This is the third article in the series Publishing Your Own eBook series.
This process of writing needs to be efficient and measurable. As bloggers, you may not be the best at either of these things. I know I do not track how much time I put into each blog every single time (though I know the goal of only putting in one hour an article). At the same time, I find myself regularly distracted with emails and know that I only have to hit a good 600 words each day. For some people maybe hoping to write a hundred page document in a month, that means you have to be writing at least 1,000 words that flow from page to page. No easy task.
The following tips are not something I pulled out of thin air, but things I failed to do well and am passing along to you. Know that I learned from experience and hope you take all of these tips to good use.
- Developing A Routine
With the blogging 101 series that we did last month, we told you to develop a routine. In that post, there are some great cross over tips for you, including writing in unusual places so that you get creative juices flowing, finding inspiration from fellow bloggers, and scheduling more time than you think you might need. These are all key things for writing an eBook too. I would also add that this routine may be one long weekend for you. If that is how you write best, in one shotgun attempt, then make sure it is distraction free and a good use of your time so that you hit your goal. This routine needs to be a part of the whole process so that you can gain momentum on this resource and not allow the passion to die off or the whole project to fall through the cracks. - Have Multiple Deadlines
With a document this size, it is easy to pretend to have enough time, only to put it off too long and miss the one and only deadline you set for yourself. Instead of having one, single deadline of when you want to have this all finished by, have multiple ones. Set a deadline for when you need the outline done and to a friend or blogger who can look it over. Have a deadline when you will have each chapter done and to an editor. Finally, have a deadline for when you want the whole first draft done by. But the key is not the deadline themselves, but the people who know about the deadline and will be involved at that time. This puts the added pressure on you to finish on time and helps you meet your goals well. - Have A Time Tracking Process
It does not matter if you intend to sell this document or give it away for free, it is a viable product for your website or business. You need to know how much it is worth, even if you calculate it in time and not money. Know if this process is really going to be worth it in the end. If you hope to make $0.99 off of each sale, but then spend nearly 200 hours on this, that return on investment (ROI) is less than one cent per copy sold, a terrible ROI. This will not only allow you to accurately judge the worth now, but help you determine if you will do this again in the future. Keep track in an Excel sheet or there are online options, such as Toggle to help.
What other tips would you add to preparing to write?
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