Writing and selling ebooks: what length should my ebook be?

Want to write and sell ebooks?

For freelance writers, this is a fantastic business plan. Magazines and newspapers are on their last legs, and the publishing industry is stumbling into the same abyss which swallowed the music industry.

I’ve been writing and selling ebooks for a several years now, and the most common question I’m asked is: “How long should my ebook be?”

The writers who ask this question are new to be ebooks, and feel that there is a correct length. In many cases, this is because in traditional publishing, books are a set length. If a publishing house says it wants books of 60,000 words, that’s what it wants.

In electronic publishing however, things are different. An ebook can be as long or as short as you wish. It all depends on your subject matter and the number of words you need to answer the promises you make to your readers.

Shorter is better. No one has time to read waffle.

I see many ebooks, and nothing makes me grind my teeth in exasperation as much as seeing ebooks with 80 per cent waffle, just because the writer wants to charge more. Make your ebooks short, comprehensive, and clear — you’ll sell more of them.

Leave out the dull bits which provide no value to your readers. For example, you never need to include the history of your topic. No one cares. If they want to know the history of cosmetics, they can go to a reference library.

Your ebook buyers want actionable information.

So, make your ebook as long as it needs to be to give your readers what they need, and what you’ve promised to deliver.

Big tip: price has NOTHING to do with length

Many new ebook authors believe that an ebook’s price depends on how long the ebook happens to be. This isn’t so. Price is dependent on VALUE.

Therefore, if your ebook’s content is valuable, original, and unique, you’ll charge more. You’ll see ebooks for business online which sell in the many hundreds of dollars — prices of $599 and $998 are common.

I could write a book on how pricing works, but as long as you remember that you’re charging for the value you provide to your reader, rather than length, you’ll set prices which work for you.

We’re covering writing ebooks for cash in this week’s Fab Freelance Writing Ezine, the issue is out tomorrow.

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Are you make as much money as you could be making? Chances are that you’re not. There’s no shame in this. Writers often struggle to find their own special niche.

If you love to write, then you’ll love the information in my new ebook/ coaching package, Info Product Maestro: Make $500 a Day with Your Information Products.

Write what you like, when you like, and make an income you’ve only dreamed of.

Enjoy.