Perhaps your goals are more finely tuned in terms of ebook scene. You may want to build a whole business around writing and publishing ebooks. Essentially, you want to start an e-business. You are thinking of setting up a website to promote and market your ebooks. Maybe you're even thinking of producing an ezine.

One of most prevalent reasons people read ebooks is to find information about how to turn their Internet businesses into a profit-making machine. And these people are looking to writers of ebooks to provide them with new ideas and strategies because writers of ebooks are usually people who understand new cyberspace world we now live in. Ebook writers are experts in Internet marketing campaigns and strategies of promoting and distributing ebooks. The cyberspace community needs its ebooks to be successful so that more and more ebooks will be written.

You may want to create affiliate programs that will also market your ebook. Affiliates can be people or businesses worldwide that will all be working to sell your ebooks. Think about this? Do you see a formula for success here?

Figure out what your subject matter is, and then narrow it down. Your goal is to aim for specificity. Research what's out there already, and try to find a void that your ebook might fill.

What about an ebook about a wedding cake business? Or an ebook about caring for elderly pets? How about fine points of collecting ancient pottery?

You don't have to have three masters degrees to write about your subject. People need advice that is easy to read and easily understood. Parents need advice for dealing with their teenagers. College students need to learn good study skills - quickly. The possibilities are endless.

After you've written your ebook

Getting your ebook out is going to be your focus once you've finished writing it, just as it is with print books. People will hesitate to buy any book from an author they've never heard of. Wouldn't you?

The answer is simple: give it away! You will see profits in form of promoting your own business and getting your name out. You will find affiliates who will ask you to place their links within your ebook, and these affiliates will in turn go out and make your name known. Almost every single famous ebook author has started out this way.

Another powerful tool to attract people to your ebook is to make it interactive. Invent something for them to do within book rather than just producing pages that contain static text. Let your readers fill out questionnaires, forms, even crossword puzzles geared to testing their knowledge on a particular subject. Have your readers hit a link that will allow them to recommend your book to their friends and associates. Or include an actual order form so at end of their reading journey, they can eagerly buy your product.

When people interact with books, they become a part of world of that book. The fact is just as true for books in print as it is for ebooks.

That's why ebooks are so essential. Not only do they provide a forum for people to learn and make sense of their own thoughts, but they can also serve to promote your business at same time.

11. Do some research on Internet and Amazon. What other information is available on this? How old is this information? Create a file in your word processing software and call it "[your topic/subject] research." Do research in small chunks or big ones. Don't read until you have collected 10-20 pages. Set a time limit on research and/or number of pages of research notes. Don't forget to track URL source. Keep cutting and pasting information in as you progress.

12. What do people need to know about you? Why do you want to tell this or teach it? Do you have any credentials, if not, that's okay to, however, what is your experience on this topic? More times than not, life training is worth a lot more than credentials.

13. Do you have any other information that connects or compliments this topic/segment? Another article, booklet, audiotape -- anything -- go-ahead pull it out and gather it all together.

14. Have you heard any short anecdotes on this topic? If so, what were they, who was source? Can you interview them to hear it again? Give them credit; it makes you more attractive on topic?

15. Does your information need visual assistance? Graphics, pictures, charts, models. Anything come to mind as a possibility? Draft out every idea so they can grow. Use research you are doing to spark your creativity. If someone presents it in words, can you do it in a model or drawing?

16. Are there any ebooks on topic? What about special reports? Paid or free? If purchased, does it compliment your topic or how can you create a different angle and use it to compliment? Can you create an affiliate with their product? Do you want to use it as a marketing lead-in or as a bonus?

Boy, that was tough thinking about all this and answering these questions. Yes, I agree. Yet, as I know you well see while reading them, how important they are to your success.

Now, tough time comes, you need to sit down and answering them. Not just once, however, on a regular basis. Like minimum once a year.

Take time, it's best time you will ever spend working "on" your business. Best wishes on your journey. If you need guidance, let me know.

(c) Copyright 2003, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.