Ready to turn your knowledge into profit? Selling an e-book is not just about sharing what you know; it's about creating a revenue stream that works for you—even while you sleep! Think about waking up to sales notifications and knowing your expertise is making a difference for readers all over the world.

If you’re eager to get your hands dirty by publishing an e-book and tap into the power of HubSpot, you’re in for a treat. Whether you’re an aspiring author or a seasoned content creator, HubSpot can be your secret weapon in selling e-books seamlessly. So grab your favorite beverage, and let’s explore how to sell your e-book, attract qualified leads, and boost your brand—all with a sprinkle of HubSpot magic!

Why You Should Sell An E-Book To Collect Qualified Leads 

When you're trying to qualify leads for your business there's no better way than using a paid e-Book.

Here’s why: people who invest in your e-book are genuinely interested in your niche. If they’re willing to buy your e-book, they’re more likely to explore additional products and services you offer. In fact, studies show that companies that utilize content marketing, like e-books, see conversion rates as high as 6 times greater than those that don’t.

Think of it like a free sample at a food court. When you grab a taste of that mouthwatering dish, there’s a good chance you’ll end up ordering a full meal. That’s what your e-book does—it’s a delicious teaser of what your business has to offer. The goal is to pack your e-book with insightful, valuable content that leaves readers hungry for more.

And here’s the kicker: if you're using HubSpot, it makes it incredibly easy for you to follow-up and upsell those wanting more. 

Before we share how you can sell your e-Book on HubSpot, we recommend checking out their full-guide on creating an e-Book from start to finish. 

How To Sell Your E-Book On HubSpot

Let’s kick things off with Cartfuel (not acquired by DepositFix), a handy third-party tool in the HubSpot marketplace. While it’s a paid tool, don’t worry—there’s a free 14-day trial! Cartfuel makes selling digital products a walk in the park. No coding skills? No problem! You can install the app directly from the HubSpot marketplace and get started.

After installing, connect your Stripe account. If you prefer to stick with HubSpot payments, you can, but be aware of some limitations:

  • You can't use your current Stripe account.
  • You can't import past Stripe products into HubSpot payments.
  • You can't use PayPal or other payment processors '
  • You have to live in the United States to use HubSpot payments 
  • It doesn't allow for donation creation.
  • It doesn't have a customer  portal 
  • You can't offer discount/coupon codes 
  • You can't customize the payment links to match your brand 
  • You can't offer order bumps.
  • You can't provide one-click upsells 
  • You can't offer add-ons.
  • You can't offer product variants. 

We wrote a more detailed post on the differences between HubSpot payments and how you can decide if it's the right tool for your business. 

Setting Up Cartfuel

Once you’ve linked your Stripe and HubSpot accounts, you’re ready to create your first payment form. Cartfuel comes pre-loaded with a payment form, so all you need to do is customize it.

Start by clicking the green 'Edit' button,which will open the payment form editor. Change the name to something like “HubSpot e-Book.”

Next, let's edit the product. Click the little pencil icon under the payment form name. You can adjust the product name, price, and add features like:

  • a quantity field 
  • stock
  • taxes 
  • variants 
  • and more

For this example, we’ll rename the product to “HubSpot e-Book” and set the price at $9.99—a sweet spot according to recent market research, as e-books priced under $10 tend to perform better.

Once you’ve updated those details, click the blue “Update” button. You can explore additional features like changing the currency or adding coupons, but you’re not required to include these options to successfully sell your e-book.

You can further modify your payment form by clicking 'Step 2 - Customize' to adjust the text, fonts, and colors. If you’re looking to upsell, head to “Step 3 - Upsells” to create offers for your customers.

We won't go to in-depth with all of the Cartfuel features, but if you want to learn more you can schedule a demo with their team. 

Don’t forget to click on the blue 'Save' button. Once you do, you’ll receive two code snippets to embed your payment form on your website or HubSpot landing page.

How To Embed Cartfuel On HubSpot Landing Pages

To get your e-book out there, you need to embed Cartfuel into your HubSpot landing pages. Here’s how:

  1. Log into your HubSpot account and navigate to the asset marketplace.
  2. Install the free HTML module to enable embedded scripts.
  3. Go to your HubSpot landing page where you want to showcase your e-book.
  4. In the left hand menu select the newly added HTML module.
  5. Copy the first code snippet from Cartfuel and paste it into the HubSpot module.
  6. Repeat the process with the second code snippet.
  7. Click the orange 'Update' button

And voilà! Your Cartfuel payment form is now live on your HubSpot website.

Here’s the fun part: when customers purchase through your payment form, their data seamlessly integrates into your HubSpot contact activity timeline. This means you can deliver the e-book directly through HubSpot—no extra tools needed!

How To Deliver Your E-Book Using HubSpot 

Before you send your e-book to your customers, you’ll need to add it to HubSpot. Here’s a quick guide:

  1. In your HubSpot Account, navigate to Marketing > Files & Templates > Files.
  2. Click the orange “Upload File” button.
  3. Pro tip: Keep your file size under 1GB for a smooth upload.

Once your e-book is live, it’s time to create a workflow to automate the delivery process. 

How To Create A HubSpot Workflow

HubSpot workflows are an easy way to deliver your content. To create a workflow follow these steps:

  1. Go to the "Workflow" tab in HubSpot and click the "Create workflow" button located at the top-right of the HubSpot website
  2. Select the "Contact-based" option inside the "Start from scratch" section
  3. Click "Next"
  4. Click the "Set enrollment triggers" and select "Cartfuel: Product Purchased"
  5. Select the "Product Name" option or any other option that suites your needs
  6. Select the "Contains any of" and an input text bar will appear under the selected option
  7. Click the "Apply Filter" or "Update Filter" button
  8. Click the "Save" button

Remember to enter the name of your product from Cartfuel.

Now, let’s add an email to the sequence by clicking the plus icon. Create a new email that includes the link to your e-book, which you can grab by clicking on the file name to get the asset link.

And just like that, you can automatically send an email with the e-book to every new customer who makes a purchase on your website!

Advanced E-Book Marketing Strategies: Tactics You Might Be Overlooking

Beyond traditional email campaigns and landing pages, there are advanced marketing strategies that can give your e-book sales a significant boost. By thinking outside the box and utilizing underused features, you can differentiate your e-books in a competitive market. Let’s explore some lesser-known but highly impactful tactics.

1. Smart Content Personalization

If you’re not already using smart content, you’re missing out on a powerful tool. Smart content allows you to dynamically change the messaging and offers on your website based on visitor behavior, lifecycle stage, or even location.

Example: Suppose a visitor downloads an e-book on marketing automation. The next time they visit your site, the homepage banner could automatically change to promote a more advanced e-book or paid course on the same subject. This keeps your site relevant and engaging without requiring manual updates.

How It Works: HubSpot's smart content tool can trigger personalized offers based on what your user has already interacted with, increasing the likelihood of conversions.

Good to Know: According to HubSpot, personalized content can increase conversion rates by up to 202%.

2. Referral Programs for E-Books

Referral programs are often used for physical products, but they can work just as effectively for digital goods like e-books. By rewarding customers who refer new readers, you can create a viral marketing loop where your existing customers promote you.

How It Works: Set up a referral program through HubSpot’s built-in tools where customers receive discounts on future purchases or exclusive content for every new reader they refer. This turns your loyal customers into brand advocates.

Real Impact: A referral program could help you generate leads at a 30% lower cost than traditional paid ads, as word-of-mouth recommendations are far more trusted by customers.

3. Interactive E-Book Previews

Instead of offering static sample chapters, consider giving potential readers a more engaging experience with interactive previews. Use HubSpot’s integrated marketing tools to create immersive experiences where users can flip through a sample e-book, watch embedded videos, or engage with interactive quizzes that complement the e-book’s content.

Example: For a business e-book on financial strategy, include a quiz that helps readers assess their current knowledge level. Based on their score, you can recommend specific sections of the e-book to read first, creating a more personalized and value-driven experience.

Good to Know: Interactive content is shown to generate twice as many conversions as passive content, making this an effective way to grab attention.

4. Leverage Dynamic Pricing Models

A dynamic pricing strategy can incentivize faster purchases or higher sales volumes. Instead of offering a fixed price for your e-books, consider pricing models that change based on demand or time-sensitive offers.

How It Works: HubSpot allows you to set up workflows that trigger price changes for specific users or campaigns. For instance, early bird customers can receive a 10% discount if they buy within the first week of a launch, while bulk buyers could get tiered discounts depending on how many e-books they purchase.

Real Impact: Companies using dynamic pricing models can see a 15-25% increase in total sales, as urgency and bulk purchasing drive customers to take action sooner.

5. Host Webinars or Live Q&A Sessions

Hosting live webinars or Q&A sessions where you discuss topics related to your e-book can help create more direct engagement with potential buyers. You can answer questions live, demonstrate the value of the e-book, and even offer exclusive discounts to attendees.

How It Works: Use HubSpot’s webinar integration to set up registration forms, email reminders, and follow-up campaigns. During the webinar, offer attendees a limited-time discount code for your e-book.

Real Impact: Businesses hosting educational webinars often see a 20-40% increase in conversion rates from attendees who are already engaged in the topic.

FAQ

What ebook file format should you use? 

There are several formats you can choose from, including PDF, EPUB, and MOBI. PDF is the most recognized format, but consider your audience’s preferences when selecting a format.

How do I monetize my eBook?

To effectively monetize your e-books, aim to sell them for $9.99 or less. Research indicates that this price point maximizes your chances of attracting buyers. And don’t forget to throw in some bonus content like PDFs or images to add even more value!

How can I promote my e-book to boost sales?

Leverage HubSpot’s email marketing, social media, and content marketing tools to promote your e-book. Offering limited-time discounts or sharing a free chapter can boost engagement.

How long should my e-book be?

There’s no fixed length, but aim for around 30-50 pages. Focus on delivering value and solving a problem for your readers rather than hitting a word count.

How can I track sales and performance?

HubSpot allows you to track sales, customer behavior, and marketing campaign performance, giving you clear insights into how well your e-book is selling.

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