So, you’ve chosen a topic you’re passionate about and determined that there are people out there looking for information on your topic and more importantly willing to pay for it. You’ve also determined that although there is some competition in your niche, there’s enough room for your product. Good. Now it’s time for you to start writing.
The basic process will look something like this:
A. Determine the structure of your ebook.
B. Conduct research and gather your information.
C. Write your ebook.
D. Edit your ebook.
Let’s look at these stages in a bit more detail over the next few posts:
A. Determine the structure of your ebook – develop a Table of Contents
When thinking about the structure of your ebook the best way to stay on track is to develop a table of contents and then an outline. It may also be good to write your sales page first. This will keep you focused on what your ebook needs to include to appeal to its target audience. Once you have written your sales page, which is basically a list of the benefits that your ebook will provide to your readers, you can use this as the basis for your table of contents.
If you need ideas when writing the sales letter , search for ebooks on your chosen subject and look at their sales page. Don’t copy other people’s sales pages; you’re just looking for ideas and inspiration. Think about how you could make yours better and stand out from the rest.
Once you have developed your table of contents you can use this to create an outline for your ebook. This should include chapter headings and the points you want to make listed under each heading. Some people prefer to use mind maps instead of outlines, just use whichever method is best for you.
(A mind map is a graphic technique used to represent ideas, using words, images, symbols and colour. Write down the topic at the centre of a piece of paper, then draw branches leading out from this topic, and smaller branches leading out from these. The branches are organic and free-flowing, instead of being structured and rigid. The first level of branches are supposed to represent the key benefits you can provide your readers. These will become your chapter headings so only use a few words per branch. Then, from each key benefit , branch out into supporting facts, anecdotes, resources etc. It’s a good idea to use colour and images when creating mind maps to further stimulate both memory and imagination.)
You can use Amazon to brainstorm a table of contents by using their “Search Inside This Book” feature to get an idea of the content provided in books in your niche. You could also write the table of contents as a list of questions that your audience wants answered.
Remember that each chapter in your ebook should ideally solve a particular problem related to your topic.
Remember this when developing your table of contents too: every chapter needs to solve a particular problem or add a benefit to the reader.
Next time we’ll look at researching your ebook…
Publish4Profits 