How to Sell Ebooks Online? A Beginner’s Guide to Making Money in 2025

When I first decided to create and sell an eBook, I had this grand vision of writing the next digital bestseller in a single weekend.

Three weeks later, I was still staring at a blank document with nothing but a title and an overwhelming sense of dread. Sound familiar? The good news is that after creating over a dozen successful eBooks (and a few flops), I’ve developed a systematic approach that works for beginners even if you’ve never written anything longer than a social media post.

Key Takeaways:

Start with a detailed outline, breaking your topic into manageable chunks.
Write in a conversational tone, as if explaining to a friend, not delivering a lecture.
Use AI tools for research and overcoming writer’s block, but maintain your unique voice.
Plan for 2-3 hours of focused writing time daily, rather than sporadic marathon sessions.

If you’re new to selling digital products, I highly recommend reading this guide on digital product sales to understand the bigger picture before diving into eBooks specifically.

Planning Your eBook’s Structure: The Foundation of Success

The biggest mistake new eBook creators make? Jumping straight into writing without a solid plan. Trust me—I learned this lesson the hard way after scrapping a 15,000-word draft that meandered aimlessly through my topic.

Instead, start with a detailed outline. Think of it as the blueprint for your digital product. For my most successful eBook on sustainable container gardening, I spent three full days just on the outline before writing a single chapter. That investment paid off tenfold in the writing phase.

Here’s the process I now follow for every eBook:

Brain dump everything you know about your topic into a document without worrying about organization.
Group related ideas into potential chapters or sections.
Arrange these sections in a logical progression that takes readers from their current state to their desired outcome.
Break each section down into specific subsections that cover individual concepts.
Note key examples, stories, or case studies you’ll include in each section.

Your outline doesn’t need to be fancy—a simple document with bullet points works perfectly. The goal is to create a roadmap that keeps you focused and ensures you don’t miss important information.

Writing Techniques That Keep Digital Readers Engaged

Writing for digital readers is fundamentally different from writing for print. Online attention spans are shorter, and competition for your reader’s focus is fierce.

After analyzing reader feedback and completion rates across my eBooks, I’ve discovered several techniques that consistently work:

Keep paragraphs short – Three to four sentences maximum. Large blocks of text are instant engagement killers on digital devices.
Use plenty of subheadings – They create natural pauses and make content scannable. I aim for a subheading every 250-300 words.
Write conversationally – Imagine explaining your topic to a friend over coffee. Use “you” and “I” liberally to create connection.
Incorporate pattern interrupts – Break up text with bullet points, numbered lists, callout boxes, and occasional questions to the reader.
Front-load value – Digital readers are impatient, so deliver immediate takeaways in each section rather than building to a conclusion.

For a deeper look into formatting eBooks for different devices, check out this guide on best file formats for digital products to ensure your eBook looks great across all platforms.

Pricing Your eBook for Maximum Sales

One of the biggest mistakes new eBook sellers make? Pricing too low.

If your eBook solves a real problem, people expect to pay for it.

Pricing Strategies That Work:

Check the competition – Look at what similar eBooks are selling for.
Price based on value, not effort – If your eBook saves someone time or money, you can charge more.
Offer different pricing tiers – Have a basic version and a premium upgrade.

Pricing Guidelines for eBooks:

Beginner Guides & Short eBooks – $9 to $19
Comprehensive eBooks (100+ pages) – $20 to $50
EBooks + Bonus Content (worksheets, templates, checklists) – $50+

If you’re unsure how to price your eBook competitively, read this guide on pricing strategies for digital products for a deeper look at how to maximize revenue and profitability.

Where to Sell Your eBook (Without a Website)

You don’t need a fancy website to start selling your eBook. Plenty of platforms handle everything for you, from hosting to payments.

Best Marketplaces for eBooks:

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) – The biggest eBook marketplace, but it takes a commission.
Gumroad – A simple way to sell directly to your audience.
Payhip – Handles digital downloads and even takes care of EU VAT.
Etsy – Surprisingly great for niche eBooks, like printables and guides.

Selling on Your Own Website:

Shopify + a digital product app – If you want a full online store.
Teachable or Thinkific – Best if you’re pairing your eBook with a course.

To learn how to set up and sell digital products on Payhip, check out this complete guide to using Payhip for digital sales.

How to Get People to Buy Your eBook?

The #1 mistake most new eBook sellers make? Thinking “If I build it, they will come.”

That’s not how it works. You need a marketing strategy to get your eBook in front of the right people.

Ways to Market Your eBook:

Email Marketing – Build an email list and send out valuable content + offers.
Social Media Promotion – Share tips, testimonials, and sneak peeks of your eBook.
SEO & Blogging – Write content that attracts people looking for what you sell.
Paid Ads – Facebook, Instagram, and Google ads can drive instant traffic.
Affiliate Marketing – Partner with influencers or bloggers to promote your eBook.

The best marketing strategy? Be where your audience is and show them how your eBook helps them.