Make and Sell an Ebook
There are many reasons to write an ebook, but most of them involve an increase either in revenue or in readership. I’m going to highlight some ways that mom bloggers can use their ebooks successfully to drive revenue.
Ebooks to Increase Mailing Lists and Blog Traffic
One of the predominate ways that internet marketers have used ebooks for the past few years is to build up their mailing lists with the goal of later monetizing the list, or increasing traffic to their blog. This works for bloggers as well, regardless of your topic and focus.
For example, one of my consultation clients, Prerna of The Mom Writes, put together an ebook that she decided to offer for free. It’s on a topic she feels passionate about – helping mothers get control of their lives in the area of organization and clutter management. She wrote an ebook, 100+ Simple Tips to Get Organized, which she offers as a free download from her blog. As a result of this ebook, not only has her blog traffic increased, leading to a raise in ad revenue, but she’s also been hired by private clients to write their ebooks or content for the blog.
Use Affiliate Links Judiciously Within Your Ebook
Regardless of the topic you’re discussing in your ebook, there are affiliate programs available to you. One of the cool things you can do is to include affiliate links to products within your ebook, when appropriate. In my big ebook, Making Money Blogging – Beyond Banner Ad Sales, I include affiliate links to some of the writing sites I mention. This has served to generate a small, additional income each month from those who purchase the ebook and take action on my recommendations.
This doesn’t have to be hard or obstrusive for your readers. But if you are blogging steadily on a specific topic on your site, chances are you’re using affiliate links already. It’s a logical step to include those same affiliate programs within your ebook, if they are appropriate. (I should think it could go without saying that you are linking to products you actually believe will provide value to your readers, of course.)
Create an Affiliate Program For Your Book
Instead of trying to sell your ebook completely on your own to the readers who visit your own blog or website, consider enlisting the help of your friends and satisfied customers. Consider establishing some kind of affiliate program, whether one that you manage yourself like I do, or a third-party program like ejunkie or commission junction. This allows your guest blog hosts, reviewers, and customers to sell your book on your behalf, in exchange for a percentage of the revenue created.
Clients, Speaking Gigs and Service Providing
Kelby Carr is an excellent example of someone who’s been successful generating income from her ebook in this fashion. You can purchase her ebook, Mom Blog SEO, and learn step-by-step how to increase the keyword research accuracy of your blog, make sure it’s search engine friendly, etc. However, if you decide it’s easier to outsource the work, she is available for SEO consultations and recommendations at an hourly rate. She is also sought after as an expert in the field and speaks often on the subject at blog conferences and events.
This premise works for any topic. If you offer monthly meal-plans, perhaps creating an ebook Benefits of Menu Planning – Save Time and Money in the Kitchen would help convince potential clients of the need for your services. Not only that, but you would now be a familiar name and voice to them. Remember, people are more likely to buy from someone they know and like, than from a total stranger. An ebook can become an excellent introduction piece whether you’re looking to sell a service, product, or yourself for speaking or consultations.
Once you’ve decided on a topic for your ebook, the next step is to actually create your ebook and to put it together in such a way that your efforts are maximized beyond just the initial sale. If you’ve never made an ebook before, or want help getting started, consider picking up 30 Days to Make and Sell a Fabulous Ebook, and joining us at the exclusive forums with personalized help by me each day. It’s easier than you think to increase blog traffic and revenue through the use of a high-quality ebook!
Angela England is a problogger, freelance writer and author of 30 Days to Make and Sell a Fabulous Ebook. Find her on Twitter and at her blog, angengland.com.
Good info, thanks. eJunkie looks like a pretty cool service, too.
I’ve written a novella that I’ll probably sell through my blog as an eBook. It’s not really related to my personal blog (about my identical twin son with cerebral palsy) but I still think my readers will enjoy it and want to buy it. At least I hope so!
http://www.outrageousfortune.net