If you've decided to write an eBook, the very first thing you must do is research. You may find this task tedious and time-consuming but it is the most
important part of your eBook writing career.

Just in case you've read information telling you to write about topics that are near and dear to your heart--think again.

Do you want to make money with your eBook? Then you must find out if there is a profitable market out there.

If you are longing to write, "How To Embroider Colorful Designs On Worn-Out PJs", you better first check to see if there is a market out there. People who are willing to spend money to find out how to revive their old Jammies. No? Forget about it!

How do you find out what people want?

***KEYWORDS***

These are the words and phrases people search for online when they are
looking for information.

If you're just starting out and want to save as much money as possible, there are free keyword tools to use.

My favorites are:

http://freekeywords.wordtracker.com

http://goodkeywords.com

There are also paid keyword tools that you may want to invest in.

Now you are going to think like your future customer. Get inside their heads. What keywords and phrases will they be searching for to find the information they want?

If you have an idea for an ebook in mind, put in the keywords. How many times a month is that word or phrase being searched for?

Now we come to the dicey part. You have to find the correct balance. If the word count is sky high, you may think you've struck a gold mine, right?

What about your competition? That's right. A zillion searches for something like say, "internet marketing", will leave you swamped by the top marketers. Until you reach their status, stay away.

Okay, you think, "I'll find a keyword with a low search count". Whoa...if it's low, that means NOBODY wants the information. Which means no buyers for your eBook.

See what I mean about "balance"? And tedious research? But somebody has to do it. You have to hit a middle ground. If there is competition, don't let that scare you off. It means you now have a viable idea for your eBook!

As you spend time studying, you will come across conflicting advice. All marketers have their own set of numbers as to what they aim for.

I know of one "guru" who looks for 50,000 searches a month for a keyword. Now for me, that's too much competition. Others suggest 10,000 searches.

Remember, you're are aiming for a niche market. Research and find your own comfortable count.

***OTHER METHODS TO PICK A WINNER***

Have a look in bookstores and online booksellers. See what's selling. They aren't in the business of marketing information nobody wants.

Look into "evergreen" topics. These are markets which will never go out of style. People will always be in relationships, get married, have babies, get
an education, have careers, get older...you get the idea. Look how many eBooks are in those subjects waiting to be written!

I truly believe that CHOOSING your eBook topic is the hardest part of the whole process.

Once that's done, the rest is way more enjoyable. Especially when you think of your future customers!

(c) 2007 Karen Cook