I’ve really stuggled with the concept of writing an e-book. Many a blogging sage has expounded on the virtues of this medium as a way to drive traffic, increase subscribers and give value to your site. I don’t have any issues with increasing traffic or subscribers and I certainly want my site to be valuable. I’m just not certain that developing an e-book is the way to go.
Personally, I have only downloaded a very small handful and thus far, the one that I’m referring to with any kind of regularity (Thanks, Mary Anne!) is part of a bigger project. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the amount of work someone has put into their e-book. For me it really is more about time management. I could download e-books and just set them aside for a rainy day, but I’m kinda short on those these days.
I’ve walked right up to the edge of the e-book cliff and stared into the depths. I’ve even lifted one foot with the intention of jumping into the abyss. Ultimately, I’ve stayed on dry land, a safe distance away.
Here is my thought process on why I probably won’t be doing this anytime soon:
It’s a lot of work to write a worthwhile e-book. I mean, if I’m going to put together something that will be of value to my readership, it better be smokin’ hot. Content, layout and design all held to the highest standard. I’m putting my name on the thing, you see? By the way, one of the best ones I’ve ever seen is from Amber over at Altitude Branding . Follow her tweets @AmberCadabra .
So I’m thinking that if I am going to put that much effort into something, if I feel that I have something that valuable to say, then i’m going to flesh out the idea, develop it into a publishable book and shop it around or publish it myself.
My sincerest hope is that the effort I put into my 500-700 word posts every day creates the value my readership is looking for. Of course I want to increase my subscribers, but I want to do that through thoughtful content that speaks to Constant Reader. If it takes a bit longer to do that, so be it. I do beleive that my base is loyal and patient. I believe they come here to be inspired and to hopefully learn and share through their thoughtful comments. I don’t need an e-book to make that happen, and I don’t believe they do either.
When the time is right, I will publish. But I’m going to do it on my own terms.
George, have you thought about using the e-book as a supplement to this blog as a value add for your readers? I’m thinking that people come here day in and day out to read your 500 word posts, and get the “gist” of ideas you present and that gets them thinking. You may be able to use an e-book to round out ideas that wouldn’t be appropriate in a blog format (too long).
Also, you probably have 3-4 themes that could be expanded on in a longer e-book type format that would act as an additional resource. I’m thinking readers get the crib notes here, and then take the text book home with them.
I know it’s a lot of work, but I see a well done e-book as a way to reward readers with more in depth content.
Matt | Small Biz Bee´s last blog post..The Only Piece of Advice You’ll Ever Need
George,
The important question for me is:
Do I need to publish an e-book because everybody tells me I’ve got to have some on my blog, or
Do I want to publish one because I think it is the proper way of presenting content which can’t be presented in a “normal” blog post?
My answer to the first question is “no”, to the second it is “not yet”. I am thinking about it, but at the moment I’ve got no time for doing it. As you said: I am going to do it on my own terms.
Ulla Hennig´s last blog post..Mozart: Rondo Alla Turca
George,
I have downloaded many e-books for a rainy day, and found that either they weren’t worth the trouble or that there are not enough rainy days to get through them all.
I think a lot of bloggers feel pressured to offer an e-book to “add value” to their sites, then don’t follow through with a product that is more than a pale reflection or rehash of their regular postings.
I agree with your thinking: If you are going to spend the time to do an e-book right, you might as well publish it for real, either as a paid e-book on your site or as a physical book.
Mike Nichols´s last blog post..Panic Attacks And the Inability to Express Emotions: Are They Related?
Hi George,
Great post as always and well thought out. As someone who has jumped into the abyss of e-books, I thought I would explain my reasoning for doing so. When I started my website Ghostwriting Uncovered back in 2007, the term ghostwriting did not feature in Google at all. Everything writing related was freelance writing but what I was doing was actually ghostwriting. I was writing and getting paid for what I was doing but my name didn’t feature on these published pieces. There was no information about ghostwriting available and because I was constantly receiving questions through my website about Ghostwriting I decided to compile my knowledge into an e-book. I have to be honest, the idea of making a little extra was a big incentive but overall I really wanted to help others. Even to this day my e-book still sells quite well and I am proud to have placed my name to it.
I think if you have something valuable to teach others that you can’t fit in a couple of blog posts then an e-book can definitely be the way to go.
Just my two cents on the matter anyway.
LOL! Did you sneak into my WordPress Dashboard to see what I wrote this week?!
Webesi3´s last blog post..Do Free E-Books really build lists?
George,
Interesting discussion. I like eBooks and am in the process of writing one. It has very little to do with my blog. And it will be for sale not a freebee.
If and when I write an eBook as a compliment to my blog I will offer it free, no strings attached.
That’s my 2 cents!
Dee Langdon – BloggerNewbie´s last blog post..EntreCard – Yes, No or Maybe?
Yee-haw.
This is the kind of discussion I was hoping for. There are great thoughts and suggestions here, and a lot to think about. In fact it’s given me an idea for my next post.
Stay tuned, film at 11
And Webdesi3 – that is just TOO funny! All – look at her commentluv for her post today… Great minds!
George
George,
I’ve read a few ebooks that were pretty good. And since I have never written one, I can’t really say much about them. I think ebooks have turned into a marketing tool, a ploy to get you to buy more of the writers products.
I look for ebooks that are actual books. Not sales pitches. If I’m going to take the time to read an ebook, I want something with value. I like that you want to put the value in your blog posts. I don’t need an ebook to be sold on your content. Just my two cents.
Thom Allen´s last blog post..Dealing With Tough Writing Decisions
I have downloaded a few e-books but find reading it at my computer is not the same as having a brand new book in my hands. I wish you much luck in publishing your book! Loved your post…
hope42day´s last blog post..Show Me Your Wallet
Hi Thom,
That’s exactly the point I was making. I don’t want to re-hash old stuff. And if the perspective or content is interesting enough, I want to publish it.
Nice to see you here, hope all is well.
George
Hi Hope42day. Thanks for coming by and commenting. I love the real thing as well. I love the physicality, the smell, the tangible aspect. Sometimes I feel like an e-book is just another web page.
And thanks for the kind words, I do appreciate it.
George
BRAVO!
All when ready. Many have published eBooks just because it was the thing to do. They simple printed posts from their blog and called it an eBook.
I can appreciate and an eBook, but there is nothing like having that book (not script) in your hands to feel empowered with the potential gain of knowledge; or a good novel… lol
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I haven’t done the ebook-as-promotion method either, though I may try it some day. I’m more inclined to write an ebook to sell, grin.
Still, you could do an article series for your blog and then turn it into an ebook after you’re done. It’s just recycling content you would have created for your blog anyway.
Finally something new for me to learn and I am already subscribed. You can contact me if you need to.