Most likely, you’ve read an eBook before or have at least have come across the term online at some point. What exactly is an eBook, and what purpose does it serve? How is a successful eBook assembled, and once you have it ready to go, what's the best way to get it in front of as many eyes as possible? Read on to find out.
What is an eBook?
Basically, an eBook is an electronic version of a book. You can read an eBook on a computer screen, your smart phone, or tablet. You can usually download an eBook quickly from a website on your electronic device. Some eBooks must be purchased while others are free of charge.
There are some differences between marketing eBooks for businesses and traditional printed books made into eBooks. Typically, marketing eBooks can be downloaded from a business website for free. You usually only need to fill out a short form, offering some contact information (sometimes only an email address) in exchange for the piece of content. This is a great way for marketers to collect leads. At the same time, consumers can receive well researched content that is useful to them. Traditional eBooks, on the other hand, are usually offered for a price on websites like Barnes & Noble.
How can an eBook help my business?
EBooks can help you market your business by sharing insightful, helpful information about topics your target consumers are interested in. They can show readers that you’re an expert in your field, which helps you build trust with strangers. They can also help your business generate qualified leads!
What’s the basic process of putting an eBook together?
There are several steps to developing up a good eBook. It needs to be written, designed, and distributed properly. Follow these steps (from HubSpot) to create a successful eBook for your business!
- Pick a topic. This topic should be something your target audience will be interested in learning more about. Choose a topic that helps consumers solve a problem or offers the means to find a solution. It should help bridge a communication gap between your sales team and the consumer. Once the eBook has been read, the consumer should be able to have a more educated conversation with one of your sales people, making the exchange more useful for both parties.
- Create an outline. Your eBook should have a strong introduction, a table of contents, sections that separate different subtopics, and a conclusion that leads readers back to your business by explaining how you can help them achieve their goals.
- Write the content. One of the most important things to keep in mind while writing your eBook is your writing style. Write for your audience. Most of the time, eBooks should be written simply, concisely, and clearly. People don't want to have to decipher your information. If they run into content that's complex or difficult for them to understand, they'll probably stop reading it.
- Design. Don’t make pages too cluttered or packed with text, or you'll scare away your readers. Keep them neat and organized: include images, and split content into different sections to make it easier to digest. Break up text with color, images, and infographics. Quotes, statistics, and large headings can also help break up large blocks of text. Make your eBook attractive so people are excited to read it! If you don't have an eye for design or the resources to create the eBook yourself, hire a professional graphic designer to do it for you.
How do I market my eBook?
Once your eBook has been created, it’s time to share it! Add it to your website so users can easily download. Create a landing page that contains a form visitors can fill out in exchange for the download. This way, your sales team can collect visitors’ contact information and follow up with them later.
You should promote your eBook on your website, blog, and social media profiles. You can also get it front of more eyes by creating an email campaign or through paid advertising on social media plaforms. Make sure you keep track of how many people download your eBook so you know how successful it is!
If you’d like to create an informational eBook for your business, contact Blue Frog Marketing! We have professional content writers, graphic designers, and inbound marketing specialists who can lead you through the entire eBook process from concept to launch!
