We’ve all heard this before:
“One of the best ways to make money online is to write an eBook.”
I think this statement is true.
But I also believe it’s very hard for many entrepreneurs to find time to write an eBook.
We all live busy lives.
This is especially true if you juggle an Internet business with family, work, and other obligations.
So how do you find the time to write an eBook?
I have a simple answer:
You can’t find time to write an eBook, you need to make it.
Let me explain…
Use an “Hour of Power” to Write YOUR eBook
The best plan for writing an eBook is to schedule a time every day for this project
I call this the “Hour of Power.”
The Hour of Power is a concept that’s popular with my self-improvement gurus. It’s a simple idea. You wake up and do a series of affirmations and exercises to create energy for the new day.
My Hour of Power is a little different. Instead of doing affirmations or exercising, you’ll schedule a time that’s completely dedicated to the process of writing an eBook. {That’s what I did when I wrote my most recent eBook.}
We all love to make excuses – Especially when it comes to not having enough time.
The Hour of Power eliminates this problem. You’ll schedule a specific time each day that becomes a permanent appointment. The key here is to make this as important as your job, family time, and exercise. In other words, you complete this task no matter what happens during the day.
An Example of the “Hour of Power”
I used the Hour of Power while I wrote my recent course – Affiliate Marketing without the Bulls**t. Now I do it every day for all my writing/product creation. It’s become a permanent part of my daily schedule.
Here’s what it looks like:
- I wake up between 8:30 to 9:00 during my work week
- I drink a large glass of water, do a few quick stretches, and grab a small piece of fruit to eat {These are part of the 30 Day Habits I’ve developed.}
- I walk into my office and fire up my laptop (ignoring email and/or social media updates.)
- I set 2 Pomodoros and immediately start writing
- I work without interruption till this time expires
That’s really it! I like doing my Hour of Power in the morning because I start my day with a “future income” activity. This provides a mental boost that carries over into my other activities.
How to Create YOUR Hour of Power
It’s not that hard to find time for writing an eBook. The trick is to make time for it.
Here is the five-step process for getting started…
#1 – Pick a Profitable Topic: It’s important to maximize this time. So my advice is to pick a topic that will be most profitable.
#2 – Schedule a Time: You don’t have to write in the morning like I do. My advice is to figure out what time of day you like to write. And then make this a permanent appointment with yourself.
Unfortunately I can’t recommend when to write. Everything comes down to your natural circadian rhythms and what your schedule looks like. Just find the time that works best for you.
#3- Write in the Same Location: You get a mental boost by writing in the same location on a daily basis. Do this a few times, and your subconscious will instinctively know it’s time to do some work.
#4 – Establish a 0% Tolerance for Interruptions: This time is sacred! It’s the activity that generates future income. So make sure you treat it as such.
That means you turn off the phone, ignore email/social media, and minimize any other distractions. In addition, talk to your family and friends. Let them know that you need this hour. Explain that it’s important that you don’t get interrupted. I’ve found that most people are understanding – If you talk to them ahead of time.
#5 – Never Make Excuses: Again, this time is sacred. Sure…it doesn’t seem as important as that email that just popped up or that phone call you have to return. But it’s something that will bring future success.
Ultimately you have to treat this time as something you’ll never miss. Don’t make excuses about it. Or give reasons why you can’t finish it. Just do it!
Final Thoughts…
Frankly, I hate writing eBooks or other long-term projects.
It’s a lot of effort with every little upfront reward. On the other hand, I’ve seen the results from this concentrated effort.
Back in 2008 I wrote an eBook for one of my niches. Since then this one eBook has generated $2,000 to $3,000 in monthly income. The best part is it’s about 99% passive income. The only thing I do is write the occasional follow-up autoresponder and process the occasional refund.
Bottom line is the Hour of Power can become the most profitable part of your day.
Finally, there is a lot more you can learn about writing eBooks. Here are a few posts that can help you get started:
- How to Create a Profitable eBook Empire in 2011 {This Free PDF is not the fanciest looking, but it gives step-by-step detail on how I generate monthly income from one eBook.}
- 18 Ways to Use Simple eBooks to Leverage Your Online Business {Top notch guest post by Paul Wolfe}
- How to Complete Your eBook Masterpiece Even if You HATE Writing {The step-by-step process for how to write an eBook}
I’m sure you have a busy schedule. But I’m also pretty sure you’d like to make more money. By scheduling an Hour of Power every day you’ll find the time to write that eBook that brings your Internet business to the next level!
Take Action. Get Results.
Excellent idea Scott! I actually do this, but never called it that, but not all the components worked together. I do it on my lunch break at work, but the problem is the constant interruptions and the phone ringing. Although I still get allot done, it would be ideal without all the noise. Most times I put on headphones and listen to Rainymood.com and it seems to do the trick. You brought up some great ideas and it’s something I will implement ASAP! Great post!
Sonia,
I can only imagine trying to really concentrate and get things done suring a lunch break. Such a hectic time. SOunds like you have a sytsem that works for you though! 🙂
Hi Steve,
Good advice here. Looking at the big picture of writing an ebook can be overwhelming, but taking it in hour chunks makes it entirely doable.
I admit it’s hard to turn off the distractions, but when you set aside a block of time like this to really focus and produce, the tangible rewards have you thinking, “wow, why don’t I do this more often?”
Sometimes it works better for me to do the opposite of your #3. If I pick up and go somewhere else – a coffee shop or a bookstore, I have a different environment that makes me want to get down to business with a fresh outlook.
Keep up the good work! 🙂
Peggy
I do agree with you somewhat. For my ebook writing, since I do it first thing, I do like the same place thing…. and I think it helps.
But if you are putting in a long day and doing a lot of things I totally agree with you, changes in scenary can help a lot. I do a fair amount of works out of my second office at starbucks.
The important thing is that you are not distracted at these things. It is essential to have that strong focus.
Hi Steve,
This is excellent advice. I have my hour of power between 0530 – 0630 am, and it works great. That’s the time when I’m all alone and there are never any interruptions.
I need to use the pomodoro technique, instead I keep working on several project at the same time. Have you been using pomodoro for long?
Well said Steve and congrats for your success with the method but I am skeptical that everyone won’t be beneficial from it. Although I agree that we all have the option of choosing our own time to write but to find it religiously ignoring everything is very impractical.
0530? Wow Jens…that is really early in the morning.
I’ve been using Pomodoro for about 5 months. I don’t use it with every activity; but I’ve found it provides an amazing way to stay focused.
Hey Steve,
I’m clueless on what my hour of power is but I think I can DEFINITELY fit an hour dedicated 100% on this task.
Might give it a try although I don’t have that mental strength to go directly to set myself to work without checking anything else first.
Need serious help on this LOL but I’ll see what can I do about it.
$2000 to $3000 on a 99% passive income? That’s something I wouldn’t mind to have, yikes!
Great stuff like always Steve, speak soon man, take care and enjoy your weekend!
Sergio
Sergio,
You say you don’t have the mental strength not to check things first. (I assume like how your sites did and if you made any money the previous night)
I can understand that. FOr a lon time I did that sort of clock watching. Really it is wasted time and micromanagment though. I probably do check those things every couple of days (more than needed) but actually getting things done when you are at your most alert is important. Those other things can be done when you are distracted. (perhaps when watching TV, or talking on the phone)
It can be hard to wean yourself of that, but with a month or so of deliberate effort it can become routine.
Steve.
I admire your discipline but to me the larger question is what you are willing to commit to. If you lack the awareness to know which things are most important then you will work hard but won’t realize your potential which I think is the name of the game. What’s the criteria for determining what’s most important for you.
Riley
Good point Riley.
It isn’t always about working harder it is also about working smarter. This is only part of the equation, and even though it works for me, and I think will help many people get a lot done, some people could be built differently.
Steve,
Great tips – as always!
I’m with Jens on this one: Doing one hour of productive work before going to work (somewhere between 5 AM and 7 AM) is the reason I have been able to write reports and e-books.
It takes a little while to get used to early wake-ups, but that is the only way if you want to get stuff done.
Cheers,
Timo
I am not that much of an early riser myself… But I am also up to 12am many nights. The bottom line is that if you want to be productive you find the time to do things like this.
As you know, one good hour a day can really build up with time. Some people find large projects dunting, but break it down and they become just a matter of routine.
Well said Steve,
Just like reading a book. It is quite rare for me to finish a book within a day or 2 as I usually break it down just maybe 1 chapter or 10-20 pages per day at my leisure (unless I am addicted).
So, we just need to dedicate a time slot to concentrate on writing. I found that a lot of time I was distracted by email or “other” stuff on the net and hence dragging the task…
Cheers,
Ming
Ming,
You make a good point, indirectly. For some people distractions are not an issue. Others will get tweets, emails and other distractions that they may feel only slightly distract them, but can really work to “get them out of the zone”
One easy solution is to simply disconnect your internet connection (or turn off your wireless). This will force the user to really give their complete and undivided attention to the task at hand.
I also have this hour power of myself. I find it very easy and light to work during the wee hours of the night. Or the earliest time I can get up at the morning. I like how the silence can work well with my mind.
Your ‘hour of power’ is a nice concept. There will be real power in the hour as all distractions are set aside. Nice post and keep it up!
An “Hour of Power” approach has helped me through a lot of projects. These techniques are habit forming, as well. Eventually, you don’t even really need to plan it. Thanks for the post!
I think one good trick for the first e-book is to take two or three PLR articles, combine them and re-write them. Once a person has done that a few times they will probably find that they can write something from scratch more quickly than they can do re-writes!
Very true Steve. Many people say they don’t have time to do things and I can’t figure out how they don’t have time but I do even with my busy life. The thing is they either don’t want it enough or just don’t make time by sacrafice things that are just wasting their time.
Darren,
You are right, This is my full time job now… so it is easy for me to say “make the time”. But I have dealt with some serious time constraints myself in the past.
There are also a few in comments who mentioned getting up at 5am before going to work to get an hour in.
If you want something, you find a way to make it happen.
I pay my bills working as a virtual assistant and I also make Hip-Hop beats and sell them. I plan on making a 10 track HipHop instrumental album but I can’t find time to do it. I can apply the “Hour Of Power” to accomplish my album.
For sure.
For me the hour of power is all about writing. But you are correct. It can be any task that takes creativity and concentration. Rome wasn’t built in a day, if you have a big project, breaking it into manageable chunks over a longer period is the way to go.
Hour of power is the hour of dedication. You are simply cut off from all kinds of distractions in this hour of power. You focus is on writing and you are supposed to bring out the best of your thoughts. Nice ideas to propel ebook.
Steve
The ‘hour of power’ concept was taught to my as ‘the golden hour.’ But it’s the same thing…IF you can make it so that your golden hour is absolutely sacrosanct you can do great, great things with just an hour of dedicated work a day.
The guy who taught me this – an author called Stephen Barnes – writes just for an hour every day. Has been for donkey’s years – I think he has 22 books published. Something like that.
Stephen King writes a 1000 words a day – I believe I’m remembering correctly that some days it takes him two or three hours for that, but that some days it takes just 30 or 40 minutes.
The compound interest effect over time of just an hour a day is incredible.
A typical 40 page eBook is around 12,000 words – so let’s say you can ‘only’ write 500 words in your golden hour. But if you’re strict about your golden hour every day then you’ll finish the first draft of a 40 page eBook every 24 days.
Over time you can create substantial leverage from that.
I think the biggest obstacle for most people is that they ‘want to have written’ but they don’t want to write. (This is something I learned when I hung out in fiction circles).
The other massive plus of doing this – even just 500 words a day – is that it’s a totroise and hare thing….and the tortoise who always does 500 words a day, every single day, soon outpaces the hare who does 1000 words here….and 1000 words there….and whines in Forums that he doesn’t have the time to do it. The tortoise wins that race – EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
Power Hour/Golden Hour – whatever you want to call it. There are people who have built empires on just that – one hour a day.
Great post.
Paul
PS
This is a concept I’ve taught to my bass students….but never taught or spoken about on One Spoon. Now that I think about it I think: why in hell not?
So I may write about it and cross link here! Hope that’s cool!
I would sure like to hear you article. It does sound like you have a lot to bring to the table for this subject, just from the comment.
I like the tortiose/hare analogy too. This is so true. Slow and steady does win the race.
One thing you haven’t mentioned (that I am sure you know) is that you get faster too. When you write every day and have a set routine you naturally pick up the pace. So while it may be 500 words at first, you can almost bet that the aver will soon creep over 1000 words with this deliberate practice.
Do something every single day without failure and you cannot help but get better and faster at it, on average.
The hour of power suggestion is great. Your entire post is great. I somehow can never manage to listen to music and write at the same time. That is probably because I pay more attention to the lyrics. Would like to read more tips on ebook writing.
Music depends upon the person for sure. I like it (in the background) becuase when I get going I almost tune it out and it seems to help me focus.
But for you obviously you sholud keep it off.
It is essential that you ONLY write for this hour. All distractions need to be eliminated. This could mean shutting the door, turning off the phone, and disconnecting from the net’
whatever it takes to achieve REAL focus.
Great adive. One of my goals for 2012 is to write my first ebook. I have been struggling to find the time so your tips are really helpful. I need to carve out time to power through it. As is I already wake up at 6:00 am so I am thinking I can dedicate some time in the late evening before turning in for the night.
Dan,
I am in your boat,
When I had a full time job, it was much easier for me to stay up an hour after people went to bed than wake up an hour early. The sleep is the same, some of us just hate getting up early.
The essential piece is to make sure you are distraction free and you ALWAYS set aside that time.
I started using a timer earlier this year to help me focus when I’m writing. It’s amazing how much more productive I’ve become. And to think that a simple $3 timer could help me do it.
Ricardo,
Yeah I experienced the same thing. Who would believe how much a cheap little egg timer can help with your producticvity.
Hi Steve
The importance of self discipline, esp when you are your own boss can’t be underestimated.
I wish I could write at 7 am but I’m more of a night person:) Agree with you that we all have different rhythms. Having said that, I find that scheduling writing projects in the morning (between 9 and 11am) helps with my productivity.
Kathleen,
You are so right. When you are your own boss productivity matters more than ever. If you waste time, you are potentially taking a lot of money out of your own pockets.
I’ll bet I’m gonna have a problem with the tolerance to interruptions. It made me think a lot to see your title, 8days/week? I knew it’s only seven. LOL
But you’ve made sense talking about time management and how to be able to organized things to make a profitable deed. Great!
Also, a little vacation would be good. If you don’t have time for a book, then it’s obvious you’re working too much. Even if you force yourself to write an hour a day, will that book be any good?
At times like these i prefer to take a break a few days or a week and focus on the task at hand. Works wonders.
I think one way to make a long book go faster is to vary your writing approach. Dictate it one day,the next type from scratch. The next day write from an outline and so forth. That way it doesn’t seem like one big samey chore.
Ben,
Good point. It is good to write it in that style too. Trying to write in “perfect” form is a recipe for disaster for many people. The filtering system of writing really works to create a decent product
Having written a published book last year I know how time consuming it can be but it can be done if you put your mind to it and if I can do it, anyone can.
One idea I have for this year is to compile my best blog posts, articles and other content I have written over the years and create a book from them. I already calculated I had over 100,000 words of useful material, way over double what is required for a good book. Others could probably do the same if they are stuck for time to write new material.
I continually use the excuse that I don’t have the time to write an eBook, but you’ve laid out some tips that prove my excuses wrong. I’ve considered writing an eBook as a way to help boost my email subscriber list. Do you think giving away a Free eBook to subscribers would help give good incentive with that? I am fairly new to the internet marketing world. Thanks for the tips!