Yes!
I've earned thousands of dollars selling simple yet high-quality ebooks on Gumroad, and I've experienced firsthand how profitable it can be.
Today, writing a truly profitable ebook is no longer an unattainable goal.
I continue to learn and improve, creating higher-quality ebooks. I realize that, including the free ebooks available to subscribers, I now have 13 ebooks for sale.
Along the way, I've learned a lot, so I wanted to save others some time by putting all of this together by teaching you how to make money through self-publishing ebooks.
Table of contents:
How to sell ebooks and get paid
Promotion and marketing tips and tricks
Frequently Asked Questions about E-book Sales
Choose your eBook theme
Think about what your strengths are.
Before you begin writing, take some time to brainstorm and write down all the ideas, concepts, and information you want to include in the eBook. Write down everything that comes to mind, no matter how small.
Think about the skills and knowledge you possess that your friends, family, or team members would be very happy to ask you for advice on.
This brainstorming session can help ensure you don't miss any valuable insights.
Imagine how many millions of people around the world would benefit from sharing this knowledge in a more easily understandable way.
High-quality ebooks are like complete courses, and you can only create such valuable works when you love and master a subject.
Test Subject
Simply enter your ebook topic in the Amazon search bar to see how well ebooks in that category are selling.
Check their ratings and reviews; when enough ebooks receive positive reviews and sales, you know there's definitely a market for them.
For example, healthy interpersonal relationships are a great topic for books, and the market demand is obvious.
Find trending content and keywords in Google Analytics
First, you need to log in to your Google Analytics account to see which pages receive the most visits. Then, after linking your Google Search Console and Analytics accounts , you can see the most popular keywords and search terms users use to find your blog.
We recommend using MonsterInsights because it makes it easier for you to track and view Google Analytics statistics in your WordPress control panel.
You can view the "Popular Landing Pages" report to see which content is getting the most traffic; you can also view the "Search Console" report to see which keywords are getting the most traffic.
See what your competitors are popular with
Google Analytics only displays data from your website, so we recommend using Semrush to view your competitors' data.
For example, if you are in the food industry and Pinch Of Yum is one of your competitors, you can enter their domain name into the Organic Search Research report to see which pages bring in the most traffic and which keywords rank highest.
For example, if you research this article, you'll find that the search volumes for related keywords such as "making an ebook," "creating an ebook," and "writing an ebook" are all different:
You can do the same for your competitors' keywords. For example, the search term "homemade chocolate chip cookies" is more popular than "chocolate chip cookies":
Over time, using these relevant keywords can help attract more readers to your ebook. Now that you understand your audience better, you can create ebooks that truly help them.
Reuse your content
I successfully converted various content, from live event transcripts to collections of blog posts, into ebooks. People don't mind if you reuse this content—different buyers prefer to purchase items in different formats, and some people prefer ebooks.
Don't think you have to start writing from scratch! Apart from my first ebook, all my other ebooks are reused content.
eBook Creation
There's more than one way to create ebooks. However, we've found that Google Docs is the best program for writing ebooks. Why? Because it's completely free and has all the features you need.
For example, it can instantly convert standard Google Docs files to PDF format and offers a range of reliable fonts to choose from. Furthermore, Google Docs automatically backs up your work to the cloud, so you don't have to worry about losing your files.
If you are already using other word processing software (such as Microsoft Word), you can export the document as a PDF file. However, please do not purchase any advanced software just to write an ebook.
Create an outline
Before you start writing, you need to know what you are going to write about.
The problem most writers encounter when they start writing a book is that they try to write in a linear fashion. They start with the first word, then try to write the second, then the third. It's like trying to navigate a corn maze in the middle of the night with only a flashlight. You've only taken three steps into the maze before you're lost!
An outline is the structure of the content; a weak outline will ultimately lead to a book of poor quality.
We don't want that, right?
People download your ebook because they want to figure out how to do something. Therefore, when planning your ebook, you should start with what they want to achieve and then work backward.
Don't start blindly. The solution is to think from the perspective of potential buyers and develop a plan for your writing.
- What questions do you want to answer from readers?
- What core concepts are needed to answer this question?
- What are the sub-topics (stories, statistics, key points)?
- What is the correct order of each core concept/subconcept?
Answering these questions is like knowing the beginning and end of a maze.
Once you can see the finish line and know where you're headed, your writing speed will increase tenfold.
Write your book
Expand on each point in the outline in detail. This will form your sentences and paragraphs, allowing you to write in chunks. Add captions to all images, illustrations, and charts you will use, and place them where you want them to be.
Ensure your sentences flow smoothly and naturally, that your main points are clear and concise, and avoid repetition. Content should transition naturally. Keep your target audience in mind and write in a way they can understand.
Ebooks should follow the structure of a thesis or article, but be longer. They should include a clear introduction, main body, and conclusion. Information should unfold in a logical order. The introduction should be engaging and clarify what the reader will learn.
The main body of the text should revolve around this theme. The conclusion should bring the entire book to a satisfying close. Readers should have a clear understanding of the theme and know what to do next.
There's a golden rule regarding ebook length: only write what's necessary to effectively teach your chosen topic. If your ebook only needs five pages, great! If it needs thirty pages, that's fine too. Just don't waste time thinking you need to write a very long ebook.
Adding pictures to an ebook
Images and charts in ebooks are difficult to handle well. The key is to make them complement the text content.
Whether you're writing the ebook copy or adding images afterward, your images should serve to highlight your key points or deconstruct concepts in an easy-to-understand visual way.
All images, illustrations, charts, etc., should complement the main text and provide supplementary explanations. Please optimize images to reduce the ebook file size. Tools such as TinyPNG can be used to optimize file size.
Design the inner pages of an e-book
You can design your ebook however you like. You can choose portrait or landscape layouts, add wraparound images, and more. Your ebook can be a single column of text, or it can be multi-column with images like a magazine.
When designing a layout, consider white space (also known as negative space). Some platforms allow readers to choose the font, but you should carefully select the font according to the specific platform or format.
I suggest you design the layout based on your target audience's screen size, the devices they use, or the design you think best suits your ebook.
Do you want it to look its best on both widescreen and portrait screens? That's entirely up to you, but it must be visually appealing and easy to use.
Include appropriate calls to action in the e-book
Now that your content is written and designed, it's time to optimize it for lead generation, conversion, and promotion.
Think about how you got here—you clicked on a call to action (CTA) in an email, social media post, or elsewhere. A CTA is a link or visual that entices visitors to click and go to a landing page that will lead them to a deeper engagement with your company.
Now that your ebook readers may have already become potential customers who want to get your ebook, use the CTAs in the ebook to re-convert your readers and drive them further down your marketing funnel.
For example, a CTA can direct users to other offers, an annual conference registration page, or even a product page. Depending on the next step, a CTA can be an embedded rectangle or a full-page ad displaying the next offer.
To hyperlink a CTA (or any image or text in the ebook) to a target URL, simply select "Insert" >> "Hyperlink" in PowerPoint.
Add directory
Add a table of contents. A table of contents is used for navigation in interactive documents and is also a good guide for non-interactive documents. It's best to add a table of contents after you've finished writing and editing.
Most word processing software includes tools for creating a table of contents. Some software also allows you to choose the level of the table of contents. I recommend including only chapter headings, and perhaps also level one headings.
Write an attractive title
Naming an ebook can be tricky. Sometimes, it's easier to decide on a title after the manuscript is finished, as the manuscript helps you brainstorm better ideas for the title.
I suggest you jot down some ideas while writing, but don't wait until the manuscript is finished to finalize the title. Of course, the naming conventions differ for fiction and nonfiction books.
A good book title can attract attention and pique a reader's interest in reading it. A bad book title, on the other hand, will be ignored, mislead readers, or even be ridiculed.
Take a look at the books that catch your eye and analyze their titles. See which titles work for you and which don't.
Design an attractive cover
I'm sure you've heard the saying, "Don't judge a book by its cover." It sounds good, but we often judge a book's quality based on its cover. Cover design is crucial to ebook sales. Fortunately, there are now many excellent tools to help you create ebook covers. You can use Canva , Amazon KDP , Adobe Express , Visme , and more. If you don't want to design it yourself, there are also many professional designers willing to do it for you.
Editing and layout
Editing refers to polishing content to improve clarity, fluency, and coherence; while formatting refers to presenting text in a structured and visually appealing way.
In addition, you should also consider different book formats depending on the platform you plan to sell your books on. For example, the best format for Amazon KDP is MOBI, while other platforms may use other formats.
When preparing to edit, please carefully read through the ebook, looking for grammatical errors, inappropriate wording, or inconsistencies. Reading aloud or using text-to-speech software can help uncover errors that might be missed while reading silently.
However, if your budget allows, you might consider hiring a professional editor. They can provide an objective review of your work, focusing on both technical aspects such as grammar and style, and substantive issues such as structure and the flow of argumentation.
Editors can help polish your writing and ensure your ebook meets the highest quality standards.
The formatting of an ebook is equally important. The goal is to make your book easy to read and browse. This means choosing a clean and concise font, setting appropriate margins, and using headings and subheadings to organize the content.
Tip: To check the grammar of your text, please download the Grammarly browser extension (a free writing assistant).
My Secrets to Writing Ebooks
I originally intended to express my own views and then transcribe these recordings into text.
With this new development, it has become more realistic to write and publish a high-quality ebook within a week.
Because once I have an outline, all I need to do is speak into the recorder for about an hour, during which I will share some valuable advice as if I were chatting with a good friend, and that's it.
These recordings are actually the first drafts, which will then be converted into text, improved, and eventually become what we usually call e-books.
Of course, I understand that writing a book can sometimes feel like a hobby, so you might procrastinate again and again, and I have to admit that's not good either.
When writing, consistency is key, so choose a specific time of day or week as your writing period.
Finding and sticking to a routine that suits you can significantly improve your work efficiency, no matter how cliché it may sound.
In addition, don't strive for perfection in the first draft. The goal at this stage is to record your ideas.
Afterwards, you'll have time to revise and refine your work. If you encounter difficulties, you can skip them and come back to them later. The important thing is to maintain your creative momentum.
As for your writing style, that depends entirely on you and your unique way of expressing yourself, but essentially you should write in a clear, conversational tone to resonate with your readers.
Finally, sharing your work with trusted friends, family, or colleagues can yield valuable insights. They might spot errors you've overlooked or offer suggestions for improving the clarity and flow of your writing.
Be open to constructive criticism—this is a crucial part of the writing process.
How to sell ebooks and get paid
If I don't teach you how to sell ebooks, then writing an article about how to write ebooks would be pointless.
It's possible to spend months writing a perfect ebook, only to have it fail miserably upon release due to this factor.
marketing.
Passive income can only be generated through high-quality products and effective marketing.
So, where exactly are you going to sell this ebook that you've poured so much effort into creating?
I could easily list a whole bunch of social media platforms, tell you to choose one, post every day, and keep hoping.
But I won't!
Instead, I want to share a platform that actually enabled me to generate over $3,688.08 in ebook sales through the Gumroad platform, even though I knew nothing about online sales.
The platform I use to promote my ebooks is Medium.com, which now brings me thousands of dollars in revenue.
In my opinion, Medium is undoubtedly the best platform for beginners to build a profitable audience and generate passive income.
Compared to other traffic platforms, I prefer Medium because...
- I am only responsible for writing (I do not do any editing or complex creative process).
- There is no reciprocity in becoming famous; you will gain attention regardless of whether you interact with others or not.
- Even without advanced content creation equipment, starting from $0, you can still cultivate a readership that enjoys your content and wants to buy products from you.
You can also sell ebooks on the following websites:
- Fiverr.com (Freelance Marketplace)
- Seoclerks.com (Freelance Marketplace)
- Smarshword
- Kobo's Writing Life
- PubIt
- Booktango
- Gumroad
While the websites mentioned above can help you publish and sell your ebooks, you will also need to pay some fees, such as when someone buys your ebook.
To avoid these fees, you can choose to sell ebooks on your personal blog.
You can get started simply by creating your own blog on WordPress . Then, you can install a premium WordPress plugin called "WP eStore" or a free plugin [ Easy Digital Downloads ]. These plugins give you complete control over your ebooks.
You can choose to promote it on social media accounts. Additionally, after confirming receipt of payment, the ebook will be sent to the email addresses of interested buyers.
Promotion and marketing tips and tricks
Create tailored content for each platform to attract different audiences. Instagram is great for sharing visually appealing book excerpts or covers, while Twitter might be better for engaging in discussions on related topics, thereby drawing attention to your book.
Design a landing page
Therefore, designing a dedicated landing page for your ebook on your website might be a good idea. The landing page should include an engaging book summary, author biography, reader reviews, and a clear call to action, guiding visitors to the page where they can purchase your ebook.
Read free chapters
Offering sample chapters or free chapters allows readers to get a sneak peek and understand the content of the ebook, which can pique their interest.
This is an effective way to obtain email addresses by providing samples, thereby building your email list and preparing for future marketing campaigns.
Send emails to your contact list to inform them of ebook releases, special promotions, or other updates. Personalized emails can be very effective in encouraging your readers to buy your ebook.
Limited-time offer
Regarding promotions, limited-time offers or discounts can create a sense of urgency, thereby boosting sales. Consider launching promotions during holidays, book launch anniversaries, or as part of a larger marketing campaign.
Social media marketing campaigns (free and paid advertising)
If your budget allows, you can also try running paid ads on platforms such as Facebook, Google, or Amazon .
To maintain long-term profitability, you need to continuously promote your content across various social media platforms. Organic traffic posts can be quite effective. However, to ensure higher sales, you should also consider paid advertising.
According to some recent studies, 75% of Gen Z and 48% of Millennials responded to paid social media ads in 2024; this is why using these ads can greatly boost your book sales.
Comment
As you know, positive reviews can significantly boost an ebook's credibility. You can contact opinion leaders, bloggers, or other authors of similar works and ask them to write reviews. You can also encourage readers to leave comments on online platforms and social media.
Let readers comment on your writing! Requesting comments is the best way to get feedback.
You can make a request at the end of the ebook. You can also provide a link to the comments page of the publishing platform you used; many people don't know how to post comments, so providing a link is helpful.
Email Marketing
Don't forget your existing network of relationships. Your email subscribers have already shown interest in your content, and if this new ebook continues to provide solutions to their problems, you have a chance to capture their attention again.
Frequently Asked Questions about E-book Sales
Q: Where can I sell my ebook?
You can sell ebooks on various marketplaces, such as Amazon KDP, Apple iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Hoopla, Kobo, and Gumroad (my personal favorite).
Q: Is selling ebooks profitable?
Of course! I make a living by writing ebooks. I started by writing romance novels, then switched to full-time non-fiction writing. Ebooks aren't the only way to monetize your writing career.
Q: How much money can you make selling ebooks?
How much effort are you willing to put in? If it's part-time, you only need to pay once a month. If it's full-time, you'll receive payment multiple times a month!
Q: Which e-books sell best?
I know many fellow writers earn more from novels than from nonfiction. Again, the genre doesn't tell the whole story. The key factors are the book's quality and how well it's marketed.
in conclusion
Yes, writing ebooks may seem daunting, but it is one of the most effective ways to expand your influence and create lasting passive income.
Think of it this way: a well-crafted ebook can bring you thousands of dollars in revenue with minimal follow-up investment—provided it actually reaches the readers.
If you're new to ebook creation, start small. Begin with free introductory content or short paid guides to test your audience's interest. Then, leverage your website to sell more in-depth content. Here are some concrete steps to take right now:
- Sketch out your ideas → Get started immediately to build a clear structure and break free from inertia.
- Drafting the first draft → Accepting imperfections; just write the words down first.
- Release before 2026 → Set a deadline to make "someday" a real milestone.
Remember: If your ebook is buried in a folder named "Book_V1" on your computer desktop, no one will care. Your goal is not just writing, but also publishing and promoting.
You must start immediately and cross the finish line as quickly as possible.
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