If, like me, you've tried ? and failed ? in the past to achieve success online with internet marketing, then rest assured that help is finally at hand. I certainly wish I had had access to such knowledge when I started out three years ago, and perhaps I wouldn't have been so overwhelmed with the practicalities of website design, using autoresponders, joining affiliate programs, writing sales letters, and how to get traffic to my site. I know better now, but more of this in a moment. . . .

The simple fact of the matter is, that to enter the world of internet marketing, you need something to promote and sell (well you want to make money at it don't you?), whether a physical item, or ? information. The very nature of the internet ? where knowledge can be shared and exchanged at the click of a button ? lends itself perfectly to . . . the eBook!

The advantages of the eBook over selling physical items is that there is no need to buy or store stock, no time and effort incurred in packing anything up and shipping it off in the post ? and your customer can pay their money for your product and get immediate access to it from a download page. In an age where demand is for instant gratification, an eBook is ideal ? easy and effective! And once written, you can sell unlimited copies of it without having to produce each item ? so it's both time and cost-effective too.

When thinking of a subject to write about for your eBook, the secret to greater success, and finding your ?niche market?, is very simple. Like they tell all first-time budding authors ? write about what you know. Whether it's a few chapters on ?How to Stop Smoking? (if you've been successful at this), on the mechanics of owning a motorcycle, how to earn money online, or even ?Tips on Flower Arranging?, you can bet that someone out there in ?cyberspace? wants to know about it. If the subject of your eBook is also your hobby, so much the better. If you've got passion for your subject, you're going to convey that enthusiasm in what you write, and make that eBook even more interesting and useful.

Of course, if you have knowledge or practical experience on a popular subject in which there is a large potential market to sell your eBook, perhaps health and fitness, or food and drink, you could be more likely of success, but remember you'll also be competing with many others. So choose your subject carefully!

However, in writing your eBook, don't forget to give your customer value ? and they could become customers for your future eBooks too! Make the content and quality of your eBook meaningful ? whatever its length, it has to be good, or you'll leave your customers feeling disenchanted. Give away a few free bonuses ? an extra report perhaps, or some free training that they would have to pay for elsewhere. Aim for customer satisfaction!

If you don't know how to go about creating an eBook (you could always write an eBook explaining how to do it!), then it brings me to the ?more of this in a moment . . .? that I mentioned above ? the launch of a FREE course in all aspects of internet marketing, including creating eBooks. Visit the website below for what you need to get started online. Good luck!

Penelope Housden.