An Ebook is an electronic book that you can read on your computer, a PDA device or special ebook readers.

Ebooks can be interactive. When reading an ebook online, the reader can click on hyperlinks and be taken to a website.

Time to publishing is very short. You could write an ebook, convert it to an ebook format (discussed below), and post it to your website - all within a day or two (depending on the size of the ebook of course.)

When I created my 'How to Become a Coach' ebook, I researched the advantages and disadvantages of various ebook formats.

Ebooks are usually created in one of two formats:

1. PDF or

2. .exe

With the explosion of cell phones and PDAs, a third format for 'mobi' is quickly becoming popular. Caryl Oliver wrote about this in her hubpage on this topic.

Most people are familiar with PDF files. PDF is short for 'Portable Document Format' and is usually associated with Adobe.

The advantage of this format is that PDF is readable on both the PC and Mac. The disadvantage is a PDF document can be shared easily. If you're selling your ebook online it may get passed around by those who purchase it. I have yet to find a software lock to prevent this. (If anyone knows of one, please let me know!) On the other hand, if you want your ebook to go 'viral' and get into the hands of as many people as possible - PDF is a better choice than .exe.

An .exe file is an executable file. In other words, when you open the .exe file on your computer, a program starts and the ebook is displayed. The advantage of this type of file is the security featues offered in many of the compilers. A compiler is software that creates the ebook into the .exe format. The disadvantage is .exe files do not work on most Macs. This may be possible now though with the Windows option now available on Macs.

You can convert a Word document to a PDF by using software that you install on your desktop. Adobe Acrobat (approx. $200-450+) is one example. PDFGenerator ($97) is another option.

Free online PDF converters also exist. Adobe.com allows you to convert 5 documents for free online. My favorite is the converter at Neevia Technology.

I love the one at Neevia as it allows you to use security features that disallow people from copying and pasting your text and you can choose to password protect the document. It also allows you to enable the content for the visually impaired. Plus if someone clicks on a link in your PDF document, the links will open a browser. The online Adobe version doesn't have security features and the links don't work in the finished document.

Depending on the features and size of your document (1MB max.), the free online services may be all you need. If you need more extensive features, purchasing software with all the features you need may be best. Adobe offers free trials for some of it's software if you want to do a test run first.

The security features are what set this apart from the PDF converters. If you don't want the ebook you're selling passed around to friends or downlines (in the case of MLMs), the .exe format may be worth considering.

If you type 'ebook compiler' in a search engine you will find several options. I haven't offered any of my ebooks in the .exe format. I have purchased a couple in this format.

Ebook Generator and Ebook Pro are two examples of ebook compilers. The first was created by Armand Morin and the second by the late Corey Rudl. The software guides you through the entire process and are designed to make the process simple.

If you have a favorite way that you use to create an ebook, please share it in the comments section.

Note: For full disclosure, I have used three affiliate links in the above article.

For all three methods you need to start with an outline. Ask people in your topic area what they most want to know about that topic or what their biggest challenge is. Compile a list of the top 10-12 questions. These become the sections of your ebook. Then break each question down into 4-6 chunks, which become the sub-chapters.

1. Write It Yourself

This one is self-explanatory. Pick a chapter and start writing.

2. Have Other People Write It

There are two ways to do this. Go to one of the free article directories online and find great articles on your topic. Contact the authors and ask if you can include their article in an ebook you're creating. Let them know that their contact information will appear in the resource box at the bottom of their article.

Go to the website of an expert in your field and see if they have any articles on their site. Contact them and ask if you can use one in your ebook.

3. Record and Transcribe

If you don't like writing, record yourself talking and get it transcribed. Alternatively, interview an expert or two and transcribe the interview.

The links in the above article as well as those in the Amazon section are affiliate links so if you click on them and buy the product, I receive a commission from that company.  While I have used Adobe Acrobat in the past, I now use the free service mentioned in my hub.