Why do Authors Need Portable Document Format?
Judy Cullins c. 2004
If you write eBooks and you market them Online, you need to put
your unique information into Portable Document Format (PDF) once
your project is finished.
E-publishing is easier, more profitable and saves the author valuable
time and money. No waiting for the printer, no middleman who keeps
half the profits. No packaging or mailing, saving the author enough
time that he can either write another book or spend a few hours
a week promoting it.
Your Online audience wants the product instantly, and you can deliver
it with PDF. You can send straight to your customer's inbox from
your email or create a hyperlink on your Web site, or someone else's
site, that downloads it with just the touch of a button. That's
convenience for both you and your customer.
You potential customer doesn't need an additional machine like
a palm pilot to read or store your eBook. You simply save it as
a text file, and then transfer it to PDF to send out. Your buyers
are more than happy to print out a copy or read portions of it on
their screen at their leisure. Just remember to make your book shorter
than the print version--7-99 pages are enough.
Portable Document Format--What it Is
This new technology allows you, the writer, to transfer your Word
document files straight to a professional bookcoach or designer
who offers Portable Document through the program Adobe Distiller.
The advantages?
1. PDF allows all the fonts and formatting of a printed book without
the paper. You can illustrate or use graphics with this program.
Be sure to format your book with alternate fonts such as "Arial"
and "Times Roman." Keep them consistent.
2. You catch errors before they are too late and easily edit your
Word version, then transfer the updated version to PDF.
3. Your PDF file does not allow any one who buys it to alter your
words in any way, keeping it yours. With your email address and
Web site URL on every page, it creates a safeguard your work.
4. With PDF you can produce good type and fonts, not different
from producing any good digital document. Based on the Adobe PostScript
standard around for many years, the rules that apply to PostScript
also apply to PDF. While you can transfer the copy straight from
Word to PDF, you will want to make a good PostScript file for your
images and graphics first, then use Distiller to render the PDF.
Just note that Mac users substitute Helvetica for Arial.
If you are a newbie or non-techie you can buy the PDF program for
around $50 from a professional book coach or book designer, depending
on the number of pages and live links.
If a techie or you intend to write multiple books, you can buy
the whole package from Adobe. Acrobat Distiller is available at
www.adobe.com for around $300.
Keep 2 versions of your eBook, one in Word and another in PDF.
You can always update the Word file, then reformat it in PDF. Or,
you can offer anyone who buys your books a free yearly update.
PDF offers many advantages over print books. Make your book look
as professional as possible, use Portable Document Format.
For more information about writing, books, and publishing click here.
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Book and Internet Marketing Coach, Judy Cullins, can help you build credibility and clients, sell a lot of books, and make maximum profits. Author of 11 books including Write your eBook or Other Short Book Fast and The Fast and Cheap Way to Explode Targeted Web Traffic" Get her free eBook"20 High Octane Book Writing and Marketing Tips" and two free monthly ezines at http://www.bookcoaching.com
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