The claim of creating and selling an ebook in just 12 minutes using Google NotebookLM is a bold and attention-grabbing marketing hook. While Google NotebookLM is a powerful AI tool that can significantly accelerate the content creation process, the 12-minute timeline is a highly optimistic, and likely unrealistic, claim for a complete, high-quality product.

However, the core idea behind this "hack" is sound: leveraging AI to bypass the most time-consuming steps of writing an ebook. Here's a realistic breakdown of how to use Google NotebookLM and other tools to create and sell an ebook quickly.

Step 1: The Content Generation with Google NotebookLM
This is where the true power of this "hack" lies. NotebookLM is a tool that acts as an AI research assistant, helping you synthesize and organize information. It's designed to work with your uploaded sources.

The "Hack" in Action:

Gather Your Sources: The most crucial step is to provide NotebookLM with quality information. This can be in the form of:

PDFs of reports or guides.

Transcripts from YouTube videos or podcasts.

Links to high-quality blog posts or articles.

Your own notes on a topic.

Upload to NotebookLM: Upload these sources to a new notebook. NotebookLM will then analyze and summarize this information.

Prompt for Content: This is where you direct the AI. Use clear and specific prompts to have NotebookLM generate content for your ebook. Instead of asking for a full book, ask it to generate content for specific sections or chapters. For example:

"Create an outline for an ebook on sustainable gardening."

"Write a detailed chapter about how to build a raised garden bed, based on the uploaded sources."

"Generate a list of 10 actionable tips for first-time gardeners."

Synthesize and Edit: The key is to use the generated content as a starting point, not a final product. Combine the different pieces of content, fact-check the information, and add your own unique voice, personal stories, and insights.

Important Note: Do not rely solely on the AI's output. NotebookLM provides citations to its sources, so you must use this feature to verify the information and ensure accuracy.

Step 2: Formatting and Design (The 12-Minute Challenge)
This is where the time-saving comes into play, as you're not writing from scratch.

Choose a Simple Tool: Use a platform like Canva or Google Slides to format your ebook. These platforms offer pre-made, professional-looking templates that you can easily customize.

Drag & Drop: Copy and paste the polished content from NotebookLM into the template. Add images from free stock photo sites like Pexels or Unsplash to make the ebook visually appealing.

Create a Cover: A book is judged by its cover. Use a template on Canva to create a simple, clean, and eye-catching cover that reflects your ebook's topic.

Step 3: Selling Your Ebook Online (The Monetization)
Once your PDF is ready, you need a platform to sell it. The goal is to set up a simple and efficient sales process.

Choose a Platform: For a quick start, use platforms designed for digital downloads.

Gumroad: This is one of the easiest platforms to use. You simply upload your product, set a price, and Gumroad handles the payment and delivery.

Payhip: Similar to Gumroad, Payhip is a free-to-use platform for selling digital products.

Etsy: If your ebook is in a niche with a large Etsy audience (e.g., planners, guides, templates), this can be a good option.

Write a Compelling Sales Page: Your sales page is your most important tool. It doesn't have to be complex. Just write a clear description of what the ebook is about, what problem it solves, what the customer will learn, and a clear call to action.

The Realistic Timeline
While 12 minutes is a stretch, a complete process could look more like this:

1 Hour: Research and gather all your source material.

1-2 Hours: Upload to NotebookLM and use prompts to generate and organize the content.

2-3 Hours: Edit, fact-check, and rewrite the AI-generated content to add your own expertise and voice.

1 Hour: Design and format the ebook using a template.

30 Minutes: Set up your sales page on Gumroad or Payhip.

The real "hack" is not the speed, but the strategy: use AI to do the heavy lifting of research and first drafts so you can focus on what matters most: adding value, polishing the content, and getting it in front of the right people.