How to Choose the Right Ebook Topic

Selling ebooks is a powerful online business model, allowing you to generate passive income from your content while serving your audience. In fact, the ebook market is estimated to be worth over $12 billion, and continues to grow by 6% each year. With WordPress, you have everything you need to create, publish and sell professional ebooks on your website.

In this expert guide, we‘ll share step-by-step instructions for making and selling ebooks online with WordPress, including:

• Selecting the right ebook topic and title

• Creating your ebook outline and content

• Formatting your ebook for maximum impact

• Designing an eye-catching cover

• Publishing your ebook in multiple formats

• Promoting your new ebook launch to drive sales

• Turning your ebook into a lead magnet

• Selling your ebook using WordPress ecommerce plugins

Let‘s dive in!

Choosing the right topic is the first and most important step to creating a successful ebook. Your topic should align closely with your existing brand and content so you have a ready-made audience interested in learning more.

Here are some smart ways to select an ebook topic as a WordPress pro:

Research Best Selling Niches and Keywords

Use Google‘s free Keyword Planner tool to research profitable ebook niches and related keywords. Look for topics with high search volume and low competition.

Some topics consistently perform well for ebooks, like health & fitness, business, finance, and niche hobbies. But you also want to find untapped sub-topics within those broader categories.

Review Successful Ebooks on Amazon

Study the Amazon Kindle Store best sellers and top rated books in your niche. Use the Look Inside feature to view the TOC and preview the book content.

Take note of how the content is structured and the length. Most popular ebooks range from 25 to 200 pages when published.

Leverage Your Existing Content

Compile 4-5 of your most popular blog posts into an ebook. Or expand an in-depth series you’ve already written on for a more comprehensive guide.

Repurposing existing content from your site is a fast way to quickly create an ebook that engages your audience.

Ask Your Audience

Survey your email list and social media followers to find out which topics they struggle with or want to learn about. This ensures your ebook addresses their needs.

Once you‘ve settled on an ebook topic, the next step is planning out your book.

A well-structured outline serves as the backbone of your ebook. It provides the roadmap to organize and develop all of your content in an orderly way.

Follow these steps to outline your ebook like a pro:

Create a Table of Contents

Start by listing out chapter titles that break your topic into logical sections. These titles will match the headings in your outline.

Arrange the chapters into a natural flow or order of progression to guide readers through the content.

Write Chapter Summaries

Briefly summarize 2-3 sentences for what each chapter will cover. This helps you develop a clear focus for the outline.

Draft The Outline

With chapter titles and summaries in place, you can now expand each one into a detailed outline.

Use bullet points to list the main subtopics, facts, examples, tips, and key points that support each chapter topic.

Organize and Refine

Review your outline to ensure content flows logically and chapters have cohesion. Adjust chapter order or merge sections if needed.

Flesh out areas that need more detail or remove weak points. A tight outline will make writing much easier!

Here is a sample ebook outline with TOC:

Introduction

Chapter 1: Keyword Research for Ebooks

• Why keywords are critical for ebook sales and promotion
• Step-by-step process for conducting keyword research
  • Brainstorming related keywords
  • Using Google Keyword Planner and other tools
• Tips for analyzing and selecting the best keywords
• Best practices for optimizing your ebook for keywords

Chapter 2: Creating Ebook Content Quickly

• Repurposing existing blog posts and content
• Outsourcing ebook writing affordably
• Optimizing writing time through outlines and templates
• Crafting cohesive ebook chapters
• Self-editing techniques and tips

Chapter 3: Ebook Cover Design Best Practices

• Elements of eye-catching ebook covers
  • Typography, images, colors
• Tools and resources for DIY ebook cover design
• Hiring professional designers
• Image specs and requirements
• Common ebook cover mistakes to avoid

Conclusion

Next Actions

References

With your table of contents and outline set, you‘re ready to start writing and designing your ebook!

Beyond the words themselves, formatting plays a critical role in crafting an exceptional reader experience. Follow these pro tips for formatting and styling your ebook content:

Use Proper Header Styles

Format your chapter titles and section headings consistently using Header 1, Header 2, etc. This enhances readability and navigation.

Employ Lists and Bullet Points

Break up paragraphs and highlight important takeaways using bulleted lists, numbered steps, and quick tips.

Include Relevant Images

Reinforce key points by adding charts, graphics, screenshots and photos. Ensure they are high resolution, compressed properly, and display well on various devices.

Style Text Elements

Use bold and italics strategically to emphasize important names, phrases, and quotes. Avoid FULL CAPS.

Watch Line Length

Keep line length between 50-75 characters. Lines that are too long are difficult to read in digital formats.

Check Formatting Consistency

Review all chapters to ensure formatting and styles are consistent. Verify chapter titles, spacing, indents, etc. match throughout the ebook.

Proper formatting ensures your ebook is visually appealing and optimized for comprehension. It enables readers to extract value from your content quickly.

Your ebook cover design makes the all-important first impression on potential readers. An exceptional cover grabs attention and conveys what the book is about.

Here are tips for designing stand-out ebook covers that convert:

Study Successful Covers in Your Niche

Take inspiration from top-selling books and best cover designs in your market. Analyze why they work and what makes them compelling.

Keep it Simple

Avoid cluttered designs. Use a clear focal point, clean fonts, and ample negative space to ensure visual clarity.

Select Images Strategically

Select engaging photos or illustrations that hint at your ebook topic and appeal to your audience. Avoid generic stock imagery.

Use Color Purposefully

Leverage color psychology to evoke the right emotions. Bright contrasting colors project energy while muted tones are more subtle.

Optimize Text Legibility

Ensure your title and subtitle text stand out clearly against the background. Avoid thin fonts or script. Use drop shadows if needed.

Review Requirements

Certain sites like Amazon KDP have cover dimension requirements and bleed specifications. Review guidelines closely.

Investing in professional design is worth it for maximum impact. But tools like Canva offer quality DIY templates too.

To maximize distribution opportunities, you‘ll want to export your finished ebook in multiple digital formats. Here are the steps:

Export EPUB File

EPUB format provides the most flexibility for publishing across platforms. Use apps like Vellum or Calibre for optimized EPUB conversion.

Create PDF Version

Also generate a PDF version for users who prefer that format. Configure PDF settings for e-reader optimization.

Convert to Kindle Formats

For Amazon distribution, you‘ll need MOBI or KF8 formats. Kindle Create and Calibre handle Kindle conversions well.

Generate Other Files as Needed

Consider also exporting your ebook to DOC, RTF, HTML, and other formats required by any additional sales channels.

Validate All Files

Double check that images, hyperlinks, fonts, styles, and layouts appear correctly across all formats. Resolve any conversion issues.

Take time to properly optimize and test your ebook files. It ensures the best experience for readers no matter where they purchase from.

You created an incredible ebook! Now it‘s time for the fun part – getting the word out. An effective ebook launch and promotion strategy is key to attracting readers.

Here is an 18-step ebook launch checklist to maximize exposure:

6 Weeks Out

• Set release date

• Draft pre-launch content and announcements

• Create social media graphics and quotes

• Request reviews from influencers

4 Weeks Out

• Start pre-launch email sequence

• Begin promoting on social media

• Launch social media ad campaigns

• Outreach to relevant blogs for partnerships

2 Weeks Out

• Send physical or digital ARC copies to top influencers

• Record promotional videos

• Draft press release

• Build email signup landing page

1 Week Out

• Send press release

• Accelerate social media hype

• Offer limited-time pre-order discount

• Prime email list for big announcement

Launch Day

• Send launch email to list

• Activate all social promotions

• Share celebratory announcements

• Monitor traction and respond

Post-Launch

• Email subscribers with bonuses

• Run promotions and keep marketing

• Develop future launch strategies

With planning and persistence, you can maximize the visibility of your WordPress ebook launch. Now let‘s look at how to turn that interest into leads.

In addition to selling your ebook, you can leverage it as a lead generating "magnet" to grow your email list quickly.

Here are some proven ways to use your ebook as an incentive to capture leads:

• Offer the ebook as an instant download in exchange for an email signup

• Giveaway free copies in a contest for newsletter subscriptions

• Provide ebook access to those who join your community or forum

• Run ads offering the book for free when people subscribe

• Host a webinar or online course with the ebook as a registration bonus

According to benchmarks, ebooks can generate up to 70% more leads than other giveaways like checklists or guides.

Using WordPress plugins like OptinMonster makes it easy to gate your ebook behind email signups for high conversion.

The final piece is setting up your WordPress website to sell your ebook directly to visitors. This enables you to retain 100% of the profits.

Here is an overview of how to sell ebooks on WordPress:

Choose an Ecommerce Plugin

Plugins like Easy Digital Downloads, WooCommerce, or MemberPress allow you to quickly create an online store. EDD is designed specifically for selling digital downloads like ebooks.

Upload Your Ebook

Add your ebook to the platform, configure pricing and payment options, and customize the sales page with descriptions, imagery, and calls-to-action.

Set Up Payment Processing

Connect payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal to accept credit cards and process transactions securely.

Promote Your Ebook Store

Drive traffic to your ebook sales page through email, social media, affiliates, and other channels to generate sales.

Deliver Digital Downloads

When an order is placed, customers should receive download access or receive the ebook files automatically via email.

Analyze Performance

Review sales metrics and analytics to identify opportunities for improvement. Monitor best selling ebooks and promotional strategies.

Case Study: How Kristen Earle Earns $30,000/Month Selling Ebooks

Kristen Earle is an entrepreneur who earns over $30k per month selling ebooks on her WordPress site YourHustleHub.com.

She told us her 3 keys to success:

1. Creating high-value content that solves problems
2. Building engagement through a Facebook community
3. Promoting new releases to her email list

Selling ebooks leverages Kristen‘s expertise while creating a passive income stream. She hired designers on Fiverr to create her covers and optimize her site using EDD.

In the first year, Kristen generated $150k in sales from her ebooks!

Selling ebooks also provides Kristen‘s readers with valuable learning resources, creating a win-win.

We covered a lot of ground in this detailed guide! Here are some final tips to move forward:

• Decide on your ebook topic and start your keyword research
• Build your outline and set a content writing schedule
• Research cover designers and ebook artists to partner with
• Pick your ecommerce platform and and start setting up your store
• Compile pre-launch assets like emails, social posts, graphics
• Develop an advance promotion and marketing calendar
• Set a release date and get excited to publish your first ebook!

I hope this post gave you all the information and motivation you need to create a profitable ebook using WordPress. Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions!

Jeremy
WPBeginner