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Writing an Ebook – How Much Time do You Need?

Writing an ebook can be a daunting task, especially if you have never done it before. I recommend that you start with a small ebook first, maybe 40 pages – or even a 10 page mini-ebook to giveaway, just to got through the motions – kind of like a dry run.

If you are writing about something about which you already have the knowledge, perhaps your niche web site topic, then there will be very little research time needed. If you are writing about a brand new topic for you, and the research will take 2 weeks alone, that is unfortunately going to add 2 weeks to the length of your ebook launch. So if you want to crank something out fast, go with a subject you already know something about, or really enjoy, so the research will be easier.

Additionally, the time needed to write the ebook itself is a factor. If you are writing a 200 page ebook, it will take significantly longer than a 40 page ebook. If, however, this is your first ebook, I recommend writing one that is about 40 pages long, and simply pack the pages full of useful information. There is nothing I hate more than a long-winded ebook that could have been written in 1/3 the words. With ebook writing, you are selling information, not pages. So when you write, write concisely, and deliver the money’s worth in information; don’t worry so much about the length.

I am much more concerned that my ebook over deliver in value, than that it is too long, over priced, and does not have worthwhile content. I want my ebook to really deliver value, period.

Now, for me, a 40 page ebook is going to be somewhere between 12,000 and 14,000 words long. Now, I type at about 50 words per minute, so I can crank out nearly 3000 words per hour. I write about topics about which I already have extensive information, so I am not constantly stopping to verify or gather information. So I can literally write a 12,000 word ebook in 4 hours of writing time. I might space that out over a few days, and I do, in this manual.

Some of you will only be able to type at 25 WPM, while others can get near 100 WPM, and that is going to make a difference. Also, some of you have 1 hour attention spans, while others can work for eight hours without getting too bored or losing focus.

Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to article marketing success, ‘Your Article Writing and Promotion Guide‘