How to Create (and Sell) Your First eBook in 60 Minutes

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Got a game-changing idea or skill your audience raves about? What if you could turn that into a valuable eBook and revenue stream in the time it takes for a lunch break?

We know you’re driven, and we also know that time is precious. That’s why we’re here to show you that creating and selling your own eBook doesn’t have to be a massive project. In fact, with the right approach, you can do it in about an hour.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to create an eBook from start to finish and sell it to your loyal followers.

Let’s dive right in!

1. Choose a High-Impact eBook Topic

The foundation of a successful eBook starts with choosing a topic that showcases your expertise and solves a specific problem for your audience.

To find a topic for a product that resonates and sells, tap into your audience’s needs.

Ask your audience

Your audience is your best resource for generating ideas. You can use Instagram Stories to ask questions like: “What is your biggest challenge within [your niche] right now?“.

For example, a nutritionist might discover their followers want affordable meal plans. These responses will reveal the real pain points you want to address.

Brainstorm with AI

Use Stan’s AI Creator Assistant, Stanley, to come up with tailored ideas for you. All you need to do is give it a good prompt like: “I’m a wellness expert who specializes in X. Give me a list of topics for my eBook that will help my audience [specific details on your audience] overcome common pain points“.

If its first suggestions don’t appeal to you, tweak the prompt or ask for more until one clicks.

Research trending discussions

Browse platforms like Reddit and TikTok to find trending topics in your niche. This is a good way to identify what your audience is already interested in and what they’re currently struggling with, so you can create an eBook that offers value and resonates.

Look for specific challenges, like “budget-friendly vegan meals,” rather than broad ones like “healthy eating.” This will help your new eBook stand out in a crowded market.

2. Draft Your eBook Content With AI

Now that you’ve chosen your topic, it’s time to bring it to life.

With Stanley, writing eBooks is easy. There’s no need to spend hours staring at a blank page. Instead, you can use our AI Creator Assistant to produce a solid first draft in minutes.

First, give Stanley a prompt like: “Create a 10-step guide on [your topic], using a practical and motivating tone. Provide actionable tips pulled from my recent Instagram posts and keep it beginner-friendly“.

Then, paste the content into a Microsoft Word document or Google Docs. This allows you to edit and refine the content by:

  • Removing repetitive or unnecessary information.
  • Reordering steps for a better logical flow (if necessary).
  • Making the guide sound more like you with real-world examples and personal anecdotes.

Iterate with Stanley if needed by asking it to adjust the tone (e.g. more conversational) or add headings and emojis for improved readability. Remember, your goal isn’t a literary masterpiece but a clear, actionable guide that helps readers overcome their challenges.

3. Focus on the eBook Design

Visually appealing eBooks add an extra layer of professionalism and credibility.

The good news is that you don’t need to learn how to use Adobe InDesign or hire a graphic designer to create a polished eBook.

Free tools like Canva and Google Docs are stocked with plenty of user-friendly eBook templates you can use.

All you need to do is search for “eBook” in the templates search bar and choose one that matches your intended vibe. Just remember to select a template that aligns with the standard eBook format:

  • eBook cover page: Use an eye-catching image, title, and subtitle.
  • Table of contents: Provide a simple roadmap for readers to follow.
  • Short introduction: Include 2-3 sentences about who you are and why you created this guide.
  • Main content: Break your guide into digestible sections with headings, bullet points, or visuals.
  • Call-to-action (CTA) page: Encourage readers to purchase another digital product, book a call with you, follow you on social media, or join your email list.

To create eBooks with a cohesive and professional look, stick to 1-2 brand colors and 1-2 fonts. You can also use stock photos from sites like Unsplash to really bring your eBook to life. Often, even a single well-placed image in each section can greatly enhance the reading experience.

4. Upload the eBook To Your Stan Store

Stan is the easiest way to make selling eBooks profitable. It’s your all-in-one storefront built specifically for digital product Creators who want to turn their knowledge into revenue.

With Stan, there’s no need to build a storefront on ecommerce platforms like Shopify. All you need to do is set up your Stan Store, upload your digital products, and add your unique link to your bio.

When visitors click your eBook link, they land on a page where they can browse all of your products in one place. Plus, they can buy and checkout directly within your Stan Store.

Stan makes eBook publishing super straightforward. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Go to “Stan Store” > “Add Product” > “Digital Product”.
  2. Upload your PDF eBook.
  3. Add a compelling title and subtitle (max 100 words), and an eye-catching thumbnail.
  4. Set your price:
    • Low-Ticket: $0-$19
    • Mid-Ticket: $20-$100
    • High-Ticket: $100+

Then, customize your checkout page with an irresistible product description and add a sense of urgency with a limited-time incentive.

That’s it!

No need to design your own website or set up any third-party tools. Ready to get started? Sign up for your 14-day free trial now.

5. Promote Your eBook Consistently

Once you’ve uploaded your eBook and added your Stan Store link to your TikTok and Instagram bios, it’s time to start promoting. The key here is consistency.

To put it simply, the more often you remind your followers about your product, the more likely they are to buy it. Here’s how to go about it:

  • Announce your launch loudly: Share a celebratory launch post on Instagram, TikTok, and your email list (if you have one). Tell your followers why you wrote your eBook and how it can help them.
  • Post about it daily: Talk about your eBook every day in your TikTok videos and Instagram posts. Create short videos teasing insights from the book and point viewers to your link in bio.
  • Pin post to your profile: Pin your eBook posts to your Instagram and TikTok profiles so they’re always visible and accessible to your followers.

Marketing might feel awkward at first, but it gets easier with practice. Remember, your audience will see your promotions at different times, and repetition builds trust.

Pro tip: Need help not sounding salesy? Watch our video on how to market your products on social media.

It’s Time to Launch Your First Digital Product

Creating and selling an eBook used to be complicated and time-consuming. But thanks to Stan Store and tools like Stanley, you can move from idea to launch in just 60 minutes.

And if your first eBook doesn’t take off, don’t give up!

Just regroup and create another one based on a new idea. After all, persistence is key to serving your audience and growing your Creator business.

FAQs

Is there free eBook Creator software I can use?

Yes, there are several free tools you can use to create a professional-quality eBook, such as Canva, Designrr (7-day free trial), and Reedsy Studio.

How long should my first eBook be?

The optimal length of your first eBook depends on the topic and your target audience. It’s usually best to aim for around 2,500-5,000 words (roughly 10-30 pages). This length is manageable to create quickly, and it’s easy for followers to digest, balancing value with accessibility.

How do I track how many people buy my eBook?

Stan has a built-in analytics tool that allows you to track key metrics like total sales, revenue generated, and conversion rates.

About The Author

Spencer has spent the last decade growing Silicon Valley startups—from early traction to millions in revenue. With deep experience in performance marketing, influencer strategy, and product-led growth, he focuses on uncovering the small set of ideas that actually move the needle — cutting through the noise to find what works. He’s currently building AI tools like Bricks, Spell, and more.

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