A fast growing trend in publishing is the development of ebooks. These online, electronic editions of more traditional hard or paperback books are desirable for multiple reasons. They are portable, they are environmentally friendly and best of all they are less expensive than their paper counterparts.
Early on ebooks didn't come with substantial graphics, but developers soon learned that even the most tech savvy buyer still wanted to see a cover that reminded them of a book. It was the emotional link between an ebook purchase and the basic human connection to reading a book. What if you could fill the niche by developing ebook covers?
The Plan
Like many other great business ideas you need to start with a computer. You need to have a basic understanding of graphic design and you either need to already know how to develop ebook covers or be willing to learn.
In many cases the development of the front ebook cover design is general graphic design skills, but the transfer to an ebook cover may require the use of an ebook creator or generator. These are usually programs you must pay for, but they are also the programs that give your creation a 3-D look that allows consumers to view the ebook as an actual book instead of an electronic file. The end result actually looks like a book cover and can be used in print and online applications.
One way to get started is to actually develop your own ebook. This could be a fictional story, a series of short stories, a how-to manual or other type of book that should have broad based appeal.
In "The Market" section below we will look at how you can give the ebook away as a marketing tool and develop list-building objectives that can help as you develop this business.
The Funds
Assuming you have a computer the startup costs for this type of business may be less than $100. More elaborate designs may require the purchase of photos from an online source like iStock.
You will also need to spend some money on an online storefront and associated ecommerce expenses. You can minimize some of these expenses by looking at web builder technology that can allow you to develop your own website without the fees generally associated with a web designer.
Some of your profits should be put back into the business through the purchase of better quality graphics and software.
This graphic design idea can be combined with multiple graphic design ideas that can increase potential work.
The Market
Earlier we talked about developing your own ebook. Yes, you want to develop quality content in your ebook, but you also want to highlight your ebook cover design service. Seek to present your own ebook cover in a variety of positions and include the cover on each page of your ebook (think small icon).
Visitors to your website can gain free access to the ebook through a free signup. This is called list building. You use these email contacts to explore email marketing for your ebook cover design business.
In other words the individuals are exchanging their email address for free access to the ebook. You use their email addresses in a tasteful way to present solid content related to ebook covers and other graphic design services you provide.
While there may be some market for your skills offline the majority of your work will likely come from online customers so make sure your website provides a visual buffet of your work along with applicable testimonials. You might even consider providing a link to the sites of customers who have used your ebook cover design services. Make a big deal about the benefit of link inclusion for your customers. When it comes to online marketing these kind of links are helpful for improved search engine rankings and that provides just one more value added reason for customers to consider your service first.
A great way to build an air of professionalism around the ebooks you write is to make sure that they have a great cover. You have three options when it comes to design:
- Design your own ebook cover - If you are a graphic designer, then this option may be suitable for you. But if you are not, this should be something which you steer clear from. It could be costly, time consuming and you will most probably come up with an inferior quality cover.
- Pay someone else to design it for you- There are plenty of great graphic designers out there who could design your cover for you. The problem is that the best graphic designers are in short demand and you may have to wait some time to get your logo. Graphic designers can also be expensive.
- Buy some good quality ebook cover software- If you think you will be writing more than one ebook in the same niche, and then purchasing ebook cover software may be the best option for you.
The benefit of this type of software is that you can quickly design professional looking covers yourself. You also have control over the colour scheme so you can have similar looking covers across all your ebooks. This is important for branding.
A major reason that many people struggle selling their ebook is that they do not spend enough time and effort designing their ebook cover. Ebook covers are a vital part of your overall success marketing and selling information online.
You need to make sure that you have a professional looking ebook cover. The purpose of this article is to explain to you why they are important, as well as other vital information regarding your cover design.
- Visual stimulation is a great way to sway your prospective customers- Many of your prospective customers may be browsing for the right ebook to answer their questions. In a lot of ways, they will be browsing lie they were looking for a printed book.
When you go to a book store, the cover of books you are looking at can affect your purchasing decisions. This is also true for ebooks. If you have a professional looking ebook cover, and display this on your website it is great for marketing and can sway prospective buyers.
- You do not need to pay an expert to create your ebook cover and site graphics- There are a variety of options for you to design your own professional looking ebook covers that do not require you paying a professional graphic designer.
You can download a software package or look for a website that allows you to design your ebook covers and other graphics online and then download them to your computer.
- A badly designed and non-professional looking ebook cover will cost you profits- A badly designed ebook cover is off-putting and will cost you sales. In some ways, it is better to have no cover then it is to have a bad cover.
However, even this is silly when there are so many cost effective options out there for you to obtain professional looking graphics.
If you want to make money online selling ebooks, make sure that you do not forget about the importance of professional looking ebook covers.
The internet is a great haven for making money and starting your own business. One of the easiest businesses to set up is to sell information.
If you can collate the information that your prospects are looking for and put a professional looking cover on it, then you are well on your way to success.
Both Lisa Paredes & Tom Williamsen are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Lisa Paredes has sinced written about articles on various topics from Wedding Planning, Web Development and Personal Trainer. MommyEmpire.com is dedicated to helping moms succeed with their . Be sure to check us out on the Web for more. Lisa Paredes's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
Tom Williamsen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Web Development, Brain Power and Viral Marketing. Thomas is a Direct Response Graphic Designer. You can see his latest sites here: and. Tom Williamsen's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.