This post was most recently updated on July 8th, 2017
Why create an eBook in these times of live video stream events, webinars, teleconferences, interactive masterminds and podcasts?
After all, a simple eBook is just a pdf document with boring text, right?
Actually, the higher percentage of your potential followers and customers probably prefer to read an eBook to get your training or information.
That is why some of the top bloggers focus on eBook creation.
They do not do it despite the high-tech, multimedia alternatives, but because of them.
Ryan Biddulph of Blogging From Paradise is one such blogger.
How Exciting Can An eBook Be?
You’ll notice that Ryan gets pretty excited about writing eBooks.
That’s because it’s the core of his blogging business.
He’s extremely prolific, having written over 125 eBooks.
Now, that’s something to get excited about.
You’ll get excited, too, when you understand the power of writing eBooks.
People Want Their Problems Solved… Fast
Your followers have problems, right?
Let’s say, for example, that your followers want a WordPress site, but don’t know how to create one.
That’s a problem for them.
You can help them solve that problem by showing them how to create a WordPress site by themselves, instead of spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars to have someone else do it.
You can do this with video trainings, and that seems pretty cool, right?
After all, you’ve seen lots of other bloggers put together training video tutorials like that.
But there are important reasons that your blog visitors may actually prefer to get this training in your eBook instead of your video trainings.
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No Long Sit-Down Sessions
People have problems, and they want them solved.
But they want them solved fast.
How long would it take for them to wade through a series of video trainings?
Hours, probably.
They could probably scan through your ebook much faster.
Easier To Learn
Many, many people just learn things easier when they see them written out.
You could even add some screen captures to demonstrate things, or images that can enhance your reader’s experience.
The point is, many readers prefer seeing text and image rather than video.
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Zone In On Exactly What Is Wanted
A lot of people like to read eBooks instead of watch videos or listen to podcasts because they can learn and digest the information much faster.
Within multimedia formats, people are typically forced to watch or listen to an entire presentation to get to the specific parts they are looking for.
Sure, you can skip forward or backward on many of these video and audio tracks, but it’s not easy finding precisely what you want.
That may be okay for someone who wants to view or hear an entire presentation, but that’s not always the case.
People often participate in a “training” because they’re looking for something specific.
With an eBook, they can quickly scan ahead or backward to the place where they find what they are most interested in.
Someone could get a video training, for instance, on “how to drive traffic to your sales page.”
But if they’re really only interested in Facebook ads, they might have to sit through tons of video or audio tracking to find just that part about Facebook ads that they are looking for.
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With an eBook, their eye can very quickly scan right to the section about Facebook ads.
If there’s a table of contents, they’ll find what they want even faster.
People value your information, training and opinion… but they often value their time even more.
Bloggers Need To Produce Digital Products… Fast
The best way to develop your unique brand as a blogger is to create your own products.
I teach my students and clients many ways to produce their own digital products.
One of the fastest ways to get your name on an information training product that you can own, market and brand yourself with… is to create eBooks.
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Now, you value your time, just like your readers and followers do.
That means, you need to be able to produce digital info products fast.
That’s why eBooks are the perfect solution.
Gone are the days of taking 6 months to “write an eBook.”
That just doesn’t cut it any more.
One Week eBook Creation
I teach people to create eBooks in one week.
Ryan talks about how he created many of his own eBooks in a week.
This cannot be the long, drawn out production process that people often make it.
Once you’ve got this method down, you can be creating eBooks on multiple aspects of your niche.
This will quickly brand you as an expert, authority and leader.
Low -Tech Production
Besides having a clear production blueprint to work from, you want to be able to create digital products that require a minimum of technology.
The problem with using too much technology in your products is…
- you might have to learn how to use that technology,
- it may be expensive to use that technology,
- it takes much longer to create a product that requires technology.
When you create an eBook, you don’t have to download and store audio and video files.
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You don’t have to figure out a complicated delivery system so that people can get your product.
You just have to write your text, convert it to a pdf file and you have an eBook ready to use for giveaways, to build your list or even sell.
Why Create An eBook?
Here’s a quick list of all the reasons you should be create an eBook to build your blogging or online marketing business.
- You can build a list fast when you offer your free eBook
- As an author, you establish a clear brand for your prospects to follow
- Nothing gets shared more than eBooks
- No product is easier to produce
- No product is easier to deliver
- You can even sell your eBooks and begin to build a digital information business
- Your entire business rises to a new level the moment you create your own eBook
You can probably think of even more answers to the question, “Why Create An eBook.”
I’d love to hear what you come up with, and would like to hear your own experience with trying to create your own eBook.
Please leave me a comment below, and be sure to share this article on your favorite social sites.
-Donna
Twitter: venkatranda
June 7, 2021 at 11:14 am #
Yes, eBooks are great way to monetize blog and YouTube channel.
Ryan, did a fantastic job in this one. It is very awesome. It is wondering to 100+ eBooks written by Ryan. Awesome work Ryan.
Thank you Donna for bringing this valuable post. Great work.
Keep bring such helpful content on this blog. Thank you Donna and Ryan.
Venkat Randa recently posted.. 4 Best Blogging Forums for Bloggers and Online Marketers
Hi Ikechi,
I am so happy you liked the interview with Ryan. Indeed ebooks are oh so relevant today and will be going strong in the future.
I too would rather scan an ebook than watch a video. We are ALL pressed for time.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Workspace Design For Bloggers
Twitter: ikechiawazie
October 2, 2016 at 12:01 pm #
Hi Ryan and Donna
What a great interview and there was so much insight gained from this interview.
As you shared, ebooks are still relevant today and will continue to be in future. I love to scan through an ebook than watch a video.
Thanks for sharing. Take care
Hi Donna,
It was a great tip on why we need an ebook. This is my personal experience and I totally agree on your points. I have started recently giving my Book in ebook format on my website. I couldn’t believe the subscribers I got from the ebook.
People do love ebooks and free stuffs…. A great read….
Thanks for making my doubt clear… Have a good day…
Ugyen
Ugyen Dorji recently posted..Instant Articles and Facebook Audience Network Earnings.
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 29, 2016 at 4:23 pm #
Ugyen so happy to hear of your eBook success my man 🙂
Hi Donna,
How refreshing, thank you for sharing the interview with Ryan!
He is on fire, wow 126 it’s a serious number 🙂
I just finished my second book and really enjoyed the process. In my case I have to create the project’s first, take all the pictures and then get to the writing part.
It is the best authority building tool for sure.
Thank you for sharing!
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 29, 2016 at 4:26 pm #
Emi that’s so cool you finished #2. Congrats!
Twitter: KathieMac
September 25, 2016 at 5:03 pm #
Hi Donna,
I think we have caught Brian Biddulph ebook fever.
What a terrific interview. He is a very talented writer I have noticed.
126 ebooks WOW! Loved all his pictures of where he has been.
Oh to be young again and free to live like him huh?
Seriously the ebook is just a wonderful thing. I am experimenting with
one myself at the moment. It’s the way to go.
Thanks for all the great info about ebooks.
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 25, 2016 at 5:58 pm #
Kathryn that’s great! Send me the link when you complete the eBook, OK?
[email protected]
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..I’ve Been Featured on Fox News and Entrepreneur!
Hi Lydia,
I am so glad you love this interview. Your ebook is your baby and I cannot wait to see what it is all about.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..7 Proven Ways To Sell Services On Your Blog
Twitter: lydiajbrown
September 24, 2016 at 3:01 am #
Donna, Love, Love, Love this interview. I just completed my first ebook it wasn’t the drama I had created in my head. Now I am working on setting up for my subscribers. I feel like it is my baby and can’t wait to start the next one.
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 25, 2016 at 5:57 pm #
Lydia that’s the perfect way to put it 😉 Thanks so much for reading.
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..I’ve Been Featured on Fox News and Entrepreneur!
Twitter: cheryschmidt
September 23, 2016 at 1:58 pm #
Hello Donna! Wow what a treat we have hear today! An interview with YOU And RYAN Biddulph !! Good Stuff! I love all his stories and OMG His Pictures ROCK!
This interview was awesome! I never thought about writing an e-book, actually thought it was hard. But if Ryan can write 126 I am sure I can write one….
You two do make it sound easy enough..
Love the energy you two create..
Great Share
Thank YOU Both
Chery :))
Chery Schmidt recently posted..How To Crush Your Business Opportunity Online!
Hi Chery,
So glad you had fun, here.
Ryan is a wonderful guest… so much energy, huh? And you can tell he’s no B.S., just straight talk from the heart.
Now… it’s time for you to get down to writing your first eBook 🙂
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Ways To Build A Massive Blog Following | Lessons From Jon Morrow
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 25, 2016 at 5:56 pm #
You definitely can Chery if you’re really resonating with it.
For me, I was surprised at how easy it was, from writing it to formatting. Easy peasy, when you do your daily writing.
Thanks so much for reading 🙂
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..I’ve Been Featured on Fox News and Entrepreneur!
Twitter: atishranjan
September 22, 2016 at 10:32 am #
Hello Donna,
Enjoyed the interview. You both are experts in your own ways. About Ryan, I have been seeing his progress since his first e-book. I keep seeing his updates about new books and all. It is awesome that within such short span of time he wrote 125 e-books already. It’s motivating!
Good work, Ryan. Nice interview, Donna!
Atish Ranjan recently posted..Google Allo – 16 Questions To Ask Google Assistant For Hilarious Replies
Hi Atish,
I hope you got a spot of inspiration from Ryan, and now you’re ready to write your own eBook 🙂
You say you keep seeing Ryan’s updates… eBooks help you spread the word about who you are and what you’re doing!
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..How To Start And Run A Blog By Yourself
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 25, 2016 at 5:55 pm #
Atish thanks so much for reading and watching bro. Great to see you all over the place and putting out primo content 😉
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..I’ve Been Featured on Fox News and Entrepreneur!
Twitter: donpurdum
September 22, 2016 at 10:20 am #
Hi Donna and Ryan,
Great to see you here today Ryan! I have written two eBooks and each one of them has been phenomenal for my business.
The old days of writing and publishing books no longer carry the weight they once did. In fact, after “The Shift – Making the Fast Paced Transition from Mass Marketing to Context Marketing” sold over a thousand copies I decided to give it away for free as a pdf.
I’ve since gotten thousands of people who opted into my email to get the book and my sales went up dramatically.
It added instant credibility and not only did my traffic go up, so did my sales funnel.
Then I wrote my second book in 2015 and boom, the same thing happened again.
Eventually, I’m going to take my best blog articles (based on readership and engagement) and create another book.
If done well, they add another layer of credibility and demonstrate our core competency.
On September 9th, I had a new Twitter follower write after thanking him for tweeting an article; “Since I read your ebook (don’t know where I saw it, you in Kevin Rogers Copy Chief?) I find your method useful”.
I’m not as prolific as you around writing ebooks, but it is on my radar to write another one this winter that I hope will be a massive game changer!
Thanks for sharing your insights, experience and wisdom Ryan!!!!
~ Don Purdum
Don Purdum recently posted..How to Powerfully Utilize Interactive Marketing and Explode Your Results
Hi Don,
Your story gives testament to the power of eBooks… a great example of WHY people should really consider writing them.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..Create Your Own Product To Sell Online
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 25, 2016 at 5:54 pm #
Don that’s a REALLY awesome idea. I turned 5 or 6 old blog posts into eBooks, beefing them up. We have the content already. Almost all of us. Then you mold it, beef it up, expand it and format for eBooks. Loving your success man. Awesome. Thanks for sharing!
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..I’ve Been Featured on Fox News and Entrepreneur!
Twitter: harleenas
September 22, 2016 at 9:32 am #
Hi Donna & Ryan 🙂
What a lovely surprise to see you here, Ryan! And yes, Donna couldn’t have found anyone better, where ebooks are concerned! Don’t we all know how you weave up those books in a jiffy!!!
Great advice here, I’d say, though I still have to get around creating my own some day – it’s in the pipeline, and yes – if things need to be done, we need to take out time for them (I know you’d say this!!) One’s just working full-time on a new project presently, but yes, lots to learn from you, dear friend!!
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice week ahead, both of you 🙂
Harleena Singh recently posted..Exposed – The Dangers of Romanticizing Addiction
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 22, 2016 at 9:48 am #
I certainly appreciate the busy-ness thing Harleena 😉 Actually, I’ve stopped writing eBooks entirely to promote them effectively while writing guest posts and doing interviews. Looking for the 25th hour LOL. Thanks for reading and great to see you too!
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..10 Tips for Stoking Your Blogging Fire When You Feel Hopeless
Hi Harleena,
I am so glad you enjoyed this interview with Ryan. Writing ebooks is one thing, but then one has to consider all the work required to market them. It’s a full circle.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..7 Proven Ways To Sell Services On Your Blog
Hi Donna. It’s true that eBooks are probably the best way to get people to subscribe or sign up to your blog and/or company newsletter. Offering a relevant and useful eBook for free gives people the value and motivation they need to enter their email and subscribe. You’re also right that it’s easy to create. In fact, you can just repurpose a whole bunch of blog posts that fall under the same topic into a nice ebook. I think I’m going to go try this now. Thank you for the idea, and once again for writing a very useful and informative blog post.
Anand recently posted..Dramatically Improve Your Google PageSpeed Score by Using One File
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 22, 2016 at 9:45 am #
It’s also cool to sell eBooks Anand 😉 Free giveaways rock to grow your list. Then you can write a few and put on Amazon to open a passive income stream. Thanks!
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..10 Tips for Stoking Your Blogging Fire When You Feel Hopeless
Hi Anand,
Ebooks are a great way to introduce others to your business, but as Ryan mentioned you can sell them too. His idea of Free giveaways are wonderful to grow your list.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..7 Proven Ways To Sell Services On Your Blog
Twitter: usmile
September 21, 2016 at 11:04 am #
Oh I just love this.. I have seen how Ryan has grown his presence online and all the ebooks he’s created, well it’s an inspiration! I love it. He surrounds his experience with his travels and it’s just great to see. Anything is possible is you have the determination to make it happen …
Great interview.. thanks Donna 🙂
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 21, 2016 at 5:43 pm #
So great to see you again Lesly! eBooks are a fun, fab way to expand your presence online while generating a nice steady passive income stream. Thanks for the comment!
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..10 Tips for Stoking Your Blogging Fire When You Feel Hopeless
Hi Lesly,
I think all of us go way back and see each other’s growth as we all cam into our own.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..7 Proven Ways To Sell Services On Your Blog
Twitter: ravichahar27
September 21, 2016 at 8:52 am #
Hey Ryan and Donna,
It’s good to see you here, Ryan.:)
I have always thought about creating an ebook but it requires the time. Though Ryan is doing it on the regular interval of a few weeks but still, for me it won’t work.
I am sure, people would love this idea. Writing an ebook is important if you want something better as a product.
Glad to read about it.
Hope you both are enjoying the time.
~Ravi
Ravi Chahar recently posted..How To Design Drop Down Menu of A WordPress Theme?
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 21, 2016 at 5:38 pm #
Yep Ravi, definitely needs to be a match for you. You can write and self-publish a 30 minute read in 3-5 days no prob – I see how you write 😉 – but if it’s not on your docket now go with what vibes with you. Thanks bro!
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..10 Tips for Stoking Your Blogging Fire When You Feel Hopeless
Hi Ravi,
Funny you should write that….Right before I read your comment I went to your latest post and in the comment section I wrote how easy you teach a techie thing to do that even a non techie person like me can understand.
When I was reading your post it did occur to me that if you put a few of your posts together, you would have a wonderful eBook. Just a thought…or a nudge?
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..7 Proven Ways To Sell Services On Your Blog
Hi Lea,
I too prefer text so it can stick in my brain. If I have something that is just audio, I like to stare at a picture or something so I won’t be distracted.
As a blogger, an ebook is a great way to either use it as a lead magnet for free to build a specific list.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..7 Proven Ways To Sell Services On Your Blog
Twitter: leadingedgeadv
September 20, 2016 at 8:53 pm #
Hi Donna,
I guess Ryan would be the perfect source when to comes to advice on ebooks. Writing over 100 is phenomenal.
I have to admit myself, I prefer text, not a huge fan of video unless it demonstrates some specific action. I just find reading it to be better. And honestly I find it easier to refer back to text versus video.
Aside from being the reader, I can certainly see why creating an ebook is advantageous for the blogger.
Thanks for sharing this. Great to know ebooks still have a place.
Talk soon
~Lea
Lea Bullen recently posted..Sayonara Starbucks: How to Increase Your Energy Naturally
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 21, 2016 at 8:39 am #
Thanks for listening Lea 🙂 eBooks are amazing ways to connect with your audience in short, sweet format. So smart, so easy….when ya get the hang of writing them.
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..10 Tips for Stoking Your Blogging Fire When You Feel Hopeless
Twitter: notnowmomsbusy
September 20, 2016 at 2:22 pm #
Ryan. Ryan. Ryan.
You are all over the blog-o-sphere my friend! So great to see you here on Donna’s blog. 🙂
I’ve done two ebooks so far. The first one was a freebie and the second one I decided to sell. Sales have been so-so but it could be better – a lot better.
My problem is my marketing plan or maybe the fact that I really don’t have one other than to push it on social media. I know, shame on me, right? I’m working on it though. 🙂
I’m glad you said readers prefer an ebook over video – I haven’t done video yet, hehe.
As always Ryan, this is a great post. Thanks for always sharing your knowledge with us!
Hope you both are having a great day!
Cori
Cori Ramos recently posted..Get Paid To Complete Tasks at Home: 19 Sites That Pay!
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 20, 2016 at 7:31 pm #
Have you done a free giveaway on it Cori? Promoting on social works, as does posting to your blog, but I find those free giveaways through Amazon Kindle helps boost downloads and sales in the near and short term. Thanks for reading/watching!
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..10 Tips for Stoking Your Blogging Fire When You Feel Hopeless
Hi Cori,
Don’t be so hard on yourself GF. Aha…Ryan’s idea is a nice one at that. Give it a try and let us know how it works.
In the meantime…get a marketing plan because you will be stagnant without one.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..3 Ways To Build A Massive Blog Following | Lessons From Jon Morrow
Twitter: marquitaherald
September 20, 2016 at 1:54 pm #
Great interview Donna! I’ve been a fan of Ryan’s for a long time and I love his energy. I’ve written a few eBooks myself (nowhere near the number Ryan has!) and I’m working on 2 new books right now, so I couldn’t agree more with Ryan’s approach. Thanks to both of you for the inspiration! 🙂
Marquita Herald recently posted..Why I’m Grateful to the Jerks in My Life
Hi Marquita,
So glad this inspired you. I know you have written ebooks in the past and they are darn good ones. Now two more? I’m on the edge of my seat!
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..7 Proven Ways To Sell Services On Your Blog
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 20, 2016 at 7:29 pm #
Marquita that’s awesome 😉 Looking forward to your new eBooks!
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..10 Tips for Stoking Your Blogging Fire When You Feel Hopeless
Twitter: AlmostPractical
September 20, 2016 at 12:48 pm #
Hi Donna and Ryan,
I haven’t yet created an e-book but I do understand the potential.
People consume content in so many different ways – but ebooks is the one platform that feels peaceful and distraction free.
When you hunker down with a good book you allow yourself to get lost in the content. So writing a book makes so much sense – even if you have a blog, a podcast, a YouTube Channel – whatever.
Really great points Ryan – and I hope to join the ranks of e-book author soon!
Hi Nena,
I wanted to bring out the possibility of creating ebooks for a product, authority and so on so I just had to invite Ryan here because he has accomplished so many of them.
Indeed, eBooks are one way to feel distraction free.
Hope to see you on the eBook ranks soon.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..7 Proven Ways To Sell Services On Your Blog
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 20, 2016 at 7:28 pm #
Looking forward to your first eBook Neena!
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..10 Tips for Stoking Your Blogging Fire When You Feel Hopeless
Twitter: ryanbiddulph
September 20, 2016 at 12:33 pm #
Donna what a fun interview! Thanks for asking me 😉
Ryan
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..10 Tips for Stoking Your Blogging Fire When You Feel Hopeless
Hi Ryan,
It sure was fun connecting with you. There is so much here that you have shared with my readers, I know they will love it! Thanks so much.
-Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..7 Proven Ways To Sell Services On Your Blog