I hear to get your email list growing a savvy business blogger needs to give something away. Something of value to his or her readers. Something that reflects the subject matter of his or her blog.
So I looked around at other bloggers in my niche to see what was missing. I found the one thing that was lacking was a simple checklist for new bloggers. I know this because about a year ago when I was starting out I simply couldn’t find this type of invaluable resource. And when I looked again recently, I still couldn’t find it.
I wanted this resource last year when I was new so I figured new bloggers would want it too. Off I went to come up with one page that simply lists what a “noobie” should do when you begin blogging. I also threw in links of great posts for further help.
There are 4 steps I took to creating my eBook: Content, Cover, Widget and Distribution. I write about the first 2 in this post and the next 2 tomorrow.
Content
An eBook needs content, written word, images, something for your readers to read. Basically, it is the first thing you do.
1. As I stated above find an eBook niche unexplored within your niche. Maybe something you would like to see published and/or given away.
2. I wrote all the content as a Word document. I kept the font very clean (Arial) and larger at 14 pts.
3. Each page has “©Copyright 2011 Ramblings of a WAHM Blog” so anyone that has the book knows it is copyrighted and it belongs to my blog.
4. The final product has a cover (notes below), a letter to the reader, the checklist and the last page has resources for new bloggers about blogging.
5. Save as PDF. Save as DOC also, so you can always make necessary changes.
6. Upload the PDF version to my host server (just as a I would an image). Now I have a direct link to my new eBook and will need that link later. (If you do not have a host server you can upload it to the service you use for email, I use MailChimp. Check your service for details.)
Cover
I don’t claim to be a graphic artist or any artist for that matter but for my free eBook I went with my free talent and came up with a cover for my eBook on my own in Photoshop CS4. I figured I paid a few hundred dollars for it a couple of years ago, I should use the software for what it is for, right? (If you like what I did I can come up with one for you too, just email me. No guarantees but I can be cheap, lol.)
1. I opened a new document in Photoshop as an 8×11 regular size paper. I needed to fit it into the Word document as the first page.
2. The cover has my title, a short tag line about the book, an image, my name and my blog’s name. It reflects the fonts that are in my blog. And complimentary colors to my blog.
3. I save as a PSD document as I go (which is a Photoshop document).
4. The final product is saved as both a PSD and JPG. The JPG is saved as a high end image in a special folder on my computer I call “free eBook”. It is used as the first page of the eBook and I will be inserting it into the eBook template.
My free eBook checklist is a much more simple version of a full fledged eBook; much more would go into a larger document. But I believe this is a great start.
You can grab it here: Allie’s Rambles Newsletter and Free eBook “Getting Started, Blogging Checklist”
Tomorrow I go over how I created the eBook cover from a template, creating a side widget and distribution.
Great places that can help you build your eBook:
Pat Flynn’s free eBook: “eBooks the Smart Way”. An amazing resource for beyond your free eBook. (Check his sidebar to get his eBook and newsletter.)
How to Automatically Send an eBook to Your Subscribers by Blog Tyrant
How to Deliver an eBook to Your Subscribers by Daily Blog Tips
Have you created an eBook?
What steps did you take?
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Shalu Sharma (7)
stone wall (6)
Mika Castro (5)
Michael Belk @wor... (4)
Steve Hippel (4)
Bill Dorman (3)
Sabrina Sabino (3)
Amit Shaw (2)
Barry Wells (2)
Great listing, here, Allie.
So many people want to create such a document- but don’t know where to start, throw up their hands, and say- tomorrow. And, we all know tomorrow never comes…
Kudos to you for changing their tune (sorry, Annie) from “The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow” to “Easy Street”!
Roy A. Ackerman, PhD,EA created this awesome post: Don’t believe everything you read about Steve Jobs!
Roy,
Were you reading my mind? I did that exact same thing. I didn’t know where to start and I thought it would be such a daunting task I just put it off for months.
I chose to do a checklist on purpose to break into writing an eBook so I can feel more comfortable pursuing a larger format one.
Thanks for commenting and have an awesome day!
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: 11 FREE eBooks Newbie Business Bloggers Must Read
Interesting, because I wouldn’t have had a clue. Also, I guess I should actually read this e-book you have created as well, huh? I’m sure it is well done and I can find something that will work for me.
What if I give away dollars instead? I think that would drive traffic. Of course, I might not get to eat but I sure would be popular.
Thanks for sharing this, you did a great job.
PS – I’ve got my eye on Roy, he better not try to get the comment record………just sayin’….:)
Bill Dorman created this awesome post: Versatile Blogger Award: Thank You Allie
Bill,
I think it is well done, but then again it is a simple check list. Who could mess up a check list? I’m just kidding.
One may underestimate the power of a simple list to check off what needs to be done, but I don’t. I wish I had this resource when I was starting out and now anybody can grab it and use, like I wanted a year ago.
I will come every hour if you hand out money. But I think your wife may have something to say about that.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: 11 FREE eBooks Newbie Business Bloggers Must Read
Thanks Allie. So glad Bill put you in his top 16 BABES ! I mean, bloggers. Ha ! Rumor has it, I was #17. Dammit. Anyway, I really appreciate this list and your site. Looks Great. people have been suggesting I do an eBook. The site has been up for less than a month. I think a guest blog series would be best first. An ebook later.
Thanks again.
Al
Hey Al,
Thanks for the compliments! You’re funny, I don’t know the last time I was called a “babe”, lol. It sure does top other things I’ve been called. Ha ha!
Checked out your site. It is a new concept to me and I am assuming to others, I think a simple free eBook about starting your own CARE movement inside you or steps to CARE-ing for others would be awesome. A one stop, easy, free intro to what you do. I think it would really help people understand what you do and a great jumping point.
Have a great weekend! Come back soon or I’ll see ya over at Bill’s.
~Allie
Allie created this awesome post: 11 FREE eBooks Newbie Business Bloggers Must Read
Hey if ANYONE is interested. I actually create great looking ebook covers within minutes. I do them all the time. You can have books, magazines, iPads with your book over on it and many more…. I charge a quick flat rate of $10 the graphic.
This is a quick sample I make up of what you can do.
http://vallerinvestments.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/VI-Export-Examples.png
just email mike[at] vallerinvestments.com If you are interested… just a thought!