As a new author, you may feel overwhelmed. How can you sell an e-book through your website? Can everyone read your book, or only those with Windows? I understand your concerns, because I have been there. As an author, I commonly use shareware, which helps me to create PDF e-books.
My favorite way to publish an e-book is with a PDF file. Don’t get scared at a new term. A PDF is basically a small file that anybody can read on any computer with any operating system. This is one of the best ways to satisfy PC and MAC users. A PDF is also easy to move around. You can even attach it to an email if its small enough.
You can create PDF e-books using shareware. This free software is available online. Converting your document to a PDF format is as easy as printing it. Simply Google “PDF 995″ or “free PDF maker” to find great free software for making PDFs.
Once the software is installed in your computer, it works in the same way as your printer. Open your document and click the “print” button. A screen pops up which allows you to select the printer you wish to use. Use the drop down menu to select the PDF maker, and select “print”. Instead of printing, your document will be converted into a PDF. Once that happens, anyone can read it on any computer, using any operating system.
There are other “Create PDF ebook shareware” programs available. As you look for the software that’s best for you, be sure you get one that keeps your links clickable in the PDF. When you customer is reading your ebook and comes to a link you’ve included, they should be able to click that link and be transported to that web page.
Some of the free PDF software programs will not permit clickable links. However, if you depend on your e-book to drive traffic to your website, these clickable links are very important. Make sure they stay there!
Once your ebook is in a PDF format, you can easily learn how to put e-books on your website. All you do is open your ftp program. Find your PDF in “My Documents” and drag it on to your server. Now your e-book is online and you can sell it on your website. Once your customer pays for the e-book, send them the link to the PDF you just uploaded. It really is as simple as it seems.