When it comes to marketing your ebook you have two very basic choices. Either you have a budget for advertising or you don't. Most people don't, or at least would rather keep their money in their pocket, often because they've heard that there are so many ways to market ebooks for free.

After all, why spend money you don't have to?

The truth is you really don't have to. You can be very successful without it costing you a cent.

But it probably won't be quick.

If you're already well-known in your field then you may be able to create a buzz about your ebook and some quick sales just by letting people know about it. If you're not, and you want fast results, you'll need to put your hand in your pocket. You need to advertise.

On the other hand, it's perfectly possible to carry out very successful ebook marketing for free. You just have to accept that it's going to take some time. You'll almost certainy be able to start the ball rolling in a few days but if you want an analogy it's more like a snowball going down a mountain. It'll start small and build over time.

At the minimum it's going to be a question of weeks, quite probably months, before you see substantial results.

It'll require some work too. You'll need to be dedicated to it and consistent. But then, it will have taken that sort of discipline to write your book anyway and as most of what you'll be doing is more writing, on a subject you probably enjoy, it shouldn't be too much of a drag.

It'll also need planning, and if you're anything like most of the ebook authors I know (and I'm the same myself) planning isn't something you're desperately good at. Or rather, you're great at the planning, it's carrying the plan out that goes astray. It's something to do with a creative mentality I think.

It is something you need to do though because the difference between traditional publishing and ebook publishing is that you are author, promoter, salesperson, office dogsbody… with complete control comes complete responsibility. When things with your ebook don't quite go to plan you only have yourself to blame.

The exciting thing is that when things do go to plan you not only get all the congratulations you get all the money too!