Sometimes I have clients who wonder whether their book should actually be in print. And you know, some of them should! I’ve actually had a client come to me with a great idea and some great research and when I took a look, I knew that the book would be a hit as a print book – and be far more successful than if it were kept in ebook form.
But how do you know?
Here are the signs your book should stay in ebook form:
1) It’s short. I’m talking ultra-short. Sure, there are long ebooks out there. And that’s fine. But if you have a 5 page book that is a wealth of information, then stick to ebook delivery. There is too much involved in the whole “bringing a book to print” deal to make it worth your time.
2) It’s timely. It takes time to get a book in print. Yes, even if you self-publish. And once it’s in print, there it is…in PRINT. Any mistakes. Anything that went out of date from the time it left your fingertips to the time it rolled off the presses and into the hands of readers. Ebooks are a couple of tip-taps of the fingers and a couple mouse-clicks away.
3) It requires frequent updates. Again…if you’re working with information that changes frequently, then why bother placing it in print? An ebook can easily be updated in minutes and changes sent out to readers via several different methods.
4) You have a very distinct target market. The more clear your target market, the easier it is to pinpoint them online and then move in for the sale. An ebook on how to create dolls out of bottle caps will be easier to sell online by marketing to doll enthusiasts, finding doll-maker forums and all that.
5) You don’t have any money. Well, hardly. Maybe you have a few bucks for a ghostwriter. Or an ebook cover designer. But you don’t have a couple grand stashed away to have a printer crank out a few hundred copies of your book. Well, for a few bucks you can set up your ebook to sell on sites like e-Junkie or ClickBank.
Tina,
I think you do a great job here of summing up reasons why an ebook makes more sense than a print book might.
I wonder if the idea of ebooks isn’t more difficult to take for some of us because of that misunderstanding that you aren’t “really a writer if it isn’t in print?” Even though I earn my living writing for everything Internet,I must admit that a couple weeks ago I sold my first article to a print magazine and I was so excited I thought it was Christmas early.
I must admit that I haven’t written an ebook yet, though. The idea has intrigued me for such a long time, but I haven’t taken the plunge. I am in the process of writing a “report” though. Can I call that an ebook, instead???
What’s the difference between a report and an ebook, Tina! Thanks!!
Hey Teresa – Thanks for popping in!! I will agree wholeheartedly with you that there is a stigma of sorts placed on ebooks and ebook authors. In part because, pure and simple, some ebooks SUCK. They are thrown together by horrible writers (I use that term loosely) and have nothing redeeming in any way about them.
Mind you, I’ve found a few print books to be pure suckage and yet someone thought to put them in print. But back to ebooks…
I think the whole idea that “anyone” can do it sort of diffuses the aura around the whole writing mystique. Hence, why we get giddy when a “professional” (such as an editor at a mag…congrats on that article sell, by the way!) gives us the thumbs up. It’s a professional high five. An acknowledgement of our talent.
I give you my permission to call your report an ebook. Especially since you have given me fodder for a whole ‘nother post!!