A long day for me today. We spent the whole day skiing. I feel exhausted and ready for the family evening. Yet, the challenge is still ON. Yesterday and the day before that I was thinking over the book structure (Still looking for your feedback there!)

Today, I need some help with my major concern…

I am a big believer in the hyperlinks. My web articles are full of links. I always make sure to find related tools, related resources, articles explaining the mentioned concept.When I am reading a real book, I WISH there were ways to click things to get a quick glimpse on what has been mentioned…

How do I manage to write an articles which would be good for print? I know there are no hyperlinks there. I may go about mentioning some tools (names) and adding screenshots but I still need to think about writing more about hyperlink-less article. Any advice here?

How do I make my book resourceful without linking?

Please submit your thoughts here!

Thoughts from Helpful MyBlogU Members (Aren’t they awesome?)

From Ken Shenkman:

I have ghost written a few books and here are two ideas you might consider:

1) Add a resources section to the book. You can provide a list of relevant tools, etc in an oragnized manner without having to clutter the book content itself.

2) Build a website to accompany the book, There you can list additional information, articles etc and keepm them coming back for more of your valuable informaion.

From Mum in search:

I like books where the list of resources is separate from the content – at the end of each chapter or at the end of the book. At the moment I’m reading Creativity for Sale by Jason SurfApp and he mentions tons of good resources in the book, but I don’t want to interrupt my reading to check them out and if I want to come back later, I’ll have to search the whole book for what I need. I caught myself wishing that he had taken the time to include the list of resources separately, so that they are easy to find.

From Lindsey F. Rainwater:

I know that it’s hard to not hyperlink to things – obviously it’s one of those things we like doing to add value to content. But if you write a book or article that’s made for printing, I would say just try to be very clear about the domain, and make it as short as possible. I also know that can be difficult, but if you make it clear to people how much value is at the other end of that URL, they will take the time to type it in.

Also, maybe have a resources index at the back of the book with domains and URLs organized by topic, and that way it’s super easy for people to flip to the back of the book and find a site that will give them the info they need.

From Angela Alcorn:

Think like a scholar, or a journalist for a printed newspaper. Basically, you need to collect quotes and attribute them properly. Sometimes quote directly, and sometimes paraphrase to keep the flow of the text going. And you need to state carefully what the authority of your source is, by mentioning the full name of their book or qualifications as you go. Perhaps at the end of the book you can have a “Further Reading” section where you let people know where you got the information from (and give links). But at least that keeps the flow of the book going. Try using a tool like Zotero or “Cite This For Me” to get your bibliography sorted as you research.

From Helen Hoefele:

Just a thought… but maybe try a format like the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books.  This is sort of like hyperlinks, and lets the reader choose where they want to go next in the book for more information.   I haven’t read this next book that I mention, but I know that Neil Patrick Harris’ recent book is in that sort of format and entitled “Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography”.

From David Leonhardt:

The three traditional ways are footnotes, endnotes and bibliography.  I find that footnotes are best for items that give further details about something specific on the page, which is what I think most blog post hyperlinks are meant to do. Endnotes do that, too, but it means referring back to the end of the book all the time. Bibliography is mote for a list resources related to the topic of the book, but not necessarily to a specific point in the book.  There is no reason not to have both notes (footnotes or endnoites) and also a bibliography.

From Jan Kearney:

I think the easiest method for resources and citations in print would be footnotes.  However, they can be very distracting if there are several per page.  Perhaps a more user friendly method would be a resources/citations section at the end of each chapter with a classic citations list at the end of the book.  You could take it one step further and have a final chapter of resources listed under categories rather than in order of them mentioned or alphabetically.

From Cleverpedia:

…something that I’ve seen in a few SEO books I’ve read (maybe especially Paddy Moogan’s book? Or one of the Moz ones? I can’t remember right now) is using customized Bitly links within the text. So whenever you have the urge to hyperlink, you can just include a parenthetical statement with the URL (bitly.com/YourURLHere) — way quicker for a reader to navigate to than a full URL.

Another alternative: create your own redirects (ie annsmarty.com/BookResourceName), which you can edit to point elsewhere if you ever notice that a link breaks/moves.

Then, if you really want to appeal to all kinds of readers (the kind that will interrupt reading a book to visit a resource you mention, and the type that want to see those things at the end of the chapter, as “Mum in search” mentioned), gather up all the things you link to within the chapter in a resources section at the end.

Good luck! I’d be very interested in reading your book when it’s published

From Julie S Kalungi:

Thats realy simple. Write it like either a Text book with numbered sup/superscripts linking to your “Glossary” at the back. Or As a story and have a full resource reference at the back! The latter style should attract ore attention as we both know stories sell. And It would be oh so refreshing to read an e-book withot links! As links can detract from your story and someone may get lost in the link.

Good luck with that Ann

From Maxwell Ivey:

How about creating a resources page on your website. then any time you mention a product or service in the book you include this one page link in the physical book. with repetition and the simplicity by the time people get part of the way through the book they will know if you mention something that can help them that they can go to your resources page. this could even be a secret link only available to people who buy the book. the book could even become a marketing tool driving traffic to your resources page which i assume will include some items that you receive affiliate income from

Wow… Just wow! These are awesome! I feel so inspired!