Last updated on March 12th, 2019
Looking for eBook ideas? Pull up a chair, m’friend. THIS is going to be a chat that’ll need more than just a latte and cookie!
In a rush?
Pop your details here to download all the eBook ideas that you’ll ever need. You’re welcome!
Okay, so why do I have so many eBook ideas to share?
Well, because… I’ve written over 10 eBooks in the last 5-odd years and this does NOT include the free eBooks or the eBooks I’ve written for clients. Add those numbers up and we’re somewhere in the 20s range.
You can safely say, I love writing eBooks.
They’re super fun to create and it’s always nice to get payment notifications for them come in while you’re shopping or on holiday, or just checking your emails!
And I’ve done all of this, while managing a full-time business, a blessedly full plate of client projects and raising our {now} 8-year old daughter.
So, yes, eBooks are my jam, as the young kids would say 😉
4 Reasons Everyone Must Write an eBook {or 10!}
But, why should you write eBooks? Isn’t the market oversaturated?
Good question and one that many of my Coffee ‘N’ Critique clients ask as well.
So, here’s what I tell them:
- eBooks are great for positioning you as an expert. Crafting a quality eBook, loaded with valuable, implementable advice, is a powerful step towards giving you an edge over the others.
- They’re a wonderful way for helping a large number of people, at one go, easily and effectively.
- eBooks create and add to your passive income streams. You create it once and yes, you need to market it {and I’ll talk about that in my next post} but you can sell it over and over and over again.
- You can use them to build your list, connect with your customers and engage with prospects… with ease.
Yes, it may seem overdone and overrated, but trust me, it works. You do have to ensure that you’re delivering oodles of value instead of flaky fluff.
THIS is where eBooks can be a powerful strategy for a product-based business too.
For instance, one of our clients Finlee and Me, is giving new subscribers a free Healthy Snacks Ideas for Kids eBook that we helped co-create.
Okay, so now that you know eBooks are incredible, let’s see how we can make it easy for you to create them.
42 Exciting eBook Ideas for Time-Starved Entrepreneurs
Here are 42 {yep, FORTY-TWO!} easy and effortless non-fiction eBook ideas that anyone can use to write an eBook, right now.
You can clearly play a LOT with these ideas, tweaking them to add a qualifying word or two in front of them, as some of the examples will show.
Would you like them all at once? Saved in a handy PDF thingie you can print out with ease? Pop your details below!
1. How to _________________
This is the quintessential eBook. The eBook that teaches you how to be or do something that you’re experienced in.
How to be a Work-at-Home Mom, my step-by-step guide to be a work-at-home mama is one such eBook.
Pat Flynn’s Will It Fly?: How to Test Your Next Business Idea So You Don’t Waste Your Time and Money is another how-to eBook that shows you how to validate your business idea.
Own a product-based business? You can use the same how-to model to educate your customers and engage with them too.
For example, if you own a cloth diaper store… an eBook on How to Find the Best Cloth Diapers for Your Budget will work wonders!
2. How to Use __________
This eBook talks about how you can use something to accomplish a particular result.
Dan Norris does that incredibly well in Content Machine: Use Content Marketing to Build a 7-figure Business With Zero Advertising
More examples? Here you go… How to Use Your Smartphone to Take Better Pictures is a great eBook that photographers can create and sell!
Or How to Use Essential Oils for Healthy Skin is an eBook I’d buy in an instant!
Teaching people how to use something is an art and if you can pull that off, you have an eBook you can easily create and sell.
3. The Step-by-Step Guide to ________________
This is another spin off on the How-to eBook. You share the step-by-step process to learn something or do something.
You can in fact, combine the How-to title with the Step-by-Step title if you’re putting together a really robust resource.
I did it with How to be a Work-at-Home Mom: The Step-by-Step Guide to Leading the WAHM Life. 😉
4. ____________De-mystified
What is the one seemingly complicated thing that you can super simplify for people?
For instance, Bookkeeping for Business Owners, De-mystified. I can see that one flying off the shelves.
Or Crazy Cravings and Pregnant Women, De-mystified. That is an eBook I’d have been happy to read when I was expecting Manini and craving apple pie, all.the.time. I kid you not!!
5. _________ Days to Get More __________________________
Another eBook that I’ve knocked out of the park is the 31 Days to Get More Customers, Increase Traffic and Boost Sales.
You can do the same, if you can break down the steps to accomplish a particular result over a period of a number of days.
It’s a fairly popular eBook topic and a quick search reveals eBooks like 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders or 30 Days to a Powerful Vocabulary.
6. __________Ways to Be More _________________________
Similar to the “days” topic, this one shares “ways” in which you can improve or add more to your life.
From 30 Ways to Be More Organized to Wayne W. Dyer’s 101 Ways to Transform Your Life, if you can share how to do something in a variety of different ways, you have an eBook on your hands.
7. ____________Things You Need to Know About _________________
What are some of the must-know things about a topic that you’re an expert in?
Taking the bookkeeping example, you can write an eBook on 25 Things You Need to Know About Bookkeeping for Your Business.
See? You can spin a topic on its head and get 2-3 different topics as well.
Product-based business? No problems. How about 15 Things You Need to Know About Cleaning Your Jewelry.
It isn’t that difficult once you start going through these topics and filling in the blanks with your areas of expertise and your industry.
8. The Ultimate ___________________Kit
This is a surefire winner of an eBook topic and one that almost everyone can knock out.
Don’t believe me? Here are some examples.
The Ultimate Photography for Beginners Kit
The Ultimate Blogging for Business Kit. Wait, I have that one! 😉
The Ultimate Cloth Diapering for New Parents Kit.
The Ultimate Essential Oils Starter Kit for Parents
You can see where I’m going with this, right? Anyone can write an eBook sharing their top tools and resources to simplify life for their readers, clients or customers.
9. The 10 Must-Have Tools for More _______________________
Don’t have an ultimate kit?
How about sharing your top 10 tools instead?
From tools you use in the kitchen to tools you use to run your business to tools you’ve created to stay sane and organized as a parent, you are bound to have a list of tools. Share those!
10. The Top 10 _________________Hacks for __________________
Kinda like the Top 10 tools eBook but this one will have more techniques than tools. 😉
Example: The Top 10 Time-Saving Hacks for Busy Parents
The Top 10 Travel Hacks for the Budget Traveller
Own a product-based business? Here’s an example for you… The Top 10 Natural Skin Care Hacks for the Lazy Person 😉
Sidenote: Someone please write this one for me!
11. _________________Ideas for __________________
Another easy eBook to whip out if you have a bunch of ideas to share on a topic.
Example: 10 Ideas for Themed Birthday Parties or 10 Ideas for Saving Money while Outsourcing for Your Business
12. What I Wish I Knew Before I __________________
This one is based on personal experiences and is the eBook you wish you had when you were struggling.
Example: What I Wish I Knew Before I Started a Business
Another example: What I Wish I Knew Before I Had a Teenager. This one is great for a parenting coach.
13. The Hidden Truth About ________________________
What are some of the unknown, little known facts about your industry? Since you’re on the inside you can share those insider secrets and help people navigate the niche better.
Example: The Hidden Truth About Sugar! I’m sure this one’s already been written!
14. ________ Best Websites for ______________________
This is a wonderfully easy and useful eBook to create.
What are some of the best known websites that you personally trust with knowledge about your niche?
Share those in an eBook.
Added bonus… you can send it to the website owners as well and get some additional publicity!
15. _________Best Blogs for _______________________
Similar to the best websites eBook, this one shares blogs.
Example: 45 Best Blogs for New Mothers Struggling with Post-Partum Depression
Imagine how incredibly helpful that will be!
16. _________Must-Read Books for the Summer/Winter/Year
This is a fave of mine. Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy puts together these incredible reading guides that make it super simple to decide what to read each season.
Example: The Summer Reading Guide by Anne Bogel
17. The Complete ______________Playbook/Blueprint for _________________
A spin on the step-by-step guide, this eBook lays out the plan to accomplish anything. Sujan Patel does it really well with Content Marketing Playbook: MASTER THE ART OF CONTENT MARKETING and so does Peter Voogd with The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint to Massive Success: Create An Exceptional Lifestyle While Doing Business On Your Terms
18. The ____________: Recipes for ________________
You can use this for a cookbook or if you’re like yours truly, use it for whatever you want to teach.
Example, The Paleo Cookbook: Recipes for a Healthier Life and a Busy Lifestyle
Another example, for a non-cookbook-style eBook, The Content Cookbook: Quick-and-Easy Recipes to Create Fresh, Juicy Sizzling Hot Blog Topics and Social Media Updates. 😉
19. Simply _____________: Everything You Need to Know About __________________
This is another spin on the complete guide eBook. It has to be comprehensive and filled with actionable advice.
Example: Simply Organized: Everything You Need to Know About De-Cluttering and Organizing .
20. The Bootstrapper’s Guide to __________________
What can you teach someone who’s on a shoestring budget? Put an eBook together for that!
Example, The Bootstrapper’s Guide to Travelling the World {I’m pretty sure this one’s out there!}
The Bootstrapper’s Guide to Starting a Business and Growing it Too! {This is one Mayank and I should write! Lol!!}
21. The ________Way: Everything I Know About _____________________
This type of eBook is hugely based on your personal experience and may even, be a part memoir, part inspirational guide.
Richard Branson does it with The Virgin Way: Everything I Know about Leadership
22. _____________Techniques from/by ______________
This is like the experts roundup eBook in which you share a certain number of techniques.
For example, 36 Photography Techniques from Behind-the Camera and 15 Jewelry Making Techniques by 15 Artists
23. A Proven Plan to _____________________
What is, in your opinion, a proven, bound-to-work, plan to help reach a certain result? Use that knowledge to bake up this eBook. It’s pretty much like a step-by-step eBook. Michael Hyatt does it brilliantly with Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want
24. The Ultimate Guide for _____________________
This is quite simply a comprehensive look at accomplishing a particular result. I love how Carrie Wilkerson does it with The Barefoot Executive: The Ultimate Guide for Being Your Own Boss and Achieving Financial Freedom.
25. ____________ 2.0: An Advanced Guide to __________________
This one is, as the title, suggests more in-depth and more advanced than say a 101 or 1.0 version. So, yes you need to have expertise and more know-how to whip this one out.
26. The Art of ______________
Example: The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World
The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do
Your turn! Share with me in the comments which eBook will YOU be writing first! Or if you have an eBook already, share that as well!
Want More eBook topics? Don’t blame you! Pop your details below to get the full list of 42 easy-as-pie eBook ideas!
Thank you Prerna, so many great ideas! My first ebook will be “How to Crochet”…of course, 😉 with tons of patterns. A dream which I hope will come true one day.
Regards
Hey Sangeetha!! YAY! That’s awesome! Can’t wait for your eBook to be out!
What I Wish I Knew Before I Start Writing – Ebook I should work on.
Amazing ideas, actually my hunt is over.
Thanks!
I have frequently wondered if there was anything I might be qualified to write about. Your list has shown me multiple possibilities!
Thanks Janne!! SO glad and can’t wait to see your eBook now 😉
You’ve updated your blog since last time I visited, Prerna (a couple of Ultimate Bundles ago). I love the new look! Clean and bright. Just signed up to get your ebook ideas. Brilliant! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks SO much Jennifer!! I hope you enjoy the eBook ideas guide and the blog too 😉 Thanks for visiting again!
I’ll have to give this one a lot of thought Prerna, but at least you got me thinking – you’re good at that :).
YAY!! Awesome to hear that Jenette! Nooowww, let’s get you writing that eBook!
Thanks. Your list helped the brainstorming process.
This post is so timely, I am currently writing my 1st ebook for moms raising tween girls. Just wondering though, are there any free ebook templates out there?
Hi Prerna,
That list is definitely a workable one. Until I came across this, I only expected experts to write ebooks, it turns out everyone can write one.
I have to write ebooks, now and then, as a part of our client’s email marketing strategy. And I am always out of ideas, and it’s a double-trouble, when I have to suggest to clients what the ebook would be about. It’s a bookmark-ed now 🙂
Thanks for a great read.
Thank you for the ideas!! So many great ones.
YOu’re most welcome Carly! Can’t wait to see your eBook soon 😉
Im new here and i want to know how can i start a good ebook .
Thanks so much for this information. my first eBook should be 20 things you need to know about pregnancy cravings and how to deal with them.
hope it works out pretty well.
My first book was a science fiction e-book. I hope you have content that helps fiction authors.
Good Ideas To Start From.. Thanks A Lot.. My First eBook Will Be “How To Run Your … Business Effectively”..
These are fantastic!
This is a great list!
I have written an ebook about skincare, as it’s a topic I’m super experienced in and for which I have passion. However, after I wrote it, I began to worry about the legalities of publishing something that provides tips on caring for skin. I’m not a dermatologist, just someone with a lot of knowledge and experience. My worry is that someone will try something in the ebook, have a bad reaction, and try to sue me.
Can you provide any insights into this topic? I’d really appreciate your input!
Well what if you’ve never written a e book in your entire life and don’t know what to write on? How do you decide what to write on?
Thank you, these are indeed helpful
Great info. – just what I was looking for. Thanks!
Glad it helped, Susan! Hope you write your eBook soon!
Sat here thinking what am I good at, and decided the first on my list is How to Be a Good Grandma.