eBooks

What I Learned from Launching My First eBook

My first eBook launch was scary.

I hadn’t gone through the process of writing and putting out an eBook for sale. Even though it wasn’t the first eBook that I wrote; I had written a few free eBooks for lead magnets. Let me remind you that selling an eBook is entirely different from just producing an eBook for the lead magnet.

Now, everything has changed.

The sweaty palms, nervousness, and panicking have gone. In fact, I’m thrilled to launch my second eBook.

launching first ebook

The purpose of writing this blog post is to share what I learned along the way so that it could help you out. Without any further ado, let’s dive into the main part. Here are some of the best things I learned from launching my first eBook:

1. Confidence and Self-belief

I genuinely thought that I might not be able to pull this off before launching my first eBook. During my research about the process of launching, I learned from different writers and self-publishing experts that you have to put it out and proceed with it. So I figured out that if I don’t go through it, I won’t learn new things, and eventually, I won’t be able to improve.

Then, the day came when I released my first eBook on Amazon. It gave me loads of confidence that I could use in the upcoming eBooks. After successfully releasing the first eBook, I realized that it wasn’t scary at all and I can surely do this.

2. eBooks Types

Before launching the eBook, I always thought that Amazon sells PDF-format eBooks, but when I went on to launch the eBook, I figured out that the Kindle version is different from the PDF version. Therefore, PDF and Kindle are two different types of eBooks.

In fact, sometimes opportunities come with challenges. I found out that Amazon Kindle App (on Android) isn’t available in Pakistan. It means the audience from Pakistan might not be able to access my Kindle eBook. So after preparing myself for the Amazon Kindle version, I decided to put out a PDF version too. My first eBook “How to Start Freelancing When You Have Zero Experience” is available in both PDF and Kindle formats.

3. Discovered Other Platforms

When Amazon Kindle App (on Android) wasn’t available in Pakistan, I decided to look out for the alternatives. Then, I found Kobo; an alternative to Amazon. It’s another platform for eBooks and audiobooks. I instantaneously installed that app on my smartphone and tested it. It’s a fantastic platform and a great alternative to Amazon Kindle App.

Later on, I stumbled upon other eBooks and audiobooks platforms such as Scribd, AudioBooks, and BookBub.

4. Kindle Select

Kindle Select is an Amazon Kindle’s exclusive 90-day program which pushes your Kindle book to the Kindle Unlimited (KU) and the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library (KOLL). Not only does it help you reach the wider audience through Amazon’s network, but it also provides you with the ability to offer limited time discount or free eBooks downloading for the promotional purpose.

The most important part of the Kindle Select is that when your eBook is enrolled in KDP Select, you can’t sell it elsewhere. Once the 90-day period is over, then you can publish your book on other platforms.

5. eBook Branding

I’m a big fan of creative designing, and thus, I paid attention to the eBook branding. In fact, people gave me very positive feedback on the first-look of my eBook. I used a casual font for the front cover, and above all, I used the digit zero as a logo that attracted a lot of people. I learned that the name, book cover, color scheme, and the font matter a lot. Therefore, I’ll be taking care of the branding-part even more in the future.

Bonus Lesson: eBook Preparation

I learned another lesson from Sue Dunlevie’s free webinar that you must prepare your eBook in 24 hours. The idea was to make it happen so that it doesn’t take months to get it done. However, I didn’t write my eBook in 24 hours, but it took me a few days to finish it off.

Sue was right. We must create the product quickly, especially the eBook when we have the idea of it. I did that, and it helped me.

The Bottom Line

Besides, if I add my two cents into this, then I would say a lot of you might get stuck in the ideation phase before getting started. So choose the topic you know better and put aside everything else. If you’re scrolling through a list of ideas in your mind, then stop screwing yourself over and get to the topic you know very well.

Your voice should be authentic, confident, and helpful in the eBook.

You’ll be fine.

Once your first eBook goes live, you’ll be so relieved and proud that you have done it.

When my first eBook went live, I wasn’t looking at the sales. Instead, my goal was to go through that process of eBook launching and to learn new things.

Trust me; I did learn a lot of things. And, I tried to share with you as well.

What have you learned from this blog post about the eBook launch?

Let me know in the comments below.

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10 Comments

  1. Awesome Hassaan. I learned so many similar rates buddy, and am seeing these lessons manifest as I promote my first eBook ever super aggressively these days. You need to be super confident and clear on sharing the thing with a huge range of folks, freely, diving into your fears freely, even if it feels uncomfortable. It will. But the more I promote and share the thing, the more confidence I have in the eBook and the more it sells.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Ryan

    1. Hello Ryan,

      I agree with you. I’m going all in, for sure.

      I feel that now I’m enjoying the process of eBooks creation. The best part is that I don’t brainstorm for eBook ideas, but instead, I go with the random ideas that hit me in the face.

      I’m working on my second eBook, though. Loving it.

      Thanks for stopping by and motivating me.

  2. Hi Hassan,
    Although I haven’t written and launched an e-book ye, it is a priority to me. It is on my radar because I find it fascinating. I like that you mentioned being confident. More like a video content where you appear before a camera, many do not have the confidence to stand in front of the camera. In a similar way, the lack of confidence in writing and launching an e-book is kept many away from making the best of this digital marketing opportunity.
    Further, being able to find out the different types of e-books that are sold on Amazon is breathtaking, as well as alternative platforms to sell your e-book.

    Thanks to sharing.

    1. Hi Moss,

      Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. Indeed, I think we should fight our fears and step outside of our comfort zone; I’m pretty much doing that. I’m planning on doing videos on a regular basis as well, but eBooks are something I’m focusing a lot.

      Thanks for sharing your valuable point of view.

  3. Hi Hassaan,

    Lots of helpful tips there – especially about the different platforms for promoting the same ebook, thus multiplying income from the same effort.

    My problem is lack of confidence – I wrote an ebook but then didn’t have the confidence to charge for it, and just gave it away instead. I know I shouldn’t have done that, because I have sold ebooks on Amazon before and it’s a good feeling to get those commissions coming in each month.

    I also feel it’s very important to go for an “ever-green” topic, because one ebook I spent time and money on was about social media, and it very quickly became out-of-date.

    Joy Healey – Blogging After Dark

    1. Hi Joy,

      I agree with you that one should go for an “evergreen” topic.

      It might be a little challenging to find out an interestingly unique topic to cover, but once we find it, it will be a great product.

      I’m new to the eBooks realm and trying to understand it. It seems interesting to me. I might be posting more content as I navigate this route.

      Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your precious comment.

  4. Hi Hassan, I am thinking to write an eBook for Internet Marketing. Your this post will definitely help me do my job better. Thank You!

  5. Hey ! this is very nice post and very help full thanks
    for this amazing blog post keep up the good work.

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