How do you Create an e-Book?

I get this question quite regularly. Since this blog is read primarily by writers and internet marketers, I thought I'd pop in and share this.

Write a Viral e-Book Easily

Every time I release a free e-book to my subscribers, I get great feedback about how awesome I am and how they could NEVER create anything so cool.

((sigh))

I have a confession to make. You see ... it is really really simple to make a short, viral e-book. It's not rocket science, I promise.

If you know how to use Word for Windows, you can create an e-book. Now, as far as doing market research to find out if anyone will *buy* your e-book -- that's a whole 'nother ball game. But, if you want to make a nice little giveaway for some viral marketing, it's easy as pie!

Step 1:
Write your e-book in Word for Windows.

As you write it, keep the following in mind:

* This e-book should serve a purpose, either to generate traffic to your website or to make affiliate sales. However, it should also be informative and useful to the reader. This e-book will represent your company. Make it quality.

* Double check that all links are active before you save your final copy in Word.

* Keep your images and pictures small, because you don't want the final product to have a large file size. When you're saving your images, test the file types. I find that saving an image in .jpg is smaller than saving it in some other file sizes. Test yours, too.

Step 2:
Go to my favorite tool, http://convert.neevia.com/

See where it says "Select the file"?
Browse to your Word for Windows file and click Upload and Convert

That's all there is. Like I said, EASY EASY EASY.

Now, it's your job to get your e-book into the hands of people.

1. Send it to your mailing list or newsletter.
2. Allow your friends to give it away.
3. Submit it to free e-book directories.
4. Use it as an enticement for people to sign up for your mailing list (You can say "Sign up and receive this cool e-book - free!")
5. You can even give it away as a free gift to people who win your auctions on eBay to make your auction stand out from others.

So, if you'd like to have viral marketing working for you, too, get started today on your giveaway!

Nicole Dean invites you to take her free tutorial for more simple ways to get more traffic. Sign up for Web Traffic School at http://www.WebTrafficBasics.com And, for many examples of free ebooks, stop by http://www.free-ebooksonline.com

This article is available for reprint. :)

April Fool's Articles ...

Here are perfect articles for you to submit or post tomorrow -

http://www.ladypens.com/Category/April-Fools/136

Hope they make you smile!
Nicole

Niki Jackson of Cinnamon Creations

Tell us about your business. What do you offer?

Hi ! My name is Niki Jackson and I am the owner of Cinnamon Creations - Country & Primitive Art & Crafts.

Cinnamon Creations is a country & primitive home decor online store specializing in hand-made decor and crafts. Each product is created for different rooms in the home such as my hand-stitched pillows which look great on a chair in your bedroom!

As well as offering home decor products I also invite you to learn about how to decorate your own home in the country or primitive style. There are photo galleries of ideas for each room in your home as well as articles on how to achieve the rustic look and other decorating guides: http://www.cinnamoncreations.co.uk/ideas.php

Do you have any recent news, products, a new launch, freebies, etc.
I've just re-launched my blog where I discuss country and primitive home decorating and surviving a home-based business. I would love you to stop by and leave me a comment: http://www.nikijackson.net/blog/

What are your absolute favorite products or resources you can't live without in your business (or have helped you the most)?
I would say my favourite all time resource has to be Mom Masterminds. I came across the site in August 2005 when I was struggling to learn about internet marketing and how I could expand my business.

Mom Masterminds has been such a huge blessing to me, I am learning all the time and the support there is amazing, I am very grateful to be a part of this wonderful resource.

What's your best advice for someone just starting out in online business (getting traffic, article marketing, networking, etc.)?
I would say the no. 1 important thing is getting support, it is so tough doing it alone, having someone or a group of people to keep you going through the tough times is so valuable.

The second thing has to be learning, learn all you can about internet business and action what you learn.

Stop by Niki's site here:

Link to your articles at LadyPens.
http://www.ladypens.com/profile/Niki-Jackson/38

Kristie Tamsevicius, is the author of "I Love My Life: A Mom's Guide to Working from Home"!

Here's our next featured writer:
Kristie Tamsevicius, is the author of
"I Love My Life: A Mom's Guide to Working from Home"!

Tell us about your business. What do you offer? When did you start?

Kristie Tamsevicius left corporate America so she could stay home with her children. Some say that it was a bold move, but she says that it was not only the right move; it has turned out to be far better than she could have possibly imagined. Since then she gone on to start several successful home businesses, founded WebMomz.com, a national support organization for work at home parents.

She's a marketing phenomenon whose brand of business advice has been featured on every national television network, CNN, Crains Chicago Business, Dr. Laura, and radio shows around the country. She is also a featured panelist on the USA Today panel of small business experts.
She is author of the bestselling book, I Love My Life: A Mom’s Guide to Working from Home and co-contributor to the soon to be released book Build it Big 2: 101 Direct Selling Secrets from Top Direct Selling Experts (Dearborn Publishing).

She’s a featured work at home mom expert at ClubMom.com, a premier online community for moms by Meredith Vieira, the host of ABC’s The View and daytime’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

A sought after speaker, Kristie teaches workshops around the country on how anyone can turn their passion into profits on the Internet. She is a member of both the National Speakers Association and Toastmasters as well as a featured speaker for the Direct Selling Women’s Alliance.

She is a member of the advisory panel for TickleU.com, Cartoon Network’s new programming for preschool children.

She is a member of the Maven Moms panel for Disney who gets to preview and review family oriented Disney movie releases and products.

Additionally, she acts as a corporate spokesperson to help companies reach the $1.6 trillion dollar mom market.

She developed a strong background in marketing in her more than 14 years of experience in business-to-business and business-to-consumer based marketing communications. Her company, BrandingontheNet.com, helps authors and speakers become the #1 expert in their field through branded web site development.

Kristie says that her greatest happiness is spending time with her husband and two children. Kristie and Joe, her husband of 11 years, live in their home in suburban Gurnee, IL.

Do you have any recent news, products, a new launch, freebies, etc.

In my newest book project, I am a contributing author in the bestselling book More Build it Big: 101 Insider Secrets from Top Direct Sellers (Dearborn Publishing April 2006).

I am a featured mom expert at ClubMom.com

I have a great freebie Extreme Home Office Makeover: The Secrets to Creating and Inspiring Home Office You Love here: http://www.kristiet.com/lovelife/homeoffice.htm

What are your absolute favorite products or resources you can't live without in your business (or have helped you the most)?

My business coach, Rich Fettke (http://www.fettke.com/), has truly made a difference in my business. He keeps me on track, motivated, and supports me 100% of the way!

What's your best advice for someone just starting out in online business (getting traffic, article marketing, networking, etc.)?

As soon as your website is up, start writing articles. Over the past 8 years, article writing has brought me more business than any other marketing method hands down. And best of all, it’s absolutely free!
Krisite recommends EasyArticleMarketing.com here - http://www.webmomz.com/blog/easy-article-marketing-it-really-works/ (Thanks, Kristie!) :)

Also, I highly recommend learning the basics of Search Engine Optimization. With just a few simple tweaks, you can dramatically boost your search engine ranking for various pages on your website.

And finally, learn about copywriting. It doesn’t matter if you send a million visitors to your website, if you don’t have good copywriting, you won’t convert them, and all your efforts will have been in vain!

What is your number one question about online business, getting traffic, networking, affiliate programs or article marketing?
The #1 question people ask me is how to find the money to start their business. While there are grants, they are few and far between. You can find funds to start your business by starting a savings account, doing a home equity loan, borrowing from the 401K account, or even using a low interest credit card. The point is start small, don’t get carried away spending too much too quickly with your business. Keep your expenditures in check with your income and you should be able to start pocketing some income in a few months.

I started my business while I was still at my day job. We tucked away extra money in savings while I got the business going. After a few months when the business was rolling and income was coming in, I quit my day job and went full time with my home business. Wherever you are, you can take some small step today to make your dream of owning a home business a reality!

Believe in yourself!

Find Kristie's free reprint articles here -
http://www.ladypens.com/profile/Kristie-Tamsevicius/177

And, the Funniest Article of the Day is...

As we were going through and approving awesome articles and declining the spammy ones, we ran into this submission. Constance, you win the funniest article of the day! :) LadyPens Staff

You're Not On Mute, You Know
By: Constance Weygandt

I am a multitasker. That is why I love the mute button when on a conference call in my home. It allows me to get a few small tasks done, let my dog in and out of the house and keep a running commentary going with the host, with no one the wiser.

I say things like;

“I agree.”
“I’m with you.”
“You’re right.”

Sometimes I say things like:

“That can’t be right.”
“Well, I wouldn’t put it that way.”
“I don’t agree with you.”

Such was the case the other night, while on a conference call. However, I started to notice something different about this call. As always, I said a few words when I got on and immediately put myself on mute. Then it seemed as if there were technical difficulties. The host sounded as if he was speaking in a tunnel. I thought that strange but things happen. The call became stranger. In my running commentary, to myself, I would ask questions that it seemed the host anticipated. I thought, “ Wow. This guy is really great. He anticipates any question someone could ask.”

Finally, in trying to drive home his point, he made an analogy involving a first car. He said, “Imagine your first car. It’s a stick shift with a clutch and you drive it to the top of a hill and then what happens?”

I answered, on mute, “Well, obviously, you start to slide back down the hill.”

The host laughed,“ You could do that but no, you would floor the gas.”

Then I knew. The most horrible sensation washed over me.

“I am not on mute, am I?”

“No, you are not on mute.”

This whole time, on the conference call, as my unfiltered thoughts are spouting out of my mouth, people from all across the nation are listening to me. Mute had betrayed me. What was once my conference call ally was now just a nightmare. I instinctively disconnected the call.

What I found to be very, very odd was that not one person mentioned that they could hear me. It would have been nice of someone had said, “ You’re not on mute, you know.” Or “ I can hear you.” So, I wondered, even if I am in the privacy of my home and on mute where no one can hear me, is it ever a good idea to let thoughts flow out of your mind unfiltered and say them aloud?

I have learned my lesson. From now on, I will mute both the phone and myself when on a conference call. And, in the future, do me a favor? If you come across someone who appears to be chattering for no apparent reason other than to hear themselves talk, will you gently remind them, “ You’re not on mute, you know.” I know I will.

Article by:
Constance Weygandt is an author, speaker and balance mentor. For more information on balance and wellness or to receive her newsletter, visit her at http://www.balancedwellnessonline.com/

Grab this article for your website here -
http://www.ladypens.com/Article/You-re-Not-On-Mute--You-Know/2254

Diana Walker, Sunrider Group Director

1. Tell us about your business. What do you offer? When did you start?

My business is Sunrider Chinese Herbal Foods and educating people on natural, vibrant healthy lifestyles. My websites are http://www.diana2.com and http://opp.sunrider.com/vitalityplus

I started in 1996, just using and enjoying the Sunrider products. I started sharing with others, and within months it grew to a large income, just from sharing in the evening and on weekends. In 2003 I was able to leave my full-time government job to be home with my son, and continue my business from home. This was a dream come true. In 2003 I started to really bring my business online, rather than in-person, home parties. My favorite ways to connect with people are over the internet and by telephone.

I also have my blog at http://www.wahmhealthwealth.blogspot.com where I love to share about my family and my adventures in being a Work At Home Mom.

2. Do you have any recent news, products, a new launch, freebies, etc.

I am privileged to have earned an all-expense-paid Carribbean Cruise to Jamaica, Cancun and Cayman Islands in February 2006, with 350 other top North American Sunrider Leaders and Drs. Tei Fu and Oi Lin Chen, founders of Sunrider International. Photos are at http://diana2.powerfulintentions.com/album/784

3. What are your absolute favorite products or resources you can't live without in your business (or have helped you the most)?

#1 MomMasterminds - I felt totally lost and overwhelmed on the internet before I found the wonderful mentoring of Alice Seba and Kelly McCausey, founders of Mom Masterminds. The mentoring and the community spirit that is provided within this online group is beyond description. The door has been temporarily closed to new members, but you can put yourself on a waiting list. I’d highly recommend that you do so, if you are looking for success online.

#2 Easy Article Marketing I set myself the goal of writing articles months ago, but I kept procrastinating. It was only after I purchased the Easy Article Marketing course with Nicole Dean and Kelly McCausey, that I finally got the confidence to write my first article. It is so wonderful to have Nicole as my coach and mentor. The suggestions she made were so clear and crisp, and made my article much more professional. Also, I found that the templates that Kelly provides in the course are remarkably helpful, and work wonders in helping me to put my thoughts down on paper, instead of keeping them all in my head!

4. What's your best advice for someone just starting out in online business?

My best advice is to network with and learn from like-minded people. My journey has taken me from not even knowing what html or SEO meant 2 years ago, to becoming pretty knowledgeable today.

I am always willing to learn, and I feel I have been so privileged to find MomMasterminds . I think that membership in Mom Masterminds, with the powerful mentoring available, has been the single most important key to my online business success. I am still learning, but the encouragement of the other members is what keeps me going.

Find article by Diana here -
http://www.ladypens.com/profile/Diana-Walker/278

Free Web Traffic School for Moms in Business

Recently, I collected questions from my subscribers, and the most common question asked was "How can I get more Traffic?"

Here's a full tutorial I created just for you.

It's a "scheme-free" and "hype-free" zone. Just the facts, ma'am.

http://www.webtrafficbasics.com/

Please let me know if you have questions!

Nicole

Tricia Kvidt - Cozy 4 Candles

Hi Tricia! Tell us about your businesses.

I am a candle distributor. I sell Mia Bella Candles and other gourmet products. This includes 16 oz pillars, votives, 16oz jar candles, natural soaps, body wash and car freshner. I started late sept 05.

http://www.cozy4candles.net/ and http://www.cozy4candles.scent-team.com/ is where my business information can be found.

Do you have any recent news, products, a new launch, freebies, etc.

Our newest launch is the 16 oz pillars. There are 4 different scents. These soy pillars are incredible and smell outstanding. All our candles are soy/veg natural wax. triple scented so the scent is smelled from beginning to end.

My free offer the first 10 purchases of 16 oz soy pillar or 16 oz candle will receive a free Mia Bella natural soap bar. I have replaced my store soap with the natural soap. This soap is awesome and once you have tried it, you will not go back to store soap again.

What's your best advice for someone just starting out in online business?

If anyone is looking to start a business online, I would suggest be very patient. It can start up really slow. But once you start advertising getting your URL out for people to surf - the hits will start coming in. Most people are just interested in seeing what you are selling.

My experience getting that 1st customer is the hardest. But once you get someone to try your product and they like it - the word of mouth can be better than any advertising. People trust their friends and family, even when they don't know you they will buy from you. For the holidays I gave candles and soap products to my friends and family. They love them so much. I have had repeat customers just from doing this.

Read Tricia Kvidt's free reprint articles on LadyPens

Kelly Nault - Ultimate Parent

Meet Kelly Nault, another one of my favorite women in business.

Kelly, tell us about your businesses.

How my business Ultimate Parent Found Me:

Like thousands of moms, I found myself quite literally in the “parenting deep end” with two boys who when they weren’t bouncing off the walls they were literally pounding on them! On top of it all, they were also blind. It was out of sheer desperation that I began my master’s in counseling psychology and started working with the best parenting experts in the world.

Half a decade later, I became the “go to” person for children that other professionals had given up on. What I discovered was the kids weren’t the problem—the parenting methods were. Armed with effective parenting tools I have now helped thousands of families with common struggles like bedtime tantrums, homework blues and sibling rivalry that allow parents to put fun back into their household and give them the peace of mind.

There are three things I now offer moms who want to quit struggling:

Ultimate Parent – We take the guess work out of child discipline and inspire moms to solve their individual family challenges (from toddler tantrums to teenage attitude) that get in the way of enjoying a happy, peaceful and supportive home life. The Ultimate Parent approach guides moms to shed stress and to instead adopt effective parenting development tools that bring out your best and your family’s best without adding more to your to do list. What we are most committed to doing is motivating moms to put their self care needs first, so they have a “self” to give their children. Moms love the fact that our child discipline approach works quickly to get you what you want and gives your children what they most need.

MommyMoments – A complimentary parenting course online for moms that renews her joy for parenting, helps her avoid mom burnout and guides her to thrive in motherhood—not merely survive.

Kelly, you know SO much about publicity. How would you describe yourself to the media?

Parenting motivational speaker Kelly Nault M.A., is the award-winning author of the book, "When You're About To Go Off The Deep End, Don't Take Your Kids With You." As a speaker, she offers entertaining workshops and keynotes to parents in schools to the corporate boardroom. Kelly is a popular and entertaining guest on radio and television stations across North America. Her contagious sparkle for life, and effective communication strategies have helped thousands of families and they keep coming back for more. The inspiring approach to parenting Kelly shares is time-tested, child-proofed and effective in radically decreasing common family struggles while accelerating the ability for each family member to reach and fulfill their maximum potential in life.

Tell us about some of your hot news and offers.

Freebies - Complimentary free online parenting course for moms

Recent News of Parenting Book Award - “When You’re About To Go Off The Deep End, Don’t Take Your Kids With” was the iparenting recipient of the 2005 best product award.

Recent News of Speaker Award - The Canadian Association of Professional Speakers honored Kelly Nault last month with the 2005 Quantum Leap Award for her outstanding 40+ radio and television parenting interviews.

What are some products or resources you can't live without in your business (or have helped you the most)?

1. Bath salts and lavender oil to soak and unwind in after a long day.

What's your best advice for someone just starting out in online business (getting traffic, article marketing, networking, etc.)

Four things are essential to women just starting an online business:

1. Find a way to make money doing what you love to do by making certain there are people who will pay for what you have.

2. Learn how to market yourself and your product by discovering what your target market truly wants.

3. Only use benefit driven language (i.e. what’s in it for your customer, rather than what’s in it for you) when writing any sales copy.

4. Before spending a dime on marketing ask yourself will I get at least 10X my return on investment. If you won’t, look elsewhere. When hiring consultants pay on results rather than by tasks.

Find free reprint articles by Kelly Nault here.