Business on EditionGuard

How To Market Your eCommerce Store On A Budget

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:30:00 +0000

Running an ecommerce store on a small budget can feel limiting, but budget is not the only factor that determines whether your store grows. A large ad budget can help you reach more people, but it cannot fix unclear messaging, weak product positioning, poor follow-up, or content that does not answer what buyers actually need to know.

Ebook DRM: Why Digital Rights Management Matters in 2025

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Digital Rights Management (DRM) acts like a virtual lock on your eBooks, ensuring only authorized readers can access and use your content.

Introduction: The Ongoing DRM Debate

Digital Rights Management (DRM) for eBooks has sparked debate for years. Critics often claim that using DRM means you don’t trust your readers or that it unfairly limits people who legally purchased your eBook. In reality, modern DRM aims to be nearly invisible to paying customers while safeguarding authors’ rights. Far from being a punishment to loyal readers, DRM is a necessary protective measure--especially in 2025’s digital publishing landscape.

Top Digital Publishing Partnerships to Protect and Monetize Your Content

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 04:47:00 +0000

What You’ll Learn:

• Streamline publishing operations with best-in-class industry partners

• Safeguard digital assets while scaling distribution and audience reach

• Boost reader experience with secure access and seamless delivery

• Unlock new revenue streams through strategic technology collaboration

• Adapt quickly to industry shifts with expert-led solutions

Why EditionGuard is a Game-Changer for Selling PDFs Online

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 23:23:53 +0000

Let’s face it—without protection, your content is just one click away from being shared far and wide. One person shares it, and soon it’s out of your control, costing you potential sales with every copy spread.

Author Website and Secure eBook Fulfillment

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 20:09:03 +0000

Marketing your ebook is an essential step in your success as an indie author. The best way to market and sell your ebook is through your own author website with secure ebook fulfillment.

DRM and Your Organization: Protect Your IP

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 12:30:30 +0000

Schools that reopened in the past few weeks are already closing again. More companies agree that allowing their people to work from home - through 2021 or permanently - is not a bad idea. In the short-term, it will be barely perceptible, as your people are trained and experienced. But as you begin to hire new people, you'll need to be able to deliver training. And you'll need to be able to do it in a way that still protects your IP (intellectual property). The last thing you need right now is a angry employee walking away with your proprietary information.

Launch Your Speaking Career with an eBook

Tue, 19 May 2020 09:54:06 +0000

We’ve been talking about the benefits of publishing ebooks for businesses and business professionals. Publishing an ebook can bring credibility to your brand, generate leads and higher revenue, and it can launch your speaking career.

Why Are Speaking Gigs So Important?

If you really want to stand out in your industry as a leading expert, you have to be the one giving people the knowledge, guidance, and inspiration they need to do their jobs better. Not only can speaking gigs put you in front of your colleagues, but it can make you visible to companies who might need your expertise and hire you. You can also make a great deal of money if you become a sought-after public speaker and build a speaking career.

The Power of the Business eBook

Tue, 12 May 2020 13:16:53 +0000

There are several benefits ebooks offer for businesses, including driving leads and improving sales, but the biggest power of the business ebook is in giving its author credibility and authority in the industry. Whether you're a customer experience expert like Shep Hyken or a startup expert like Matt Heinz, ebooks pave the way to bigger successes.

Benefits of eBooks for Business Lead Generation

Wed, 06 May 2020 18:11:06 +0000

Are you trying to drive more leads to your business? Do you need to establish yourself as a credible leader in your industry? Do you want to create an enticing offer to get more people to sign up for your marketing emails? There is one way you can do all of these things: write an ebook. We'll be exploring the various ways ebooks can help you grow your business.

Is Collaborative Publishing the Future?

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 14:07:10 +0000

Self-publishing turned the publishing industry on its head, but in the last decade we’ve learned that most self-published authors don’t make a lot of money, that the companies who charge them to publish their books keep a lot of the profits, and that even though the author may be able to lay claim to the status of having a book published that it’s definitely not letting them quit their day jobs.

How to Become a Digital Book Publisher

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 15:31:04 +0000

Have you ever thought of becoming a book publisher? There is an opportunity to step into a potentially lucrative market while helping independent authors get published at the same time. When you think about how to become a book publisher, the first few steps are no different than they would be for any other business: form an LLC or corporation and put together a business plan.

Trade Secrets and How To Protect Them

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 11:59:29 +0000

Trade secrets and other intellectual property (IP) are critical to a company’s success. Protecting IP can be challenging, especially in an increasingly digital age. While there are numerous legal mechanisms and regulations to protect IP, digital piracy remains a pressing issue. Digital Rights Management (DRM) software is a very effective tool to protect digital media such as novels, textbooks, and other works. This post examines ways to protect digital IP and how DRM solutions can aid those efforts.

How To Sell an E-Book - Get Published in 7 Easy Steps

Mon, 05 Mar 2018 08:00:04 +0000

In the not-so-distant past, self-publishing carried a negative connotation. Printing a book was an act of vanity reserved for authors of sufficient funds and insufficient talent, unable to attract the attention of an established publisher. In the last ten years, all that has changed.

The Indie Author Business Plan: A Step-By-Step Outline

Mon, 28 Nov 2016 14:55:45 +0000

Successful indie authors have one thing in common: they realize that they are not only writers, they are also business owners, marketers, salespeople and much more.

The reality is that authors can no longer be solely writers. If you aren’t willing to wear the other hats mentioned above, you will struggle to find success. Sure, you could try to hire people to help, but that gets expensive quickly. For the sake of this post let’s assume that you are like most indie authors and money is tight. Hiring a full-team to run your author business is out of the question.

How We Use eBooks To Grow Our Email List and Make Money

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 14:09:35 +0000

At EditionGuard we use eBooks to not only educate our audience, but also to grow our email list and make money. We truly believe that every business should be creating eBooks and in this post you will see why.

EditionLink vs EditionMark vs Adobe DRM: Choosing The Right eBook Fulfillment Option

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 10:58:11 +0000

When you use EditionGuard to protect and fulfill your eBooks, you will have three different fulfillment options: Adobe DRM, EditionMark and EditionLink. Deciding which fulfillment option is right for you and your customers can be difficult.

7 Reasons Why Self-Publishing Is The Right Choice For Authors

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 11:26:02 +0000

The self-publishing vs traditional publishing debate is something all authors have at some point in their career. After all, both options have benefits.

At EditionGuard, we support primarily self-published authors and have had the opportunity over the years to learn why authors decide to pursue the self-publishing route.

7 Reasons Why Every Business Should Create eBooks

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 11:55:29 +0000

Attention all business owners. You should be producing eBooks regularly as part of your content marketing strategy. If you aren’t, you are missing out on a massive business opportunity. Let me explain.

EditionGuard Social DRM vs Adobe DRM: Which Is Best For You?

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 13:00:46 +0000

Digital Right Management (DRM) protects eBooks from illegal piracy by using active and/or passive protection methods. If you are new to EditionGuard or are considering changing your eBook protection settings, you may be curious to know the differences between our Social DRM solution and Adobe’s DRM scheme.

Introducing EditionGuard Social DRM: A New Way To Protect and Sell eBooks

Tue, 04 Oct 2016 13:00:55 +0000

For the last couple of years EditionGuard has relied on Adobe Digital Rights Management to protect our customers eBooks. Though Adobe’s solution is ideal for some of our customers, that was not the case for all.

Self-Published Authors: How To Find The Perfect Price For Your Book

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:21:33 +0000

You can improve your book cover, spend more on book marketing or even do a complete rewrite, but usually the easiest way to boost your book sales is to play around with your pricing.

How to Sell Your Books Through Facebook Using Shopify

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:14:47 +0000

Many authors use Facebook to promote their current and upcoming books, connect with fans and grow their following. The use of social media in general is widely accepted amongst the author community and the benefits are understood.

Adobe Digital Editions Beginner's Guide

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:04:59 +0000

Getting Started With Adobe Digital Editions

Adobe Digital Editions is a free software that allows you to add eBooks from online stores and libraries that are protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM). Digital Rights Management prevents eBooks from being copied and/or redistributed. This ensures the protection of authors and publishers.

When you download a Digital Right Management protected eBook, you get a license in the form of an .acsm file with your eBook. You can then claim your eBook using Adobe Digital Editions and easily add it to your supported eReader device.

Why No One Will Read Your Next Book

Mon, 12 Sep 2016 05:45:15 +0000

Here is the harsh reality: no one will read your next book. Thats right, all of the hard work you put into completing the book will go to waste.

Tools Indie Authors Need To Run Their Business

Thu, 08 Sep 2016 05:37:05 +0000

Indie authors often forget that aside from writing books, they are also running a business. Even the best indie author will fail to make money if they don’t view themselves as a business owner too.

How To Promote Your eBook With Facebook Ads

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 01:37:20 +0000

Once you finish writing your eBook you will have to figure out how to promote it. There are many ways to promote your eBook, but none give you access to more potential buyers than Facebook Ads. Below are a few reasons you should use Facebook Ads to promote your next eBook:

What Wordpress Theme Should Authors Use?

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 04:30:39 +0000

Did you know that nearly 25% of all websites are built using Wordpress? That means if you choose to create your author website with Wordpress, you are using the same technology relied on by big businesses around the world. The first step to creating a Wordpress website is choosing your theme. As an author you may have a few questions regarding this step, such as:

eBook Sales Tips Every Author Should Know

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Thanks to greater compatibility with devices and more distribution options, selling eBooks has become much easier in the last few years. Despite this, your eBook sales can hit a ceiling at some point. For some this could be the 50 eBooks sold mark. For others it could be 2,500 eBooks sold.

9 Mistakes All Authors Make

Tue, 09 Aug 2016 10:31:33 +0000

Writing a book is difficult, especially if you are a first time author. Trying to figure out what to write about, how to develop an intriguing storyline, how to distribute your book and much more can be overwhelming to say the least. In this post we will discuss nine mistakes all authors make. If you are working on a new book, keep these in mind so you can do your best to avoid them.

The Martian's Guide To Launching Your eBook (Warning: Contains Spoilers)

Tue, 02 Aug 2016 04:00:48 +0000

Launching your new eBook is an exciting time. When Andy Weir first launched The Martian as an eBook in 2011 there was no way he could have predicted just how successful it would end up being. If you are a self-publisher, chances are you are envious of Weir’s success and are wondering how to replicate what he did.

Adobe DRM: How EditionGuard Can Save You $15,000+

Tue, 19 Jul 2016 23:46:08 +0000

Adobe DRM is a widely adopted eBook rights management system that companies such as Google, Barnes & Noble and Sony have turned to instead of developing their own eBook DRM system.

Avoid these eBook Publishing Mistakes

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 05:00:43 +0000

Self-publishing eBooks has opened so many opportunities for writers, and being an indie author is an attainable goal for many. But do make an effort to avoid these eBook publishing mistakes to enjoy better success:

Build Credibility as an Author

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 05:00:51 +0000

Establishing credibility as an author is an important step in being able to quit your day job and write full time. To be willing to spend their hard-earned money on your eBooks, readers have to have trust in you. There are many ways you can establish that credibility:

The Future of Reading

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 05:00:10 +0000

The eBook revolutionized the way people read. While print is still popular, more and more readers turn towards their electronic devices for entertainment. However, the advancement of technology shows no signs of slowing down. Indie authors already have to be mindful of the several different platforms on which their eBooks can be read, forcing simple formatting and broad compatibility. The changing technology is bound to affect how consumers read, and indie authors have no choice but to keep up.

June eBook News Around the World

Thu, 16 Jun 2016 05:00:12 +0000

In our effort to support independent authors and self-publishers, we gather all the eBook news around the world that you need to know.

Prepping Images for Your eBook

There are two enormous differences between the image files you want to use in an ebook and ones you’re going to get printed on paper, but the most important factor is that it costs much less to have color images in your eBooks than in print. Read more.

Building Relationships: Ghostwriters

Thu, 09 Jun 2016 05:00:08 +0000

Do you have a great eBook idea but have little or no time to write? Do you have a book outline but need to keep bringing in an income until your eBook takes off? There is only so much time in your day, and sometimes, the best way to make sure your eBook actually gets written is to hire and build a relationship with a professional ghostwriter.

Building Relationships: Proofreaders

Tue, 07 Jun 2016 05:00:10 +0000

So why do you need to worry about proofreaders if you’ve already enlisted the help of an editor? While many editors offer proofreading services and vice versa, they are completely different functions. Whereas an editor reviews the text for content and overall quality, the proofreader’s task is to ensure that there are virtually no errors. Spelling, punctuation, typos, name spellings, and other small grammatical errors are what the proofreader is looking for, and having a good relationship with professional proofreaders is a necessity.

Building Relationships: eBook Editors

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 05:00:44 +0000

As you begin your journey as an indie author, you’ll quickly notice that there are other key players in the self-publishing industry that you need to have in your corner – people whose expertise you will rely on. From the careful and objective eye of eBook editors to the attention to detail of a skilled proofreader to the artistic eye of an eBook cover designer, you’ll need to build relationships with dedicated professionals you can count on to make what you write even better. Finding a reliable contractor takes time; a smart move for any indie author is building relationships with different professionals.

Take Advantage of a Second Edition

Thu, 26 May 2016 05:00:03 +0000

A second edition is a great way to repurpose your previously written eBook, providing you with the opportunity to create a fresh publication that attracts new readers while still garnering the attention of existing readers. And, as information is rapidly and constantly evolving, a second edition is essential for staying relevant in your field, especially if you’ve written a how-to or similar technical eBook.

May eBook News from Around the World

Thu, 12 May 2016 05:00:18 +0000

EditionGuard brings you eBook news from around the world every month. EditionGuard is committed to supporting independent authors and publishers, leveling the playing field by providing you freedom with eBook selling tools that are easy to use and customize, built on top of an industry standard DRM system for security. Now you can sell eBooks the way that makes you happy, without having to give up on your profits. This month’s news is encouraging for the indie community.

Criticism as a Tool for Indie Authors

Tue, 26 Apr 2016 05:00:17 +0000

As an indie author, you are going to face criticism. This is true whether you’ve spoken with publishers and agents before making the decision to move forward as indie writer or have simply chosen to self-publish. While critics can provide some of your best feedback, there is some criticism that should have no bearing on your writing. If you don’t learn and understand the difference, critics can bring both you and your writing down.

Translate your eBook, Part 2: The Translation Process

Tue, 19 Apr 2016 05:00:10 +0000

When you decide to translate your eBook, you have to take certain steps to accomplish your goal. The first step is to choose a language in which you want to translate your eBook. You may already know what language your eBook should be translated into, but you may need to do some research or conduct reader surveys to determine which language would be most popular for your genre. As we mentioned in part one, a good translation requires more than an automated converter. The steps are simple, but they are necessary for a successful translation.

April eBook News from Around the World

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 10:48:55 +0000

EditionGuard is committed to supporting indie authors and publishing companies who have a desire to control their own eBooks and profit margins. We provide ongoing tips for indie authors and advanced technology to support self-publishers and small publishing companies so that they can have access to the same robust publishing and sales solutions available to bigger companies. From more library access to self-publishing for more profit, we bring you the eBook news you need to know.

Spring Cleaning for the Indie Author

Thu, 07 Apr 2016 05:00:00 +0000

Spring is here, and with it, the need for spring cleaning. If you’ve collected clutter during the winter months, this is a great time to clean house - and it’s a great time to spruce up your writing, too. Rejuvenate your writing skills, ideas, and space, to ensure success in your writing endeavors.

March eBook News from Around the World

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 18:13:16 +0000

From eBook publishing to indie authors rocking the self-publishing world, we bring you all the March eBook news that you need to know.

Apple Fined $450 Million for eBook Price Fixing

February eBook News from Around the World

Thu, 11 Feb 2016 15:04:15 +0000

From EditionGuard’s new integration inspiration to self-publishing coming of age, we bring you all the February eBook news you need to know as an indie author and self-publisher.

EditionGuard Is Now on Zapier

Write For Fun, Not Profit

Wed, 03 Feb 2016 18:56:03 +0000

Your passion to communicate with the world may often be your motivation to write an eBook, and the personal satisfaction that you gain from a successful publishing is irreplaceable. At the same time, it’s likely that profits are also a goal, given the thought, time, and money you’ve put into your writing. However, if the entire point of your writing is for profit only, you’ll find yourself struggling to produce quality work.

January eBook News from Around the World

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 05:00:55 +0000

From falling author royalties to advice from successful authors, we bring you all the January eBook news you need to know.

Advice for eBook Authors to Keep Writing and Keep Innovating

December eBook News from Around the World

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 05:00:59 +0000

From a bigger shift of print to eBook, to the latest self-publishing news, we’ve gathered all of the eBook news from around the world you need to know this month.

EditionGuard for Libraries and Publishers

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 08:00:02 +0000

EditionGuard provides a cost-effective and easy-to-use eBook DRM solution that allows independent eBook publishers and libraries access to the same robust tools used by the big publishers. EditionGuard is a secure vault where you keep your eBooks (and your profits). Once you upload an eBook to our service, it is immediately encrypted using the latest in cryptographic algorithms. Your eBook is stored securely on our DRM server, and only you have the key to allowing users to decrypt and access the contents of the eBook. But did you know…

Grow Your Business with an eBook

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 13:38:21 +0000

Are you an entrepreneur trying to grow your business, a consultant trying to attract new clients, or a business executive who wants to be considered as a thought leader in your industry? There is a way to make all of that more likely: write and publish an eBook.

November eBook News from Around the World

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 08:00:18 +0000

From holiday sales to self-publishing success, we’ve gathered all the eBook news from around the world you need to know this month.

Best-Selling Author Glenn Cooper Self-Publishes in the U.S.

Finance Your eBook with Crowdfunding

Wed, 04 Nov 2015 16:04:13 +0000

A popular way of covering expenses while writing your eBook is to finance your eBook with crowdfunding. If you’ve ever wanted to leave your job and work full-time on your writing, you may now have a better chance of doing so thanks to crowdfunding.

Drop eBook Prices to Make More Money

Thu, 29 Oct 2015 06:35:51 +0000

It seems counterintuitive, but if you want to sell more eBooks, you may want to drop eBook prices. Lower eBook prices might actually be the quickest way to make more money, at least for indie authors. While publishers continue to raise prices and see significant drops in sales, indie authors who keep their prices lower are selling nearly twice as many eBooks.

Accept PayPal to Sell More eBooks

Fri, 23 Oct 2015 15:51:43 +0000

Once you have written, proofed, edited, and published your eBook, as well as added an excellent cover design, you need to sell your eBook, and accepting PayPal can greatly increase the chances of a purchase being completed. One company reported a 33.7-percent increase in sales by offering PayPal, while another survey reported that more than 50 percent of consumers will abandon the purchase if their preferred payment method is not offered.

October eBook News from Around the World

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 18:53:08 +0000

From the unnecessary pricing discomfiture at the expense of libraries to clarification of the true statistics on eBook sales, we bring you all the eBook news you need to know this month.

Writing Healthy for Better Writing

Fri, 11 Sep 2015 15:36:55 +0000

One of the biggest problems facing indie authors isn’t writer’s block or a lack of publishing deals; it’s writing healthy. There’s a ton of evidence to support the fact that sitting all day at your computer is bad for your health, but if you’re a prolific writer (or even want to be), sitting at your computer can consume long portions of your day.

June eBook News from Around the Web

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 08:00:34 +0000

From thwarting eBook pirates to using eBooks to improve your business, here’s the eBook news from around the web that you need to know.

eBook news from around the web:

European commission to investigate Amazon's ebook dominance

The European commission has launched a competition inquiry into Amazon’s dominant market position in ebooks, as Brussels steps up its scrutiny of US tech groups. The EU’s executive branch is looking at clauses in contracts between Amazon and publishing houses that restrict publishers from offering better terms to the online retailer’s competitors. The clauses sometimes require publishers to disclose to Amazon the terms offered to rival retailers. Read more.

3 Ways Ebooks Could Help Improve Your Content Marketing Strategy

Ebooks are especially "fat", expected to grow from $2.31 billion in 2011 to $8.69 billion in 2018. With self-published ebooks comprising 32% of Amazon's daily ebook sales at the end of the quarter ending October 2, 2014, marketers should be taking advantage of this type of content marketing. Read more.

Publishers win landmark case against eBook pirates

British publishers have won their first ever blocking order against pirate ebook sites, as the battle over online copyright spreads beyond music and film. Read more.

Are eBooks the Ultimate Lead Generation Tool?

To generate leads from your eBook, you need to make it valuable. So valuable that visitors to your site won’t blink twice about exchanging their contact details for it. A valuable eBook is comprehensive and resonates with your buyer personas — ideally solving a problem that they have. Your eBook shouldn’t act as a marketing tool. In fact, you should probably only refer to your brand once or twice throughout the entire copy, if that. Read more.

Freelancers Are the eBook Author’s Best Friends

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 14:33:16 +0000

eBook authors often operate on shoestring budgets, and that makes freelancers the eBook author’s best friends. Freelancers of all kinds offer their services, talents, and skills for far less than it would cost to employ staff to provide the services you need. The following freelancers may be useful to you as an eBook author:

Your Local Library Wants You, Indie eBook Author!

Mon, 18 May 2015 08:00:03 +0000

Yes, it’s true. Your local library would like nothing more than to feature your eBook, especially if you are a familiar local who wouldn’t mind dropping in now and then for a reading or digital book signing. However, getting your eBook into your local library can be much more complicated than it should be right now. While we’re hoping solutions come along to make it easier on every indie author to be found in their public library, right now, OverDrive seems to rule the show. OverDrive is an eBook aggregator service that delivers indie author publications to libraries. You do not make any money on library lends, but think of the exposure! OverDrive has more than two million eBooks in libraries. OverDrive doesn’t only push eBooks to public libraries but also to corporate libraries.

Great News for KidLit eBook Authors

Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:17 +0000

We’ve been watching the trends for kidlit eBook authors for a while, and this is one area of digital publishing that has seen nothing but explosive growth. Not only have there been several predictions that today’s child will grow up more comfortable with electronic literature than any generation before, but children’s eBooks are some of the most popular.

The Rise of eBook Subscription Services

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 08:00:12 +0000

E-book subscription services function like Netflix for readers, providing a library of reading material for a set monthly fee. There are a number of eBook subscription services available, and understanding the benefits and costs of each may help you determine where to align your eBooks.

April eBook News from Around the Web

Thu, 09 Apr 2015 08:00:22 +0000

From mobile ubiquity to the latest eBook reader, here is all the eBook news you need from around the web.

Closing the Gaps in Readers’ Sales Journeys

Few publishers have marketing programs in place at every stage of a reader’s path toward making a book purchase, but that may change. Read more.

Connect with Readers, Part 2: Out in the World

Thu, 26 Mar 2015 08:00:16 +0000

It’s important for indie authors to connect with readers, both virtually and in person. Even if you’re only publishing electronically, you are not made of bits and bytes, and building a loyal readership that will buy your eBooks and recommend them to others begins with being accessible to your readers. While there are a number of ways you can stay connected with readers online, occasionally you’ll need to close down the laptop and venture out into the sunlight to meet and greet your readers in person. Try these five ideas for getting out in the world to connect with readers:

Connect with Readers, Part 1: Virtual Connections

Tue, 24 Mar 2015 13:43:09 +0000

As an indie author, one of the best ways to sell more eBooks is to connect with readers on a more personal level so that they will provide the valuable word-of-mouth advertising you need to reach more readers. Connecting with readers virtually is a great place to begin. Most of your readers will be accessible on a variety of social platforms, so there are valid reasons indie authors should use social media.

Repurpose, Recycle, Resell: Getting the Most Out of eBooks

Thu, 19 Mar 2015 08:00:19 +0000

Just as you can reuse, reduce, and recycle to protect the environment, you can repurpose, recycle, and resell your eBooks to continue expanding your readership and growing your visibility as an author. The life of an eBook is never over. In fact, once you’ve written a few eBooks, you have more options for how to use the material than you could possibly imagine.

Why Indie Authors Need Google+

Wed, 07 Jan 2015 08:00:20 +0000

While there are some who claim that Google failed with its social media experiment, the improvement in visibility that results from having Google+ makes it a worthy platform, even without Google authorship.

Why Do Indie Authors Need Google+?

Why do indie authors need Google+? Because Google search is critical, and Google+ quickly improves your Google search results. It’s as simple as that. If you want people to find you, a perhaps-relatively unknown indie author with a couple of eBooks for sale, then you need to have a Google+ profile and an author page, and you need to post there regularly.

Google+ also is a great place to connect with readers, reviewers, and other indie authors. Not only can you add them to circles and then target posts to specific audiences, you can host and participate in hangouts. Author interviews, Q&As, and other traditional in-person promotional activities that authors accomplish can now be done via Google Hangouts from the comfort of their homes or offices.

Indie Authors: Getting Visible on Pinterest

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:00:41 +0000

Pinterest is not only one of the fastest-growing social sharing sites but it is also one of the best referring sites. And what is a referring site? A referring site is a site that directs traffic back to your website, helping you improve your visibility and your rank. When used properly, Pinterest can often be more useful than Facebook or Google+.

Instagram for Indie Authors

Mon, 29 Dec 2014 08:00:50 +0000

Instagram is growing. And fast. The platform has more than 220 million users and generates more than 1.5 billion likes each day. There is marketing power in those numbers, and every indie author should be doing their best to leverage that power.

The Tumblr Indie Author Page

Mon, 22 Dec 2014 08:00:58 +0000

Tumblr is an often-overlooked social network that is ideal for connecting indie authors to readers and other authors.

What Is Tumblr?

Tumblr is another social sharing platform that is, in form, a microblog like Twitter, but with the ability to allow for well beyond 140 characters. In addition, you can share SoundCloud albums, animated gifs, photo albums, videos, and images galore. Think of it as a fusion between Twitter and Facebook, only better than both in many ways.

Twitter for Indie Authors

Wed, 17 Dec 2014 08:00:57 +0000

Twitter is a must-have for every author and one of the quickest platforms to launch and use to build a following. Unless you have a compelling reason to choose a username on Twitter that is specific to the book or series you have written, your Twitter account should be your name or pen name for long-term branding purposes. (Stephen King doesn’t have a Twitter account for every book; he has one Twitter account as a horror writer).

Why Every Indie Author Needs a Facebook Author Page

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 17:57:43 +0000

We’re continuing our series on social media for indie authors. Last time, we discussed the importance of GoodReads. Today, we’ll discuss the Facebook Author Page. The Facebook author page is critical for indie authors for a number of reasons:

Why Every Indie Author Needs Goodreads

Fri, 12 Dec 2014 08:00:17 +0000

We’re launching a new series to help indie authors get started on the social media platforms they need. Because your efforts on social media should not be merely about sales but also about networking and connecting with readers, Goodreads is crucial for all indie authors. Not only does this platform give you – for free – a place to build a profile, post blogs, and list all of your eBooks, there are also forums you can participate in, millions of readers you can connect with, and other authors you can learn from.

7 Social Media Platforms Indie Authors Must Embrace

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 18:22:30 +0000

Social media is more than just an outlet for announcing your eBooks and a means to improve sales, although a variety of social media platforms are useful for that. Social media is, however, that which connects indie authors to existing and potential readers, transforming them into dedicated and loyal fans – a street crew of sorts – that are willing to carry part of the burden of marketing your eBooks.

Use Fiverr to Sell More eBooks

Fri, 05 Dec 2014 08:00:02 +0000

Fiverr is a website that connects problems with solutions. There’s no simpler way to describe it. People who have special sets of skills offer their services for $5 per job. The service is a cost-effective way to get small jobs done. For example, if you have an issue with your WordPress website and you simply can’t figure out why something won’t work, you can pay someone on Fiverr to solve a single issue. Something that might take you hours may only take another person 10 minutes.

Why Audiobooks Can Help You Stand Apart

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 08:00:53 +0000

There are at least 2.5 million eBooks available on Amazon. There are only 150,000 books on Audible. There is simply no easier way to stand apart from the crowd. As more and more people try their hand at indie publishing, even niche categories are becoming saturated. It’s more and more difficult to compete and often takes the assistance of a savvy marketer to help.

Why New Authors Need to Have a Lower eBook Price

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 22:42:37 +0000

While the debate will continue about what the “right” price is for selling eBooks, one thing is certain: if you are a new author selling your first eBook, you need to be comfortable with the idea of having a lower price.

eBook Pricing and Why It Matters Even More

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 19:08:30 +0000

If you’re even flirting with the idea of writing an eBook, you probably have heard about the war between Amazon and Hachette. While we feel that Amazon, like other big publishers, isn’t always the right approach (selling your eBooks on your own website allows you to keep 100% of the profits), we do believe it has brought to light some important arguments about eBook pricing.

There are Many Indie Author Groups to Choose From

Fri, 25 Jul 2014 14:51:41 +0000

We have been discussing the many benefits available to indie authors who join author groups. From collaboration opportunities to the support of other authors, indie author groups can take you out of your isolated world of writing alone. The groups listed below are some of the most prominent, but we’d love to hear from you if you are aware of other author groups worth highlighting.

Can Free eBooks Result in More Sales?

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 22:24:27 +0000

One of the benefits of offering something for free is that people are more willing to take risks on something they don’t have to pay for. Yes, you have worked hard writing your eBook, so allowing people to read your work way for free may feel painful. However, if you’re trying to build a loyal following that will stick around for – and buy – future eBooks, then giving your initial offering away for free can pay off in the long run.

Collaboration Tools for Indie Authors

Fri, 09 May 2014 16:48:19 +0000

Are you interested in collaborating on an eBook with another indie author? Combining your talents and efforts with a colleague can help you publish better works and more often.

There are a number of tools you can use to make collaborating easier. Here are our favorite collaboration tools for indie authors:

The Numbers DO Lie

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 16:12:07 +0000

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) conducted a survey of more than 1,200 U.S. publishers, to determine the health of eBook sales. Good E-Reader posted an article reporting that, according to the AAP, adult fiction sales increased a mere 3.8 percent from 2012 to 2013, reaching an annual total of $1.3 billion. The same survey reported a 26.7-percent drop in sales of children’s eBooks.

Using Your eBook for Lead Generation

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 17:03:35 +0000

While most eBook writers are writing for art’s sake, the eBook market is an excellent platform for generating leads for your business. Regardless of your industry, offering a free eBook on your website can not only establish you as a credible expert in your industry but also create an avenue for lead generation that has not been fully exploited.

3 Steps To Take If Your eBook Is Not Selling

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 16:53:04 +0000

If you have written an eBook, you know the time and effort that goes in to taking the eBook from vision to reality. Once you publish the eBook, you may have high expectations about how it will sell, especially since it seems so many eBooks are doing so well right now. If your eBook is not selling, don’t despair! There are steps you can take to improve your sales.

Generating eBook Ideas that Sell

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 08:00:29 +0000

There are many writers who write for the pleasure of writing and who publish eBooks as a form of literature and art. There are also writers (and even those who do not write well – see our series on ghostwriters) who recognize the potential of digital publishing as an income stream. Publishing many eBooks on topics that have the potential to go viral can create multiple streams of income, especially if you sell them from your own website. Determining what eBook ideas to write about requires three things:

Should I Hire a Ghostwriter? Part Four: How to Protect Your Work

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 08:00:08 +0000

When working with a ghostwriter, there are two ways you need to protect yourself: You need to protect your intellectual property, and you need to protect your copyright.

Protecting your intellectual property is crucial if you will be revealing secret recipes, business processes or ideas to the ghostwriter to aid them in the writing process. To protect your intellectual property, you should insist that the ghostwriter sign a non-disclosure agreement, or NDA. The NDA will state that the information you provide to the ghostwriter is only to be used for the project for which they have been hired and that the information cannot be used or shared for any other purpose.

Should I Hire a Ghostwriter? Part Three: What to Expect

Mon, 27 Jan 2014 08:00:19 +0000

Now that you’ve chosen a ghostwriter, how do you get started with the process of building a working relationship and completing your eBook? The first step is for each of you to sign a contract or service agreement that outlines the deliverables and pricing. We will talk about this in more detail in part four of this series, when we discuss how to protect your work.

Should I Hire a Ghostwriter? Part Two: How to Choose a Ghostwriter

Fri, 24 Jan 2014 08:00:45 +0000

If you have decided to hire someone to write your eBook for you, you should consider a number of factors – and price should not be the deciding factor.

Talent – The ghostwriter should have a demonstrable writing talent. While most ghostwriters work under non-disclosure agreements and will not be able to share samples of previous work written for other authors, they should have a blog, eBook or other self-published material they can share to demonstrate their ability.

Why Won’t My eBook Sell?

Mon, 18 Nov 2013 08:00:31 +0000

Many indie authors ask, “Why won’t my eBook sell?” There are a number of reasons eBooks won’t sell, but the top reasons often have to do with how the eBook is written, designed and marketed. Here at EditionGuard, we have solutions to the top issues indie authors face regarding poor sales.

Does My eBook Need a Copyright Notice?

Mon, 11 Nov 2013 08:00:45 +0000

Just because an eBook is intangible doesn’t mean it shouldn’t include some of the same elements that a print book has. A copyright notice is something your eBook should contain even when you are using digital rights management (DRM) for your ebooks. It is one of the most important protections you can have for your book. This notice empowers you to explicitly limit the ability of others to use or quote your work without permission, establishes how others can obtain permission to quote from your book and provides some peace of mind.

What the Numbers Are Saying - and What It Means for Indie Authors

Mon, 28 Oct 2013 08:00:40 +0000

Research is showing that the Nook is failing to sell up to expectations. The Kindle is not selling as well as expected. While there is a huge spike in sales each Christmas season, from 2011 to 2012, Kindle sales fell almost 50% and Nook sales remained fairly dismal. Yet people are reading more ebooks than ever, so what gives?

Engaging with Your Readers, Part II

Wed, 23 Oct 2013 08:00:50 +0000

As an ebook author, you have a unique opportunity to connect with your readers and gain perspective on your writing while also extending thanks to those who have supported your success. In our last post, we discussed engaging with your readers on a local level, through your local library and media outlets. But many of your readers will come from around the world, and reaching them in the virtual realm will be important. We conclude our two-part series on how to connect with your readers by discussing digital engagement.

Engaging with Your Readers, Part I

Mon, 21 Oct 2013 08:00:45 +0000

When you write an ebook, you gain celebrity status of sorts. You are now a published author. And even if you have only a small number of sales, you will likely touch someone with your writing. Engaging with your readers is a way to gain perspective on your writing in order to improve it, thank your readers for buying your book and increase your sales by encouraging word-of-mouth marketing.

How to Generate Ideas for Your eBook

Thu, 17 Oct 2013 08:00:58 +0000

If there’s a budding writer inside you but you simply cannot figure out what to write about, the best advice we have is to start with something you know. Here are some of our favorite ebook-generating ideas.

Investments You Should Make Before Publishing Your eBook

Mon, 14 Oct 2013 08:00:16 +0000

Self-publishing an ebook seems as if it should be an automated process that costs you little, if anything, to accomplish. As long as you are diligent enough to see your writing through to completion, you may believe that publishing your ebook should not require a huge investment other than time.

The Optimum Price for Your eBook: Update

Wed, 09 Oct 2013 08:00:15 +0000

When ebooks first started becoming popular, the sell price of 99 cents was the magic number. The mindset of indie authors was, “If I sell a million copies at a dollar each, I’ll make [nearly] a million dollars.” The thinking was that lower-priced books would ensure the sale of more copies than those of a higher price. As it turns out, pricing an ebook too low can be detrimental to an author’s success. The price for your ebook is a critical element in your success.

Factors to Consider While You Write an eBook

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 08:00:20 +0000

Thanks to the proliferation of ereaders and the growing popularity of ebooks, becoming a self-published author is literally as easy as sitting down and beginning to type. There is obviously more to it than that, but scheduling writing time and completing your project can often be the most difficult part of the process.

Creating a Second Edition of Your eBook

Tue, 30 Jul 2013 08:00:10 +0000

Is your initial ebook publication outdated? Consider creating a second edition, which will allow the ebook to become new and fresh, attracting new audiences while also compelling existing audiences to desire the updated version of your ebook. To make it worthwhile, a rule of thumb recommends that approximately 15-25 percent of your book should be new. If you have only minor changes or catch a missed typo, you should not consider this an edition change.

Selling Your eBook: Managing the Price

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 08:00:41 +0000

In our last post, we discussed the need to select just the right price for your ebook. But it’s important not to feel like your price, once chosen, can’t be changed. That’s one of the great things about digital media, really. If you change the price or have a graphics issue, you don’t have to worry about the cost of reprinting the covers; you simply make the change, and it typically updates overnight or even sooner if you’re selling from your own website.

How to Price Your eBook

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 08:00:08 +0000

Paperback books retail for $7.99 or more; hardcover books retail for more than $20. So why do publishers and indie authors price their books in the 99-cent to $2.99 range? Is there a perception that their books aren’t worth enough, or is it something else? Learning how to price your ebook can be difficult.

Adobe Content Server 4 - Deploy it yourself or host with us?

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:40:55 +0000

Currently, Adobe Content Server 4 is pretty much the industry standard for eBook DRM systems. It can protect the most popular eBook formats, ePub and PDF, and perhaps its greatest strength is that it does so without locking end-users into a single device, platform or vendor. It is probably why many industry giants like Google Editions, Barnes & Noble and Simon & Schuster have adopted Adobe Content Server 4 instead of developing their own eBook DRM system.

How to Promote Your Book on Twitter

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 09:24:12 +0000

You have probably heard how effective social media can be when it comes to promoting small businesses. In most cases, yes, it is true. Social media can be very powerful; if used wisely, it can boost sales beyond expectation.

However, is social media promotion as simple as sending 1,000 tweets a day, asking your followers to buy your book?

Definitely not.

5 Ways to Promote Your Self-Published eBook

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 13:52:15 +0000

Now that your book is published, you can just sit back, relax, and watch the sales come in. Right? Wrong!

There’s one crucial thing you must do if you expect to earn anything from your book, and that’s to promote it. After all, according to the New York Times, hundreds of thousands of new books are published every year. How will people buy your book if they don’t know it exists?

Self-Publishing 101: How to Find a Good Editor for Your Book

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 13:46:39 +0000

Finally, after years of slogging through your manuscript, you’ve finished your first book. Exhilarating, right? There’s no other feeling in the world like it (except maybe giving birth to your first child). Before you rush off to show it to a literary agent (or a print-on-demand company) though, there’s one thing you need to do first: you must have it professionally edited.

3 Things You Need to Know About Self-Publishing

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 08:36:55 +0000

A decade or so ago, if you wanted to be published, you would look for a literary agent who could sell your manuscript to potential publishers. You would submit your manuscript, and the publisher would do everything, from editing your work, to designing it, printing, and then marketing and promotion.

The biggest challenge then (aside from the writing itself) was to find that publisher who would buy your book.

Sell your eBooks using Wordpress, with DRM!

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 09:00:42 +0000

We’re proud to announce the release of our Wordpress eBook sales plugin with DRM support! It allows you to sell eBooks with EditionGuard eBook DRM protection right on your Wordpress blog!

At the moment, you can accept payments via Paypal or Moneybookers. Obviously, the eBooks are DRM protected through full integration with our EditionGuard service. You can manage everything without ever leaving your Wordpress admin UI! Best of all, the plugin is completely free and open sourced. So you can download, install and modify it as much as you like. You can find the plugin on the wordpress.org site, by clicking here.

Authors and Publishers: Time to get on the eBook bandwagon!

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:11:34 +0000

Well, I just realized that it’s been a while since I last posted here. I know, shame on me!

I have to admit, I’ve been carrying the topic of this post around in my head for a while now. It’s one of those things that I struggle to address continually while trying to help authors and publishers along with their endeavors. So I figured, why not make a post about it for posterity? Here goes.

Magento eBook Sales with EditionGuard DRM Integration

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 15:22:55 +0000

So, why have we have developed our Magento eBook DRM Extension? A great number of Publishers, especially Digital Publishers are seeking a trustworthy and cost-effective eCommerce solution for selling eBooks while protecting them. Our main intention for developing this extension is that we wish to offer a turnkey solution for selling eBooks online securely. Magento Commerce is a comprehensive solution for selling digital goods like eBooks. Now, as an addition to this, our EditionGuard Extension is providing a complete eBook DRM solution built on top of Magento Commerce.

Why use eBook DRM?

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:38:23 +0000

One of the conversations that we return to time and again is eBook DRM. DRM, or Digital Rights Management, is technology that puts you in control of your content. It lets you manage who can access your digital content, as well as when and how it can be accessed. It continues to be a point of consternation in the industry. Some indie authors and readers are wholly supportive of DRM. Others refuse to consider it. This argument will likely continue to be a central component of digital publishing.