How to Write Your First eBook

I just launched a new site coined The Minimalist Path. With the site, I provided my first eBook for free as a sign of gratitude to those who visited the site (eBook link: click here). I had a great launch and amazing feedback. However, it took a lot of time and effort by myself and many followers of LifeExcursion to perfect my first eBook. Through organization, I was able to complete my first eBook and live to tell you how you can do the same.

The following are the steps I took (and a few I wish I had taken) to complete my first, uncopyrighted eBook:

1. Observed – I saw the growth of my site around one topic. It took a bit of time to see where the niche was, but once I saw the interest, I was able to focus on that specific area.
2. Hand Written Brainstorming – I took about 30 minutes to brainstorm each and every idea that focused on my general topic. There are probably 100 things I did not discuss in the eBook that were written down in the brainstorming section. However, whenever I was going through mental blocks through the entire process, I looked back at the brainstorming notes and it got me back on track. For this step and the next, you must hand write it. Why? Because twitter, email, web browsers and so on will not allow you to freely think. So, do not brainstorm on the computer.
3. Hand Written Layout – Start building a structure for your eBook. For example, write out what you think would be your Table of Content. This will all change once you start writing because you will have fresh, new ideas that will change your layout. Establishing some structure though will allow you to see the future, see where you are headed. This step creates a sense of a To-Do list.
4. Tell People/Readers About it – If you tell those around you and those that are possibly reading your material through a blog or general website that you are going to provide them with an eBook in the near future, you will feel obligated to stay on track and provide what you said you would. This doesn’t have to be a grandiose announcement to the world, but getting others interested keeps you focused.
5. Skip Intro – You do not need to write your intro first. In fact, you should write it last. That way, your intro will include the entire eBook’s thoughts.
6. Start Typing – This is the part most people dread. Actually writing the eBook. It doesn’t have to be though. I suggest you continuously write for a couple hours at a time, following your general outline and adding whatever new topics you have generated. Don’t worry about font or editing or style or anything else for that matter…yet. That will come later and is the much easier part.
7. Take a Break – Too many people I know who have started writing books or eBooks, burn themselves out. I say put the content and information you have generated to the side and take a day off. This will re-energize your passion to getting back to your masterpiece and prevent you from viewing this as a one-day affair.
8. Edit – Carefully, slowly read through your entire draft. Edit the entire work as you go through it. On a scratch paper, jot notes as to what you need to re-work or add to what you have accomplished.
9. Re-Edit – Now, re-edit the entire thing. I know, you just read through the entire draft already, but you are bound to catch mistakes again. This is a key step so don’t skip it at all.
10. Ask for Help – Write and e-mail and attach your draft to send to your closest, intelligent friends, family, and other blogger/website enthusiasts. Ask them to edit your work as well as respond with what they wish they would have seen in your work. This will help tremendously. A fresh pair of eyes will see glaring errors and awesome opportunities to improve.
11. Re-Re-Edit – Now that you have the feedback from everyone, go through your eBook and rework any areas that need some fixing.
12. Create Action Steps – My editors all individually told me to add Action Steps for my readers. Not only was this a great success, but it has also been on my blog posts as well. Give your reader some short quick tips to get their engines turning.
13. Format - Go through your document and work on the Styles and Formatting.
14. Create a Cover Page – I didn’t do this, but I am okay with what I came up with. If you can, purchase CoverAction Pro or another similar eBook cover generator. You definitely need to do this if you are going to try and sell your eBook.
15. Add Table of Content Page – This page will help guide your readers through to the sections they can look forward to.
16. Add Intro/Sources Page – Generate an Intro page that gets your readers excited and motivated. Follow up by adding a Sources page to the end of the document. That way you can recognize the great resources for your readers to also check out.
17. Convert to PDF – PDF format is widely used and easily accessible. Do not test the norm in this situation. Go with what people are familiar with and have access to.
18. Last Check – Make one final read through and click through of all your links. This is the last time you should have to make changes so make sure you are ultra-focused.
19. Publish – Time to send out or make available to everyone who has been waiting and to the many more who will be excited to read your work. You have now completed your FIRST eBook. Congratulations!!!

Generating your first eBook can seem daunting. I know it did to me, but once all was said and done, it just took a lot of time and effort that I would have wasted elsewhere. Now, I have something to show and I am extremely proud.

I cannot explain how amazing it is to write your first eBook. All I can say is that you should definitely start writing yours TODAY!

Source: Thirteen Steps to Write and Publish a Free Ebook In Thirteen Hours This link was my general guide and I have it to thank for much of my success.

And if you missed the links below, click the following link to go check out my first eBook: Minimalism – 7 Steps to a Simpler Life

Dave
LifeExcursion

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