Archive for expert ebooks

Write with this Easy Expert Ebook Outline

ebookoutlineAre you an expert? Then you need to write and publish an expert ebook.  Now. Before your field gets flooded with too many on the same topic (if it isn’t already). Trust me on this one.

Just as business blogs caught fire in 2004-2005, expert ebooks are what smart professionals use as a key marketing tool to get found, get known and get clients.

If you’re an expert and want to get found online, there’s no better way than to give visitors to your website or blog a free report that shows your expertise, builds credibility and starts conversations.

An expert ebook is a longer version of that report and can easily be sold on Amazon. Traditional publishing barriers have fallen. All that’s standing between you and published author status is a little time and work. So let’s get busy.

In my last post, I shared a few questions you should ask yourself and 4 steps to write an expert ebook fast and efficiently.  This is the same process I used with my Australian client Di Worrall, who received several book awards on the two books I helped her with last year.

Here are the 11 steps I use to create an expert ebook outline: Read More→

How to Write an Award Winning Expert Ebook

EbooksI get calls from executive coaches and consultants who want to publish an expert ebook. They ask me for help, to ghost write either for or with them.

The answer is yes: in certain fields, I am a ghost writer. I read a ton of books on leadership, and study how the big sellers on Amazon are written in this category. I can help you write an expert ebook on leadership.

In fact, I’m proud to announce that my Australian client Di Worrall is gathering several book awards on the two books I helped her with last year:

  • The e-lit awards: The Personal Accountability Code took out the gold medal for the best publication in the self-help category
  • 2015 Indie Excellence AwardsAccountability Leadership (Best Leadership Book 2015)
  • 2015 Indie Excellence Awards: The Personal Accountability Code (Finalist for Best Career Book 2015)
  • 2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards: a “finalist” award (like silver) for Accountability Leadership in the Business Book Category and The Personal Accountability Code in the Motivational Category

Congratulations, Di!

Like Di, some people have clear ideas of what they want to say. They may even have an outline. Some have already published books themselves (“Never again!” some say). But most don’t have an outline, a story, a message, or a clue. Read More→

Judith Briles’ Wise Words to Authors & Writers: Snappy, Sassy, Salty!

Judith Briles is an author’s best friend, especially when it comes to book writing. When she speaks, I listen… and you should to, if you get the opportunity. But until her next authors and writers conference, here’s the next best thing: her latest book: Snappy Sassy Salty!

It’s summer. It’s hot.

summer solsticeCould you use a pick-me-up?
A bit of inspiration or silliness?
How about something to chew on or get you unstuck?
How about your clients and followers?

In Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers, you will find all that and more. This is a collection of favorite advice from Judith Briles over the years to thousands of authors.

Coffee along with the right words creates the perfect buzz!

As a blogger, I know that the right combination of words engages readers. When a slump hits or your writer juice isn’t flowing, authors need a goose.

SnappySassySaltyAlong with a cup of coffee, this little book of short and snappy reminders will get your fingers tapping, your mind buzzing. and your words onto the screen.

Every little blurb is loaded with motivational juice to get writers writing. I bought it to give as a gift, but now the pages are too worn …

If you haven’t worked with Judith, or attended her seminars, you might not know she actually lives, walks and talks these wise words for writers. She’s one of the most helpful, caring, and authentic book experts around … a true book shepherd.
SheepSnappySassySalty

 

Today, Tuesday, July 22, 2014 is the day … don’t delay, get your copy of Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers and claim your FREE GIFTS that are designed for authors, writing and publishing success DURING TUESDAY’S OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH:

Your copy of Snappy Sassy Salty is waiting for you here, click now!

Success Secrets of a Writing Career:
WOOT & WOOF

Writer-Success-AuthorAttitude-Nina-AmirSome say success for a writing career is a question of attitude. You simply put on your super-hero cape and think positively… I say ‘hogwash!’ Thinking doesn’t drive results.

There is no secret ‘law of attraction’ for achieving a writing career. A success mindset helps you tap into energy, but unless you get into action, all you’ve got are dreams.

Dreams come easy for writers, too easy. Take any writing assignment, either for yourself, your own business, blog, or ebook, or one for a paying client. Chances are, you’ll spend as much time dreaming about the piece as you will actually writing it.

Recently I read a good post about “The 5 Qualities You Need to Successfully Self-Publish Your Book,” by Nina Amir on The Future of Ink blog. She suggests adopting an “author attitude” of WOOT, from The Author Training Manual.

This clever acronym suggests five attitudes for successful writers: Read More→

How to Research Content
for Your Expert Ebook

Research-ContentHow should you research content in order to write your expert ebook? This is a huge question for most writers, and a major reason why some ebooks never get written or finished.

The field of online research methods is new and expanding rapidly. Using social media is a new opportunity for gathering information, but it’s complex and time consuming.

In some ways, research has never been easier. The Web is a goldmine. But it’s also a sink hole into which many writers fall, never to be seen again. Some writers die from an overdose of information, others simply disappear and give up, telling themselves there’s simply too much already written. Read More→

Research Before You Write an Expert Ebook

KDSuite-Amazon-Research-ToolsIf you want to write an expert ebook that sells well on Amazon, you need to research first to find out:

  • What’s already been published in your field of expertise?
  • What titles are selling well?
  • Where are the gaps in what’s already been published and what hasn’t yet been covered?
  • What do readers seek out the most?
  • What prices, what lengths, what covers are best?

I’ve been experimenting with ebook research software and I’m pretty impressed with what the developers have come up with. In particular, there’s a group of programs that can help Amazon authors get the information they need from Amazon sales: KDSuite.

KD-Suites-ProgramsThis software has the ability to pull up data from ebooks in categories so you can compare sales info. It provides information on bestsellers, marketing, and keywords. There’s an additional program which creates ebook covers. Read More→

Ebooks for Experts: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Write

Shortcuts Expert EbookI’ve been blogging recently about how experts need to publish their own ebooks as part of their strategy to get found, get known, and get clients through online content marketing.

Here are 10 questions to ask yourself before you write a single word of your expert ebook:

Download the questionnaire here: www.Ebooks4Experts.com.

Over 10 years ago, professionals started using blogs to communicate to clients. As co-founder of The Blog Squad, I proclaimed blogs to be ‘the best darned marketing tool on the planet!’

To some extent they still are, but the key for experts is to excel with quality content. A blog is only one channel for online content marketing, along with social media networking sites. Another key communication channel is publishing expert ebooks. Read More→

Expert Ebooks: Relax and Write

Suit-and-Tie-WritingIf you want to write well, you’ve got to strip down and get real: write relaxed. Nobody wants to read an expert ebook if your words are wearing a three-piece suit and a tightly buttoned shirt and tie.

Too many executives who want to write an expert ebook are in love with syllables, syntax and sycophants. When you write words to impress, you don’t write well. You don’t impress.

Instead, relax and write. Take off the tie, relax and write as authentically as possible using words any high school student can understand. You’ll impress many more people and get your message heard by those who actually need your wisdom.

Highly educated readers can sniff out academic or business jargon and won’t be impressed but simply annoyed. Even geniuses like things spelled out for them in clear language. Leave them some room to think about big ideas, not wade through your big words.

I’m not suggesting “dumbing down.” It actually takes intelligence to write clearly so that anyone can understand.

Less educated readers like being invited to understand complexities with easily accessible words and sentences. Don’t leave them out by using insider terms, acronyms, and cryptic allusions.

In the work I do with executive coaches and consultants, they often become so entrenched in industry-specific business jargon, they aren’t clear to a global audience of working people. When seasoned professionals want to write their book, what may seem common sense to them isn’t clear to the world at large.

This is where an experienced editor and writing coach can help. Often, the pre-work to writing an ebook hasn’t been done.

What I call the “pre-work” to writing an expert ebook is becoming clear not only about the desired message, but clear about who you’re are writing for:

  • Who are your readers?
  • What problem or pain can you fix?
  • How will you change your readers’ lives for the better?
  • What’s in it for them?
  • What’s your message and what do you want them to do?

If you’d like to learn more, I’ve prepared a 10-question worksheet that will help you get started writing your expert ebook. You can get it (free) by going to www.Ebooks4Experts.com and requesting it.

6 Ebook Writing Tips from Expert TED Speakers

book-planningHow can you craft a great expert ebook using the same tactics of expert speakers with fascinating video presentations on TED.com?

I’ve been reading Jeremy Donovan’s excellent book, How to Deliver a TED Talk, and gathering tips on how the experts do it (see my previous posts here and here.) Here are three more ebook writing tips from good speakers:

1. Build the ebook content and transitions. We more easily remember concepts when they’re delivered as three examples or elements. This progression helps you stay focused writing your ebook, and more importantly primes the readers to remember your message.

This can be as simple as: Read More→

How to Write an Ebook as Good as a TED Talk

Write-a-bookWhat if you could write an expert ebook using the same riveting tactics used by TED.com speakers that earn them millions of views?

I’ve been viewing some fascinating videos on TED.com, scanning them for tips on how to write a good story. And I’ve read How To Deliver a TED Talk, by Jeremy Donovan.

At some point in your professional career, you’ll likely be inspired to write and publish a book, whether for potential customers, colleagues or to spread your message to a global audience. Your ability to persuade others through  written words will contribute greatly to your book publishing success.

What can we learn from TED Talks about writing an expert ebook? Here are a few key elements from Donovan’s book: Read More→