Get Creative – Writing Ebooks for Your Business

Handmade seller Steff, from Etsy’s steffmetal, recently shared her tips for blogging in “Staying Organized While Blogging – Seven Simple Tips“. Steff is back with some other great ideas for readers of HandmadeMarketing.org.  In this article, Steff talks ebooks.“In the past, when we wanted an answer to a question, we headed down to the library or local bookstore,” Steff says.  “Now, we google, squidoo, stumble or otherwise browse the internet until our information needs are fulfilled. The people profiting from our quest for information write “information products” – articles, blogs and ebooks.”

Steff says she’s been reading and writing on the Internet for a few years, and she’s witnessed firsthand how the ebook industry has gone crazy.

“And it’s no wonder,” Steff tells HandmadeMarketing.org.

“Ebooks are cheap to produce, easy to sell, and you can profit from them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – even while you’re sleeping.”

Steff says she likes this part best of all – it makes checking your email every morning a delight!

“If you sell any kind of product or services online, you can add an ebook to your website – and that goes for handmade businesses,” Steff tells handmade crafters.  “Not only will you increase your income stream, you’ve also helped your search engine ranking, and stamped yourself as an expert in your field.

Steff says some sellers think ebooks are always about how to make money online, how to lose weight, and or even how to write ebooks.  She often hears handmade sellers reject the value of ebooks for their own business.

“It’s true that weight loss and online marketing are very lucrative markets for information products, but they’re also glutted markets,” Steff says.  “You’ll compete with thousands of high quality sellers with loyal customers.  But the handmade market, say homemade jam for example, is a potential gold mine.  That’s because it is a niche market. How many people try your delicious jams and decide they would love to make their own.”

Sticking with the jam example, Steff says a seller may currently teach jam and preserve classes at home. With classes, you can only reach a small local market. Steff encourages sellers to think big.

“Why not write an ebook about making jams and preserves?“  Steff suggests.  That way, those interested can download your ebook to learn – even though they live a world away!

Some sellers may have questions about the ins and outs of actually writing an ebook.  Luckily, Steff has some great tips.

“Now you’ve found the topic of your ebook, you need to fill in the content,” she says.  “If you’re not a competent writer do not write the ebook yourself.  A poor ebook will reflect badly on your business. Hire a professional writer to write your ebook for you. You get what you pay for – a professional writer will return a high quality product, and anything with your name on it should be high quality, right?  Alternatively, you can produce your ebook yourself. But whichever route you choose, you need to decide what content will appear in the ebook and write out a plan.”

When thinking about what to write about in your ebook, Steff tells handmade sellers and crafters to give your ebook a simple focus.  For a crafter who makes homemade jam, for example, How to Make Homemade Jam would be a simple and effective title.

“Don’t choose a poetic title – Jamming with Aunty Jean – because people typing ‘how to make homemade jam’ into a search engine won’t find it,” Steff advises.  “Think of your customer as a friend who has come to you – the expert – with their question, and you’re providing them with a detailed answer.”

Next, Steff suggests writing down each step in this process as a series of headings.  Then, add sub-headings and even sub-sub-headings.  Using an outline in the planning process to help organize your ebook can provide many benefits in the writing process later.

Below is a basic beginner example of how your outline should look.  You will see two headers (”What You Need” and “Jam Recipes“) followed by sub-headings.  The “Fruit” sub-heading even has some sub-sub-headings (”Choosing Fruit“, “Storing Fruit“, etc.)

“Next, fill in under each heading with your information,” Steff says.  “Keep your sentences uncomplicated. Watch out for passive voice. Likewise, keep paragraphs short and snappy – only 1-4 sentences each. The ebook format means you’re not limited to words. I started off writing 5-10 pages ebooks for clients – and I now write my own 250+ page ebooks.”

Steff says handmade sellers and crafters can add some fun extras to their ebooks such as step-by-step pictures, tables, graphs, videos, links to websites and blogs, or even links to items in your online Etsy shop or ArtFire studio.

“If you’re having a writer produce your ebook you’ll probably still have to complete this plan – the writer goes over your notes, expands each of your points, tidies up your writing (some writing needs a TON of tidying, trust me) and ensures everything fits together in a logical order,” Steff says.  “Your writer will then email you a PDF copy of your final book for your approval.”

“If you’re writing your own ebook, you will need to complete several rounds of edits. Check for spelling and grammar, complex sentences and consfusing language, pictures that don’t show up, broken links and links to bad websites,” Steff says.

When you’re happy with your ebook, Steff suggests taking some time to design a cover and convert your ebook to a PDF file.  “You can do five online for free at Adobe,” she tells sellers.

Next, sell your ebook!  Steff suggests adding your ebook to your website as another product.

“Write (or have your writer produce) a sales page – look at other popular ebooks for examples. Send out free copies to popular food blogs for review, inform your regular customers via your mailing list, add a note on your craft-fair flyers, and any other promotional activities you can think of.”

“All this talk of jam has made me hungry. It’s also made me keen to find a Homemade Jam ebook. Ebooks are really something to get excited about – they can be a true asset to your business!” Steff says.  “And remember, if you ever need any help writing your ebook – drop me a line.  I’ll even let you pay me in jam!”

Thanks to Steff for the awesome advice!  Ebooks are very exciting and we hope to hear more tips for how to make great ebooks from other sellers.

For additional tips on how to write everything from Etsy item descriptions to creating a brochure or leaflet, visit Steff Metal on Etsy.com.  You can also follow Steff on Twitter @steffmetal.

Share your tips for writing and selling ebooks with us!  Our team publishes ideas from handmade sellers, artisans, and crafters.  Be sure to include links to your social media sites or handmade shop site in your article.  Sellers receive free press for lending their knowledge, and both new and experienced sellers alike get new ideas.  Share with HandmadeMarketing.org here.