are many other opportunities for multiple streams of additional income. If you are going to explain a variety of ways to do things, and there are other suppliers on the web who provide those services (and you don’t and are not in competition with them), you should investigate becoming an “affiliate” of the other supplier. An affiliate is a unofficial salesperson online who recommends a product or service by offering the reader a live link , so the reader of your e-book, if interested, can click on that link and be taken instantly to the web site of the other supplier to learn about that service. If the rHave you ever thought about publishing your own e-book? There are lots of reasons why you should, even if your business isn’t online. One of the best ways to drive visitor traffic (prospective customers) to your web site is to offer the reader something at an excellent price or for free. It could be an e-book filled with specialized knowledge that the prospect needs in his or her business or affairs. (If you’re unsure as to what an e-book is, it’s basically an electronic book, usually presented in the form of a Pdf (portable digital format) that can be downloaded to another’s computer within seconds). Most people aren’t that interested in reading a sexy romance novel or spy thriller on their computer screen, but for “how to” non-fiction, it works beautifully and the price is right.

But why bother? There are many reasons why writing your own e-book(s) is an intelligent marketing tactic to employ.

Firstly, the e-book will position you as an “expert” in your field. They are the perfect medium for communicating knowledge that is your specialty; knowledge they need. E-books are easier, quicker and more profitable to produce than a real, physical book. They use up no paper (less trees dying), they do not have to be printed, bound, packaged, mailed or shipped; there is no shipping cost, you are usually paid before they get their book. The customer is able to satisfy his or her need for instant gratification, since the e-book is on his/her computer less than five minutes after paying. No travel, no parking, no hassle. You want it – it’s yours within five minutes. Moreover, you are able to reach a global market with your e-book. No need for bookstores.

This doesn’t mean you have to ignore physical books. You can take your e-book's manuscript, add to it, get it published using POD (publishing on demand) and have it listed with the major online book sellers and in bricks and mortar bookstores everywhere. There is nothing like giving a prospective customer or client a copy of your latest book. You can even sign it for him too. Now the law of 'reciprocity' comes into play: you gave him a very personal gift; now he should at least be amenable to buying from you, now or in the near future...and he will tell dozens of others about your book-gift!

Here’s the nicest part about e-books: unlike a physical book, if you write your own e-book, you get to keep all the profits. Additionally, if you plan your e-book right, there are many other opportunities for multiple streams of additional income. If you are going to explain a variety of ways to do things, and there are other suppliers on the web who provide those services (and you don’t and are not in competition with them), you should investigate becoming an “affiliate” of the other supplier. An affiliate is a unofficial salesperson online who recommends a product or service by offering the reader a live link , so the reader of your e-book, if interested, can click on that link and be taken instantly to the web site of the other supplier to learn about that service. If the re

ren’t that interested in reading a sexy romance novel or spy thriller on their computer screen, but for “how to” non-fiction, it works beautifully and the price is right.

But why bother? There are many reasons why writing your own e-book(s) is an intelligent marketing tactic to employ.

Firstly, the e-book will position you as an “expert” in your field. They are the perfect medium for communicating knowledge that is your specialty; knowledge they need. E-books are easier, quicker and more profitable to produce than a real, physical book. They use up no paper (less trees dying), they do not have to be printed, bound, packaged, mailed or shipped; there is no shipping cost, you are usually paid before they get their book. The customer is able to satisfy his or her need for instant gratification, since the e-book is on his/her computer less than five minutes after paying. No travel, no parking, no hassle. You want it – it’s yours within five minutes. Moreover, you are able to reach a global market with your e-book. No need for bookstores.

This doesn’t mean you have to ignore physical books. You can take your e-book's manuscript, add to it, get it published using POD (publishing on demand) and have it listed with the major online book sellers and in bricks and mortar bookstores everywhere. There is nothing like giving a prospective customer or client a copy of your latest book. You can even sign it for him too. Now the law of 'reciprocity' comes into play: you gave him a very personal gift; now he should at least be amenable to buying from you, now or in the near future...and he will tell dozens of others about your book-gift!

Here’s the nicest part about e-books: unlike a physical book, if you write your own e-book, you get to keep all the profits. Additionally, if you plan your e-book right, there are many other opportunities for multiple streams of additional income. If you are going to explain a variety of ways to do things, and there are other suppliers on the web who provide those services (and you don’t and are not in competition with them), you should investigate becoming an “affiliate” of the other supplier. An affiliate is a unofficial salesperson online who recommends a product or service by offering the reader a live link , so the reader of your e-book, if interested, can click on that link and be taken instantly to the web site of the other supplier to learn about that service. If the r

ted, bound, packaged, mailed or shipped; there is no shipping cost, you are usually paid before they get their book. The customer is able to satisfy his or her need for instant gratification, since the e-book is on his/her computer less than five minutes after paying. No travel, no parking, no hassle. You want it – it’s yours within five minutes. Moreover, you are able to reach a global market with your e-book. No need for bookstores.

This doesn’t mean you have to ignore physical books. You can take your e-book's manuscript, add to it, get it published using POD (publishing on demand) and have it listed with the major online book sellers and in bricks and mortar bookstores everywhere. There is nothing like giving a prospective customer or client a copy of your latest book. You can even sign it for him too. Now the law of 'reciprocity' comes into play: you gave him a very personal gift; now he should at least be amenable to buying from you, now or in the near future...and he will tell dozens of others about your book-gift!

Here’s the nicest part about e-books: unlike a physical book, if you write your own e-book, you get to keep all the profits. Additionally, if you plan your e-book right, there are many other opportunities for multiple streams of additional income. If you are going to explain a variety of ways to do things, and there are other suppliers on the web who provide those services (and you don’t and are not in competition with them), you should investigate becoming an “affiliate” of the other supplier. An affiliate is a unofficial salesperson online who recommends a product or service by offering the reader a live link , so the reader of your e-book, if interested, can click on that link and be taken instantly to the web site of the other supplier to learn about that service. If the r

the major online book sellers and in bricks and mortar bookstores everywhere. There is nothing like giving a prospective customer or client a copy of your latest book. You can even sign it for him too. Now the law of 'reciprocity' comes into play: you gave him a very personal gift; now he should at least be amenable to buying from you, now or in the near future...and he will tell dozens of others about your book-gift!

Here’s the nicest part about e-books: unlike a physical book, if you write your own e-book, you get to keep all the profits. Additionally, if you plan your e-book right, there are many other opportunities for multiple streams of additional income. If you are going to explain a variety of ways to do things, and there are other suppliers on the web who provide those services (and you don’t and are not in competition with them), you should investigate becoming an “affiliate” of the other supplier. An affiliate is a unofficial salesperson online who recommends a product or service by offering the reader a live link , so the reader of your e-book, if interested, can click on that link and be taken instantly to the web site of the other supplier to learn about that service. If the r

are many other opportunities for multiple streams of additional income. If you are going to explain a variety of ways to do things, and there are other suppliers on the web who provide those services (and you don’t and are not in competition with them), you should investigate becoming an “affiliate” of the other supplier. An affiliate is a unofficial salesperson online who recommends a product or service by offering the reader a live link , so the reader of your e-book, if interested, can click on that link and be taken instantly to the web site of the other supplier to learn about that service. If the reader decides to buy the supplier’s product or service, you get a commission for the sale. (Amazon.com has more than half a million affiliates selling their books for them). Therefore, without being too obvious or too greedy, choose your affiliate relationships carefully, don’t load up your e-book with tons of affiliate links; but do make some extra money along the way.

Another great advantage of an e-book, over a physical paper and ink book, is the ability to add digital resources, including audio and video messages. For instance, if you want to include a specific video in your e-book, you can use a live link again to direct the reader to one of the major online video sites like YouTube and Google Video to see your video. A video adds sound and moving images to your e-book. It underscores that this book is written by a real, flesh-and-blood human being with a laugh, smile or concerned face. You get to communicate your passion, your intellect, your training, your “expertise” to the reader. You continue to build your credibility with the reader, especially if the e-book is designed for just that purpose: to demonstrate your expert status and give the reasons why the prospect should buy what you are selling. E-books are a quick, inexpensive, extremely effective way to get a strong, relevant message across to your target group. There is no reason not to use them. If you can’t write your own e-book, get someone to help you or a ghost writer to do it for you.

©Copyright, Roy MacNaughton, 2007