Above Header

How Can I Promote My eBook

This post was most recently updated on August 6th, 2016

How Can I Promote My eBookOnce you have created it, I know you will be asking me “How Can I Promote My Ebook?”

In an important way, “How Can I Promote My Ebook?” is actually the wrong question to ask.

I’ll tell you the right question a bit later.

For now, since it’s the question I most commonly here after someone creates an eBook is, I’ll focus on answering “How Can I Promote My Ebook?”

Your eBook Marketing Strategy

Your eBook Marketing Strategy is what will make your eBook worth all the effort you put into creating it.

So don’t think of this as the “Whew, I’m Done” phase of your eBook.

It’s actually the most important part of creating an eBook.

After all, you could develop the formula of the century (not just e=mc2, but one of those long elaborate ones that would take up an entire chalkboard).

If the building custodian inadvertently erases it, though, what good would it be to anyone?

Special: Learn To Blog My Way. FREE Guide Shows You How I Built My Blog Using Only Free Traffic

Your eBook needs to be put into people’s hands so they can actually read it.

This is what I call “giving it legs” or in other words, promoting your eBook so folks can get to read it.

I’ve talked about how you can build your business with eBook marketing cheaper, faster and more effectively than most methods.

Now it’s time to see how that works.

After your eBook has been properly sourced, researched, and created… you’ve got a finished product.

What you do with it is the linchpin in using this method.

How Can I Promote My eBook?

You have two options to promote your eBook.

The first is to give it away for free.

The second is to sell it.

Both methods can be enormously effective, and can be done with little or no budget.

Each has it’s proper place in any given business model, and each has it’s pros and cons.

The first thing you need to do is determine if you will promote your eBook as a giveaway or as a paid product.

Special: FREE Guide… 4 Things I Did To Build My Blog Using Only Free Traffic

Giving Away Your eBook

We often think of an eBook as a lead magnet.

This is a good strategy to use when you’re trying to pull people into your business or sales funnel.

The goal here is to build up some marketing momentum for what you do and what you sell.

You can also use a free eBook to open people’s awareness to who you are as an authority, leader or expert on your topic.

A free eBook is particularly useful to build your email list.

Simply offer it as a free gift for people in exchange for their email address.

Tell them to give you their email address so you can send them the eBook containing the information you’ve promised.

This is a very effective way to build your business so long as your eBook is written specifically for the kind of people you want on your email list.

If you do web design for your main business, don’t offer people an eBook about how to run Facebook ads.

There is very little congruence between those two topics, so you’ll largely end up with people on your email list who have no interest in your web design business.

If however, you offer an eB ook about “how to optimize the design of your website,” then you’ll be far more successful in converting your email subscribers into paying customers for your services somewhere along the line.

Special: Learn To Blog My Way. FREE Guide Shows You How I Built My Blog Using Only Free Traffic

Selling Your eBook

The other option you have is to sell your eBook.

This will work best if you already have a following and loyal subscribers who are ready at a moment’s notice to buy your next product.

Just send them an email, or place a Facebook ad, and let them know your latest eBook is hot off the press.

If you don’t have a customer base already, then you’ll have to work harder at this, but it’s not impossible.

You should set up a dedicated landing page with information, graphics and video.

You don’t need all these components, but remember, the dedicated landing page will have only one purpose… to get people to click on the “buy now” button.

The More Interesting – The More Sales

Include things like bullet points of the major benefits of your eBook and testimonials from people who have already read it.

If you don’t have any testimonials, give away some review copies in exchange for those testimonials.

You can find people in forums, Facebook groups and the like to offer review copies.

You can even ask people on your email list to request a review copy in exchange for their honest review.

Testimonials are important when you’re asking for people to pay for something, though, so make it a priority when setting up your eBook marketing.

You can then put a “buy button” on your page and you’re ready to go.

It’s best to put your eBook in an affiliate network like JV Zoo or Clickbank.

Special: FREE Guide… 4 Things I Did To Build My Blog Using Only Free Traffic

That way you can get affiliates to promote your eBook for you, using your dedicated landing page or sales page that you furnish to them.

Once your eBook is on an affiliate site, you can also ask other bloggers in your niche to promote it on their own sites, in exchange for the commission they’ll receive from sales.

They could put up a banner, or they could do a review post, or they have you guest post and put their affiliate link to your book in your article.

How Can I Promote My eBook?

These are all excellent ways to start building marketing momentum and general interest in your eBook.

The key to promoting it, though, is that you put it in front of the right people.

Make sure you know who would be interested in your eBook, and by extension, in your business.

Find out what places they frequent.

It could be Facebook groups, blogs, YouTube or Reddit.

Wherever your target audience is, that’s where you need to promote your eBook.

Reach out to folks where they’re at and let them know how your eBook can improve their lives.

My Blogging Mentorship Program

Have you created an eBook?

Your next step should be asking “Where are the folks who will be interested in reading my eBook?”

The answer will be different for everyone, depending on your niche, and your particular slant or angle.

Once you’ve answered it, you’ll be ready to ask “How Can I Promote My eBook?”

I hope you’ve learned some good ideas about that.

I’d love to read your questions and feedback in the comments section, below.

Please share this on your social sites, too.

I appreciate it.

-Donna

Donna Merrill
Donna is a well known blogger and creator of "Blogging Magic" - an intensive guide to blogging. "Blogging Magic" is for beginners who are trying to figure out how to bring their blogs to life with tons of visits, comments and social media interaction. It's even for advanced bloggers looking to reach new levels of authority and engagement with their audience.

, ,

31 Responses to How Can I Promote My eBook

  1. Gaurav Heera May 17, 2017 at 3:10 am #

    You know? Subsequent to getting your recommendation from the past post, I reexamine about composing my digital book once more. No doubt. Precisely I skip startle of punctuation error as I found an editorial manager for the digital book. LOL.

    Donna? I have a question. I plan to compose a digital book and offer on Amazon, however, I additionally need to offer it for nothing digital book download to my supporter. Would I be able to do that?works
    Gaurav Heera recently posted..Personal Branding: Take Control of Your Professional ImageMy Profile

  2. Kimsea Sok
    Twitter:
    August 18, 2016 at 12:05 pm #

    Donna, thanks for continue share what I’m always wondering.

    You know? After getting your advice from the previous post, I rethink about writing my ebook again. Yeah. Exactly I skip scare of grammar mistake as I found an editor for the ebook. LOL.

    Donna? I have a question. I plan to write an ebook and sell on Amazon, but I also want to offer it for free ebook download to my subscriber. Can I do that?
    Kimsea Sok recently posted..Attention: Why Majority Of New Blogs Often Die After Few Months Of Their Existence (How To Avoid Being A Victim)My Profile

    • Donna Merrill August 18, 2016 at 10:05 pm #

      Hi Kimsea,

      I would think of two things: first…do you want your ebook as a way for people to enter your sales funnel? If so, do it for free.

      If you want to sell it on Amazon…think of how you want to market it and price it. Will it make more money than offering it as a free offer so you can grow your email list?

      That’s up to you…give it thought.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Law Of Attraction – My True Life StoryMy Profile

  3. Edward Thorpe
    Twitter:
    July 24, 2016 at 7:12 am #

    Hi Donna,

    Another day, another fabulous post from Donna Merrill..!

    You included lots of smart tips and strategies in your post. Yet, I thought your reply to our Friend Kathryn Maclean, crystallized your message perfectly. (Won’t quote it here, thank you very much!)

    I once heard an old school marketer say that any businessperson worth their salt, used a book they had written, as their business card. Course he said it better than I just did.
    Thanks for another useful read,
    Edward
    Edward Thorpe recently posted..5 Important Factors to Know about Cancer Patients and AddictionMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill July 24, 2016 at 1:17 pm #

      Hi Ed,

      It is so true what that old school marketer said. When I was in business off line (before the internet) I did write two “vanity books” as I call them because they were self published. It was a fantastic business card then.

      Now it is so easy to write an eBook and less expensive. Giving it away is the smart thing to do (as long as we have links in there lol) plus if someone is interested, we have their email to give them more as we go along that sales funnel.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..4 Blogs That Rank High On Google SearchMy Profile

  4. Donna Merrill July 23, 2016 at 8:50 am #

    Hi Corina,

    Yes… you offer it for free.

    Put the pdf on your blog or some site, then build a squeeze page.

    When people opt in to your email list, they automatically (via your autoresponder) get a link to the download page which, in turn, gives them a link to download your eBook, or just read it on the web link.

    That builds your list IF you promote… promote your eBook. You must promote it. Write as much as you can in as many different places where your followers hang out, and always have a link or 2 or more to your free eBook which must… which must be related to the topic you are writing about.

    You’re on the right path my friend, but you can’t just write an eBook and wait for magic.

    People who do that always say “that didn’t work”… because they didn’t work to promote it.

    Good luck 🙂

    -Donna
    Donna Merrill recently posted..4 Blogs That Rank High On Google SearchMy Profile

  5. Corina Ramos
    Twitter:
    July 20, 2016 at 9:54 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    I needed to read this. I just finished my eBook and I’m getting ready to go into this phase. I mentioned to Bren just this morning about marketing my eBook when it’s ready to go.

    I’ve decided to sell it on Amazon but I’m not sure how much to charge. I don’t want to be too expensive but I don’t want to be cheap either. 🙂

    Thanks for the suggestion about setting up a special landing page. I’m definitely going to do that!

    As always, you knock it out of the park lady! Hope you’re having a great week.

    Cori
    Corina Ramos recently posted..Homeschool Planning 101My Profile

    • Donna Merrill July 21, 2016 at 8:52 am #

      Hi Cori,

      Wow.. that is fantastic Cori! You really want a special landing page so that you can capture emails of interested people.

      It’s time to roll up your sleeves and put your marketing hat on. Not sure what the book is about but I hope you have some links there so that you can offer your products or services. You can’t get rich selling eboks…but that is a huge door to go through when making the big bucks at the other side.

      Wishing you all the best.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Rank Your Blog High In Google SearchMy Profile

      • Corina Ramos
        Twitter:
        July 22, 2016 at 4:02 pm #

        Aw, thank you Donna. The ebook is about blogging. I’ve got some more editing to do but it’s 95% ready.

        Yes ma’am, I’m being realistic about this but I sure hope it opens the door to bigger and better things. 🙂

        Maybe it’s because I didn’t get much sleep last night and my brain is shorting out but I’m confused about capturing the email of interested people. Does that mean I offer it for free in exchange for email sign ups and for those who just want the ebook an option to buy?

        Thanks for clarifying. 🙂 Hope you’re having a great Friday.

        Cori
        Corina Ramos recently posted..Make Money from Home: Work-from-Home and Blogger JobsMy Profile

  6. Tom Southern
    Twitter:
    July 18, 2016 at 3:16 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Timely post because I’m planning my first ebook! These tips are really useful. Thank-you.

    Do you create your own covers, btw?

    Thanks Donna.

    – Tom
    Tom Southern recently posted..How To Get Readers To Your New BlogMy Profile

  7. Mark
    Twitter:
    July 18, 2016 at 10:44 am #

    Thanks for sharing your awesome tips Donna!

    I definitely picked up a couple of new ebook marketing strategies,
    I can’t wait to try out!LOL! Thanks!

    And your timing couldn’t be better!Because my latest post mentions you
    and your awesome marketing creativity in it!LOL!

    Thanks for sharing such a solid blueprint!
    Mark recently posted..How Savvy Small Business Owners Profit From Ebooks They Don’t Write!My Profile

    • Donna Merrill July 18, 2016 at 11:57 am #

      Hi Mark,

      I just read your blog and was so delighted about the mention you have given me there. Thank you So much for that!

      I also see that you have seen the other posts about eBooks on LinkIn I posted this week too. I know you well enough to say that whatever you learn you put into action.

      You are the B E S T !

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Build Your Business With eBook MarketingMy Profile

  8. Debaran Mukherjee
    Twitter:
    July 18, 2016 at 8:39 am #

    Ebook selling is one of the most profitable business nowadays in the online world.People must need to know how to promote their ebook after they write.So that they can make much more attention which will lead them to generate much more sales,popularity and money obviously. Nice tips,keep it up.
    Debaran Mukherjee recently posted..How to Get Organic Traffic to Your Blog?My Profile

    • Donna Merrill July 18, 2016 at 11:33 am #

      Hi Debaran,

      We can write the book, then sit there wondering what the heck to do with it. eBooks are great for selling and/or using it free as a lead magnet. So… I have to say before you do anything, learn how to market it first.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Build Your Business With eBook MarketingMy Profile

  9. ikechi
    Twitter:
    July 18, 2016 at 3:41 am #

    Hi Donna

    You proved it so well why asking the question of how to promote an ebook is wrong. When target audience are defined, it becomes easy to market an ebook. Love your tips and thanks for sharing your insight. Take Care

  10. Kathryn Maclean
    Twitter:
    July 17, 2016 at 5:23 pm #

    Hi Donna,
    I have been reading your writing tips for ebooks and marketing them
    I have a few that I have done giving content about a few subjects that people might be interested in reading about but really the reason for the ebook is to get them on my email list in the first place and second I have a little information about myself and my business.
    Ebooks will be coming up soon on PAC stay turned…lol Excellent article.

    • Donna Merrill July 18, 2016 at 11:23 am #

      HI Kathryn,

      Sounds like you’re getting the idea.

      The eBook should give people information they find valuable, and it seems like you’ve done that.

      It should also let them know how YOU are the person that can help them solve their problems because the #1 reason for you eBook promotion is not to get people onto your email list as much as it is to brand yourself.

      For that reason, it’s not a terrible marketing idea to give your eBook away on select places like your Facebook page or in a forum without even asking for the optin to your list.

      Sure, you’ll miss some optins, but your eBook has a better chance of getting read and shared by more people. That’s more people learning about your brand… PLUS… put an optin to join your email list right inside the eBook so if people got it without opting in and joining your email list, now they know more about you and your expertise, they get another shot to do that. It they decline, you don’t really want then on your list anyway.

      Make the optin optional in that case, not mandatory.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Build Your Business With eBook MarketingMy Profile

  11. Arpit Roy
    Twitter:
    July 17, 2016 at 1:42 am #

    Hi Donna,

    Excellent post! Finishing an ebook is an achievement, however promoting it is a different ball game altogether. So many authors fail to reach out to potential readers, even though their book is excellent, because of the lack of proper marketing and promotion techniques.

    You have shared some actionable tips that all the authors should follow.

    Thanks for sharing and you have a great day ahead!

    ~Arpit Roy
    Arpit Roy recently posted..Blog Commenting: Tips & Marketing GuideMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill July 17, 2016 at 2:27 pm #

      Hi Arpit,

      Indeed, all week long I have been writing tips about ebooks and ebook marketing. Marketing the book itself is a difficult thing to do. This is why I had put this together.

      I do believe it is wonderful to use as a lead magnet. But one has to know some marketing techniques!

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Build Your Business With eBook MarketingMy Profile

  12. Joy Healey
    Twitter:
    July 16, 2016 at 7:01 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Very timely – because I’ve just finished writing my new ebook and having the finished product is a bit of an anticlimax because it’s sort of – OK, well now what? So your tips are very welcome.

    For me, the writing of it was the easy bit LOL

    I’m giving it away as a lead magnet. It’s meant to attract people who (think they) are too busy to run an online business. Just like me!

    I’m working on the squeeze page and auto-responder follow-up series, after that I’ll be scattering it about my blog – and then thinking about my next move.

    Selling it would, for me, be too much hassle – I’d rather give it away.

    I’ll let you know how I get on with it, and thanks for the tips.

    Joy – Blogging After Dark
    Joy Healey recently posted..4 Reasons Why Email Marketing Isn’t Dead & 4 Tips For Starting a CampaignMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill July 17, 2016 at 2:25 pm #

      Hi Joy,

      We are on the same page lol. I too gave away my eBook (hope you picked it up) Indeed, the writing came easily, but to get it out to the world is a different story.

      Our friends read it but we really want to get it out in the marketplace. This is where people are not familiar of who you are. So, by giving it away as a lead magnet, and having your sales funnel and emails in place…it is a wise move you are making.

      If you ever have any questions, FB MSG me.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Build Your Business With eBook MarketingMy Profile

  13. Joan M Harrington
    Twitter:
    July 16, 2016 at 3:56 pm #

    Hi Donna 🙂

    Awesome post on how to promote your Ebook! Will be utilizing them for my own ebook…thanks for sharing your valuable tips!
    Joan M Harrington recently posted..Is Your Content Good Enough To Publish?My Profile

    • Donna Merrill July 17, 2016 at 2:22 pm #

      Hi Joan,

      This week I have done sort of a “series” on ebooks and marketing them here on this blog and also on LinkedIn.

      I am passionate about it because doing it myself, and getting good results, I just had to share with those who are interested.

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Build Your Business With eBook MarketingMy Profile

  14. Robin Khokhar
    Twitter:
    July 15, 2016 at 3:22 pm #

    Hi Donna,
    I haven’t written any ebook yet. so, this post is really a good source of knowledge.
    Thanks for the share.
    Robin Khokhar recently posted..How to Increase Domain Authority of Your blog or websiteMy Profile

    • Donna Merrill July 15, 2016 at 7:13 pm #

      Hi Roibin,

      I’ve been posting every day this week on this blog and on LinkedIn about ebooks…what to write about, why and most of all what to do when it is all done.

      A great way to promote your products!

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Build Your Business With eBook MarketingMy Profile

  15. Ravi Chahar
    Twitter:
    July 15, 2016 at 1:36 am #

    Hey Donna,

    After writing an ebook people need to know the best way to promote it. As you have mentioned that they can give it free or sell it.

    In my opinion providing it free to your readers is the best thing you can do to build an online reputation. It builds trust.

    Though selling it quite a good idea but not better than giving it free.

    You always bring something remarkable.
    Glad to read it.
    ~Ravi
    Ravi Chahar recently posted..How To Delete FTP Account In cPanel of Your Web Hosting?My Profile

    • Donna Merrill July 15, 2016 at 12:00 pm #

      Hi Ravi,

      This entire week I was writing all about eBooks and how to use them here and on LinkedIn. It is great to have written one but what to do when it’s all done?

      I say give it out for free. I had made this choice myself because I market my own digital products. When in the marketplace, there are so many people who don’t know me. So what do they have to do?

      Google me, go to my blog, find me on social sites? That takes too much time and realistically I would loose most of the people I’m reaching.

      With an eBook, I can give good information and say a bit about myself of who I am and what I do creating the KLT factor. Then have links if they want to go further.

      Works for me!

      -Donna
      Donna Merrill recently posted..Build Your Business With eBook MarketingMy Profile

Leave a Reply

CommentLuv badge

Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy
error: Content is protected !!