I’ve had several ideas for ebooks over the past couple years. But every time I was ready to start the work of pulling one together I got a great freelance gig and put the project on the back burner.
If there’s one thing this year’s blogathon has taught me, however, it’s that if you put your mind to something and commit to doing it, you can – even if it’s hard, you’re already busy and the finishing line looks like it’ll never come.
As with the blogathon, the key is to have a plan, share what you’re doing with your people, and take it one day at a time.
So, I’m sharing my intention with you for the encouragement, and for a little help.
What Should I Write An Ebook About?
I’ve come up with four topics I could write about in a first ebook. I’ve listed them below along with a sampling of the information I’d include in each. Look each over. Then please take a minute to complete the short poll at the end of this post to let me know which one you think I should do first.
Ebook Option #1 – The WordCount Guide to Blogging Basics
- Picking a blog topic
- Picking a blog name
- Blog post essentials
- Finding topics to post about
- Finding images for posts
- Promoting your blog
- Essentials of blog software
- Build a community around your blog: comments, guests posts and more
Option #2 – The WordCount Guide to Writing Basics
- Essentials of journalism: Understanding the 5 Ws
- The lead
- The nut graph
- Wrapping things up: The conclusion
- Using quotes
- Headlines and decks
- How to write tight
- How to write fast
- Writing for online publications
Option #3 – The WordCount Guide to Running a Freelance Business
- Crafting the freelance resume
- Writing compelling cover letters and letters of introduction
- Finding freelance markets that pay
- How to make editors fall in love with your work
- Switching from freelance writer to freelance editor
- Reusing reporting and research
- Time management for writers
Option #4 – The WordCount Guide to Social Media for Writers
- How to use LinkedIn
- How to use Twitter
- How to use Facebook Pages
- How to use Pinterest
- Using social media to promote yourself or your business
- How to host Twitter chats and other real-time
- How to get hired as a social media manager
[polldaddy poll=6302878]
I like option #4 because it’s the most timely topic (and there are plenty more books and ebooks on the other three topics). However, the challenge with tackling something like that is that social media changes so quickly. Ebooks are easier to update than print books, but by the time the ebook comes together, the next Pinterest or Twitter could be making waves. And if you include screenshots showing readers how to do something, those screenshots can become outdated very quickly. Just something to think about.
All great points Susan. On the other hand, if one were to write an ebook on social media for writers, it’d be easy enough to bring out an updated edition every 6 mos. to a year.
Michelle R.
I would be most likely to refer to #2 as a refresher.
Thanks Van; looks like that choice is the early crowd favorite.
Michelle
Michelle, I voted for Option #2: The nut graph? Decks? Am I the only one who has no idea what those terms mean? A refresher J-School course would be wonderful.
I am most interested in #3 (and at the moment 2 and 3 are close). I can write and get it published for free; learning for me would be how to get paid.
There may be books already out there as others have said, but I haven’t looked for them. So you can see it is not a burning desire. Just of the four you gave us, it is the one that interests me.
I think #1 would be the most likely to draw a wide audience. It would be good to have all that info in one place.
I can honestly say I’d read them all, but I most need/want the freelance business one. Can’t wait to hear which direction you go!