How to Turn Writing eBooks Into a Side Hustle

Before you start typing away, there are a few things you need to know about the eBook market. First of all, remember that eBooks are not like blogs. There are different concerns to handle before throwing your stuff out into the world, like security against plagiarism and theft.

To make a sizable sum of money from eBooks, you have to do a whole lot more than simply write a short book in Microsoft Word. You’ll have to write, edit, design a cover, research different channels to sell through, and learn how to market the hell out of it so you can make sales. Doesn’t seem so simple, does it?

However, if you can buckle down to do all of these things, you stand a good chance at having a successfully popular eBook (as long as it covers an interesting topic and you’re a good writer, which I’m sure you are).

Cast a Wide Net

You need to choose your topic (ideally something that has enough popularity in the market to actually generate some sales), write the eBook, have someone proofread it, and edit it until you think your eyes have started to cross. However, there’s something to be said for not devoting too much time to one particular eBook.

Of course, you want to put out good content free of errors, but since you aren’t making money from the act of writing it, it can be wise to only spend the amount of time necessary. Think 1-2 weeks on an eBook around 40 pages. In the eBook market, it’s wisest to have several books out that generate sales for you. When you’re first starting out, it’s hard to start making a lot of money, especially off of one book alone. So follow the ancient advice and don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.

Don’t Let Your Passion Cloud Your Financial Goals

Writing purely from a place of passion is a great thing. Readers always respond well to a writer who shares a love of a specific topic. However, you should still do some research into what topics are popular and do well in sales. There’s no reason the thing you love shouldn’t also make bank. Research the keywords and topics being most searched for in your niche.

Another important thing to consider in your eBook journey is how much you’re going to charge per purchase. Depending on where you choose to host your ebook, there are limits to how much you can charge for a certain percentage of royalties. You’ll need to do the full research to determine what the best price point and host is right for you and your ebook.

Honor Your Brilliant Ideas, Too

Even though it’s wise to have more than one eBook on the market, you should also devote the time necessary to your brilliant ideas. Maybe you have a bomb story idea and lack the patience to send it out to publishing houses. By all means, take the necessary steps to bring that story to life and then put it out as an eBook.

Maybe you want to put out a diet and exercise eBook that fills a hole in the health eBook market. Do us all a favor and make sure you put it together perfectly so we can all feel fabulous at the beach. There are just as many authors who’ve found success off of one eBook as there are authors who have hundreds. Just look at how far Kayla Itsines has gotten with her Bikini Body Guide eBook. She’s not alone in that either. Diet and fitness guides sell like nobody’s business on the internet.

There’s More Than One Way to Make Money

The initial book sale doesn’t have to be the only way you make money. Affiliate links within the copy are a great way to add even more dollars to your income. As long as you do this in a way that doesn’t feel unnatural within the body of your eBook and always make sure you’re adding things of true value to your readers, you can make a substantial amount. This is a digital space, so the normal rules of books and publishing don’t count.

You can also choose to skip hosting your eBook on sites like Amazon if you want to. This isn’t recommended unless you have a substantial social media following you can rely on to purchase the eBook and a penchant for promoting yourself. It can be done, though. Two insta-famous yogis have sold their eBooks simply from their own websites and promoting them in Instagram posts. Jessica Olie is based in Dubai and has sold her eBook Let’s Start Yoga simply through her Instagram reach, and Morgan DeYoung has sold hers, Ab’Asanas, using the same technique. If you choose to do the same, you can keep all of the profits, but you might not reach as many people. That’s a gamble you’ll have to take.

Breaking into the eBook world is both easy and hard. Writing eBooks is one thing, but marketing and selling can prove to be too difficult for many. With the right idea, a strong work ethic, and a clear understanding of the ins and outs, you can turn eBooks into a lucrative side hustle.

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