Do you have a book you want to see reach a whole new audience? If so, you may want to consider the many advantages of publishing an ebook. You don’t have to be a big-name author to publish an ebook; In fact, anyone with a book can sell their manuscript online in a digital format.

Why Publish an Ebook?

You may want to publish an ebook for your business, website, or personal hobbies. Free ebooks, for example, are a popular form of marketing and advertising for many business owners and website businesses. Ebooks can be how-to manuals, or they can be useful information on a number of subjects.

You may also want to publish because you have a story to tell. Everything from memoirs and biographies to works of fiction and short stories are suitable. Creating an ebook can become a lucrative business venture for an author who wants to enjoy the cash earned from the sale of their product, and with the rise and popularity of eReaders like the Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, and Apple iPad, your chances are better than ever.

Many authors choose to publish their book online because the customer gets their book immediately as a download and, the cost of doing publishing is minimal, when compared to hardcopy publishing. All that is generally needed is the proper writing software (Microsoft Office or Open Office), proper manuscript formatting, a way to accept payments (Pay Pal) and a website to sell the ebook on. You can use your own personal blog or website and market yourself, or you can use the highly popular Amazon.com and publish your ebook via their KDP platform (Kindle Direct Publishing platform).

Steps to Publishing an Ebook

If you want to publish an ebook, here’s what to do:

Write your book and find software to convert it into an ebook format. You can browse the Internet for free software like OpenOffice, or you may considering purchasing software like Microsoft Office to convert your manuscript into an ebook format. You may also have free editors already on your computer.

There are a number of different formats to convert your text into. They include:

• PDF Format– Converting your text into a PDF format is probably the most popular option if you want to publish your ebook. In fact, as a general rule, most authors are now using the PDF format when selling ebook via their website and blog. There are a number of PDF viewers for Windows, Mac, Linux, Unix and even handheld computers like PDAs. Often times, viewers for these various formats and devices must be downloaded in order to read published ebooks, but they are widely available and free of charge.PDF viewers are considered multi-platform viewers, meaning that users of any type of computer or device can read your published ebook. This is often the reason why so many authors use the PDF format. For more information and to get the free Adobe PDF reader, go here: http://get.adobe.com/reader/

• HTML format – Converting your text into HTML format is a bare bones way to read an ebook. In fact, HMTL format can be read by anyone with a web browser. However, many people publishing an ebook with HTML may have to work with a number of files/web pages, which may confuse readers and be tough to navigate.

• Windows Executable File – The Windows Executable File (EXE) is another format sometimes used by online authors. In order to accomplish a published ebook through an EXE file, you will need an ebook compiler that allows you convert your text into a Windows program.  The compiler will also allow you to view the executed file once it has been converted. The main reason why an author would publish their ebook in a .EXE is because there are many different security features you can use.
• .Mobi – This is the format used by Amazon.com and their eReader, the Amazon Kindle. You can convert your manuscript to .mobi by using the free .mobi creator or other free programs like Calibre.
• .ePub – This is another highly popular format (like .mobi) that is used by ebook retail websites. It is also the native ebook format used on eReaders like the iPad and Barnes and Noble Nook. You can use the free Calibre software to convert your manuscript to the .ePub format.

The most widely used formats are PDF, .Mobi and .ePub. If you intend your book to be read directly on a computer, PDF will work great, otherwise use the .Mobi and .ePUB for eReaders.

Now you are officially ready to bring your ebook product to the market!

An ebook cover is your ebook’s presentation. It is the icing on the cake and the accessories to the outfit. Your cover is a very important part of your ebook, so don’t underestimate the weight it carries with your ebook marketing and sales. Be sure to make a great first impression for potential readers.

Your Options in Making an Ebook Cover

If you want to learn how to make an ebook cover, here are your options:

• Hire the services of a professional ebook cover designer - If you don’t feel very comfortable designing your own ebook cover, it is probably best to leave the job in the capable hands of a professional ebook cover designer. Not all graphic designers, however, have the skills needed to make quality ebook covers. It is important to hire a graphic designer who has the knowledge necessary to design a cover that looks well in both a large format and a thumbnail size format, but is also professional and relevant to your book’s topic. Plus, your designer will understand which types of graphics and colors appear best when viewed in electronic form.
• Purchase ebook cover software – There is a large selection of ebook cover software available online, some of which is free and some that costs money. Whichever type of software you decide to use is up to you, but it is important to understand the features of the software before purchasing it to make sure it is user-friendly and easily suitable for your skill set. While these software programs can generate a “3d cover”, you will still need to produce a design which is then transformed into the 3d cover.
• Use Adobe Photoshop & action scripts – Although using ebook cover software is a popular option for many ebook authors since they provide templates, you can also make your ebook cover using graphics software, such as Adobe Photoshop with action scripts. This option however takes a lot of skill as you will first need to learn the Adobe Photoshop, have the skills make the ebook cover, then render it.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you want to make an ebook cover:

• When you make an ebook cover, make sure it accurately reflects the subject matter in your ebook. An ebook cover that does not give your readers an idea of what your book is about will do nothing more than decrease your chances of success when it comes to your ebook sales.
• Make sure your ebook cover design is unique. You only have one chance to make a big impression, and confusing people by making it similar to other ebook covers will prove disastrous when it comes to your ebook marketing and sales efforts.
• Don’t think that difficult designs and images will help your cause. In fact, a straightforward cover with a clean design and simple images can still attract readers and convert well to the small, thumbnail-size prints often found on ebook retailers’ pages. Just make sure the design is not amateurish and is professional that communicates the message.
• Consider colors that attract and engage the reader. Consider the theme of your book and the colors many readers associate with it. For example, a gardening book may work best using colors in green shades and other “nature” colors.
• Know when to throw in the towel. If you are not totally satisfied with your cover, don’t settle for less. Call in the help of a qualified ebook cover designer who can make an ebook cover that best represents the feeling you are trying to evoke.

Investing time and effort into your ebook cover will ensure that you put your best literary foot forward.

Now that your ebook is written, the work is over…or is it?  Your efforts to sell your ebook won’t get you very far unless you consider the importance of an ecover design. Your ebook may be fantastic, engaging and superior to its competitors, but it must be able to attract potential readers.

An ecover design is 3D rendered graphic of a book cover with a design specific to your book. It can also be flat or 2d if being used on sites like Amazon.com. This ecover will usually first appear as a small thumbnail size print, and it will then appear larger once the reader clicks on it. Just like a print book cover, an ecover is a cover for your ebook but is a 3D digital representation and will not be printed for a tangible book. The ecover design will be attractive, bold and eye catching, and it will make readers want to know more about and increase the chances of them purchasing your ebook. As such, a professional cover design for your ebook should never be underestimated in terms of its usefulness and effectiveness.

Can Anyone Design an Ecover?

Designing an ecover can be done on your own, thanks to the many software programs available, both in package form and online. Although producing your own ecover design may sound tempting, you may have more success if you leave the creating to a professional ebook cover designer who has the technical and design expertise to bring your ideas to life.  It is akin to creating the world’s best mouse trap, but packaging it in a bland cardboard box with simplistic type.  Who will actually pick up the box and realize the best mouse trap is inside?

Hiring a designer to produce an ecover design that is professional looking and eye catching can be an excellent investment that pays for itself.  The right cover may very well produce the success you are hoping for when trying to sell your ebook.

What characteristics should an ecover design possess?

Your ecover should be professional, eye-catching, and relevant to your ebook’s topic.  When readers view ebook covers, they often see dozens of them on a single page (i.e, Amazon.com / Kindle), thereby making it all the more important to immediately grab their attention with a great ecover design. Don’t over-think the design too much or get super creative. Most people will not look at a cover in depth and analyze each detail. Instead, you want them to be able to look at your cover and right away think “Ok, that looks interesting” and  instantly have an idea about what the book is about.

It is important to understand that what works in print may not work well in an ebook format, which is another reason why hiring services of an ebook cover designer is often a smart choice. A qualified designer will have a firm understanding of what will look good in electronic form, thereby increasing your chances of success when marketing and selling your ebook.

What are the advantages of a professional ecover design?

Readers who are attracted to a professional cover will perceive a greater value in your ebook and will want to know more about the information found inside it. In short, an attractive looking cover will give your ebook the credibility it needs for it to sell and you’ll be starting off on the right foot.

First impressions are the last impressions, and the adage is no different for ebook covers.  With the increased popularity of ebook publishing, it is important to stand out. Indeed, there is no substitute for a great ecover design.

You may have seen many people talking up the advantages of using ebook readers, but you may still be wondering what an ebook reader is. If you want to learn about them, and how they may benefit you, read on:

An ebook reader is a device for reading ebooks, or electronic books. Ebook readers are portable, electronic devices used for the purpose of reading digital books and other printed materials in electronic form. They are similar in design to a notebook or tablet computer. However, unlike a tablet or notebook, an ebook reader is specially designed to read large amounts of text. As such, they are quite easy to read, thanks to specialty screens that offer very little glare.

What are the advantages of an ebook reader?

Ebook readers serve a very useful purpose in today’s society. Many people enjoy the portability of these personal eletronics. Books tend to be heavy and bulky and not very suitable for transportation. Ebooks, on the other hand, are very slim and lightweight, thereby allow readers to travel easily with hundreds of titles in their hand.

Ebooks also provide readers with instant gratification. As soon as you desire a certain book, you can download it and begin reading it in a matter of minutes on an ebook, which is much easier than heading to a library or book store and locating a paper copy of a book.

They are also quite economical. Although there is an initial investment when purchasing an ebook reader, buying ebooks for your ebook reader cost about one-third of what a traditional paper book costs. If you are an avid reader, the cost of purchasing an ebook can be recouped in a very short period because of the low cost of purchasing ebooks.

What features should I consider when choosing an ebook reader?

There are a considerable number of ebook readers on the market today, so it pays to understand their features before purchasing. For example, ebook readers vary in size and some are heavier than others. Finally, some are also decidedly thinner than others, thereby making the process of holding them for long periods of time more comfortable.

These devices also feature various screen sizes, which may be an issue if you are visually impaired or if you experience eye fatigue.  The memory provided by an ebook reader is also important to many readers, as some of today’s best ebook readers allow you to store thousands of ebooks on the device.

Finally, many ebook readers feature glare-proof screens that make reading in bright light quite easy. The display technology from one device to the next may be quite noticeable, and better contrast and grayscale technology will make the difference between an ebook reader that is easy to read and one that is difficult. In the end, the reading device you choose will largely depend on your particular preferences.

Congratulations. Your ebook is finally written. You have put your time and your energy into producing, what you think, is one great ebook. But how do you take all those words and compile them into one, easily distributable file?

An ebook compiler is how some ebook authors take their text manuscript and transform it into a file that can be viewed in an ebook format.

What Ebook Compiler Should I Use?

Ebook compilers are found easily online. Some ebook compilers can be used free of charge, while others may charge you a fee. You may find that ebook compilers vary based on their features. Some ebook compilers are just text compliers, while others will compile your ebook text into different formats and provide advanced security features.

What formats can I use to compile by Ebook Text?

Ebook compilers are typically found in two popular formats: EXE and PDF.

An EXE format (self-executable) is comprised of a number of HTML files. To compile your ebook, you simply design a template (or use one provided by the ebook compiler) and add your text. Once the text has been added, you add navigation as to link all pages of your ebook together. Once the text files have been linked together, the ebook compiler creates a single file that allows ebook readers to view your ebook.

PDF format (portable document) is a format that needs a special reader for viewing. Readers who want to view an ebook in PDF format, which is designed by Adobe Systems, must download the reader.

What kind of ebook compiler is best for me?

The type of ebook compiler you choose will largely depend on your needs and your budget. In particular, who will read your ebook will largely depend on which ebook compiler you choose.

Ebooks with flash animation, files with graphics in HTML or accompanying video tutorials are best compiled using an EXE ebook compiler. One disadvantage of the .EXE format is that it is not compatible on Macintosh computers. Technical ebooks and novels may be best converted with a PDF ebook compiler.

 Free PDF converter plugin

Another option besides an ebook compiler is to download a free pdf converter plugin for your word processing software. This way, you can take what you have already typed and simply convert from there. Most pdf converters work by using the ‘print’ function and then selecting the plugin as the ‘printer’. Then, instead of actually printing the document, it simply converts the document to PDF and stores it on your computer.

The following link will let you download a free pdf converter.

Overall, it is important to carefully read the features and benefits of using a particular ebook compiler before making a decision regarding the best format for your ebook.

The choices are overwhelming. How do I choose the ebook compiler that best suits my needs?

Before becoming overwhelmed at the sheer number of ebook compilers available (and the confusing, technical language that often accompanies them), ask yourself the following questions:

• When I created the text pages, did I use HTML or PDF format? This will determine which ebook compilers you can use.
• Can I understand the instructions that accompany the ebook compiler? If not, move along. It doesn’t make sense to frustrate yourself by spending hours trying to figure out how to use an ebook compiler. Once you choose an ebook compiler, the process of compiling your files should be a relatively easy one.
• What security features are included with the ebook? Anytime you plan to sell an ebook, you will want to make sure your ebook compiler prohibits others from modifying text. As such, your ebook compiler should be password protected.

A complier is the way to give your text to your readers, and the right one will have the appropriate features that bring your book to life.

Selling an ebook online can be a very lucrative endeavor, provided you capture an audience who will purchase it. If you create an ebook that will appeal to either the masses, or a distinct group of readers, you are already ahead of the game. A well-written ebook, however, does not guarantee great sales.

In order to see your ebook take off and succeed in the marketplace, you will need to develop a strong ebook marketing strategy. Here’s 6 steps to get you started in the right direction.

• Create excitement about your impending ebook sale – The best way to create excitement about your upcoming ebook is to begin blogging about it. In addition to blogging about your ebook, a successful ebook marketing campaign will consist of asking your readers for their input. It’s always a good idea to create anticipation about your ebook, and the best way to go about doing so is getting your readers involved.
• Use the power of social media to get the word out about your ebook – One of the best ebook marketing strategies of today is using social media to promote your ebook. Just by posting news of your upcoming ebook on your Facebook and Twitter page, you can begin to promote your book to friends, family and colleagues, who will, in turn, promote it to their friends, family and colleagues. Never, ever underestimate the power of social media when it comes to ebook marketing.
• Give readers a taste test of your ebook – Tempting readers with a few free chapters is almost always a hit when it comes to selling your ebook. If you offer a few chapters for readers to peruse, you can be certain that many of them will order a copy of your ebook to finish reading the book. The free chapters will encourage those hesitant readers to buy the full version, and it will also give details of what they can expect in the entire book.
• Don’t skimp on a minisite design – Creating a minisite devoted to your ebook a great way to give your ebook marketing campaign a kick start. A good minisite design will feature a summary of the ebook, a description of the ebook, a list of chapters and, if applicable, benefits the reader can get simply from reading the ebook. If your ebook is already in circulation, consider adding glowing testimonials from other readers who enjoyed what your ebook has to offer.
• Ask other bloggers to review your ebook – If other bloggers in your field review your ebook and recommend it to their readers, then you’ve just opened up a whole new ebook marketing route. You can contact other bloggers by sending them personal emails asking them to review your ebook in exchange for a free copy.
• Keep your ebook reasonably priced – All the ebook marketing in the world won’t get you very far if you don’t offer a reasonably priced product. Readers are more likely to purchase an ebook if it is priced right, and those readers are then more likely to recommend it to their friends.

By following these marketing points, you are well on your road to a successful ebook marketing campaign.

I recently set my client up with a Google Apps Premier account since they wanted a web-based email program that they can access from anywhere in world and consolidate all of their email addresses. This feature makes Google Apps very convenient and powerful when you combine it with their excellent spam filters and ease of use. I use Google Apps Premier myself and enjoy being able to access my email wherever I am – whether it is in a hotel when I am traveling or from my phone when I am out of the office. Google offers their mobile ‘Gmail App’ which makes it easy for my to check email from my phone, for all of the email addresses I have set up.

Google Apps offers all the benefits of Gmail and more for $50.00/year. I think it’s well worth the price.

Problem: Removing ‘Sent On Behalf Of’

When following Google’s directions for consolidating all of my email addresses AND being able to send from each address without the ‘Sent On Behalf Of’ showing, I ran into a problem.

1. I followed the directions under “I’m a Gmail or Google Apps user sending from an external address” which you can find at:

http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=22370

The only problem was that when I went to add an address, I was never prompted with the option “Use your other email provider’s SMTP servers.”

Solution: Activating the ‘Outbound Relay’ Option

The reason I wasn’t being prompted with the option to add my email providers custom SMTP services was because the ‘outbound relay’ settings in my account wasn’t activated for whatever reason.

Follow these directions to active outbound relay:

1) Log into your google apps account and go to your mail. From there, click on ‘Manage This Domain’.

2) Next, click on the blue/purple ‘Service Settings’ tab and select “Email”.

3) Scroll down the page and check “Outbound Relay”.

Next the the check box, it should say “Allow users to send mail through an external SMTP when configuring a “from” address hosted outside your email domains”

4) Scroll down the page and click “Save Changes”.

5) Wait 1 hour or more for settings to change and re-add your email address. You should now see the option to use custom SMTP servers.

If you have any questions regarding these changes, feel free to comment below.

According to eCover Makers, More eBook Authors are Relying on a Professional eBook Cover Design

Minneapolis, MN – May 13, 2010 — eBooks are one of the fastest-growing areas of the publishing industry, with the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader providing a platform for readers to access their favorite books in electronic format. Forrester Research estimates that by the end of this year, U.S. consumers will have bought a total of 3 million e-readers, and sales of eBooks are expected to make up 33% of all book sales by 2014.

But eBooks aren’t just for big publishers and bestselling authors – eBooks are also becoming a major new method for small businesses and Web entrepreneurs to market themselves and to sell as educational products. eBooks give authors the power to quickly and affordably publish a book to help market a product or service, to establish themselves as an authority in a particular subject area, or to sell as an information product to niche audiences.

“Our customers publish eBooks on everything from dating advice to investing guides to how to make it to Major League Baseball,” said Derek Chiodo, president of eCover Makers, a Minneapolis-based Web marketing firm specializing in eBook cover design. “Publishing an eBook is a great way for a small business or independent entrepreneur to establish credibility as a voice of expertise in their field, to give away for free as a marketing tool, or to sell as a side product from a blog or online community.”

As they launch their eBooks, many eBook publishers are starting to give attention to the importance of a professional eBook cover. In a crowded field, where hundreds and thousands of eBooks appear online each day, high-quality eBook cover design is one of the differentiation points that can help an eBook stand out from the competition.

“The majority of Web site visitors who decide not to buy an eBook online say the reason they don’t buy is because they can’t see the product,” said Chiodo. “A professional eBook cover design gives Web site visitors a chance to actually ‘see’ the product – it makes the eBook more real and tangible, and increases the buyer’s perceived value of the eBook.”

As eBooks continue to become more popular, Derek Chiodo expects that independent eBook publishers will need to continue to improve their image with their eBook cover design.

“Having an attractive, high-quality eBook cover design is becoming increasingly important,” Chiodo said. “Just as people judge your business by the quality of your Web site, they will also be evaluating and judging the quality of your eBook based on your eBook cover design. You want your eBook to present a professional, appealing image to your prospective readers, so people know that your information is credible.”

Derek Chiodo is the president of eCover Makers, a Minneapolis-based website design & graphics firm specializing in eBook cover design. Derek and the eCover Makers team create high-impact, professional-quality eBook covers to help small businesses and entrepreneurs sell their eBooks. Visit their website at http://www.eCoverMakers.com or call 1-800-975-7953 for more information.

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