Another Thread inspired me to create something simple that might help everyone monetize their site, just a little bit, without having to spend many hours creating a new ebook. If this is something of interest, then enjoy.
A few things that have worked successfully and quickly for me:
1 - identify the reason for the book - not your reason (to generate money) but the goal the book/guide/report ect should accomplish for your reader.
2 - make that your temporary title so that it sits before you in the header for every page you write, reminding you where your target is to end up.
3 -
this applies specifically to a 'book' related to an established website or blog, select articles/posts on your site that you believe readers would find the most relevant. c/p them into your book and read them carefully. correct as you go, update with additional information, clarify points, give details and specifics previously left out, then research the topic again. once you have found more information or remembered something not previously identified, include it. add examples and illustrations where applicable, then repeat. doing this part in this manner will enable you to create a new book more quickly.
3b -
this is for creating from scratch, select your topic and sub-topics (ie; dog breeds sub- Alaskan malamute) lay out any headers you want for each page, as applicable. once the basic structure is in place filling in the blanks through research is far easier than full reorganization when it is complete. thus this will cut your writing time significantly.
4 - EDIT EDIT EDIT, you know your facts are there, but your style needs to be constant, and the lay out needs to make sense. (ie: don't tell me that the book is about dogs in general after you told me how to care for one)
5 - convert to .pdf and share w/ a trusted colleague. ask them to give you honest feedback.
6 - apply that information and EDIT EDIT EDIT, then ask another person, and repeat the process until you are happy with the final results.
(could be optional, but if it's your first, i strongly suggest doing this step)
7 - do a pricing test - present it on several different pages at the price points you are considering, 5, 7, 10, 25 ect. promote each page equally, and figure out which one sells best for your needs. from there you have your product, researched, priced and packaged for your website.
If you are starting from scratch for the first time an ebook might take as long as a month to create, assuming you are not in need of survey's, polls ect which will take longer. I know my first one took me at least that long. Since I began a more structured procedure for writing one, I can create one in under a week (5-25 pages) with research, and in general. There are always going to be area's and topics that will take longer, however this is my averages. I can honestly say, what I created as my first should not have taken me as long as it did. I wish some one would have laid it out for me when I started to work with them.
When I am writing for myself, I tend to keep the pricing structure low, and the eguide or book short but to the point. It is not uncommon to create a compilation first (like a relevant resource list), and add the information after wards either.
I hope this helps a little bit.
Please if you feel like I've missed something, or perhaps my approach is flawed in some way, add on to it.
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