Have you ever read a book and thought to yourself, “I wish I could have written something like that”? If so, then you’re in luck because you can now put your creative writing skills to good use and write an e-book! All you need is a computer, a nice keyboard, and the will to write.
The good thing is that with the right tools, structure, and planning, you can make writing an e-book much easier and more enjoyable. If you’re looking for an easy way to make money from home, you’ve definitely come to the right place because we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about becoming a bestselling e-book author.
Choose A Niche
One of the first things you need to do before you start writing is to choose a niche. What is a niche and why is it important to choose one? Well, a niche is a “small market or segment” within the overall digital market. For example, if you specialize in helping women with home decoration, your niche might be home decorating for women. There are very specific ways that you can choose to decorate a home that is relaxing and feminine, and you can become an expert in that area.
When choosing a niche, it’s important to pick something that you can be passionate about. This passion will translate into good content that is easier for shoppers to understand. If you can’t be passionate about the topic, you’ll have a hard time writing about it accurately and engaging with your audience. Remember: you’re selling an idea, not a product, so you’ll need to make sure that you have a good understanding of what the product is and how it works. In the end, it’s all about having faith in your product and knowing your target audience.
The Easiest Way To Make Money With E-books
People are typically drawn to e-books for the following reasons:
- E-books are easy to write and can be completed in just a few hours
- They are relatively inexpensive to buy in bulk
- They don’t require any special training to use
- E-books allow for more freedom and convenience than most other digital formats
Because of these advantages, it’s pretty clear why so many people have decided to leave mainstream publishing jobs and venture into full-time freelance writing. You’ll likely choose this route if you are seeking a way to make money from home because it provides you with the opportunity to write about what you know best. If you are already a good writer, you can use your expertise to write for businesses or websites related to your niche.
Get A Contract Written Out
Once you’ve decided on a niche, you’ll need to take time to explore the various contract types available to you. Each type of contract is going to play a crucial role in the process of selling your e-book. The following are the most common contract types along with brief descriptions of what they entail:
Traditional Agent Contract
If you’ve ever written a book before, you’re probably familiar with the traditional agent contract. This type of contract is a basic agreement between an agent and a publisher which sets forth the terms and conditions under which the publisher will handle the marketing and selling of the book. The advantage of this type of contract is its simplicity. You don’t need a lawyer to draft it, and each party knows what they are agreeing to. The downside is that it can be fairly restrictive. For example, the contract may require you to give the publisher, in advance, a large portion of the royalties. Additionally, this type of contract is usually only available if you’re a new author without a track record. If you are seeking to monetize a book that you’ve already authored, then you might want to consider other options.
Fixed-Up-Front-Pay
If you’ve ever worked for a company, then you probably know what a “fixed-up-front-pay” contract is. This type of contract is similar to the traditional agent contract in that the publisher will take care of marketing and selling the book. The difference is that instead of paying the author royalties after the sale of each individual unit (book), the publisher will make a lump sum payment upon signing the contract. The advantage of this type of contract is that it removes the risk from the author. If the book doesn’t sell well, the publisher won’t owe the author anything. Conversely, if the book is a success, the author will receive a hefty bonus.
Royalty-Free Deal
If you’re seeking to write a book with a mainstream publisher, then chances are you’ll be offered a royalty-free deal. Under a royalty-free deal, the publisher will not only take care of the marketing and selling of the book, but will also pay you a certain amount each time someone purchases one of your books. The advantage of this type of contract is that it provides for easy and transparent accounting. Many independent authors opt for this type of contract because they want to retain full control over the content of their books, as well as the amount they are paid for their efforts. While this may be appealing on the surface, keep in mind that without a traditional publishing contract, you’ll have a very difficult time getting your work published. If this is something that you’re interested in, then you might want to look elsewhere because most major publishers won’t budge on this issue.
Fixed-Royalty-Rate Deal
If you’ve written a best seller, then chances are you’ve also explored the lucrative world of fixed-royalty-rate deals. These types of contracts are similar to royalty-free deals, except that under a fixed-royalty-rate deal, the publisher will pay you a certain royalty rate for each and every book they sell. The advantage of this type of contract is that it provides you with a steady income. If the book is a best seller, then this amount can be fairly substantial. The downside is that you’ll need to write multiple books to make decent money. Additionally, fixed-royalty-rate deals are usually only available to authors with a proven track record. If you’re seeking an easy way to make money from home, then this option might not be for you because it requires a lot of capital upfront to be able to write multiple books and retain the same level of income. You might want to consider a more traditional publishing path instead.
The One That You Choose
Once you’ve explored the various contract types and found one that suits your needs, you’ll need to decide on which one to work with. It’s important to be realistic about your options and consider all the pros and cons before making a decision. Ultimately, it’s all about having faith in your product and knowing your target audience.