An ebook is a resource that provides comprehensive information about a particular topic, digitally. They are often created to help others learn more about the industry or to provide solutions for a business. Ebooks are a powerful, marketing tool, and they also make great lead generators. Let’s explore what makes a proper ebook and how to create one of your own.

Think Of Content Marketing. Does The Word “Ebook” Ring Any Bells?

Ebooks can be about marketing, business management, or any other related topic you want to explore with regards to what your company has to offer. There are many reasons why you might want to create one, but here are just a few:

• To educate your audience on an industry topic
• To help them make better decisions by presenting useful information
• To position yourself as an expert in your field
• To promote your company’s services/products
• As part of social media strategy
• For use as content for newsletters
• As part of SEO strategy
• To increase traffic to your website

Why Create an Ebook?

If you’re involved in content marketing, then you probably know the answer to this question. If you’re not, or if your pockets aren’t deep enough for a marketing team just yet, keep reading.

Nowadays almost everything is content-driven. But how can content help your company’s bottom line? What would make anyone want to buy from you instead of your competitor? Ebooks are an excellent way to get people interested in your content. They pose answers to the questions that have users scouring the web looking for answers.

You should use ebooks to show your expertise in a particular topic. This will build trust and allow you to be viewed as a thought leader in your industry. They are customarily content-rich and have an extensive amount of information that doesn’t fit into a blog post or article. This makes them perfect for grabbing attention from viewers. When someone is searching for a solution to a problem, and you are the one giving them this information, they will likely come to you again. You are now viewed as a qualified place to get pertinent information or data.

So How Do You Get Started?

This can be intimidating, so let’s break it down. First, you should familiarize yourself with other ebooks that are out there at the moment. Look at your competitor’s content to see what could be improved upon. Also, check out websites like answerthepublic.com to find out what people want to know. Ultimately, you want to find the gap between what people want to know and what information is already out there. Then start formulating your content in response to this gap.

When creating your outline, keep your audience in mind. You want to chunk the information so it’s not too overwhelming to read. Allowing readers to skim content to determine if it’s useful for them is fundamental. Make sure you keep the content balanced between offering information without being too salesy. Try writing as if you are explaining what you know to your readers face-to-face instead of operating from a strictly profitable point of view. You want to come across as a knowledgeable teacher rather than a pushy salesperson.

We have a few examples you can check out. Just follow our links to snag one of our ebooks to use as a reference.

How Should You Utilize Your Ebook?

Well, that’s completely up to you. You can publish it on your website or use it as a promotional tool to capture leads from companies who would benefit from the content provided. Promoting your ebook on sites like Netline is great for business-to-business marketers. Ebooks are a great way for marketers to get connected with content creators too.

Don’t forget about your email list. If this ebook is something they could find useful, let them know about it. Find out where your target audience hangs out. Online forums and groups can also be a great place for promotion. Between LinkedIn and Facebook, there are endless groups with people who are looking to learn more about the industry you operate in.

Visual Formatting

When creating your ebook cover page, use photos and graphics that are eye-catching. By using images that reflect your target audience, you can instantly grab their attention. You want to stay consistent throughout your ebook with the style of visuals used. You can easily use custom graphics from free sites such as Canva to keep content fresh and interesting without purchasing costly stock images.

Go Get Started!

Writing an ebook is not so scary once you get started. Here is a quick list to use as a reference to make sure you are on the right track.

• Brainstorm topics you are qualified to write about
• Research what potential customers want to know about these topics
• Check out what the competition is saying and doing
• Find content gaps to fill
• Create an outline
• Develop a plan for visuals

From there, it’s just filling up pages with knowledge. Now go out there and leave no stone unturned – or ebook unwritten!