In the digital age, e-books have emerged as a potent marketing tool. Essentially, an e-book is a collection of HTML documents compiled into an executable (.exe) file, functioning as an electronic book that can be downloaded, read page by page, and shared effortlessly online. Some e-books are sold, while others are distributed freely, encouraging recipients to share them with their networks. This "give away" aspect is what makes e-books such a formidable marketing tool, also known as viral marketing. When executed correctly, your e-book can reach thousands of people worldwide.
In my experience, e-books are most effective when they are offered free of charge. After all, who doesn't appreciate a freebie? If you're considering joining the e-book revolution, my advice is to distribute it freely and let it do what it does best: drive traffic to your website.
Once your e-book is written, the challenge is to get it into the digital mainstream. This requires significant marketing and promotion on your part to set the viral marketing ball rolling. This is where many people hit a roadblock.
Having written two e-books myself, I've conducted extensive research and discovered what works and what doesn't. If your e-book includes references to other websites, your first step should be to contact their owners and inform them about it. Encourage them to offer the e-book on their site or mention it in their newsletter. Most will be happy to comply, as they also stand to benefit from its promotion.
If you've sold banner ads in the e-book, ensure you provide your advertisers with text link ads and/or graphics they can use to promote it. Your goal is to make it as easy as possible for them to spread the word. This is viral marketing at its finest.
Your next step should be to create a page on your website where visitors can download the e-book. If you possess any graphic design skills, consider creating a book cover and adding a description that highlights the benefits readers will gain from it. If the content is high-quality, you'll soon receive positive feedback. Be sure to display these testimonials on your page, as they can be very persuasive.
If you publish an ezine, you can offer the e-book as a bonus for your subscribers.
There are numerous other ways to promote your e-book. Reach out to ezine publishers who might be interested in your subject matter and suggest they mention it to their readers. Many publishers are always on the lookout for content and will be happy to assist.
Some websites review e-books and publish them online or in their newsletters. Here are a few to get you started:
There are also sites that function as e-book libraries, housing e-books of various types. You can submit your e-book to any of the following:
E-book discussion lists are another platform where you can announce your e-book once you subscribe. Some examples include E-book Chat, E-book News, and E-book Talk.
Another tip is to visit websites that offer free software and submit your e-book to them. Most include e-books, as they are .exe files. There is free software that can submit your e-book to 50 sites in one go: Soft Submit.
Don't forget to include the download URL in your signature file. You could also write a press release about your e-book and email it to the media. Discussion boards are another great outlet, but remember to post appropriately. If you have the book in your signature file, you could simply post a comment or answer a question, and your signature line will do the rest.
With a bit of creativity, you'll find countless ways to leverage your e-book in your marketing campaign. After all, this is one viral infection you want everyone to catch!
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