Cashing In by Writing How-tos

If you enjoy explaining how something is done step by step, you may just have an saleable article or book idea. How-to articles and books are favorites at many magazine and book publishers. And the range of topics is practically endless. Think about it for a minute. Almost anything that you have had some experience in doing has potential. For example, can you explain how to install a hardwood floor, make paper toys, choose good doctors, invest money, buy businesses, or start a relationship? Of course, a subject such as how to make those sit-ups more effective might be a great magazine article. On the other hand, a subject such as how to make wooden toys might be effective as a book.

Okay, let's say that you're interested in writing a how-to. Choose something that not only interests you, but something that you would enjoy explaining to others. Perhaps it is something that a lot of people ask about. Since you've done that many times, you are in an excellent position to explain that to a wider audience of beginners or even experts on that very subject!

Once you've decided on a subject, brainstorm titles. Using the words "how to" is a good idea, but you may wish to consider numbers in your title, such as "Five Great Ways to Amuse a Toddler."

If you're writing an article, remember to include a small introduction and perhaps a list of tools. Then write out the steps, beginning with the first. Always assume that your beginner audience knows nothing about your subject. Try to visualize that audience performing the task(s) that you are telling them how to do. Suppose that they have just completed the first step. What should the results look like and what should be done next? Sometimes your subject may lend itself to drawings or visuals accompanying each step. Doing this will help your readers to compare their results with yours.

After listing and explaining all of the steps, remember to include a final paragraph. Before submitting it to an editor, ask someone you know to "test" your article by following each of the steps. Pay attention to questions and concerns and address those before submitting your article.

But suppose that your subject is more involved? In that case, you should consider writing a book. Draw up your book's outline by making a list of chapters. Perhaps the first chapter will include an introduction and an explanation of a few basics. The next chapter will cover the first step and so on.

Of course, you need not complete the entire book before describing it and your qualifications to potential editors in a query letter.

You may find that writing one or more how-to articles and books not only establishes you as an expert, but allows you to become a published author so much sooner.

Dorothy Zjawin's how to book, Teaching Ideas for the Come-Alive Classroom, was published by Parker Pub./Prentice-Hall. Most of her Instructor articles are also how-to's. Get more ideas by checking out her website at http://www.profitable-pen.com

---

Selling Books and E-Books Online

For many authors the thought of getting professionally published is... Read More

You Really Can Make A Fortune Off Of EBooks and Software Resale Rights

When I first considered online selling, I had trouble thinking... Read More

eBook Publishers Dilemma: Should I Use PDF or Exe Format?

If you write and publish eBooks, sooner or later you... Read More

Little Known Ways To Make More Money With EBooks

There are a myriad of free information products on the... Read More

Look How Easy It Is To Write Your Own eBook

What happens when you stumble across a promising market, idea... Read More

The Problem With E-Books

One of the most popular online ventures is selling e-books.... Read More

Top Ten eBook Mistakes and How to Correct Them

Did you know that you already have an eBook inside... Read More

Simple Way To Become An Information Entrepreneur

Do you think there is a difference between someone who... Read More

10 Excuses for NOT Authoring an eBook!

Most people at one time or another have said to... Read More

7 Secrets to Explode your eBook Sales! Part 5

Secret #5: How to build steady sales for years to... Read More

EBOOKS Are Books Too!

Electronic books ? that is books you read on the... Read More

The Story of a Downsized Manager and His Ebook Business

If you've been following the business and economic news around... Read More

Ebooks are Promotional Powerhouses

Ebooks are fairly easy to produce, and their production cost... Read More

Stop Trying To Sell Your eBooks

Throughout the Internet there are many people who have written... Read More

5 Sizzling Tips to Creating a Money Making E-book

5 Sizzling Tips to Create a Winning E-bookIf you have... Read More

Rapid Knowledge Development for Businesses

When there is little time to go to the local... Read More

Electronic Publishing Explained

An eBook is basically a document in the form of... Read More

Information at What Price? Exploring Fee-based e-Content

In pursuit of a paid model for content, many businesses... Read More

Sell 100,000 eBooks By Letting It Be Read For Free?

Did you know that if just one person goes into... Read More

Internet Business Model For Selling A Single, Unique Product

An e-book is a single, unique product. It's unique because... Read More

Are You Using The Four Letter Word?

The most powerful word in the marketing dictionary is made... Read More

Choose the Right Format for Your Ebooks

Choosing the right file format for your ebook is an... Read More

The Secrets to Writing Your Very Own Profit Pulling eBook!

I can guarantee that anyone can write an ebook. Everyone... Read More

How to Protect Your Ebooks and Software from Being Stolen!

There are many systems that can lock your software or... Read More

Internet Advertising Solution: 18 Reasons Why Giving Away A free Ebook Can Help Heat Up Your Sales

Sometimes, you may have to give something away in order... Read More

How Using A Drop Capital Increased My Ebook Sales By 40%

You will often find me with my head in a... Read More

Your e-Book - 7 Best Reasons to Create Your First e-Book

1) Speed to market - One of the biggest problems... Read More

Book Publishing for Entrepreneurs

There was a time when it was relatively easy to... Read More

Ask and Ye Shall Create

How do you decide to create a new speech? A... Read More

Your First Step To A Digital Publishing Empire

There is only one way to climb a mountain -... Read More

20 Questions To Ask Before Creating An eBook

1. What will be the title of your ebook and... Read More

20 Ways To Increase Website Traffic and eBook Sales

Here's a fast, easy list for you. Use it as... Read More

How To Create Your Own Info Product

In the last article we talked about why informational products... Read More