Writing an E-Book

     In the old days, if you wanted to write an e-Book you'd have to be a scientist. Nowadays everything is so simple that there is no excuse not to do it.

     To write an e-book you will need a HTML editor like Front Page or others. HTML means Hyper Text Mark-Up Language and is basically the language of the internet.

     Normally most computers already have this software. But in case yours doesn't, you can still find a free version of it on the internet.

     The free version of Front Page is called Front Page Express and you can download a copy by clicking here or, by opening a search engine like Altavista and typing in the search box the following "front page express download" including quotation marks.

     This means you want to find an exact match to what is inside the quotation marks.

     Although this is a free version you can still write a well presented e-book or website using it. Of course, the free version has lots of features disabled but if you have the money you can always purchase it's big brother.

     If this is the case you might want to look at another very popular program for developing web sites called Dreamweaver. Considered by most, the best HTML editor.

     These are the two most popular options for designing a website or e-book.

     Operating a web design software like Front Page is pretty simple and there are lots of tutorials. Basically a person that can use a word processor can use a HTML editor.

     It's a bit about playing with things and see what they do. I could sit here typing all the commands and describing them to you, and until you do it yourself the information is worthless. Plus, this is a process you will have to go through by yourself.

     Don't worry it's pretty simple and there is more than enough help available.

     What you must know is, while using a program like Front Page or Dreamweaver, you will have at least three document viewing modes.

•  Normal - This is where you can type your text into the window using a visual interface.
  
      You can create your links and add your pictures in this mode without needing to become an advanced programmer. A child could use this interface, it's that simple and that's exactly the aim.
  
      Using Tables is the best way to ensure your text is displayed right where you want it.

•  HTML - In this mode you can see the HTML generated by the alterations you've made using the normal editing mode.
     
      The code itself is usually colour coded to make it easier to read. This is where you can add your advanced scripts or make manual changes.

•  Preview - Just what the name says, you'll be previewing your page as if it were on your website. You'll the final results of your editing and the actual look of your webpage.

     Writing an e-book is the same as creating a web site's content. The only difference is, an e-book has to be compiled. Using an e-book compiler will make it portable and easy to download over the internet.

     A website on the other hand has to be uploaded to your webspace using a FTP program.

     FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol and is what allows you to get files from and to the internet.

     You can do (almost) anything you want with HTML. You can get graphics or pictures moving, use sounds and video, and even accept details from people across the globe through a form on your webpage.

     To keep things simple you'll find that you'll generate several files of individual web pages.

     When you have your e-book ready to compile into one simple file that can be distributed over the internet, the best thing to do is to use an eBook Compiler.

But at this point I strongly recommend you use something like ADOBE ACROBAT. This will create a PDF file and the advantage of going down this path is, Adobe documents can be viewed on many types of operating systems. In this case it won't matter if your buyers are running Windows XP on a PC or using an Apple computer.

     It's good to learn about your hammer before you actually try to hit something with it.

     Advantages of selling an e-book:

     These advantages are pretty obvious:

•  no need to keep stock in a warehouse

•  instant delivery of product

•  no shipping costs

•  since you're selling an informational product customer support is reduced to an absolute minimum

•  no middle men, you get to keep all the profit

     This list could go on forever!

     There are many advantages not listed here. But the obvious advantage of selling an e-book online is that your shop is always open and doesn't really need you to be awake all the time to keep it running!

     You can be earning even while you sleep!

     Once you have the software to compile an e-book,
you can write as many e-books as you would like at no extra cost.

     This means you could be creating several automated streams of income! Exactly what you'll want to achieve!

     Having more than one stream of income is the way forward. Once you're finished with one product there is no stopping you.

     You can write new products with ease and explode your profits and make even more money.

     Be alert that you should somehow refer your costumers from your e-book back to your website or to another product. This linking is very clever and will get you more sales.

     Whatever product you design you can build a professional looking cover that can get you more sales at Dynamite Covers. With this you don't need to be a graphic design genius to make a professional cover for your e-book.

     On another note, if you own a digital camera and a colour printer then you can easily create a book cover to put on your website.

     Remember, on the internet trust is everything. People won't buy from you unless they like what they see.

     I don't think you will get many sales if the cover for your e-book looks like it was drawn by your three year old daughter. That is unless you're selling children's stories! (Now there's an idea!)

     To give you a little extra help I should tell you that you can create some pretty cool 3D titles by clicking on this Free Tool!

     I've used it to create some of the titles to my products and am pleased with the results. I strongly encourage you to download the trial version of this software and get a better taste of it's potential.

     Another free resource you should visit is Cool Text

     You can render some pretty impressive looking text and buttons that will add professionalism to your web site and creations. All this will help you achieve your goals!

     My best advice to you is write like you speak!

     Many of my readers say they aren't writers. Ok, news-flash for you.

     Everyone who can speak, can write!

     Don't shoot me just yet, it's true! In a recent study it was revealed that anyone can write!

     Writing is inside everyone of us. Pretend you're talking to yourself. If you can understand it, then everyone can.

     Use a spell-checker to ensure you've typed everything correctly. Although this will help correct typing mistakes it won't check your grammar or content.

     Make sure you read your text once it is complete, you'll probably find some pretty weird things happened while you were trying to take the ideas out of you and into "paper".

     It happens to everyone. I also advise you to have a friend or relative that will read your text for you, that might help locate any weird things.

     I swear that must be some sort of writing gremlin that lurks in the shadows and jumps out to scramble your text when you're not looking.

     Ok, funny jokes aside...

     If you're creating an e-book, website, sales letter, just write like you speak. Nobody likes to read that illusive jargon that only the politicians use. Save your breath, er... I mean your fingers and make it easier on your reader.

     Most people don't have much time to read, and by making things simpler for them, you and your reader will gain from it.

     Have you written down some ideas yet?