Are you planning to write an eBook but are not sure where to start? Or perhaps you've written several, but they haven't been as successful as you thought they would be. 5-1 Top Tips: Writing eBooks that Get Read is one chapter of an "eBook Top Tips" series - all with the goal of helping you improve and profit from your eBook activities. Read and implement these 5 simple tips and you will be one step closer to writing an eBook that actually gets read.

5. Coloured backgrounds - not more ink!

Don't have the text appear over a coloured background. Why: Firstly, even in today's world of eBook readers, many eBooks still end up being printed so to be read. Coloured backgrounds might deter potential readers if they look at your pages and see a lot of printer ink going to waste. Secondly, too frequently the wrong colours are chosen where the colour of the text is difficult to read against the colour of the background - in no time headaches set in and little of your content is read. Try sticking to good ol' black text on white and adding colour in the titles and highlights of key information.

4. Too many pages - how many trees is that?

Don't write too many pages. Why: For the same reasons above, too many pages may deter a reader from printing the eBook - especially if they are concerned with conserving paper. Opening an eBook and seeing hundreds of pages may also seem exhausting to a reader, preventing them from continuing further. Try culling content to essential information only, or, if it really is as condensed as you can bare to see it - offer your eBook as a multipart book (part 1, part 2). Done right, this may even help generate additional income for you.

3. Long winded content - jargon isn't a bargain!

Don't over-write with long winded text and jargon that is above the average reader's reading level. Why: Time is a valuable commodity for everyone. Again, long paragraphs and overuse of big words and jargon may seem too exhausting to a reader. Try keeping your message succinct and to the point. One idea per paragraph. EBooks are read in a host of strange locations (on buses, bus stops, in car parks etc). Short bursts of time need short chunks of valuable information.

2. Using pictures - speak a thousand words.

Do use pictures. Why: People are naturally visual oriented and appreciate breaks in information (especially if you have not fine tuned points 4 and 3). EBooks are often read in a similar fashion to websites (especially when being read via the computer), scanning titles, bold text, captions and pictures searching for key information and points of interest. Try using pictures that clearly illustrate the message - they really can speak a thousand words.

1. Font size - more than you are?

Don't use 16pt font size to make your eBook look bigger and better than it really is. Why: Readers will feel duped especially if they have paid for it. Boasting 10 pages of information at 16pt font size when it fits into 2 at 12pt will not do you or your reader any favours. Try using whitespace to pad out the information if it needs it. Whitespace (more, even space around margins and paragraphs) is a clever technique used by professional designers and generally results in a better looking layout.