Thinking Of Ebook Conversion? 10 Things To Consider

Digital books are growing in popularity. Many authors are turning their print books into ebooks while others are choosing to release print and digital versions of their work simultaneously. In fact, the rising demand for ebook conversion services is a key factor driving the growth of the data conversion service market, according to new research from Advance Market Analytics.

The main reasons why the preference for the ebook format is growing are:

1. Easy to access and check out, and can be read anywhere on a personal device
2. Are portable and searchable
3. Come with a multitude of features and design capabilities like in-depth charts, graphs, and full-page images that enhance the reading experience and can generate more money
4. Require far less time to publish than print books
5. Are accessible to more people through the internet
6. Content can be edited and re-edited even after it has been published and read
7. Embedding links to other media in the ebook file can promote engagement with the content
8. Can be published on multiple sites simultaneously

Creating an Ebook from a Physical Book – Key Considerations

E-books have a unique layout and format and creating an ebook from a printed book can be a challenging process. If you are looking to turn your printed book into an ebook, here are 10 things to consider:

Prepare your content for conversion: Follow these steps before your ebook is formatted:

• Check spelling, grammar and syntax. Correcting errors in these elements can be difficult, time-consuming and costly after your ebook is uploaded on the self-publishing platform.
• Remove headers, footers, end notes, footnotes, page numbers, and other elements that can interfere with the flow of text.
• Maintain consistent paragraph and line formatting throughout the file
• Use a standard font like Courier New or Times New Roman and choose a suitable font size that is not too small or too large. Use a standard font for special symbols too.
• List content in tables or sidebars as ordinary text as they will not display properly in ebook format
• Resize images separately and insert them in the document

1. Choose the publication format: There are different types of ebook formats, based on the content and device/platform on which the book will be read. Here are four popular ebook formats to choose from:
   • PDF: PDF is a popular reading format for business use and ideal to share information. It is meant to display a print-type document with a fixed layout, which means that it will look the same regardless of the device the page is viewed on. PDFs can be easily printed by the user. However, with PDF, readers have to zoom in to read the text, and then manually move the page from left to right to read all the content.
   • EPUB: EPUB is a free format that is used across all popular e-reading devices and offers many advantages over PDF. EPub offers reflowable text and offers the best reading experience, whether the device is a Kindle, a Nook, a Kobo reader, a tablet, an iPod, a phone.
   • MOBI: This mobile-friendly eBook format is available on most ebook apps and. is supported by almost all modern e-readers. The Mobipocket ebook file format supports bookmarking, JavaScript, frames, and adding notes and edits, but not audio and video content.
   • AWZ: This ebook format was developed by Amazon for use with their Kindle eBook readers. It is similar to the MOBI format but comes with superior compression rates. AWZ is used for ebooks that require DRM protection.
2. Re-edit your content: There are useful editing tools and apps that can help you re-edit your work before it is converted to e-book format. Evernote, Beacon, Scrivener, and Kindle Gem are popular eBook editing tools. Evernote allows you to bring together thoughts, websites, images and files you have downloaded to use in your eBook. It lets you track your progress, allowing you use simple search tools to return to the original content and also add new content.
3. Design an attractive title page: The first impression is the best impression. So pay attention to the front cover design. Include the title and tagline, and the author’s name on your ebook cover. Research design resources that offer distinctive artwork for eBooks and make an appropriate choice.
4. Choose the right data visualization options: The idea behind data visualization is to help readers’ attention quickly understand important information. Depending on its characteristics, data can be represented in many different ways, such as a line graph, bar chart, pie chart, scatter plot, or map. If you need to summarize your data using a visualization, you need to choose the right option. E-book conversion service providers have expert graphic designers who are well-versed in data visualization best practices and can help authors determine the best way to present a data set visually. Using custom graphics can greatly enhance your ebook.
5. Include external hyperlinks: Include links to quality, relevant external pages in your e-book to enhance the reading experience. As most e-reader devices and reading apps are connected to the Internet, adding links in an ebook is a practical strategy. HTML links work on Apple iBooks, Kobo Books, Kindle books, and Kindle Unlimited. External links can be used in many ways. For example, if an e-reader displays images only in black and white, a link can be added to the original high quality, full-size, high-resolution image on your blog or website.
6. Review the converted file: After you receive your converted file from your e-book conversion company, you need to review it carefully. Adobe Digital Editions is an ideal option to review epub files on a PC or Mac. For Mobi files, use the Kindle Previewer on a PC or Mac is the tool you need to review Mobi files. When reviewing the file, pay attention to both the text as well as the mechanics to ensure your eBook is well-formatted. Check for issues like added spaces or capitalization or punctuation issues in the text. When it comes to mechanics, check functioning of all links, including table of contents links and navigation links, to make sure they take the user to the right page.
7. Create custom landing pages: The visual impact that text on screen can have a huge impact on how the reader perceives the content. Make sure the design of your landing pages is simple and sleek. Things to do: add engaging, eye-catching headlines that communicate your message effectively, include subheadings, include a photo of your ebook, incorporate strong CTAs, and create short download forms.
8. Upload your ebook: There are many eBook distributors out there. Amazon is the most preferred option. You can sign up and publish for free while paying Amazon a one percent profit on the sales. Other recommended free self-publishing platform include Barnes & Noble Press, Smashwords, Apple’s iBook store and iTunes U, and Rakuten Kobo’s Writing Life.
9. Market your ebook: There are various ways to promote ebooks such as through your website and blogs, video advertisements, conference presentations, writing for other blogs or online journals, through influencers, special offers, and affiliate links.
10. Create an ebook that stands out: You should aim to make your ebook as unique as possible. This means choosing a topic that you already know a lot about, surveying your audience to understand their preference on the topic and title, making time for research, reading similar books, checking facts and statistics, and developing a full outline before you start writing.

Creating ebooks is a challenging process. Companies that offer document conversion services also specialize in ebook conversion. Working with an experienced company is the best way to convert print books to e-books.