Archive for November, 2011

How to Format an Ebook

November 29th, 2011 by Ebook Geek | No Comments | Filed in Ebook Writing

Depending on what you want to do, it is not difficult to learn how to format an ebook. However, there are various preformatted ebook templates which you can download on the internet and some are in Microsoft Word. If you are talking about formatting PDF electronic book, I can quickly go through some steps to do it Open Office writer.

I guess there are various PDF platforms you can use to format an ebook. There is Adobe PDF software, Open Office PDF writer, and others. Because the Adobe PDF software is a bit pricey, many webmasters find it cheaper to use its alternatives. For example, with Open Office PDF writer, you can learn how to format an ebook as if you used a paid tool.

First and foremost, you have to download and install the free Open Office PDF Writer on your desktop computer or laptop. It is completely free to download. After you have installed it, you will have access to a number of features like text document, drawing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, formula, templates, and etcetera.

The first task for you to do is to familiarize yourself with the text document environment. It is much the same with Microsoft Word. During installation, Open Office will place a desktop icon on your PC. Double click on it to open the different applications which the software has. Click on the text document to open the word processing environment. This is where you will start typing your text work. In the alternative, you can type your work in MS Word and simply import it into Open Office writer text document. When you want to save it, you will have two options to either save it in MS Word format or Open Office format.

For me, using PDF writer was the fastest way to learn how to format an ebook and then convert it to PDF document which will include security features to prevent unauthorized copying of my content. You can specify how you want to number your pages. The first page of your ebook can be formatted as the ebook title using “first page” format. This page is where you will place your ebook cover. It will not include any header or footer information.

The second page will be formatted with “index page” formatting. This page is the table of contents. You can set your ebook chapters’ titles and sub-titles in “Heading 1” and “Heading 2” text style formats respectively. It will essentially generate a table of contents following the “Insert” in the top menu tab and then “Insert Index/Table” link.

In conclusion, there are many ways to format an ebook depending on the software you have. Personally, I learnt how to format an ebook with Open Office PDF Writer and I am happy with it.

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How to Generate Ebook Ideas and Topics to Write Ebook

November 1st, 2011 by Ebook Geek | No Comments | Filed in Ebook Writing

I will quickly show you how to generate ebook ideas and topics in this article if you are thinking of writing ebooks for profit on the internet. The title of your electronic book and the sub topics inside it can be used as great selling points during your ebook marketing campaigns. Generating ebook topics is as easy as you can get. So, let’s dive in.

Your Hobbies, Crafts and Interests

Each one of us has one form of hobby or interest which we regularly participate in and love. You can start with your hobbies or interests to come up with ideas for your ebook. After conducting research in your niche market to determine the profitability of it, you can write what you know which people want to learn about.

On another level, if you have one aspect of your hobby that has been posing lots of challenges to you, there is likelihood that others may be facing the same problems as well. May be this is the right time to research solution to your challenges, learn and apply the solution you have found for its efficacy and document your experience for others to learn from. It is a great business opportunity to start creating your own ebook from there.

Research Information on People’s Problems and Needs

The idea of researching information on people’s problems and writing ebook to provide the solutions to solve it is the smartest way to create a best-selling electronic book on the internet. In your niche market, what are the questions people are constantly asking? Compile these questions and research the solutions to them. Write an ebook about your findings in a friendly and conversational tone and sell.

This is how to go about it. You can successfully conduct information research on what people want and need using online keyword tool and/or niche forums. But you have to use what is called “discovery keywords” and add your niche market to it. For example,  in

How to get rid of acne

“How to get rid of” is a common phrase anybody can use to find information on treatment or cure for an ailment while the word “acne” is the niche market I want to target in this example. From here you can start creating ebook ideas file from the questions surfers and/or forum members are consistently asking.

Use Authority Websites to Get Ebook Ideas

All the multi-million dollars authority websites are great sources for generating ideas for your ebook writing project. Amazon.com and Dummies.com list books for sale including their best sellers list. Go through any of the categories that interest you and see if you can come up with different and unique version from what is on sale.

You should look at customers’ reviews and note the topics which buyers wanted included in the book. Use the gaps in these books to generate ideas which will add value to your e-work.

Write About What You Know

The easiest way to generate ebook ideas is to write about what you know. Definitely, you have unique background that will be of benefit to others nationally or worldwide i.e. from your education, training, job experience and so on. Because it is your area of expertise, you will know a lot about what you have struggled with in your career which other people may be frantically searching for solutions. Through keyword research tool, you should be able to hit the nail on the head as to what people want to learn about as quickly as possible.

Sincerely, there are lots of other ways to find out how to generate ebook ideas. To learn more about these techniques click here. Meanwhile, you can download our free ebook on writing ebooks for profit by clicking here if you have not done so.

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