Which was the world’s first ebook? Most media outlets will make you believe that Michael S. Hart published the first one. This author launched Project Gutenberg and issued the Declaration of Independence digitally in 1971. But some historians trace the origins of electronically-encoded literature to the ‘60s. Other researchers argue that the complete work of Thomas Aquinas pioneered the digital book revolution. The launching of the Kindle device was a momentous breakthrough in the world of ebooks. This e-reader got modified multiple times.
The benefits of ebooks over printed ones are self-explanatory. It’s an electronic book! Was it possible for someone a century ago to imagine a pocket full of the entire English literature? Ebooks are easy to recover and cost lower than printed books. They even let you find the specific word that you’re looking for at the moment. Amazon reported that 85% of their readers do search such terms while they’re going through a book. Audiobooks offer blind people a convenient method to access their favorite literature. The process of ebook creation is effortless and straightforward. But we are presenting some carefully collected dos and don’ts of ebook marketing that you must learn.
Starting with what you should include in your practice:
- FEEL PROUD
Some authors tend to underestimate the unveiling of their ebooks. Publishing a quality piece of literature online is an accomplishment. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating and talking about it. Feel proud enough to promote your ebook and create a marketing strategy for it.
- PROOF-READ FOR MISTAKES
As a writer, you can produce the fairest composition imaginable. But nobody’s infallible, and even the most careful author can make a few slip-ups. That’s why proof-reading your book before final submission is highly essential. Use software like Grammarly to make sure your grammar’s fool-proof.
- MARKETING AND PROMOTION
The primary factor in your marketing strategy is to build an audience. You should grow an audience first before you create an ebook; either you are a newbie to the field or have been ruling the previous marketing grounds for years. Marketing makes even the worst of the products become an immediate sensation. Your ebook deserves the smartest promotion campaign possible.
- LINK BACK TO YOUR BLOG
Your ebook is probably the first interaction between you and hundreds of readers. So, always put a link to your blog/website/account in the book. Usually, this information goes in the portion called About the Author. If you don’t have an account, have some social proof.
- HAVE SOCIAL PROOF
Your social presence immensely matters. Social media is a dynamic platform where you meet your future readers. Some authors ignore this strategy and don’t get as much attention as they’d hoped for with the project. Networking websites engage an unbelievable number of book-consumers.
- PLAN A SEQUEL
People love continued information and entertainment. Once you’ve engaged an audience, keep feeding them fresh material. They will demand more of your writing, and you’re a person who craves penmanship. Expand your literary universe and produce more quality content for online bibliophiles.
- SELL ON AMAZON
Where should I publish my first ebook? Amazon. That’s it. 83% of all book sales in the United States are happening right now on Amazon. You can try different vendors, too, which is a better approach. Amazon Kindle even lets you give away your ebook for free temporarily. That’s a neat promotional campaign right there.
Time for seven avoidable factors of marketing:
- THINK YOU NEED NO EDITOR
Don’t underestimate the need for an editor to have a look at your ebook. A good writer isn’t necessarily an insightful editor. Editors are like an extra pair of professional eyes you can use for precautionary measures. Many books get flamed on Amazon for having multiple errors.
- BE CARELESS ABOUT THE FORMAT
Format matters when you’re trying to promote your book. Properly formatted ebooks receive sincere appreciation for readers. It isn’t enough to make the book available in PDF only. You have to be sensitive about the Kindle and the Nook community as well.
- OVERSELL THE BOOK
Strictly avoid overpricing your ebook. Overselling your product when you’re unheard of is simply a lousy market. If you keep it between $2.99 and $9.99, you’ll get a 70% payment from Amazon. Selling the ebook for $10 will cut the amount in half. So, even if you’re a well-established author, be modest about the pricing.
- DESIGN THE COVER BY YOURSELF
The cover helps people decide if they want to read your ebook or not. Therefore, don’t try to design the book cover if you’re not into graphic design. Let professionals handle this matter.
- ASK FOR REVIEWS
Don’t ask people to review your ebook. Let your marketing strategy motivate people to do it for you. When you implore people to read your work, you sound desperate. It’s better if you share the ebook among friends, acquaintances, and intellectuals you’re in contact with for that time.
- FORGET TO PREVIEW
Previewing is a personal kind of review. It helps you critically analyze your book for errors and mistakes. Always review the ebook with microscopic intensity. Pay attention to even minuscule details because they can be a bother in the future.
- EXPECT TOO MUCH
Don’t risk your entire future on one thing. This book will not make you a sudden millionaire. Start working on the next project as soon as this one’s finished. Try writing at a faster pace so you can have more work done.
CONCLUSION
Analysts have valued the $18 billion global ebook market to reach $23 billion by 2025. Technological advancements in the entertainment industry haven’t beaten people’s love for books. Many readers favor old paperback versions of the books they love, but it is famous for the cheap rates, easy accessibility, and convenient portability. A small mobile device offers the capacity to carry an average school library. Therefore, becoming an author online seems like an exciting profession. Follow a few instructions, and they will polish your career as a self-published author on the internet.
