How to Advertise an e-Book

An e-book can function not only as an alternative to traditional book publishing, but also as a knowledge-based marketing device to help promote you, your business or your organization. E-books are also a surging segment of the publishing industry, with e-books passing print books in net sales revenue for the first time in April 2011, according to CNN Money. If you're publishing an e-book, knowing the inside scoop on details such as pricing and bundling can help you successfully market and advertise your book to readers.

Instructions

1. Publish your e-book on several major online publishing platforms. As each platform is typically linked to a type of device, sales performances can vary widely among platforms. Publishing on only one platform may hide your e-book from readers on other platforms. Examples include Apple's iBooks, which works on iPads and iPhones; Amazon, which works with the Amazon Kindle; and Barnes and Noble, which has its own Nook e-book reader line.

2. Bundle your e-book with another service or product. For example, you could market your e-book as a free, value-added giveaway if a customer purchases a service or product from you. Alternatively, you can bundle it with other products or services as a way to increase its price while also raising its perceived value to the customer.

3. Sell it cheap, or even free, because "free can be a useful marketing tool," says e-book author Declan Conner. If you give your e-book away for free, a high level of "purchases" can send it to the top of the most-popular lists promoted by your publishing platform, further increasing your e-book's visibility.

4. Publish testimonials about your e-book from trusted authorities in your e-book's industry. This can increase the perceived value and authoritativeness of your e-book, especially if you're an unknown author or if you're trying to break into a crowded product space. For example, an e-book on raising chickens could benefit from the endorsement of other poultry book authors or industry experts, such as farmers.

5. Send out free samples of your e-book, such as a chapter or page excerpt. Distribute the samples to your company's mailing list, hand out printed excerpts at conventions or meetings, or send them out in a direct mail campaign. This can give readers a taste of what they'll find in your e-book, and show them you're selling a high-quality, valuable read.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider giving away free updates to your e-book, which can attract readers who are worried about your data becoming out of date. This works well in industries that move quickly, such as the financial sector. For example, you could market your e-book price as including three years of free updates.

• Don't be afraid to sell your e-book for a low price, such as 99 cents. In the e-book industry, volume can make up for low prices. A 99-cent e-book may sell thousands more copies than an e-book sold at a more traditional book price, such as $9.99.

References

• "Entrepreneur"; How to Use an E-book to Promote Your Business; Derek Gehl; November 2005
• CNN Money: E-book Sales Top Paperbacks for First Time; Julianne Pepitone; April 2011
• Business Insider: Kindle Clobbering iBooks, Says Author; Jay Yarow; August 2010
• BookBuzzr: 5 Tips on Setting E-Books Prices; Tony Eldridge; March 2011
• DeclanConner.com: Authors: Settling the Price of Ebooks; Declan Conner; May 2011
• The Internet Digest: Ebook Marketing Ideas; Mario Sanchez; June 2004

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish