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Step 1
Giving away a free eBook can only benefit you if you are the author and have filled the books with links that will benefit you. Essentially, you are writing the eBook for free, but the money will come later. It is great to offer free eBooks to your readers, but you won’t reap the financial rewards by giving away someone else’s eBook.
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Step 2
A free eBook taps into the power of the internet. You have no overhead when writing it (unless you pay someone to write it for you), it is easily and instantly transmitted, others can forward it quickly, and people love to get anything free so they are likely to at least check it out. Bloggers also love to post about freebies, so your eBook could show up just about anywhere.
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Step 3
Decide what topic you will write your eBook about. (See my article “How to Write and eBook to Sell on the Internet” for step by step instructions.) You will want to choose a topic that you are both knowledgeable and passionate about. The idea is to share quality information but to also benefit from any links that are clicked. Think about what affiliate programs you already participate in and how you can tie them into an eBook.
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Step 4
Here is how it works. Let’s say you are an English professor and have a website about how to make money writing online, or doing freelance writing. You’ve got professional writing experience and extensive knowledge about your subject. You give writing tips and advice to your readers, talk to them about sites that pay for articles, how to find freelance work, or methods to improve their writing. Let’s also say that you are a smart affiliate marketer, and participate in many paid referral programs such as selling other writers’ eBooks, selling writing software, selling online writing courses, or you get referral fees when your readers sign up for a private writer’s forum. Maybe you also have pay per click advertising on your blog. You are helping your readers learn about writing, but you are also getting paid when they sign up for or buy products and services you offer on your blog. You aren’t making money from your readers - your readers aren’t paying you, advertisers are. You are using your blog traffic as a channel to make money from internet marketers, Google AdSense, pay per click advertising, etc. The only way you will see financial success with affiliate marketing is to offer products and services that are relevant to to your topic or niche, and that are good products that will help your audience.
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Step 5
In this example, our writer can write an eBook that contains information similar to what she is posting on her blog every day, and include her affiliate links in the eBook. Then she will offer the eBook for free. She can put a special twist on the eBook making it sound new and innovative, such as, “35 Ways to Make Money Writing from Home in Your Pajamas.”
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Step 6
First, offer your eBook for free on your own blog. Post it on your groups and forums, on your Facebook page, on Twitter, on your email signature line, and anywhere else where lots of people will see it. Ask friends and contacts to post your free eBook offer on their blogs, Facebook page, Twitter, and MySpace, too. Offer to do guest posts on blogs in your niche, and include your free eBook offer. The key is promoting your eBook so that it reaches the masses.
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Step 7
The goal is for your free eBook to reach as many readers as possible. You might even write in the eBook itself, “This eBook is free and may not be resold. Please pass it on to anyone you think would be interested or even post the offer on your blog.” Encourage recipients to give it away or pass it on to others.
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Step 8
Your free eBook, now a marketing tool, will take on a life of its own! Before you know it, you will see your free eBook appearing on websites, blogs, freebie sites, or you’ll receive emails of thanks and praise from readers who obtained a copy of your eBook somewhere on the internet. You will see your affiliate earnings, referral fees, and traffic rise. You’ll get more friend requests on social sites. You’ll make money and improve your internet presence.
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Step 9
Refer to the resources section below for more of my articles about writing and promoting eBooks online.
Comments
russmediagroup said
on 4/6/2009 wow, great articleJoe
TomCom said
on 3/24/2009 A former customer of mine is interested in converting at least one of his published books into eBooks and he wants me to handle it for him, including a website to sell it from. This is very helpful information, thanks!
vlhammett said
on 3/11/2009 This is definitely going in my favorites. Thanks so much for sharing. This is a project on my goal sheet, and this info is great guidance and advice. 5*
georgelarson said
on 3/11/2009 Good information about eBook marketing. Thanks.