Remember the past days when publishing a book meant finding a publisher, waiting months, and dealing with endless paperwork?
Frustrating, right?
Well, those days are gone. Now, it’s just you, your laptop, and people all over the world ready to read what you’ve created. That’s the magic of e-books.
Ebooks are:
Super convenient: read anytime, anywhere.
Easily accessible: no waiting, no shipping delays.
Portable: carry a whole library in your pocket.
No wonder the global ebook market is booming. In fact, revenue is projected to reach US $14.92 billion by 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing digital industries. This shift creates massive opportunities for both readers and creators.
In this guide, you’ll learn a 9-step guideline to create an ebook, from choosing a topic to writing, designing, publishing, and promoting it.
By the end, you’ll also discover the best platform to produce your e-books.
Let’s get started!
What Is an Ebook & the Most Common Formats?
An ebook (electronic book) refers to a digital copy of a paper book. You don't need to flip paper pages anymore. Instead, you may scroll or swipe through on your phone, tablet, laptop, or Kindle.
That's why both readers and writers love ebooks so much. Before you start writing one, you should know about the primary types of ebooks:
Pro tip: Start with PDF. It’s free, simple, and universal. Once your ebook grows, you can explore EPUB or Kindle formats.
9 Steps to Create & Sell Your Ebook as A Digital Product
Creating an ebook can feel overwhelming at first, but anyone can do it with the right steps.
Follow this guide, and you’ll learn how to create an ebook that shares your ideas and reaches your readers. Let's learn together:
Step 1. Target Your Audience and Goal
It’s a big factor to keep in mind before starting to write your ebook about who it’s for and why you are creating it.
Ask yourself questions like:
Who is my ideal reader? Think about their age, profession, interests, and pain points.
What do I want this eBook to achieve? Is it:
A lead magnet to grow your email list?
A thought leadership piece to show your expertise?
A paid product to earn revenue?
Types of Target Audiences
When it comes to marketing, not all customers are the same. Here are some common types of audiences you can target:
Purchase intention:
People actively looking to buy a product (like someone shopping for a new car). They compare options, so highlighting your value and USP helps win them over.
Interests:
Customers grouped by hobbies, passions, or entertainment preferences (like travel lovers or cyclists). Creating content around their interests makes your brand more relatable.
Subcultures:
Communities built around music, sports, or entertainment (like horror fans on Netflix). These groups are loyal and respond well to personalized, community-driven marketing.
5-Steps to Find Your Target Audience
Know your product: Define what problem it solves, who benefits most, and your USP.
Research your market: Study competitors to see who they target and identify gaps you can fill.
Create buyer personas: Build profiles with details like age, job, goals, and pain points to understand your ideal customer.
Choose the right channels: Go where your audience hangs out (TikTok, LinkedIn, blogs, etc.).
Test and refine: Use surveys, analytics, and feedback to adjust and improve your targeting over time.
Target Audience Examples
New parents—looking for parenting tips, baby products, and childcare solutions.
Tech enthusiasts—early adopters who love the latest gadgets and innovations.
Sustainable living advocates—eco-conscious shoppers seeking green and ethical alternatives.
How to Reach Your Target Audience
Define clearly who they are (demographics, interests, and behaviors).
Research deeply using tools like surveys, Google Analytics, and social media insights.
Pick the right channels (social, SEO, email, ads) based on where they spend time.
Personalize your message so it speaks to their needs and values.
Track and adapt by monitoring campaign performance and improving continuously.
Knowing your audience and goal helps you:
Pick a topic that matters to your readers
Focus your content on solving their specific problems
Decide on the tone and style that will resonate with them
Plan how to promote your eBook effectively after publishing
Step 2. Pick The Right Ebook Topic
First of all, pick a topic that solves a problem for your readers. Share your knowledge and give them useful solutions. Your eBook can be a lead magnet to grow your email list, a paid product to earn money, or a way to show you are an expert.
If it’s a lead magnet, choose a topic related to your business or product.
👉For example, an English tutor could write an ebook called “10 Daily Conversations to Practice English at Home” as a free lead magnet.
So, you will need to come up with an ebook title that is concise, instructive, and easy to understand. At the same time, it needs to come with an attention-grabbing title.
Next, create a simple and catchy title. Take a look at these ebook title ideas:
An Introduction to Digital Marketing
5 Common Mistakes in Time Management
How to Write an Ebook in 7 Days (A step-by-step plan for beginners)
When you have 2–3 topic ideas, try a few small variations. See which one works best for your audience.
Step 3: Plan Your Content
Imagine holding an eBook in your hands that truly changes someone’s life!
It happens only by your ideas, knowledge, and experience all in one place. That’s the power you can create.
You don’t always need to start from scratch. Look at your content you have already written like blogs, social media posts, notes, or guides. Repurposing your best work is a fast way to build an eBook that your audience will love.
Tips to make your content shine:
Use clear, relatable language your readers connect with.
Avoid fluff or confusing jargon (unless writing for experts).
Include powerful facts, fresh stats, and examples to make it credible.
Add links to your blog, landing page, or products to keep readers engaged.
Once your draft is ready, edit it carefully. Every sentence should inspire, teach, or guide your readers. Check for grammar and spelling mistakes to make your eBook look professional. Tools like Grammarly or Hemingway can help to polish it.
Use AI to Create Your Ebook
AI can help you plan and create an ebook faster. But remember, it’s a helper, not a replacement for your ideas. Lots of people are using AI to create ebooks, courses, and digital products, and some have even earned millions in revenue!
For beginners, ChatGPT is a great tool for planning, writing, and polishing an ebook.
How to use AI effectively:
Start with an outline—ask AI to create a detailed outline for your topic. Include sections, tips, or examples.
Example prompts:
“Create a detailed outline for an ebook [topic] for [audience].”
“Outline an ebook [topic] with tips, tools, and examples.”
Write section by section—don’t ask AI to write the whole ebook at once. This makes it easier to edit and add your personal touch.
Review and personalize—always check AI content. Add stories, examples, or insights from your own experience to make your ebook unique.
Other AI tools for ebook creation:
Publishing.ai: Helps with topic ideas, audience research, and outlines.
Sudowrite: Great for storytelling, character, and world-building.
Designrr.io: Converts blogs or content into a ready-made ebook with professional formatting.
Jasper.ai: Produces well-researched nonfiction content for guides, self-help, or educational ebooks.
Using AI this way saves time, boosts earnings potential, and helps you create a professional, engaging ebook that readers love.
Step 4: Write Your Ebook
Now you’re in the main part of your ebook writing. The more your content is organized, the more you will grab an audience.
A well-organized eBook doesn’t just deliver information; it tells a story, keeps readers engaged, and makes them feel like they’re learning step by step.
Start by dividing your eBook into three main parts:
Introduction: Welcome your readers. Set the tone, explain why your eBook matters, and show them what they will gain by reading it. Make them excited and curious to continue.
Main Body: Break your topic into chapters or sections. Each chapter should focus on one idea and guide the reader deeper into your subject.
For example, a healthy eating eBook could have chapters like
Chapter 1: Understanding Nutrition Basics
Chapter 2: Benefits of Eating Healthy
Chapter 3: How to Plan Balanced Meals
Chapter 4: Easy Recipes for Busy Days
Treat each chapter like a mini-lesson or blog post. This helps your readers digest the information easily and keeps them motivated to continue.
Conclusion: End your eBook by summarizing key takeaways and encouraging action. Invite readers to apply what they’ve learned, visit your website, or sign up for your newsletter. Make them feel inspired to take the next step.
Extra tips to make your eBook reader-friendly and professional:
Make an Outline: Keeps your ideas organized.
Add a Table of Contents: Helps readers navigate.
Use Short Paragraphs: Makes reading easy.
Add Visuals: Charts or images make it engaging.
Use Simple Tools: Word or Google Docs work well.
Be Consistent: Keep fonts and colors uniform.
Include Links: Add extra resources or blogs.
Tips: If you’re writing fiction or nonfiction books, your content structure can be different. You may have longer chapters, detailed explanations, or storytelling elements that require more space.
Step 5: Ebook Design Tips + Free Templates
Imagine opening an eBook that instantly looks professional, inviting, and easy to read. That’s exactly the feeling you want your readers to get when they see your creation.
Design isn’t just about aesthetics; it guides your reader, keeps them engaged, and makes your content shine.
Canva is one of the most popular tools for beginners. Unlike advanced tools like Adobe, Canva is simple and easy to use, even if you’re not a designer.
For ebooks, Canva gives you more than 1,500 ready-made templates for covers and layouts. You can change the fonts, colors, and images to match your brand. Every part is customizable, so your ebook looks unique and professional without needing expert skills.
Price: Free; Canva Pro subscription $12.99 per month
Besides this, you can also try,
The main purpose of Visme is to help you make better content faster. Visme's library of templates with strong, ready-to-use graphics takes the stress out of making the visuals for your ebook so you can focus on giving your readers useful content.
Making your ebook with this tool is as easy as
Picking the design that best fits your ebook needs
Putting the content right into your web browser
Hitting publish so everyone can see it
Price: Free; premium plans start at $12.25 a month.
One advantage of Lucidpress is that the site offers free stock imagery, so you don’t have to travel out on your own to get it.
You can make ebooks and other content and even make locked branded templates (available with a premium subscription) to make sure that everything you make is on-brand.
However, the free edition of LucidPress only allows you to generate up to three documents and doesn’t grant access to premium templates.
Cost: Free; premium plans start at $10 a month.
These platforms give you free eBook templates. Simply pick a template and customize it to match your style and brand.
Tips for designing a reader-friendly eBook:
Use easy-to-read fonts and a clear layout.
Include visuals like stock photos, infographics, company images, quotes, or statistics to make your content more engaging.
Think about the flow, and structure your layout so it should guide the reader naturally through your eBook.
Make sure your eBook looks great on all devices: smartphones (iPhone & Android), tablets (iPad, Surface), laptops, desktops, and e-readers (Kindle, Nook, Kobo).
Step 6: Choose the Best Ebook Format
Choosing the right format is a key step when creating your ebook. The format decides how your ebook looks, how it works on different devices, and even where you can publish it.
Here are the five most common ebook formats explained in simple words:
TXT (.txt)—This is the most basic format, and it only supports plain text. No images, no graphs, no special layouts. It’s great for storing information or sharing simple reports.
But since there’s no design or protection, they’re best for research papers or text-only ebooks.
EPUB (.epub)—The most popular ebook format in the world. Works on most e-readers like Kobo, Apple Books, and Google Play Books. EPUBs can also include copy protection (DRM), so your ebook is safe from copying.
Reflowable EPUB: The text “flows” and adjusts to any screen size. This makes reading comfortable on phones, tablets, and e-readers. Best for novels, guides, or any text-heavy ebook.
Fixed layout EPUB: Keeps your exact design, like a magazine page. Supports interactivity, animations, and high-end layouts. Perfect for cookbooks, children’s books, or visually heavy e-books. The downside is that they don’t work on all platforms as smoothly as reflowable ones.
MOBI (.mobi)—This was Amazon’s original ebook format for Kindle devices. It doesn’t support as many design features as EPUB, but it’s lightweight and works well on older Kindles.
Amazon no longer updates MOBI, but you’ll still see it around because many ebooks were first published in this format.
AZW (.azw)—Amazon’s replacement for MOBI. It has better DRM (digital rights management), which protects your ebook from being copied or shared without permission.
👉AZW files can only be read on Kindle devices or Kindle apps, so it locks your ebook into Amazon’s ecosystem. Perfect if your main goal is to publish on Kindle.
PDF (.pdf)—PDFs keep your design, fonts, images, and layout exactly the same, no matter what device you open them on. That’s why they’re perfect for e-books with charts, images, or custom formatting.
The only downside? The text won’t adjust to smaller screens, and you can’t sell PDFs directly on Kindle or Apple Books. But still, they’re the easiest and most common starting point.
A Common Mistake Authors Make While Publishing an eBook
Many writers choose a file format before thinking about any of these things. They don't realize that
Some file types are better for particular types of material
Not all formats work on every device
Each store has its own requirements for file types.
If you ignore these points, it can cause problems during publishing. Before choosing a format, take some time to learn about ebook formats and pick the one that fits your content and audience.
Tips for choosing a format:
Want something simple and fast? Go with PDF.
Writing a text-heavy book for many devices? Choose Reflowable EPUB.
Creating a design-heavy ebook like a cookbook? Use fixed-layout EPUB or PDF.
Publishing on Amazon Kindle? Pick AZW.
Device Recommendations
For more help on choosing the right file format, I’ve included a guide below specific to your device and what file type is recommended with it:
PC or Mac—EPUB or PDF
iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch—EPUB or PDF
Kindle and Kindle Fire—MOBI or PDF
Android—EPUB
NOOK Tablet—EPUB
Sony Reader and Other eReaders—EPUB
Step 7: Call-to-Action (CTAs) For Ebooks
If your ebook is not a novel or personal story, adding calls to action (CTAs) is a must. Because CTAs guide your readers to take the next step with you. Whether that’s joining your email list, checking out your product, or simply connecting with your brand.
Keep your CTAs natural and helpful. They should feel like the next logical step, not a hard sell.
A CTA is just a short prompt like:
“Subscribe to my Newsletter”
“Get it Now”
“Learn More”
“Buy Now”
Where to place CTAs in your ebook:
At the end of each chapter
Inside the conclusion
On a separate page with links to more resources
This way, readers don’t just finish your ebook and move on. They know exactly what to do next.
What your CTA can link to:
Sales page or subscription page
Community page
About page
Contact page
Product page
Social media
Step 8: Best Ebook Publishing Platforms to Sell Online
You’ve done the hard work. Now comes the fun part: getting your ebook out there!
There are many platforms, websites, and marketplaces to publish and sell your ebook. But each one works in a different way.
Here you’ll get your most popular ebook publishing & selling platforms:
#If You Sell Directly to Your Audience
Platforms like EzyCourse and Gumroad let you sell your ebook directly, giving you full control over pricing and keeping 100% of your revenue. Perfect if you already have an audience or want full independence.
1. EzyCourse: How to Publish & Sell
This is the place for you. No commission fees, no middlemen. Just upload your ebook as a digital product and start selling instantly.
How it works:
Create your EzyCourse account & sign up there.
Upload your PDF file following the image.
Set Your Price:
✓One-time purchase
✓Free as a lead magnet
✓Bundle with other products or courses
Want a step-by-step visual guide? Watch this video to see the entire ebook creation process in action:
👉Also you can read: How to Start Selling Digital Products Online | From Creation to Market
2.Gumroad: How to Publish & Sell
This is simple & perfect for creators who don’t want middlemen. It’s beginner-friendly and gives you full control over pricing and sales.
How it works:
Sign up at Gumroad.
Go to your dashboard → click “Products” → choose Digital Product.
Upload your ebook file (usually PDF or EPUB).
Add your title, description, and cover image.
Set your price (you can even set “Pay What You Want”).
Customize your sales page with extra details or images.
Publish it, and Gumroad gives you a shareable link to sell instantly.
#If You Want to Reach a Huge Audience
Millions of people are looking for ebooks every day. If you want lots of readers to find your book, choose a platform with a big audience. Here you’ll get them
3. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): Self-publish an ebook on Amazon
Want lots of people to read your ebook? Amazon KDP is a great choice. Millions of people use Kindle every day, so your book can reach more readers.
How it works:
Go to KDP and sign in with your Amazon account.
Click “Create a New Title” and choose Kindle eBook.
Fill in your book details (title, subtitle, author name, description, keywords, and categories).
Upload your ebook file (EPUB is best for KDP).
Upload your cover file (JPG or TIFF, 2560 px on the longest side).
Preview your ebook with Amazon’s online preview tool.
Set your price and royalty option (35% or 70%).
Hit Publish, and your ebook will go live in 24–72 hours.
4. Apple Books: Best platform to sell ebooks for Apple users
If your audience uses iPhones, iPads, or Macs, Apple Books is the best place to be. Apple Books offers a clean reading experience and gives you access to millions of iOS users.
How it works:
Sign up at Apple Books for Authors.
Download iTunes Producer (Mac only).
Prepare your ebook in EPUB format (Apple prefers EPUB 3).
Open iTunes Producer and upload your ebook file and cover image.
Enter your book details (title, author, categories, price).
Submit, and Apple reviews your ebook (usually 1–3 days).
Once approved, your ebook appears on the Apple Books store worldwide.
Key Takeaway: No Mac? No problem. Use a distributor like Draft2Digital to publish on Apple Books.
5. Google Play Books
For Android users, Google Play Books is the go-to platform. It’s available worldwide and integrates perfectly with Google’s ecosystem.
How it works:
Sign up at Google Play Books.
Create your publisher account and fill in payment details.
Click Add Book and choose Upload EPUB or PDF file.
Add your book details (title, author, ISBN if you have one, description, and categories).
Upload your cover image.
Set your price and regions where you want to sell.
Submit for review, and then your ebook usually goes live within a few days.
Other platforms to consider, including
# Don't Depend on One Retailer
Putting all your eggs in one basket isn’t maybe a good idea. If you want to maximize your reach and increase sales, plan to sell your eBook through various retailers globally.
We discussed how to publish with the big players in the industry above, but that doesn’t mean additionally publishing with smaller retailers in the industry is bad.
Check out smaller retailers like Scribd, Baker & Taylor, and Gardners to explore more options for book production outsourcing.
Step 9: Ebook Marketing & Promotion Strategies
Now you’re in the final stage to express your ebook to the world. You’ve written, designed, and published your ebook. Now it’s time to make sure people actually read it. Promotion is where the real magic happens.
Then, start promoting it everywhere your audience hangs out.
For example:
Send it to your email list
Share it on your social media
Post it inside your private student groups or communities
Add it as a freebie or bonus on your sales page
Social Media for Ebook Promotion Tips
Each platform has its own style, so use them wisely:
Facebook: Announce your ebook launch. Pin the post or even make it your cover photo.
Instagram: Share stories, reels, or carousels with quotes from your ebook. Add the link in your bio.
X (Twitter): Create a pinned tweet with the ebook link and use trending hashtags.
LinkedIn: Add the ebook link to your profile and write a short post about it.
TikTok: Make short videos with key tips from your ebook.
YouTube: Mention your ebook in videos or give it away as part of a contest.
Marketing Tips for Ebook Promotion
You don’t need to use every single channel at once. Pick the ones where your audience is most active and focus on them. You know your readers best.
Email Marketing
This is still one of the most powerful ways to promote your ebook. Send a launch email to your subscribers with the link. You can even give them a special discount as a “thank you” for being loyal.Get Reviews & Testimonials
Ask your close friends, fans, or colleagues to read your ebook first and write short reviews. Share these testimonials on your website and social media to build trust.Content Marketing
Repurpose parts of your ebook into smaller content pieces. Share quotes, stats, or graphs from the book in posts or emails. This not only promotes the ebook but also gives value upfront.
Why You Should Create an Ebook
Every ebook producer shouldn’t think of an ebook as a digital file. They should think of it as a tool for growth, authority, and connection. Whether you’re an educator, coach, or entrepreneur, an eBook can unlock doors you didn’t even know existed.
If you’re considering making an eBook, it’s most likely for one of two reasons:
1. Self-publication purposes
Whether it’s a research paper or a book you’ve been working on. Self-publishing an eBook is a great way to share your ideas with the world.
Self-publishing also helps you:
Gain confidence in your subject
Improve your writing and editing skills
Establish yourself as an expert in your field
Expand your knowledge while creating valuable content for readers
In short, an eBook is not just a product; it’s a learning experience that grows both your skills and your audience.
2. Marketing Strategy
Ebooks are powerful tools for:
Quality and Quantity of Leads
If you have a business, you want people interested in your products or services. An eBook can help as part of your content marketing. First, define your target audience and choose topics that interest them.
Promote your eBook to your audience. People who download it often spend more time on your landing page, learn about your company, and explore your products. You can also offer the eBook in exchange for creating a free account or providing an email.
Building Your Mailing List
This is connected to getting leads. Create a landing page for your eBook where people can download it after giving their email or creating an account.
Why should you collect emails? Because these individuals are already interested in your topic. You can send them updates about deals, services, or new items to stay engaged and build up potential consumers.
Increase in Website Traffic
Promoting an eBook can bring new visitors to your website. They may spend more time on your site, look over your offerings, and become regular consumers.
You can track traffic and outcomes using tools like Google Analytics to discover how many people visit and where they come from.
Strengthening Your Position as an Expert
Writing an excellent eBook shows your knowledge and experience. People trust experts and are more likely to acquire your items or services.
Over time, your eBooks can build your reputation. They may even become popular or bestsellers, increasing your authority in your niche.
Passive Income
You don’t have to give eBooks away for free. If you spent time and effort creating it, you can sell it.
Even if it’s not your main income, an eBook can bring extra revenue.
Easy Creation and Distribution
If your business already has a blog, you likely already have topics for your eBook. You can include your knowledge and experience, giving readers unique value.
Creating an eBook is easier than you think. Many free and paid tools help you design it quickly. You can offer it on your website or use platforms that sell digital products.
EzyCourse: Why It Is the Best Platform for Creators
More than just selling ebooks as digital products, EzyCourse is a complete all-in-one creator hub with features like courses, coaching, bundles, memberships, and flexible monetization options. All these are to help you grow and connect with your audience.
Key features that will expand your idea beyond an ebook:
Sell Courses: Create online courses with videos, quizzes, and progress tracking to expand beyond e-books.
Coaching & Scheduling: Offer 1-on-1 or group coaching and let clients book sessions directly.
Bundles & Memberships: Combine your ebook with courses or coaching, or offer monthly memberships for access to your content.
Flexible Monetization: Use one-time sales, subscriptions, tiered pricing, coupons, and upsells/downsells.
Community Building: Give buyers access to private groups for discussions, bonus content, or extra support.
Conclusion
An ebook production isn’t just about typing words on a page. It’s all about sharing your knowledge, inspiring your readers, and building your brand. Whether you want to grow your email list, showcase your expertise, or earn extra income, an ebook is one of the most powerful tools you can create.
Readers are already searching for content like yours. The sooner you publish your ebook, the sooner you’ll reach them. Why wait? Start creating today.
You can make your ideas into a professional, impactful ebook that people will love with the right planning, tools, and a clear understanding of your audience.
Are you ready to create your first ebook and start selling it online? Try EzyCourse free today, an all-in-one platform for publishing, selling, and marketing your ebooks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best software to create and publish an ebook?
The easiest and most cost-effective tools for writing your ebook are Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Both allow you to create content efficiently and export it to PDF.
Can I make passive income selling ebooks?
Yes! Selling ebooks can generate a steady stream of passive income. Success depends on promotion via social media, email marketing, and other channels to engage readers.
How do I create my own eBook?
Write your content.
Use tools like Canva or Adobe InDesign to design it.
Publish on marketplaces like Amazon Kindle, or self-publish on your website using platforms like Shopify or LearnWorlds.
What types of eBooks sell best?
Popular ebook niches include business, health, self-help, and fiction genres.
