy headline. The title must be compelling to pique readers’ interest and get them to read on. The trick is to develop a title that both captures the essence of your subject matter and appeals to your intended readers. Try to be brief. 

Use Chapter Headings And Subheadings​​

Use chapter headings and subheadings to make the text more scannable. Avoid overwhelming your readers with blocks of content that are tough to skim. Separate your key ideas into paragraphs and use bullet points or numbered lists to organize your supporting details.

End Your Ebook With A Brilliant Conclusion

The greatest way to make the book memorable and to provide value to the reader is to provide a clear summary of the book and recommend it. Ensure the ebook ends on a high note so that readers are left speechless. Give them an easy-to-understand synopsis, sustain their interest in the subject, and make them eager for your next ebook. 

Have Someone To Edit Your Work

If you check some more credible ebook writing services, you’ll discover that they don’t insist on error-free drafts being sent back with every submission. They, instead, employ a staff of editors who scrutinize each piece before it’s released.

There may be many options for a writer’s ebook publishing and marketing requirements, but many find that editing is the biggest hurdle. 

You can hire experienced editors who have often spent years writing themselves; as a result, they know precisely what to look for in a manuscript. Their unique perspective provides them an upper hand over established authors and newcomers alike, including you, if you’re writing an ebook.

Format And Design Your Ebook

So, you’ve completed writing an ebook and had it edited. Your work is ready but must be formatted into a book people want to read.

Multiple standard eBook formats are now in use. They are all equally good, but each is optimized for a different screen. These are the most commonly used formats for ebooks.

PDF Format

eBooks in PDF format are best read on a computer but may be difficult to read on certain mobile devices. Since Word and Pages can instantly transform a file into a pdf, this is often the most convenient and inexpensive format to generate. There is no need to worry if you don’t have Microsoft Office. You can convert to PDF online without spending a dime or using free converter tools. 

Electronic Publication (EPUB)

A file with the epub file extension is a popular file format for storing eBooks and other types of content. Almost all electronic reading devices support this format, with the Kindle being the only exception. Your eBook must be in this format if you want it to be compatible with the NOOK.

Unless the readers are using Kindle, which uses a proprietary file format, the eReader probably already supports EPUB. The readers can open the file on their eReader or smartphone device. But readers can also use an EPUB file on their Kindle. They just have to convert it first.

MOBI

Portable Document Format (MOBI) eBooks: MOBI was explicitly created for the Kindle (or Kindle app). The MOBI file format is still supported, but the more recent and preferred eBook format is AZW/AZW3 (below).

AZW/AZW3

If you want to sell on Amazon, you should use the AZW/AZW3 eBook format since it is Amazon’s proprietary format. This file type is compatible with the Kindle app and most desktop and mobile devices.

Elements Of Ebook Design

The following are other essential elements when you write an ebook that sells:

• Cover

Your readers will form opinions about your ebooks based on their covers, so make sure they seem professional and fit in with your brand’s aesthetic standards. 

• Visual Elements

Entice and hold your reader’s attention using engaging images and media. A marketing ebook may use visuals such as graphs, charts, pictures, photos, symbols, graphics, and bullet points. The fundamental guideline is that each chapter should have the same number of graphics.

• Table Of Contents

It facilitates navigation to certain sections. It is impossible to physically flip through the pages of an ebook, whereas you can with a conventional book. The table of contents at the beginning of your ebook is helpful since not all e-readers have a built-in navigation aid.

• Social Sharing Buttons

The power of social media lies in its ability to disseminate your message rapidly. But you can improve it by making it simple for readers to share your eBooks. Inviting your readers to spread the word about your eBooks is as easy as creating a share button for each social network.

• Call To Action 

CTA is the written instructions used in advertising campaigns. Your readers are more likely to take the required action when this is implemented. It is essential to have contextual calls to action scattered throughout your eBook if you are utilizing it to generate leads.

• Author Page
  It is often known as a bio, a section at the back of a book that provides brief information about its author. Many authors choose to pen their biographies. Briefly describing the author’s professional background and significant accomplishments is the hallmark of a bio that gets the job done.

Choose The Platform To Sell Your Ebook

Once you write an ebook, you can publish it on a trusted platform. It is a smart move on how to sell an ebook. You can list your ebook with many major ebook retailers, such as the Kindle Store on Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play Books, Barnes & Noble, and many more. 

To sell books online, you must sign up for a service. For example, with Amazon’s KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), you can upload your manuscript, convert it to the proper format to publish a Kindle book, and maintain your listing on Amazon.com. 

You can create a free Amazon KDP account. Existing Amazon users can use their details to create an account and pay for their ebooks. Just add a few details about yourself and your desired payment method.

In other platforms, reader accounts are distinct from vendor accounts. Different packages are available for seller accounts. Generally, there are two types of plans available, the individual (basic) plan and the professional plan. Before subscribing to a service, you may compare which is better for your budget.

Download And Publish Your Ebook

​​Make sure your document is in the correct format before proceeding. Files in Doc, ePUB, and KDF formats are compatible with Amazon Kindle. Create and connect your book’s formats in your KDP account if you want to sell it in more than one version (eBook, hardback, paperback, etc.).

Set Price For Your Ebook

Your books should generate a profit for you and be well worth their purchase price. It has to provide helpful information and practical suggestions if you want people to read and use your writing.

There is a long list of things to consider before settling on a price for your book. Establishing a fair price for your ebook is the first order of business. It depends on the book’s subject matter, style, and length.

Next, you should specify in the ebook’s cover design whether digital rights are included in the purchase price. You may charge more if these protections aren’t built into your service price. 

Finally, when deciding how much to charge for an eBook, you should consider manufacturing expenses like ISBNs and royalties. The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is how retailers and distributors identify your ebook among the many authors on the market. Every edition of a self-published book, including electronic versions, must have its unique ISBN. The same is true for many eBook file types.

You can see sample ebook prices. Amazon’s standard ebook pricing ranges from $2.99 to $9.99. Only when ebooks are priced within this range will sellers get the 70% royalty rate. They’ll only get 35% of the profit from ebook sales if they don’t.

Market Your Ebook

When generating an ebook, many marketers expend a lot of time, money, and energy—only to become obsolete once it goes online. No one will read or download your book unless you advertise it. Promoting an ebook entails things like hosting a dinner and tweeting a link to a landing page.

Here are some of the best practices for how to sell an ebook with these marketing strategies:

Maximize The Use Of Social Media Platforms

Create additional interest in your marketing information by teasing your readers with excerpts from the ebook. The best way to do this is through social media platforms.

For instance, it’s a little-known but powerful strategy to pin a message to the top of your Twitter stream using the Pin tool. As a result, the pinned tweet will always appear at the top of the feed when a user visits.

You can also get your readers to click on your ebook when you provide an intriguing image, statistic, or quote. Also, promoting your ebook with eye-catching social media banners and covers is effective.

You can also make a cover picture for Facebook and Twitter that advertises your ebook. Or you can give the URL so readers know where to get the ebook even if they cannot click through to the actual material.

Another way to market your ebook is to join one of several groups discussing industry developments, such as Google+ or LinkedIn. However, before pushing your ebook on its members, you must learn about the group and if they are your target audience. 

Also, you can check out LinkedIn’s Groups Directory to locate trade-specific communities. You can even start your group to discuss the ebook’s subject matter with interested members.

Create A Landing Page

In the broadest sense, a landing page is any page on your website that a visitor may land on. However, in marketing, a landing page is often a dedicated page that is not connected to your homepage or any other pages on your website.

Meanwhile, an ebook landing page is where people may sign up for a sneak preview of your ebook. It’s the first page a user sees when they visit your site.

Although this is an essential part of an ebook landing page, there is more to it. You may gather the visitor’s email address and perhaps other personal data in exchange for the download. A potential customer’s inbox is one of the holiest sites in marketing, and you can utilize this knowledge to cultivate relationships with them.

Create An Email Marketing

Email marketing, a key subset of internet marketing, involves sending out an electronic mail to advertise and build connections with prospective buyers.

Using an ebook as a lead magnet can gain more readers. If you want people to sign up for your email list, you may give them access to your ebook as an “ethical bribe.”

Yes. It’s effective to encourage people to take action by offering an incentive, such as a free ebook. However, it must also form the basis of a long-term professional partnership. Once you gain their trust, it will be easier to sell your ebooks as they will know the value you can give to your readers.

Advertise Your Ebook Through Pay Per Click

Pay-per-click (PPC) refers to internet advertising in which the advertiser pays the publisher each time their ads are “clicked” on. 

If you have a budget to market your ebook, you can use this strategy to reach a wide audience. An effective pay-per-click strategy increases your chances of getting more leads by directing highly interested individuals to your landing page.

Many online businesses, like Google and Facebook, provide a pay-per-click advertising strategy. The three most widely used PPC networks are Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Twitter Ads.

Nurture Your Readers

An individual who has purchased one of your ebooks will likely buy another. Nurture the relationship with your customer once you have obtained their email address and contact information (through email or a Facebook pixel).

Send them updates on your future ebooks through email and tailor your message to their specific reading preferences. People who have previously visited your website, landing page, or Facebook page may be retargeted with Facebook advertising. 

Also, mockups may help you create a cover for your ebook that is engaging, eye-catching, and convincing to potential buyers. Send the first two chapters of a new book to previous customers and urge them to read it early.

Track Your Sales

Ebook sales data analysis is essential for guiding future marketing efforts or ebook creation. Tracking sales and how much time readers spend with the ebook can help determine whether your readers are genuinely engaged with the content. 

The majority of ebook-selling platforms also provide access to analytics. Another option is to use an analytics tool, which includes information on site traffic, viewership, and user profile details.

You can use Google Analytics to see how many people visited your landing page but didn’t convert. 

Need some help getting your email written? Contact us today for content writing services.

eBook Writing FAQs

The Final Take

You may say it’s tough to write ebooks that sell. Many authors who eventually became famous were rejected hundreds of times by publishers before they were finally accepted. Ebooks have made it much simpler for aspiring writers to self-publish their works, establish a following, and attract the attention of traditional publishers.

After reading this post, are you prepared to profit from ebooks? Writing an ebook that sells can be challenging yet rewarding. Everything you need to know to get rolling is laid out in this article. These nine steps can help you start your dream of launching your first ebook.