Archive for Content Marketing – Page 8

Expert Ebooks: Getting Reader Research Right

By Patsi Krakoff
Wednesday, February 5th, 2014

Research-ReadersI’ve been sharing about how to start your expert ebook project right, by being clear about who your readers are and what they most want to know.

How should you go about reader research? For example, if you wanted to know how seniors are using the Internet, you could look at the Pew Research site.

How else can you research your readers so that you get this important first step right: How do you focus your expert ebook content on readers’ frustrations and challenges by discovering what those are?

The truth is it doesn’t matter how much of an expert you are or how much you know about your field. You still need to research beyond what you already know or assume.

Don’t skip researching your readers simply because you already have 20-30 years of working with people like them. I don’t care if you’ve got a Nobel Prize in Economics.

Do you think Daniel Kahnemann rests on his ground-breaking work in Behavioral Economics? No, he does not. He is continually researching and discovering more about how  theories apply to real people in the real world. His bestselling book Thinking Fast and Slow is written (and priced) for readers, not academics. Read More→

Categories : About Expert Ebooks, Content Marketing, E-Books, Getting Read, On Writing Better
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Please Don’t Mistake Blog Writing for Book Writing

By Patsi Krakoff
Monday, February 3rd, 2014

ContentPyramid

Blog writing isn’t the same as book writing. Here’s why.

An interesting post from Jane Friedman called “Please Don’t Blog Your Book,” gives four reasons why you shouldn’t use your blog to write a book. She’s right about blog writing being different than book writing.

And I agree with her that blogs make bad books. The informal nature of blog writing isn’t what you expect to read in a book. You read a book for in depth coverage of concepts, not for conversational snippets.

Here’s a similar example: I bought an ebook called “Blog to Book Deal: How They Did It.” It consists of poorly transcribed interviews. A podcast makes for a terrible book because the way people speak is not conducive to good reading.

As for Friedman’s four reasons, I disagree that you shouldn’t use your blog to write a book. Don’t use it thinking you’ll land a big book deal, however.

  • Use it to flesh out ideas and compose content that can be repurposed in chapters.
  • Use it to stimulate conversations with readers and get their input.
  • Use your blog to gather stories and interviews from others.
  • Use it to start building a platform of readers interested in your topic or expertise. Read More→
Categories : About Expert Ebooks, Books, Content Marketing, E-Books
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Write an Expert Ebook: How Are a Book
and a Speech Alike?

By Patsi Krakoff
Friday, January 31st, 2014

Expert-Ebook-SpeechIf you want to write an expert ebook, here’s another way to make it simple and easy. Think about this: writing a speech is similar to writing a book.

Many of the executive coaches and consultants I work with are great speakers. They tell me, “I can’t write, I’m a speaker!” But if you can deliver a keynote speech, there’s no reason you can’t write an expert ebook.

One of the take-aways from the Publishing at Sea conference last week was a presentation by Judith Briles, founder of AuthorU, about how to market your book through speaking engagements. She gave us her speech mapping template, which included these items:

Speech Mapping (abridged)

  • What is your topic?
  • What is your expertise?
  • Why do you talk about this?
  • How are you different from others?
  • What are two things you want your audience to stop, start or do differently?
  • What success stories do you share about this? Read More→
Categories : About Expert Ebooks, Content Marketing, E-Books, On Writing Better, Writing Speeches
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Blog to Book: The Secret Behind Expert Ebooks

By Patsi Krakoff
Thursday, January 30th, 2014

BlogTurning a blog into a book is nothing new. There are software programs that will help you do this. Experts, however, will need a more polished ebook if they want to create credibility as a thought leader.

Unless you’re a fantastic writer in a sexy cutting edge topic, you’re not likely to be discovered and land a huge book deal just from your blog.

Sure, it’s happened and those people are “almost famous,” at least in the Blogosphere.

What I’m talking about is entirely different and it applies to professionals (doctors, lawyers, financial planners, executive coaches and all types of expertise consultants). If you’re any kind of expert, your credibility depends on a strong internet presence with content that showcases what you know, what you do, and who you do it with. Read More→

Categories : About Expert Ebooks, Books, Content Marketing, E-Books
Tags : , ,

6 Tips for Easy Ebook Promotion
with Social Media

By Christine Buffaloe
Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

Ebook-Promotion-Social-MediaProducing expert ebooks has never been simpler, and promoting them has never been easier. Really? Yes, I did say “easier.”

Since social media has come into being, the way you promote your expert ebook is, in fact, a whole lot easier. It’s not just about promoting your ebook, it’s about promoting YOU! Yes, you are the expert, not the ebook.

In order to get your e-book in front of as many eyes as possible, you’ll need some patience, a plan and some creative ideas. Here are six tips to get you started:

1. Set Your Social Media in Motion

Just because you say you’re an expert, you have to have branded yourself as one. You should have a presence on social media and you have been active as well (if not, you’d better get moving.) If you don’t have time, hire a virtual assistant that is knowledgeable in the different platforms.

2. Set up Your Author Page on Amazon

Even if you’re working with a publishing house, make sure your own ‘house’ is in order. Yes, your Amazon house. Amazon is another social media site. You can go to Amazon Author Central to create your account. Once you have done that, you can feed your blog into your profile, add videos, books from your bibliography and reviews. Remember, it’s not about getting reviews, it’s about giving them as well. Your name will be associated with that review! Read More→

Categories : About Expert Ebooks, Books, Content Marketing, E-Books, Social Media Stuff
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Write an Ebook: How Are Books
and Blogs Alike?

By Patsi Krakoff
Monday, January 27th, 2014

ExpertEbooks-StuartMilesHow do business bloggers write an ebook? The same way a chef creates a gourmet meal or a singer delivers a concert. One step at a time.

Anytime I think about starting a large project, however,  I start to put it off because – well, it’s just so huge! One way to go around this is to break it down to simple chunks. That’s why it’s easier for me if I think of it like blog writing…

Blog writing (and ebook writing and cooking and concerts) starts with passion, connects with an audience need, involves planning and revision, collaboration with technicians, and finally the project is delivered.

To me, writing a blog post is a micro version of ebook writing. It looks like this:

  1. As a professional, I feel a passionate drive to broadcast an important message to my readers
  2. I know the people in my audience tell me they are frustrated about something
  3. I usually write a list of solutions that help with this problem
  4. I research to find out more about this
  5. I write a new post, optimize it for keyword phrases, format it, add an image and write a catchy title
  6. I publish the blog post
  7. I update my social media sites, usually by asking people an evocative question and linking back to the blog

So what’s holding you back from writing your expert ebook? I know you have the passion, most of you have clearly defined purpose… so where do you get stuck? Read More→

Categories : About Blogs, About Expert Ebooks, Content Marketing, E-Books
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6 Easy Tips to Be a Better Blog Writer

By Patsi Krakoff
Saturday, January 25th, 2014

BlogWritingHow can you get to be a better, faster blog writer?

Did the job of blogging or writing fall into your lap? Or have you been a professional writer for some time, who’s now transitioned into blogging for yourself or a business?

Bloggers come from all walks of life, that’s one thing that I know for sure.

Whether you’re a professional writer or not, here are some tips on how to be more productive and efficient when it comes to writing. No blogger is safe from the pitfalls of writers’ block or lack of inspiration.

Here are a few ways that you can work on becoming a faster and better blog writer, which will in turn free up your time:

  • Set yourself up for success.  Are you easily distracted? Clear your writing space of anything that might take your mind off of the task at hand. All I need to write is my PC, a notebook, and a pen. I have to keep everything else away if I hope to get anything done.
  • Plan your content before you start. Even if it’s just jotting down a few ideas before you get started, you’ll be happy you planned ahead when it comes time to start writing. Sitting down to a completely blank canvas can be stressful. Try to come up with some ideas about what you’ll write about ahead of time. Read More→
Categories : About Blogs, Content Marketing, On Writing Better, Writing Great Blog Content
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Expert Ebook University: Publishing at Sea

By Patsi Krakoff
Monday, January 20th, 2014

Publishing-at-Sea Sometimes my work involves traveling to far-off airports, and that’s never pleasant. Quite frankly, I don’t like leaving the comfort of my home here in paradise (Ajijic, Mexico).

However, I’ll go anywhere to learn more about the craft of writing and publishing expert ebooks for my clients!

This weekend, I’m joining Joan Stewart, the Publicity Hound and four other book experts on a Publishing at Sea cruise in the Caribbean.

I told my husband, “Atila the Honey,” I just had to go, that it was work not a vacation. But I think he’s doubtful. Oh well. Honestly, it is work, as I’ll be learning everything that’s changing in the world of digital book publishing, particularly the marketing pieces. Read More→

Categories : About Expert Ebooks, Books, Content Marketing, E-Books
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From Blog to Book: Write an Expert Ebook in 90 Days

By Patsi Krakoff
Friday, January 17th, 2014

Expert-Ebook-WritingWrite an expert ebook in 90 days? Do you think it’s possible? I do… here’s why: I’ve done it before with Content Marketing with Blogs. And I’m doing it again. From January to March I’m creating content and publishing an ebook for Kindle about expert ebooks.

When I ask them, 9 out of 10 professionals and small business owners have at least one book or information product inside their head, but lack the time and organizational skills to get it out into digital form.

For the last month I’ve been posting a series on how to write an expert ebook here on this blog with the intention of publishing an ebook on Kindle within 90 days. You can see my progress here (why not subscribe to the blog and get updates in email?).

The blog posts (300-500 words each) each focus on a key step or concept that any expert should consider before or during the ebook writing. I also will write about what happens after the content is written:

  • Revising, editing
  • Sending it out for reviews
  • Choosing a title and cover design
  • Formatting and design issues
  • Creating a step-by-step ebook marketing plan Read More→
Categories : About Expert Ebooks, Content Marketing, E-Books
Tags : ,

2 Goals for Experts Who Write Ebooks

By Patsi Krakoff
Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

Goals-by-Stuart-MilesBefore you write a single word of your expert ebook, step back and reconsider your goals in becoming an author. Most experts I speak with are driven to publish a book or ebook because of several factors:

  1. They’re accomplished in their fields and have reached a level of expertise that merits showcasing in an ebook.
  2. They’re in a professional service business helping others (as a coach, consultant or leader) and want to share their wisdom with a wider audience.
  3. They’ve developed a unique approach or specialized niche that would help more people if they only knew about it.
  4. They’ve worked for decades and want to leave a legacy and advice for those who follow.

Their goals for becoming an author extend beyond imagined fame or fortune. The experts I know want to write because it’s time to share their message, regardless of whether their book reaches best seller status. But they’re also practical and strategic. Read More→

Categories : About Expert Ebooks, Content Marketing, E-Books
Tags : ,
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