Creating An Ebook [For Passive Income] As A Side Hustle

Do you love writing compelling content? There may be a way for you to earn a passive income selling digital ebooks.

Creating an ebook is doable in a few simple steps. All you need is the right marketing tools and social media channels.

With enough knowledge, you can start a digital publishing business in no time.

An Overview of Creating an Ebook: A Primer

Ebook creation is the process of writing and selling a book in its digital form. Selling an ebook title is popular because of its high return on investment.

Today, with the help of AI, ebook creators can make long-form content in minutes. It doesn’t cost much, and anyone can do it.

Forbes says everyone has an ebook somewhere inside them. It may be interactive ebooks, nonfiction ebooks, and even an audio file.

However, successful sellers have a sales funnel and marketing plan to reach wider audiences.

Getting graphic designers to make a sellable ebook cover is as important as content writing.

How Much Can Creating an Ebook Earn You?

According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, writers have a median pay of $73,150 per year.

For digital ebook writers, ZipRecruiter says the average annual salary is $80,647. This translates to $39 per hour, which is above the hourly earning wage in the United States.

In 2023, the ebook industry reached $16.42 billion and will rise to $20.74 billion by 2028.

You can earn up to $9,500 using a design tool, stock photos, and marketing analytics for selling digital downloads on Etsy.

What’s more, companies like Amazon have awesome tools and plans that make it easy to market an electronic book.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Side Hustle Creating an Ebook?

To make a killer ebook, you need a writer, a sales team, and high-quality stock photos.

You may want to invest in landing page analytics and other personal branding elements.

You can hire a freelance ghostwriter for $125 to $250 per 5,000 words.

A graphic designer will create a color scheme and design elements. This person will give you an eye-catching ebook cover image for $15 to $150 per hour.

Ebook creation software and content optimizer tools cost around $20. Yet, they help you write a professional-looking ebook.

Paying for marketing is necessary to increase book sales and reach a broader audience.

In total, creating an ebook can cost $1,500 to $2,000. Of course, you can lower the price if you do the process yourself.

Where Can You Find Gigs Creating an Ebook?

Making an ebook template is only the beginning. You also have to find places to publish your PDF ebooks. Here’s where you can get side gigs as a content writer.

Where to Independently Find Creating an Ebook Work

Ebook writers can find independent work on websites like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, or SimplyHired.

These are freelance platforms where potential buyers can hire you and pay per project.

Here, you can use the search bar to look for work based on your experience. To find your target audience, you can upload a resume or send samples to clients.

Aside from this method, you may also self-publish on your website. If you go this route, you should research how to sell successful ebooks.

It’s wise to invest in a wide range of marketing channels. A good tactic is to make a series of blog posts in the popular ebook format to promote your books.

Gig Economy Companies That Offer Gigs Creating an Ebook

Selling an ebook on Amazon is one of the best ways to earn money.

Amazon has 83% of the market share for the ebook industry, and plenty of potential buyers are on the website.

You can publish your ebook in PDF format, and Amazon will handle the rest. It prints a physical book per order through the Kindle Direct Publishing program.

Other ebook-selling platforms, like Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble, are worth trying as well.

The best part is through these gig economy companies, you don’t have to worry about marketing. You can focus on making high-quality outputs.

Why You Should Consider Creating an Ebook As a Side Hustle

Becoming an online ebook maker has its perks. Here are some reasons for starting it as a side hustle.

• Writing an Ebook Is Easy: There are hundreds of templates available online for you to follow. You can use ebook design software to make interactive elements without the hassle.
• It’s Affordable: Creating an ebook format is possible with free tools like Google Docs and Google Trends. You can create eye-catching cover photos for your ebook in minutes using Canva.
• You Get High Returns: Ebook selling has high potential returns. Plus, you earn more by turning your original work into audiobooks.

Problems With Creating an Ebook

Ebook writing comes with its challenges. Here are a few reasons why you may want to avoid becoming an online ebook creator.

• The Competition Is High: It may be difficult to reach your target audience because of the competition.
• It’s Time-Consuming: Writing an ebook from scratch can take months if you don’t use AI tools. Consider the time it takes to edit, format, and market an ebook.
• You May Need to Hire Professionals: If you don’t have a talent for writing and photo editing, you need to hire a professional designer. Outsourcing workers to write your ebook has its added costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Platform is Best to Use When Creating an Ebook?

A notable platform for creating an ebook is Designrr. This is a digital ebook converter that lets you turn your podcasts or articles into ebooks.

You may also use Canva as an ebook design software and Kindle Direct Publishing as one of your marketing channels. However, if you don’t want to spend outright, Microsoft Word will do the job.

Is it Free to Sell Ebooks?

Selling ebooks on Apple Books and Kindle Direct Publishing is cost-free. These websites will bring potential customers to you.

All you have to do is write a good-quality piece using ebook creation software. Make it look like a professional ebook through the cover, and publish your work.

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