2011-10-06

The rise of the e-book

If you’d told someone fifteen years ago that you wanted to sell electronic books over the internet, they’d have laughed at you – in the dawn of the Internet, connections were so slow that you couldn’t even load an image on the screen, let alone consider the idea of selling far and wide.

Nowadays, of course, and thanks to companies who excel in the art of document storage – as well as those who keep data secure and make sure that when a disaster happens the damage can be fixed quickly and easily – selling e-books is a simple thing to do. Depending on the content of the e-books there is no reason whatsoever that it can’t turn into a lucrative online business which generates as much money as much more traditional business models.

e-book covers need to sell the product even more than paperbacks

With this in mind, let us now explore the various things that you want to get right:

1) The look of the books: OK, so they’re e-books, so it doesn’t matter what the cover is, right? Very, very wrong. In fact, e-book covers need to sell the product even more than paperbacks. After all, the customer cannot just pick it up and open it, which means that they are relying on their very first impression.

2) Make sure the content is commercial: e-books which instruct and give hints and tips on financial matters always do well. As do books concerning online business strategy and the like. If you have had a successful career in a more traditional offline role, why not consider turning all that experience into words which other people can benefit from? The rewards speak for themselves, and as we all know, e-books are on the rise...

3) Never over-price your work, but don’t be so cheap that the work itself will be viewed with suspicion: this is a tricky subject and something which needs to be thought about with caution. Look at other books in the bracket you are categorized in, but also bear in mind that if the information is valuable, people won’t mind paying for it!

4) Last but by no means least, hire a graphic designer to create a winning website; make sure they have a clear understanding of what you want, but be prepared to be led by their expert advice as well (something which many people find difficult but is essential to adhere to). This will elevate your products to an even higher lever, which means that you will look professional: something which can never be compromised upon.