EBooks have become a mainstay in our world today, thanks to smart devices all around us. We love our paperbacks, but sometimes the bulk and cost make them inaccessible or even inconvenient to many. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 75% of Americans have read an eBook in the last twelve months. For some, it’s an occasional escape; for others, it’s just a chore, such as students working on an assignment. Why and what you write matters a lot before ever putting pen to paper or your fingers on the keypad. Do students reading this want to know how to become an exceptional writer? Go for a professional writing company like grademiners writing service. Their writers can help you polish your writing skills by improving your structure, flow, and even narrative skills.
Because eBooks are not exclusive to publishing, unlike paperbacks. You can write, design, and publish an eBook right from the comfort of your home or anywhere you find comfortable. The potential to monetize your passion for writing at no cost should be a very exciting one, especially for students and novice writers.
So, here’s our guide to how to publish an eBook in stores like Amazon Kindle and Google Play Books.
- Defining Your Purpose and Audience
Writing is a passion or even a profession for some. Anyway, purpose comes first. As with the different types of writing – narrative, informative, argumentative, etc. – you have to define what you are writing and why. For example, you might be curating a collection of your short poems, blog posts, or stories, or you may even be writing an informative guide.
Once you know the “what” and “why” of your writing, everything else will naturally fall into place, you will also be able to choose a format that works.
- Writing and Editing
If you have content already lined up, then that’s good for you. However, you still need to structure that content correctly and in a readable format. Again, professional writers can be of great use here and in the editing and proofreading bits.
This should be the fun part. Before publishing, however, write consistently to build up your skills or help with your creativity.
- Choose a Publishing Platform
Decide the route you want to go. Self-publishing can allow you to set your own goals and preferences. However, you have a higher risk of copyright infringement and copying and have to do more marketing and online distribution. Traditional publishing on platforms like Kindle gives you greater exposure and access to established distribution channels.
For platforms such as Amazon Kindle Direct, IngramSpark, and Smashwords, you must consider fees, distribution channels, and royalty rates. These platforms also have a ton of publishing requirements that you will need to satisfy before you can be published.
For example, Amazon provides guidelines on things such as the cover image, text guidelines, audio-visual content, and other metadata. Your best bet would be to engage an expert from Fiverr or Upwork who is familiar with eBook publishing on these platforms. It’s a little extra cost, but it may be worth the effort eventually.
- Design and Formatting
Your cover image is your selling point, and this is what will make you stand out from the large jungle of eBooks. So, go through the various eBook designs on the internet and find out what you like or what works for you. Minimalism is always a good idea, but you can pull off something bold and exceptional with a talented designer.
You can also create the eBook cover yourself, for example, with the free Kindle Cover Creator or apps like Canva, DIY Book Covers, or Snappa. Ensure that the visuals and fonts reflect what you’re trying to convey in your eBook.
Always use high-quality, high-definition images for your eBook where possible, not just on the cover. Visuals sell, and this will ensure that your audience finds you easily and that you stay in memory. A professional eBook writer can also help you maintain formatting consistency through your eBook with margins, line spacing, and font size. Check out online feedback like this grademiners review to find out if such services offer eBook writing in their services and their quality of service.
- Marketing and Promotion
Writing the eBook is one thing, but promoting it is another. Even with a professional publisher like Kindle or Google Play Books, you will still need to lay the groundwork for marketing and promotion. You can do this by leveraging methods including:
- Build your social media profile: Your social media followers can share your eBook link and provide that much-needed social proof to push your eBook. They can also leave reviews on various publishing sites.
- Utilize SEO: Optimization will work for things like your eBook’s title, description, and keywords for search engines to improve visibility.
- Leverage Email Marketing: Create an email list and use email marketing to promote your eBook. For example, you can create a sign-up form that will enable you to collect user information and provide access to the eBook directory.
If your eBook shows good potential, you can consider extending that to a series, improving your visibility further.
Wrapping Up
That’s not everything you need to know when considering doing an eBook, but it’s a good place to start. Remember, write content for your audience first, or let your passion flow with your eBook.
Once you’ve covered this base, everything else will start falling into place. Follow the logical steps we’ve provided, such as cover design, adhering to the rules of publishing for different platforms and promoting yourself on social media, email, or other platforms. Don’t forget to seek professional writing help, whether streamlining your content or writing in the eBook format. Forge ahead because success awaits!
