One issue that comes to mind when I first started out was the number of people who were promoting ebook formating software progams, ranging in price from $20-$200. I sat with my book written, formated and ready to go for 3 days while I surfed around for the best deal and reading every review on these programs…

Learn Why You Don’t Need An Ebook Software Program – Ask Laura (May 2007)

An email came in to one of my sites today asking about these formating programs which tells me that marketing trainers and affiliate promotions experts are still pushing these programs on unsuspecting newpreneurs.

“Enough!,” I say.

This is a blantant waste of money and a blatant mis-use of a newpreneur’s trust in a mentor. Formating your content into an ebook does not take any extra software – it can be done, for free, online.

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My reader writes:

(Laura)…thank you for being available!

I have written a book & I am trying to get it wrapped up so I can do an e-book & also a hard bound book. the snags I have are:

1. in the resizing of photos to intersperse in the pages,
2. finding a software program that will format the book both in e-book format & also ready for hardbound format
3. how to make the links for affiliates live at the end of the book (yours would be a good one to include)
4. formatting a cover
5. also to get an affiliate link do I have to have a website or can I get an affiliate link if I just have an e-book? and how would I go about getting the affiliate link to include?

I liked your e-book & wondered if you had a specific software that you used to format or if you did that yourself.

Also when you added the photos, did you do the resizing yourself to fit in the appropriate location or did you have a software program that did the resizing for you?

My problem has been that I go off on 20 different tangents & never end up completing one. So I have decided to complete the book first & then get the website up & running to accommodate the selling of the book as well as other products.

…those are a few of my immediate problems.

Thanks for listening!

Karen

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Dear Karen:

Thanks for your note. I’m a little pressed for time for the next week, but wanted to get a quick note out to you today….

My old ebook “Back Road Riches” was one of my first. I bought software to format it as a little piece of software containing the book’s content. I would not suggest following this route. People are wary of downloading software these days. Ebooks are acceptable in PDF format as it has less chance of containing viruses. Plus PDF format allows for easy printing for your end reader.

There’s lots of free software available to create PDF files from your Word document. Actually adobe.com (makers of the PDF format) allows 5 free conversions per email address.

So my modern day advice is write your ebook in Word or WordPerfect, etc. which will also format your photos to fit, convert it to pdf and distribute it as such.

As for hardcover format, you’ll need to follow your publisher’s direction on that as each varies. Generally they would edit then typeset it to their own specs anyway.

If you’re not a graphical person I’d suggest paying someone over at elance.com $20-40 to create a cover for you. Books are certainly judged by their covers. Again, your publisher for hardcover will have their own version of a cover created in-house (generally without your say or control).

As for affiliate links every network is different. You’ll have to check with network of products you want to promote (i.e. http://www.smartzville.com/clickbank.htm). To make them active in Word you just type the url in.

As for your last trouble – going off on tangents and never completing anything – I want you to know we all have this problem. The good thing is that you are aware of it! Now that you know how you ‘operate’ you can force yourself to stay on track and complete one task at a time. Believe me saying it is easier than actually doing it!

Have a great day, write anytime….

Laura Childs

The ‘Ask Laura’ series is published solely to assist you with questions and resolutions to making your online business profitable. Names are never disclosed on this website unless approved or requested. Proof of all email communication between Laura Childs and her contacts can be provided upon request.

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As you’ll see, there are many ways to build and promote a business online, even more ways to make money from your efforts.

Your First Website – Ask Laura (August 24, 2005)

Laura,

I have been researching all the guru’s on the net trying to decide how I should go about starting a web project I have in mind.

What bothers me is so many experts that give out different “solutions”. I guess in reality, there really are many different ways to skin a cat.

Well, I still don’t have a web site or a product even though I have lots of ideas for products, etc. I have decided that when I get a site I will use your materials as best I can.

You seem very sincere and I feel that I can trust you and not go down the wrong path. My whole purpose for doing this is to raise monies for Christian missionaries around the globe. But I can’t quite decide where to start; sometimes I think I should just start an affiliate site and develop my own stuff later.

Would RSS and blogs be good for that type of venture? Sooner or later I need to stop studying and pick a path and get on with it.

Thanks and God Bless,
Gene

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Hi Gene thanks for writing!

And thanks for your kind words. You came along just when I needed to hear it!

You need to do whatever it is going to take to get you moving forward. If it is easiest to set up an affiliate site, then go down that road. If you want to start grabbing subscribers to a newsletter (so you can tell them about your own product later) then start right away. If you’re nearly completed with a product offering then finish that and get selling!

I guess what I’m trying to say is the hardest part of this all is actually getting started!

Once you’ve got some momentum there isn’t much that can hold you back.

To become successful you will need all three – a mailing list, your own product, and other people’s products that you believe in.

You can start with either of the three, pick which one you are most comfortable with and begin.

It is easier for many to set up a mini-site, write a small product, sell it at clickbank (that way other affiliates will send you traffic), and start collecting email addresses. Then you grow your business from there…

Let me know more about you and maybe I can provide you with something better than general information…

Laura

p.s. by the way I was in ’study mode’ myself for quite a few years before I got busy and started implementing some of the stuff I had learned.

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