For those of us who have been writing copy and headlines since the day broken pencils and a dog-eared Roget’s Thesaurus were the only indicators of our private adoration of words, the e-book is nothing short of a miracle.

Who could have imagined a day when we could write a compelling product statement, a vibrant corporate communication feature, and a dynamic branding piece for instant consumption?

The E-Book is a great step forward for marketing and a fundamental tool for modern advertisers, sellers and promoters of goods and services. In this information age, the e-book makes facts and figures palatable. With catchy titles and enticing covers, it makes marketing jargon palatable. With tables, charts, and a full bibliography, eBooks provide relevant and thought-provoking commentary on things that are important to the consumer, buyer, and/or target audience.

Here are a few more reasons why well-crafted, skillfully researched, and professionally designed eBooks should be a key part of any marketing strategy:

Immediate gratification: We have clearly evolved into a momentum society. Here, in “the age of instant,” consumers expect fast information. We no longer have the luxury of waiting to print and send something like a “friendly follow-up.” Follow-up needs to be now and an e-book can be sent in seconds via email and then viewed, downloaded and printed upon receipt. There is no better time than now or better information than what is fashionable and trending.

Versatile: Leaving an ebook in a potential customer’s inbox is really just the beginning. Electronic books are multipurpose and can be presented in a variety of digital venues. Ebook links can be displayed on websites, embedded in landing pages, featured on social media, displayed in a press release, and placed in a QR code. They can be texted, posted, shared and tweeted with a variety of headlines, covers and incentives. They are the call to action par excellence, without commitment and easy to participate. They not only cross devices, but also cross countless marketing channels.

Story Marketing Vehicle: One of the most powerful features of an eBook is its ability to tell a compelling marketing story. Storytelling is one of humanity’s oldest and most dynamic gifts. Placing facts, figures, and data in a thematic communication piece not only creates higher engagement, but also much higher audience retention. After all, storytelling is how countless generations before us preserved history and tradition. Modern studies confirm that information presented in a story format is much more likely to be retained. Simply put, great brands tell great stories and ebooks are an ideal format to flex the power of storytelling.

Cross-generational: eBooks have also managed to do what few other marketing programs and platforms can… appeal to millennials and baby boomers alike. For the most part, Millennials crave topical and relevant content that can be read on a phone, tablet, or laptop. Boomers, on the other hand, often enjoy the option of printing information on paper so they can sit back and review it the old-fashioned way. The eBook’s flexible configuration accommodates both preferences, so when written and designed correctly, it’s a cross-demographic solution.

Evergreen Content – ​​With careful planning and strategic writing, an ebook can also provide ongoing critical content for SEO purposes. That’s the modern way of saying findable and searchable copy that never goes out of style. Due to its evergreen nature, evergreen content can engage readers over a longer period of time. So an always-relevant ebook could be the answer to maintaining user engagement and building brand awareness in the long run. Forget the hardcover vs. paperback debate, building a sustainable ebook library or even a free ebook store could be the most powerful marketing tool for products and brands looking to get noticed and found… again and again. .

So marketers looking for the next automation or curation tool may want to take a break. As you review the maddening metrics for algorithms, retargeting, tracking, tag management, predictive analytics, data sharing, A/B testing, real-time decision making, CRM, CMS, and SEO… you might find that A well-written and highly engaging e-book detailing the primary merits of your product, service, or brand could be the best thing you can do for your business this year.