Turning Blog, Hub or Facebook Page Into Book, Ebook

The original intent of a blog was to keep an online journal of your activities. However, nowadays more and more people realize that with years of updating their blogs with thoughts, deeds, prayers and more, they just wrote a book! So why not make it available to others offline?

Here are a few tips I have learned and am still learning about turning that blog into a book.

1. Know what publishing companies work best for you.

You won't know unless you research and physically use their products. So what might work for the person who recommends a site to you, just might not work for you. It is easy to print a book considering the sheer number of templates pre-designed so that all you have to do is import, upload, copy, paste or write your work in each.

Those of you who have been in publishing for awhile now may recall those old days before electronic submission to a printer. We physically printed, cut and pasted material onto separate sheets of paper and hoped that it looked next to perfect once it was printed with no creases, lines, crooked placement, etc.lol

2. Edit your work.

Some companies don't have the capability to allow you to edit your material once you upload (from the computer) or import (from the blog or another web page) to their site. So if you don't want embedded links, certain photographs or comments to show up, delete them before you import your blog material to their site. Once it is submitted, you will notice some sites will allow you to check or un-check what blog entries you will want to keep and which you will want to leave out.

3. Compare prices.

One company may charge you over $20 for a blog to book service while another for the same book will charge you a whopping $60. Why? Because one company may use a bigger font, have a program that doesn't format very well, and may have limitations on what can be left out (like comments and phtographs;) therefore, you will be paying more money for more pages. This is what it is essential that you edit first and upload later.

4. Know something about PDF files and XML files.

You will see this mentioned on some sites that say you can upload a PDF file. This is a program similar to Microsoft Word except that you will not be making any changes once the word processing file is converted into a PDF file. This program makes it easier for the publisher to print your book electronically. The publishing company may also mention on their website something about downloading your blog to your computer and uploading your XML file. This can be done on the site that hosts your blog by exporting it to your computer. Some bloggers do this so that their files are backed up on their computer in case their blog is deleted or the site no longer exists. They don't want their hard work forever lost. Learn more about PDF and XML files if you haven't already. This little bit of knowledge will save you some frustration when you visit these book printing sites.

5. Select front and back cover photos for your book.

Be sure, you know what photos you will use for the front and back of your book. You don't want to have your book uploaded then have to alter some things, because you forgot to include photos. Most people select photos that are high in quality and have some relation to what the book is about, so choose wisely. Otherwise, you will be disappointed to get your book in the mail with bad photos.

6. Decide on a title.

As you know, a book title draws readers in. They want to know what your book is about and whether it is worth their time to read it.

7. Set aside money to pay for your book.

How much money is in your checking account today? If you complete the blog to print process today, you will most likely want to buy it. Depending on how large your book is will depend on how costly it might be. So you don't want to overdraft your back account because of all your excitement trying to get your book sooner, rather than later.

8. Decide how you will market it.

If you believe that this is the beginning of a potential business opportunity for you, then you will want to think about sharing this book with friends, relatives, fellow bloggers, and strangers. So keep in mind to show off your book on places like Facebook, Twitter and other social networking and blogging sites as well as classifieds, fliers, and possible speaking engagements.

9. Try a different program next time.

There are several popular programs to date and in time that list will triple. So processing your book this time might be a headache with one company, so keep your options open to try other ones.

10. When all else fails, do it yourself!

If the book printing programs are just too tedious for you, then you can always copy and paste your material on 8X11 paper or some other size and then print into a booklet or newsletter form.

Below you will find companies that will help with your self-publishing goals. Keep in mind all are vanity publishers meaning that you are not dealing with traditional publishing houses. You have creative control over your work. However, some do offer additional services like copy-editing, formatting, design, and marketing.

These are the companies that will print your blog and turn it into a book.

Blog2Print provides blog to printed book for Blogger, Typepad or Wordpress users.

BlogBooker provides blog to PDF book for Live Journal, Wordpress and Blogger users.

Fastpencil provides blog to book form with similar services as mentioned above.

These are the companies that you will need to upload a PDF file in order to turn your blog into a book. You also have the option to write or copy and paste your blog material on pre-designed templates within their websites.

Createspace (they also offer audio recording and ebook services. You can sell your book on Amazon.)

Blurb beautiful high quality photo-books--definitely for gift-giving due to prices-the more photos and pages, the more expensive.

Lulu (many choices when it comes to book sizes, also offers additional services and can sell on Amazon if you meet certain requirements.)

Smile Books also very good for photobooks.

Bookemon very simple to use.

Wordclay offers editorial services, content design etc.

Flipsnack lots of choices from online books to offline printing.