eBook Publishers Dilemma: Should I Use PDF or Exe Format?


If you write and publish eBooks, sooner or later you will probably be faced with a dilemma - should you create your eBooks as .exe files or .pdf files?

PDF, which stands for Portable Document Format, is the file extension for files created with Adobe Acrobat.

Exe, which stands for 'executable', is the extension for files created by eBook compilers.

PDF is widely considered to be the 'industry standard' for eBook publishing, and for good reason. Here are some of the advantages of PDF files over exe files:

  • With most eBook compilers you have to set up each page of your eBook as a separate web page. With Adobe Acrobat you can use a single MS Word file as the source document.

  • PDF files automatically number each page - exe files don't.

  • PDF files are very easy to edit - you can insert pages, replace pages and delete pages (and the page numbering is automatically adjusted).

  • Printing from a PDF file is much easier than printing from an .exe file.

  • The 'bookmark' column on the left side of a PDF file makes naviagtion very easy - much easier than in an exe file.

  • PDF files compress better than exe files, so you end up with a smaller, more manageable file.

  • It's virtually impossible to transmit a virus through a PDF file - exe files are susceptible to virus transmission and can become corrupted during download.

  • Finally, by using PDF you automatically expand your potential market because PDF files can be read on both a PC and a Mac (exe files can only be read on a PC). Over 8 percent of the online population in the U.S. are currently Mac users - not a huge increase in your market, but nevertheless significant.

    But exe files do have some advantages over PDF files, and perhaps the most important of these is price - most eBook compilers are a fraction of the cost of Adobe Acrobat.

    Another advantage of exe files over PDF is the rebranding feature.

    If you use free eBooks as a viral marketing tool, rebranding is the key to success, because people are much more likely to promote your free eBook if they can customize it with their own affiliate links.

    (c) 2002 by Michael Southon

    Michael Southon has been writing for the Internet for over 3 years. He has shown hundreds of webmasters how to use this simple technique to build a successful online business.


    • More Resources

    Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

    More E-Books Information:

    Related Articles

    Top Ten eBook Mistakes and How to Correct Them (Part 1)
    Did you know that you already have an eBook inside you? And, like your coach, you can earn thousands of dollars each month? Even if you are a non-techie like me, you can write your ebook at the same time you write your print book. Or, solve your readers' problems using other articles and reports already in your files.
    How To Bring In Your First $100,000 With Infoproducts
    Can you really earn a living creating and marketing ebooks, special reports, courses and other infoproducts?Rather than just try to convince you of that fact, I figuredit's better to go one step further and show you exactly howit's done.Creating your own infoproducts, writing ebooks, building courses or membership sites are often the launch pad for becoming an information entrepreneur spinning off multiplestreams of online income.
    Why Write an EBook?
    It's not true that everything that has been said hasalready been written. Since that unfortunate axiomcame into use, the whole universe has changed.
    Delivering Your E-book
    Much of the attraction of e-books is that they can be purchased and received instantaneously. Within minutes of reading your great sales copy, someone can purchase and download your book? just like that.
    Choose the Right Format for Your Ebooks
    Choosing the right file format for your ebook is an essential step on the road to electronic self-publishing. This article looks at the factors affecting your choice and offers tips to help you make the most of your ebook, whatever format you choose.
    Convert Productive Articles to Profitable eBooks
    How many articles, reports and discussion papers have you written in your life? If you are like most people, these articles have probably been used very little maybe only once. Why not use the work you've already done and create a new product that can improve both your productivity and your profits.
    Should You Write A Book?
    Why would you want to take on such a task?A book can be an incredible tool for educating your potential customers. Giving them valuable information can help you to build your own credibility, and put you at the top of their mind as an expert who is willing and able to help.
    Are You Using The Four Letter Word?
    The most powerful word in the marketing dictionary is made up of just four letters: F-R-E-E.It doesn't matter what kind of product or service you're promoting, if you can use the word FREE in your advertising and marketing, then your response rates will shoot up.
    Ask and Ye Shall Create
    How do you decide to create a new speech? A new report? A net product? Most of us have an idea, then start to work on it. It's only when we are well into the creation phase that we determine whether or not it will sell.
    The Story of a Downsized Manager and His Ebook Business
    If you've been following the business and economic news around the globe, you should know about how unemployment rates have hit year lows. The recent economic downturn was one of the worse in history and has affected loads of people.
    E-Book Writing Formats: How to Make the Words Flow
    Nervous about writing your first e-book? Never fear. E-books are written in a conversational, informative style that's easy for the reader to understand, and easy for you to imitate as you write them.
    How to Price Your eBook
    You've written and compiled an ebook. Now you have todecide how much to charge for it.
    Top Ten eBook Mistakes and How to Correct Them (Part 2)
    Did you know that you already have an eBook inside you? And, like your coach, you can earn thousands of dollars each month? Even if you are a non-techie like me, you can write your ebook at the same time you write your print book. Or, solve your readers' problems using other articles and reports already in your files.
    7 Simple Ways To Boost Your E-Book Sales
    You can often dramatically increase your E-Book salesby making a few minor adjustments to your sales page.Here are 7 ways to increase your E-Book sales:(1) Make sure your 'Order' link appears at least 3times on your sales page.
    Ebook Marketing: How To Succeed In Your Ebook Marketing Without Trying Too Hard
    If you want to succeed in your ebook marketing,there are fundamental secrets you must know.First, your ebook needs to have an attractive title.
    What Comes First - The Cover or The eBook?
    One of biggest trend these days is related to ebooks. Because of their viral nature, ebooks are a great way to increase traffic to a site and that's why everyone has to write at least one.
    Your Guaranteed Path to Becoming an Information Product Money Machine
    How To Turn Your Talks or Articles into Books, eBooks, CDs and MoreYou may be writing a monthly newsletter. You may have written some short articles or reports.
    Little Known Ways To Make More Money With EBooks
    There are a myriad of free information products on the internet today, and actually looking to make some more money out of the act of 'giving' them away can be a constant source of much frustration. In conjunction with Johan Mok and Ewen Chia, Geoff Morris has compiled a list of some15 points that should remove some of these frustrations and actually start to make a deal more money foe the site owners.
    Just One Quick Question
    Ever notice the number of times a client or prospect says some variation of 'I just have one more question,' or 'Just a quick question?' The answers to those questions are the grist of a tips booklet. You may be asked the same or similar questions repeatedly.
    How To Protect Your eBooks From Piracy And Copyright Infringement!
    eBooks, or electronic books, mean big business for all aspiring writers. Not only can eBooks be sold in their own right as standalone products, but eBooks are fast becoming the weapon of choice for marketing gurus!Many business owners and webmasters pay writers to write eBooks for them.