This is part seven in a series on How To Write An eBook: From Idea to Launch. You can read part one here, part two here, part three here, part four here, part five here and part six here.
Now that your eBook is in final draft form, it’s time to think about putting it all together. To make an eBook happen, you’ll need a small team of people.
Well, unless you’re lucky enough to have some of the skills yourself. Some people are lucky enough to be writers and designers. But even if you’re a professional editor, you’ll still want another set of eyes on your book.
Bare minimum, here’s the team you’ll need to make your eBook a reality:
An Editor
You can’t just rely on your editing skills, because as someone so close to the project, you’re bound to miss things.
That’s when having an editor can really help. You don’t have to hire a professional editor, unless you can afford it (that can get pricey fast), but you should get a few different pairs of eyes on your book before you finalize it.
I usually turn to my writer-friends (including a few who used to be professional magazine editors) and have them read and edit it for me. If you have writer-friends, you could do the same.
Or you could take it to your writing group or an online writing community for feedback.
Of course this is all assuming that your book is stunning in content and organization. If it’s not, you may also need a content editor, which is someone who digs deeper into the content, to create better flow and organization for the writing itself. Your beta readers should be able to tell you if you need this or not.
And since I bring up Beta readers, it’s probably time to talk about them.
Beta Readers
These readers can be people you know, but it’d be better if they were people from your target audience. These readers will be able to give you the feedback you need to edit the content of your eBook.
They’ll be able to tell you if things are making sense or if something needs more explanation. They’ll test your worksheets to see if they get the results you are aiming for.
Think of them as early eBook testers. That way you have a chance to make changes before you officially launch.
Once you have an editor squared away and some Beta readers for your eBook, you’ll also need:
A Designer
Like I said, unless you have your own design skills (and the tools needed to design/layout a book), you’ll have to hire a designer. This designer will design your eBook cover and also create a professional layout for it.
Designers come in all different styles and price ranges.
I personally like to hire my friends to do the design work for me, whenever I can. Not only because I’ll get better prices that way, but also because I love to bring my friends into the spotlight with me.
You could also barter with a designer—if you have something worth trading for. I bartered marketing advice for eBook layout skills from a designer for my eBook, Pen Name.
Or you could just shop around and find a designer who meets your skill requirements and budget.
You have to do what works and feels comfortable for you and your eBook.
When you’re ready to apply a look and feel to your eBook, keep these tips in mind:
- Browse other eBooks, to get a feel for what’s out there and what design styles you like. You’ll need to give your designer a direction to work in, so you should have a decent idea of what you like or don’t like.
- White space. It’s never a bad thing.
- Infuse your personality into it. This eBook is a reflection of you, so make sure it’s infused with your personality/the personality of your business/blog.
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