{"id":84402,"date":"2025-03-21T13:30:38","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T13:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailrelay.com\/glosario\/ebook\/"},"modified":"2026-10-07T11:06:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T11:06:24","slug":"ebook","status":"publish","type":"glossary","link":"https:\/\/mailrelay.com\/en\/glossary\/ebook\/","title":{"rendered":"Ebook"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An ebook is a book in digital format that you read on a computer, tablet, phone or e-reader.<\/strong> It is also called an electronic book<\/strong> or digital book.<\/p>\n\n

Besides being a way to read, it is a marketing tool. Many companies give it away in exchange for their readers’ email address.<\/p>\n\n

What does ebook mean?<\/h2>\n\n

Ebook<\/em> is short for electronic book<\/em>. It is also written e-book<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n

It can be the digital version of a printed book or a work created only to be read on screen, like the guides brands publish.<\/p>\n\n

Ebook formats<\/h2>\n\n
Format<\/th>What it’s for<\/th>Where to read it<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
PDF<\/a><\/td>Keeps the exact layout on any screen<\/td>Computer, phone, tablet<\/td><\/tr>
EPUB<\/td>The text adapts to the screen size<\/td>Most e-readers and reading apps<\/td><\/tr>
MOBI \/ AZW<\/td>Amazon’s own store formats<\/td>Kindle e-readers<\/td><\/tr>
Interactive (web)<\/td>Includes videos, links and forms<\/td>Browser<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

For marketing, PDF is the most practical format: you design it once, it can be downloaded on any device and it keeps your branding.<\/p>\n\n

Advantages<\/h2>\n\n

For the reader:<\/strong> it is cheap or free, downloads instantly and fits on a phone.<\/p>\n\n

For the brand:<\/strong> it shows expertise, attracts people interested in a topic and can be repurposed in articles, emails or social media.<\/p>\n\n

For the contact list:<\/strong> it is one of the most common lead magnets<\/a>. Whoever downloads it leaves their email because they are interested in the topic.<\/p>\n\n

\"Ebook<\/figure>\n\n

The ebook in content marketing<\/h2>\n\n

Within a content marketing<\/a> strategy, this piece has a specific place: it is the highest-value content, the one offered in exchange for contact details.<\/p>\n\n

Some examples by type of business:<\/p>\n\n

A language school:<\/strong> “The 500 most used words in English”.<\/p>\n\n

An accounting firm:<\/strong> “Tax guide for freelancers”.<\/p>\n\n

A garden center:<\/strong> “Month-by-month planting calendar”.<\/p>\n\n

A software company:<\/strong> “Industry report with this year’s data”.<\/p>\n\n

A travel agency:<\/strong> “Ten weekend getaways from Madrid”.<\/p>\n\n

A restaurant:<\/strong> “Seasonal recipes to cook at home”.<\/p>\n\n

A well-chosen guide solves a problem your buyer persona<\/a> has before they buy from you.<\/p>\n\n

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Give away your ebook and gain subscribers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create the download form in Mailrelay and send your guide in the confirmation email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Create a free account<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

How to create an ebook in 7 steps<\/h2>\n\n

1. Choose a specific topic.<\/strong> “How to get your store ready for Black Friday” works better than “Everything about ecommerce”.<\/p>\n\n

2. Organize the table of contents.<\/strong> 5 to 8 short chapters, with one idea per chapter.<\/p>\n\n

3. Write it to be skimmed.<\/strong> Clear headings, short paragraphs, lists and examples.<\/p>\n\n

4. Design it with your branding.<\/strong> A polished cover and a clean layout. Online design tools or a word processor are enough to get started. Use your colors and fonts, and include your website in the footer of every page: the document will travel beyond whoever downloaded it.<\/p>\n\n

5. Include a call to action.<\/strong> At the end, the next step: a trial, a consultation or your newsletter.<\/p>\n\n

6. Set up the download.<\/strong> A landing page<\/a> with a subscription form<\/a> and an email that sends the link.<\/p>\n\n

7. Promote it.<\/strong> On your website, in your related articles, on social media and in your email signature. A banner at the end of every article on the same topic is usually the most consistent source of downloads.<\/p>\n\n

Ebooks and email marketing<\/h2>\n\n

The download gets you the contact; email turns that contact into a customer.<\/p>\n\n

Delivery by email.<\/strong> Send the download link in the confirmation message. This way you check that the address is real.<\/p>\n\n

Follow-up sequence.<\/strong> A few days after the download, emails that expand on each chapter. It’s the foundation of lead nurturing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Segmentation.<\/strong> Record which guide each contact downloaded so you can send them content on that topic.<\/p>\n\n

Clear consent.<\/strong> State on the form that, in addition to the download, they will receive your emails.<\/p>\n\n

\"Infographic<\/figure>\n\n

Common mistakes<\/h2>\n\n

Documents that are too long.<\/strong> A document with 15 useful pages converts better than an 80-page one nobody finishes.<\/p>\n\n

A generic cover.<\/strong> It is the first thing people see on the download page. If it doesn’t convey value, nobody will leave their email.<\/p>\n\n

Not measuring.<\/strong> If you don’t check how many visitors download it and how many buy afterwards, you won’t know whether it works.<\/p>\n\n

Simply recycled content.<\/strong> Copying blog articles without organizing them or adding value is disappointing.<\/p>\n\n

Asking for too much information.<\/strong> For a free guide, the email address is usually enough.<\/p>\n\n

Doing nothing afterwards.<\/strong> Without follow-up emails, the download is forgotten.<\/p>\n\n

How Mailrelay helps you<\/h2>\n\n

With Mailrelay you can create the download form, send the guide in the confirmation email and schedule an automated sequence for whoever downloads it. The statistics show you which topics spark the most interest.<\/p>\n\n

The free account includes up to 80,000 emails a month and 20,000 contacts, with human support by chat, ticket and phone.<\/p>\n\n

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Send your newsletters with Mailrelay<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up to 80,000 emails a month and 20,000 contacts for free, with human support on every plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Try Mailrelay for free<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n

These are the most common questions about electronic books.<\/p>\n\n

What is an ebook in a nutshell?<\/h3>\n\n

A book in digital format that you read on a screen.<\/p>\n\n

What is the difference between an ebook and a PDF?<\/h3>\n\n

PDF is one of the publishing formats. Others are EPUB and MOBI.<\/p>\n\n

How many pages should a marketing ebook have?<\/h3>\n\n

There is no rule, but 10 to 30 pages is usually enough to solve a specific problem.<\/p>\n\n

Can you sell an ebook?<\/h3>\n\n

Yes, on your website or in digital bookstores. In marketing, it is more common to give it away in exchange for an email address.<\/p>\n\n

How is it delivered to new subscribers?<\/h3>\n\n

With an automated email that includes the download link right after they subscribe.<\/p>\n\n

Related terms<\/h2>\n\n