| p>Simply put, an eBook is an electronic book. | | | | on home business, self-improvement, and finance |
| Readers can view eBooks in several formats: | | | | than on any other topics. |
| diskette, CD, or downloadable file. Downloading | | | | Certain commercial websites use eBooks to |
| files from the Internet is by far the most | | | | inform prospective clients about their business |
| common way of obtaining eBooks. | | | | offerings. Such sites offer free downloads of their |
| People can read their eBooks right on their | | | | eBooks as a marketing tool, with the hope that a |
| personal computers or on special eBook readers. | | | | percentage of their readers will buy their products. |
| EBook readers have a few distinct advantages | | | | For example, an informative eBook on fishing |
| over computers: Users can make notes, highlight | | | | could refer to an online hobby store, and even |
| pages, and save selected text. Plus, at two | | | | include links to a page for purchasing fishing |
| pounds, lightweight eBook readers are easier to | | | | supplies. |
| carry around than even laptop computers. Some | | | | Other sites use eBooks for educational purposes |
| are backlit for easy reading; most allow readers | | | | and offer downloads for free or at a nominal |
| to change the font, a particularly good feature for | | | | cost. Non-profits such as environmental and health |
| people who prefer large print. Depending on their | | | | organizations might employ this strategy to |
| capacity, eBook readers store anywhere from | | | | involve people in their issues. |
| 4,000 to over half a million pages. | | | | The majority of eBooks, however, are sold on |
| Many books that appear in print have now been | | | | commercial websites. Large bricks and mortar |
| turned into eBooks. Readers may now find their | | | | bookstores sell eBooks on their websites. Other |
| favorite books in electronic format. They can | | | | online booksellers specialize in eBooks or sell both |
| read the works of world famous authors such as | | | | eBooks and printed books. Some sellers might |
| Robert Atkins, Gary Zukav, and Montel Williams in | | | | provide the first chapter or table of contents of |
| eBook format. | | | | an eBook for free so customers can "browse" |
| Other authors write manuscripts specifically as | | | | through it before deciding to buy. EBooks may |
| eBooks; these are books that have not appeared | | | | cost less, the same, or more than traditional |
| in print. This is an increasingly popular way for | | | | paper books. |
| new authors to self-publish their work. Authors | | | | EBooks that are written specifically for the |
| can get their work out to the public without going | | | | Internet and eBooks that are adapted from print |
| through a publishing house. | | | | may contain word or subject searches and |
| EBooks cover a wide variety of interesting topics. | | | | hyperlinks to other sites or other sections of the |
| The most popular topics are business | | | | eBook. This can be an effective marketing tool. |
| opportunities, health and fitness, making money, | | | | EBooks offer a remedy to concerns that |
| and how-to subjects. Here are some recent titles: | | | | Americans are reading less and less every year. |
| Free Money for Life, Law Made Easy, Business | | | | By using 21st technology to promote the age-old |
| Marketing for Profit 101, and Low-fat Cocktail | | | | art of reading, E-books contribute to a literate and |
| Recipes. One EBook seller lists many more books | | | | intelligent society. |