An eBook of Your Very Own

eBooks here,

eBooks there,

eBooks,

eBooks,

Everywhere—

And you probably need, or want, to produce an eBook of your very own, too!

I know, because recently I came down with a bad case of eBookitis, and I haven’t been the same since. Here’s why:

• With Beacon, creating quality eBooks is easy with a capital “E” and,
• I can’t stop thinking of an unending stream of valuable and useful ideas for creating eBooks for business and marketing purposes—and more.

In a first (above link) post for a series I’m writing for Beacon, (yep, I love the eBook maker that much) I mention that you just may WANT to catch an eBook fever, too, to enjoy the software/plugin and test it out right along with me.

Create an eBook of Your Very Own

Your eBook escapades can be as simple as a downloadable blog post or checklist and often are used as a content upgrade or informational gift to readers.

Or, it may be as complex as a training/educational program, user guide, or service manual.

Or, it can take on any number of other various eBook format content options in between.

Creativity and imagination turn quality work into eBook magic.

In this post, I’m going to share ideas and strategies for using your Beacon eBook creations as both business and marketing content assets.

But, the first step is to make them as effective as possible by:

• Setting a clear focus or purpose of the work
• Aligning projects with company strategies
• Designing with UX (user experience) in mind
• Establishing goals to measure/evaluate results
• Testing and tweaking to improve as you go

So, as I discuss in the Beacon post, stepping back and thinking through a strategy for using eBooks in your marketing mix and content plan makes sense.

For example, I just had a new logo design created by an artist, for a more original (and special) look and feel for my business identity and brand.

I wanted to keep my original color palette, but for a little while now, realized I need (and want) something better than my Fivver design, which I changed and redesigned to use in the first place. It was never good enough in my mind but was at least a start for my freelance writing website, put together at first with NO budget at all.

Are You Looking for Your Signature Look?

You see, when I started working on eBook productions—creating, writing, design—I realized the importance of my “signature” look. And, I knew it was the perfect time for a logo overhaul to find THE logo design to represent my brand, most likely permanently, and to up my pro game.

I had to do it now so that using my logo for eBooks happens in a consistent, meaningful way, bringing a recognizable component to my work.

Although I don’t like being quite this consistent in my own branding style, Brent Jones, freelancer all about town, uses a consistent visual look in everything he does.

In doing so, you don’t have to read any fine print to recognize Brent, when he shares something from his site, or creates visual messaging for his social feeds. Take a look:

Incorporate the Bigger Picture in eBooks

Because I’m doing a little back-peddling after launching my original and, okay, somewhat experimental Skills Building eBooks Library, I’m taking my time producing the next eBook.

(Not experimental in the quality of content, mind you, but experimental in using the eBook software at all and, using its design and format capabilities to create a resource for visitors to the site.)

Which only got me thinking a lot more, and I guess that’s the point.

Start by aligning your company’s bigger strategies, goals, and objectives with your eBook work projects. (Example:  using a consistent logo “signature” and knowing how, where, and why it’s used the way it is to maintain consistency.)

This is me, putting together a strategic overview, creating a framework, and planning specific guidelines for eBook marketing for my business. Hopefully, you’re strategizing similar pieces and working on those bigger picture aspects for your business, as well.

Hint: Go back to eBookitis link above if you need help to get an initial plan set up.

Next, Strategize Details

Consider a number of interesting and various ways to present your eBook information by testing. Try breaking things into chapters, adding updated information, new chapters, extra graphics, or other relevant extras. Work to increase the brilliance of the UX (user experience) and try to hold attention.

Spend some time considering a CTA that matches the experience you are creating and seamlessly integrate an associated landing page to enhance results.

It’s okay to present your valuable content in different formats and stylings. Go ahead and use your eBooks pages to the fullest, offer a varied experience but, you may want to maintain a recognizable look, all the same.

Not necessarily throughout—I know I like to have some fun and spice things up—but at least, consider a “unique signature” to tie your brand to your work and carry out a consistently recognizable mark.

I’m still playing, testing, and experimenting with what, exactly, that “signature” ultimately will look like, so stay tuned…

Hint: Beacon is working on a custom theme dashboard function for you to set up uniquely with your personal one-of-a-kind “framework.” (color, fonts, unique design, etc.) Although only in beta stages right now, it looks quite promising on first glance and may solve some personalization struggles in using the set themes only.

Why Not Add Value While You Create?

Unlike the first three creations, the new eBook will be a collection. Rather than a single piece of work and will expand out from a “marketing is easy” approach and on to discuss more complex topics.

Also, I will include at least one new chapter of originally written (for this particular eBook) work to include something unseen, elsewhere.

And another new revelation is the addition of a successful marketing SlideShare, which was able to be placed, right smack into the eBook!

And now, I’m experimenting with Visme to take my slide presentations up yet another notch, with the capacity to add audio, video, gifs and more.

Frankly, I’m finding this software quite interesting and useful and will keep you posted on how it goes and if, in fact, Beacon will allow these to be embedded as well, special effects and all.

I can tell you this so far, the Visme user interface is pretty easy to figure out and they offer a lot of help. You can easily find answers if you do get stuck along the way. I’m even playing with audio overlays having fun with it. All while learning and building my content assets and abilities.

Further, like Beacon, the creative possibilities seem endless. I’m anxious to try a lot more and have some spectacular content ideas for using Visme visuals in a number of capacities.

As I test and review Visme further and learn its functionality and capabilities, I expect to share more and will put together some examples using it for you, as well.

Hint: When you embed in your eBook, use a SlideShare link as well, just in case. Make sure, one way or another, the SlideShare can be reached from right in your Beacon eBooks! Did you know you can do that? Great feature:)

Engagement or Bust

Remember, it’s all about engaging an audience and sometimes when you think about writing your eBook materials, visuals (aside from book layout/ design) are forgotten.

Instead, try to use visual design and graphics components in as many ways as make sense to:

• add impact to your words
• strengthen your data and research
• create an element of surprise
• offer a new way to understand ideas
• organize a message in a more meaningful (read memorable) way

Remember, you are seeking relevant and engaging elements to add to your content while reinforcing your message in the minds of readers.

You’ll find carefully strategizing the product you are creating, establishing some guidelines, and thinking through every little detail, all lead to a higher quality final product. From the tiniest use of color to consistency in logo used to working from a strategic overview and objectives, it all matters.

To me, quality is always a factor in any content creation. And higher quality makes the content assets you produce all the more valuable, especially over time.

Now, I’m going to leave you in the very capable hands of one of my fav content creators, Barry Feldman. Check out this superfantabulous infographic on every type of CONTENT CREATION to help you up your content marketing game.

I challenge you to look at the entire list and twist some of the ideas around in your head. Look for new things to re-purpose, include, or develop from, in the quest of crafting an eBook of your very own! Oh, and as always, comments welcome below:)

Content Types Infographic

P.S. And if you need an eBook writer, editor, or producer, just hit the contact button and let me know how I can help!