Archive for E-Books – Page 2

How to Write an Ebook as Good as a TED Talk

By Patsi Krakoff
Monday, February 24th, 2014

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→

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

2 Writing Tips for Expert Ebooks from TED Talks

By Patsi Krakoff
Friday, February 21st, 2014

TEDI’m a big fan of the 20-minute video talks from experts on TED.com.

Just think about this: If more people wrote expert ebooks like these riveting presentations, their books would be easier to read and deliver more memorable information. In this post, I suggest a couple of writing tips culled from these great presentations.

In case you’re not familiar with TED.com, here’s the skinny. Originally focusing on technology, entertainment and design—hence, the initials—TED Talks feature remarkable experts in diverse fields with revolutionary ideas.

TED Talks are truly inspiring. As some of the most viewed speakers in the world, they showcase their high-level presentation skills—a seamless blend of intelligence, entertainment and persuasion.  These speakers provide jaw-dropping stories you’ll be talking about for weeks.

TED’s growing global audience is testimony to the success of their mission, “Ideas Worth Spreading.” Since June 2006, the talks have been offered for free viewing online. Read More→

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

Should Thought Leadership Content Be Ghostwritten?

By Patsi Krakoff
Monday, February 17th, 2014

Ghost-writerAn interesting post from Hubspot author John Hall: “Why Ghostwriting Thought Leadership Content Doesn’t Work.” He contends that busy executives who outsource their thought leadership content are missing out on quality elements.

As a ghostwriter of leadership content, my first reaction was to tell him he’s all wrong. But his article was an excellent outline of what happens when thought leaders try to outsource blog writing and other leadership content to unqualified contract writers.

“Ghostwriting content is not inherently bad. The problem is that not all content should be ghostwritten.

“Consider your end goal of producing thought leadership content: brand awareness, reengagement, loyalty, credibility, conversions.

“Now ask yourself: Should this business-building tactic be delegated to someone who knows very little about you or your industry? If you lean toward the idea that it’s worth the time you save, then know that your content will lack these not-so-minor details.”

Hall lists five elements that end up being neglected in ghostwritten leadership content: Read More→

Categories : About Blogs, About Expert Ebooks, Buying Content, Content Marketing
Tags : , , ,

Reasons to Attend the AuthorU Publishing Conference

By Patsi Krakoff
Friday, February 14th, 2014

AuthorU.orgLike you, I’ve had some bad conference experiences. I’ve spent a lot of money to travel and sit in a freezing cold room for days to listen to experts with big egos. What I hate is when I expect to learn something and instead I’m asked to spend more money.

I’ve been pitched to buy a $5,000 weekend in a guru’s mansion, or to invest in a $50,000 mentorship program. Recently I heard of one such speaker who hired people to run to his table at the back of the room in a sign-up frenzy. Unsuspecting audience members were influenced by crowd behaviors.

So I’m picky now. I only attend conferences where I know and trust the organizer and expert speakers.

Recently a successful leadership coach asked me where to go to learn how he should write and publish his book. There are a lot of book publishing conferences to pick from. But only one I know will deliver high quality information from really helpful experts:

The AuthorU 2014 Extravaganza.  It’s May 1 – 3 in Denver and you can get details here. Read More→

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

The Experts on How to Get a Book Published

By Patsi Krakoff
Friday, February 7th, 2014

Experts-Book-PublishingThe problem with going to a conference is that I always come away with a to-do list a mile long. But I love the rekindled passion and energy. Truly, the Publishing at Sea conference aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean was an explosion of information and ideas.

Joan Stewart, the Publicity Hound, captured a few learning gems on How to Get a Book Published on her post here.

Personally, I’m not trying to get a book published, but many of my clients are and I want to as informed as possible about the book publishing industry which is changing so rapidly.

In addition, I felt that getting to know the experts will help me refer my clients to trustworthy people when the time comes to market, publicize, print, distribute and use social media for books beyond the writing process. I can now highly recommend these fabulous book experts:

  • Judith Briles, is The Book Shepherd, and she’s helped hundreds of authors through all stages of the publishing process. She’s an amazing woman and published author. She founded AuthorU, a membership group specifically to answer the needs of writers. If you’d like to learn more, go to her site. Better yet, considering joining the Author U Extravaganza in Denver May 3-5. Read More→
Categories : About Expert Ebooks, Books, Content Marketing, E-Books
Tags : , ,

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
Tags : , ,

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
Tags : ,

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
Tags :

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
Tags : , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »

Content for Coaches and Consultants

Serenity Virtual Assistant Services

Social Buzz Club

get your bright idea known