How to Create an Ebook From Start to Finish [Free Ebook Templates]

Studying methods to create an e book may be overwhelming. Not solely do you must write the content material, however you additionally have to design and format it right into a professional-looking doc that folks will wish to obtain and browse.

You may already be accustomed to fiction or nonfiction ebooks, however what precisely is an e book within the advertising and marketing business, and why do they ship such nice outcomes for entrepreneurs?

On this put up, you will study:

Let’s get began.

36 Free Ebook Templates – Download Now

Download HubSpot’s 36 free ebook templates to create an e book on PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Adobe InDesign.

In 2021, ebook sales increased 38% for writer HarperCollins, following a pattern of elevated income earnings for the corporate. Though it is a snapshot of 1 writer’s success, it speaks to a extra vital motion towards digital content material consumption amongst entrepreneurs.

Lead magnets are available in many kinds, however the ebook still reigns supreme. They provide the reader:

• In-depth digital content material in an setting largely overrun with fast headlines and soundbites
• Visible knowledge that compliments the editorial content material
• On-demand entry to the e book content material

Writing ebooks advantages what you are promoting, too. Turning a revenue, buying new prospects, producing buzz, and turning into an business thought chief are only a few benefits of any such content material.

For example, nonetheless, that you’ve a implausible weblog filled with long-form content material. Why on this planet would you wish to supply your readers an e book? Is it even price your time?

Listed here are some benefits ebooks supply content material creators:

• Not like long-form printed publications bought in-store or shipped, an e book is straight away accessible everytime you’re able to learn.
• You’ll be able to put it behind an opt-in or “gate,” incentivizing your web site customer to turn into a lead if they need the data.
• In some methods, ebooks have design capabilities like in-depth charts, graphs, and full-page photographs, which you’ll not be capable of obtain in your weblog.
• After the preliminary creation of the e book, you’ll be able to distribute the file a large number of instances with no further manufacturing price. In addition they don’t have any related delivery charges.
• You’ll be able to embed hyperlinks to different media within the e book file, encouraging the reader to interact along with your content material additional.

Maybe extra importantly, ebooks supply a number of benefits on your viewers:

• Ebooks are extremely transportable and may be saved on many units with none related bodily space for storing.
• The reader will get the selection to print the e book out in the event that they wish to eat the data in a standard bodily format. In any other case, the digital format is environmentally pleasant.
• Ebooks are extra accessible, giving readers the flexibility to extend font sizes and/or learn aloud with text-to-speech.
• They’re additionally simply searchable if the reader is on the lookout for one thing particular.

Furthermore, with lead era being the highest purpose for content material advertising and marketing, ebooks are an important a part of a profitable inbound advertising and marketing program.

On this put up, we‘ll stroll you thru the ins and outs of making an e book by, nicely, creating an e book. And when you’re frightened about your missing design abilities, we’ve received you coated.

Bear in mind: The purpose of your e book is to generate leads for your sales team, so choose a subject that can make it straightforward for a prospect to go from downloading your e book to having a dialog along with your gross sales crew.

This implies your e book should not deviate a lot from the matters you cowl in your different content distribution channels.

Quite, it‘s your alternative to do a deep dive right into a topic you’ve solely flippantly coated till now, however one thing your viewers needs to study extra about.

For instance, in listening to gross sales and buyer calls right here at HubSpot, I‘ve discovered that creating ebooks is a large impediment for our viewers, who’re entrepreneurs themselves. So if I can present not solely this weblog put up however sources to make e book creation simpler, I’m specializing in the fitting matter that can naturally result in a gross sales dialog.

Listed here are some pattern e book titles to think about to get your inventive juices flowing.

• X Finest Practices for [Insert Industry/Topic]
• An Introduction to [Insert Industry/Topic]
• X Widespread Questions About [Insert Industry/Topic] Answered
• X [Insert Industry/Topic] Statistics For Higher Resolution-Making
• Study From The Finest: X [Insert Industry/Topic] Consultants Share Insights

(Word: Exchange “x” with an applicable quantity.) You too can use our free Blog Topic Generator tool to develop extra concepts. Most weblog matters may be complete sufficient to function longer-form e book matters.

For this weblog put up, I’ll use the PowerPoint model of template two from our collection of five free ebook templates. By every part of this put up, I will present a side-by-side of the template slide and the way I personalized it.

Under, you will see my personalized cowl with my sales-relevant e book matter. For assist with writing compelling titles on your ebooks, check out the tips in this blog post.

2. Conduct analysis.

Though you in all probability have fairly a bit of data about your matter already, you continue to want to determine what precisely your viewers needs to learn about and how one can make your e book stand out from others out there.

When doing analysis on your e book, contemplate the next:

• Learn via present publications about your matter and determine information gaps and areas that require additional exploration. Throughout your analysis, take the time to handle these unanswered inquiries to make your e book extra complete and precious.
• Conduct keyword research to search out key phrases and phrases which might be associated to the subject you’re writing about. By doing this, you’ll be able to uncover tendencies about your topic and higher attain customers who wish to study extra concerning the matter.
• Collect unique knowledge and insights to distinguish your e book from different sources and place your self as an authority in your matter. If you happen to’re in a position, attain out to business specialists and conduct interviews to gather distinctive info. You too can ship out surveys to your viewers to get statistics to assist your content material.

When you’ve gathered all of your info, be sure to confirm that it’s all correct and up-to-date. Additionally, be sure you hold your findings organized, so you’ll be able to simply return and reference them as you’re writing your e book.

3. Define every chapter of your e book.

The introduction to your e book ought to set the stage for the e book’s content material and draw the reader in.

What’s going to you cowl in your e book? How will the reader profit from studying it? For tips on how to write an effective introduction, check out this post.

Some e book creators say that an e book is solely a series of blog posts stitched together. Whereas I agree it is best to deal with every chapter as a person weblog put up, the chapters of your e book also needs to stream fluidly from one to the opposite.

One of the best ways to stipulate your e book is by pondering of it as a crash course on the sales-relevant matter you chose. In my instance of making an e book, I do know I have to cowl methods to:

• Write efficient copy
• Design an e book
• Optimize ebooks for lead era and promotion

Whereas my instance has a number of chapters, remember the fact that your e book doesn’t should be prolonged.

Right here’s a golden rule to observe concerning e book size: Write what is required to coach your viewers about your chosen matter successfully.

In case your e book requires 5 pages, nice! If it requires 30 pages, so be it. Simply do not waste phrases pondering you could write a prolonged e book.

Let‘s now transfer on to the precise copy you’re writing.

4. Break down every chapter as you write.

Get writing! Right here, you’ll be able to strategy every chapter the best way you may write a protracted weblog put up — by compartmentalizing every chapter into smaller sections or bullet factors, as proven within the image under.

This helps you write merely and clearly, moderately than utilizing subtle language to convey every level. It is the best technique to educate readers and assist them perceive the brand new materials you’re offering.

You should definitely keep a constant construction throughout every chapter, as nicely. This helps you identify pure transitions between every chapter so there is a clear development from one chapter to the following (merely stitching weblog posts collectively can rob you of this high quality).

These practices ought to maintain true for all of your different advertising and marketing efforts, resembling email marketing, call-to-action creation, and touchdown web page growth. “Readability trumps persuasion,” as Dr. Flint McGlaughlin of MECLABS usually says.

Wish to be sure to’re holding your e book thrilling for readers? Listed here are some key suggestions to remember:

• Use key phrases within the title that emphasize the worth of your supply. Examples embody adjectives like “wonderful,” “superior,” or “final.”
• Preserve your format constant, so that you create a psychological mannequin for readers and improve their understanding of the fabric.
• When applicable, use formatting — like bulleted lists, daring textual content, italics, and font measurement adjustments — to attract individuals’s eyes to your most necessary content material or emphasize particular factors you need readers to recollect.

5. Design your e book.

Our downloadable ebook templates are supplied in each PowerPoint and InDesign. For this instance, we’ll present you methods to do it in PowerPoint, since extra individuals have entry to that software program. (If you happen to want a refresher, here’s a beginner-friendly guide on how to use PowerPoint.)

We solely have one “chapter web page” within the template (slide three). To create further chapter pages, or any pages actually, merely right-click the slide and select Duplicate Slide. This can make a duplicate of your slide and permit you to drag it to its correct place in your e book through the sidebar or Slide Sorter part of PowerPoint. You’ll be able to then customise it for any subsequent chapters.

6. Use the fitting colours.

Ideally, our free ebook templates would magically match your model colours. However they in all probability don‘t; that is the place you get to actually personalize your work. Nevertheless, as a result of ebooks supply extra actual property for coloration than your emblem or web site, it’s good to think about secondary colours inside your model’s coloration palette. Ebooks are the place this coloration scheme can really shine.

To discover ways to add your model’s colours to PowerPoint, check out this blog post. That method, you’ll be able to customise the colour scheme in our e book templates to match your model!

7. Incorporate visuals.

Pictures and graphics in ebooks are onerous to get proper. The important thing to creating them match nicely is to consider them as complementary to your writing. Whether or not you add them throughout or after you’ve completed writing your e book’s copy, your visuals ought to serve to focus on an necessary level you’re making or deconstruct the which means of an idea in an easy-to-understand, visible method.

Pictures shouldn’t simply be there to make the e book straightforward on the eyes. Quite, they need to be used to reinforce the reader’s understanding of the fabric you’re masking. If you happen to need assistance gathering visuals, now we have three units of free inventory photographs that may enable you to alongside the best way:

And when you’re compiling a data-heavy e book, you may wish to obtain our free data visualization ebook for recommendations on designing compelling charts and graphs on your content material.

8. Spotlight quotes or stats.

One other technique to improve your e book is by highlighting quotes or stats inside your design. Simply make sure the quote or stat you are utilizing genuinely provides worth to the content material.

Whether or not you are emphasizing a quote or including a visible, hold all of your content material throughout the similar margins. In case your copy is constantly one-inch indented in your web page from each the left and proper sides, hold your designed components aligned utilizing that very same spacing.

9. Place applicable calls to motion inside your e book.

Now that your content material is written and designed, it is time to optimize it for lead era, reconversion, and promotion.

Take into consideration how you bought right here — you clicked on a call-to-action (CTA) in an electronic mail, on a social media put up, or elsewhere. A CTA is a hyperlink or visible object that entices the customer to click on and arrive at a touchdown web page that can get them additional engaged along with your firm.

Since your e book readers have in all probability transformed into results in get their arms in your e book, use the CTAs inside your e book to reconvert your readers and propel them further down your marketing funnel.

As an example, a CTA can result in one other supply, your annual convention’s registration web page, or perhaps a product web page. Relying on what this subsequent motion is, CTAs may be an in-line rectangle or a full-page teasing the following supply (see each photographs under).

To hyperlink the CTA in your e book (or any picture or textual content in your e book) to your vacation spot URL, merely go to Insert >> Hyperlink in PowerPoint.

We have even designed 50 customizable calls-to-action in PowerPoint you’ll be able to obtain and use in your ebooks. You can grab them here.

Now, we don‘t have a devoted CTA template slide within the PowerPoint e book templates … nevertheless it’s nonetheless easy! You simply must duplicate the Header/Subheader slide and customise the copy or add photographs as wanted. You too can go to Insert >> New Slide and work from there.

10. Convert it right into a PDF.

When you‘ve completed writing your e book — CTAs and all — it’s time to transform it to the fitting file sort, so it is transferable from you to your recipient.

To transform your e book to a PDF, click on File >> Save As within the e book template you will have open. Then, below File Format, choose PDF and choose a vacation spot in your laptop for this new file.

Why can‘t you simply connect what you must a touchdown web page and be finished with it? Phrase paperwork, PowerPoints, and comparable templates are good for creating your e book however not for delivering it. As a result of these templates are editable, the contents of your e book are too simply corrupted, distorted, and even misplaced when transferring out of your laptop to the arms of your future leads. That’s the place PDFs are available in.

You have seen these letters on the finish of recordsdata earlier than. Brief for Transportable Doc Format, the .PDF file sort basically freezes your e book so it may be displayed clearly on any machine. A well-liked various to PDFs is the .EPUB file sort. See a comparison of EPUB to PDF here.

11. Create a devoted touchdown web page on your e book.

Your e book must be accessible for obtain via a landing page in your website. A landing page is an online web page that promotes/describes your supply and supplies a type that guests have to fill out with their contact info to entry your e book. That is how one can convert your guests into enterprise leads that your gross sales crew can finally observe up with.

As an example, you went via this landing page to entry this e book template.

If you happen to’re nonetheless unsure methods to get began, download this free ebook to learn more about optimizing your landing pages for conversion.

And when you’re on the lookout for a quicker, simpler technique to create your e book touchdown web page, try HubSpot’s free Campaign Assistant tool. As an alternative of writing and modifying for hours, Marketing campaign Assistant can generate your copy with only a few clicks.

12. Promote your e book and observe its success.

As soon as your touchdown web page is all set, you should utilize that vacation spot URL to advertise your e book throughout your advertising and marketing channels. Listed here are 5 methods you are able to do this:

• Promote your new e book in your web site. For instance, function a CTA or hyperlink to your supply’s touchdown web page in your sources web page and even your homepage.
• Promote your e book via your weblog. As an example, contemplate publishing an excerpt of your e book as a weblog put up. Or write a separate weblog article on the identical matter as your e book, and hyperlink to it on the finish of your put up utilizing a call-to-action to encourage readers to continue to learn. (Word: This very weblog put up is the right instance of methods to promote an give you created with a weblog put up.)
• Ship a segmented electronic mail to contacts who’ve indicated an curiosity in receiving presents out of your firm.
• Leverage paid promoting and co-marketing partnerships that can enable you to promote your e book to a brand new viewers.
• Publish posts to social media with a hyperlink to your e book. You too can enhance social shares by creating social media share buttons inside your e book, resembling those on the backside proper of this e book.

After your content material is launched and promoted throughout your advertising and marketing channels, you’ll additionally need advertising and marketing analytics to measure your dwell product’s success.

As an example, it is best to have touchdown web page analytics that provide you with perception into how many individuals downloaded your e book and transformed into leads and closed-loop analytics that present what number of of these individuals finally transformed into alternatives and prospects for what you are promoting.

And with that, we have constructed an e book, of us! You’ll be able to try the packaged model of the instance I constructed right here:

After your content material is launched and promoted throughout your advertising and marketing channels, you’ll have to have marketing analytics to measure your ebooks’ success. As an example, have touchdown web page analytics that provide you with perception into how many individuals downloaded your e book or present what number of of these downloaders transformed into alternatives and prospects for what you are promoting.

Data Visualization 101: How to Design Charts and Graphs [Free Download]

Ebooks may be saved in one among several formats. Relying in your end-user, although, you may discover a use for any of the next file varieties:

PDF

PDFs are possible probably the most well-known file sort. The “PDF” extension stands for “Transportable Doc Format,” and is finest for ebooks that should be learn on a pc (digital entrepreneurs, you‘ll wish to keep in mind this one).

EPUB

This file sort stands for “Digital Publication,” and is a extra versatile e book format. By that, I imply EPUB ebooks can “reflow” their textual content to adapt to varied cell units and tablets, permitting the e book‘s textual content to maneuver on and off completely different pages based mostly on the machine’s measurement on which a consumer is studying the e book. They’re notably useful for viewing on smaller screens, resembling smartphones and the Nook from Barnes and Noble.

MOBI

The MOBI format originated from the Mobipocket Reader software program, which was bought by Amazon in 2005 however was later shut down in 2016. Nevertheless, the MOBI file extension stays a preferred e book format suitable throughout the key e-readers (besides the Nook).

Whereas the format has some limitations, resembling not supporting audio or video, it helps DRM, which protects copyrighted materials from being copied for distribution or seen illegally.

Newer Kindle codecs are based mostly on the unique MOBI file varieties.

AZW

That is an e book file sort designed for the Kindle, an e-reader machine by Amazon. Nevertheless, customers can even open this file format on smartphones, tablets, and computer systems via the Kindle app.

ODF

ODF stands for OpenDocument Format, a file sort meant primarily for OpenOffice, a collection of open-source content material creation applications much like Microsoft Workplace.

IBA

IBA is the proprietary e book format for the Apple iBooks Creator app. This format does assist video, sound, photographs, and interactive components, however it’s only used for books written in iBooks. It’s not suitable with different e-readers.

2. Select a Publishing Platform

When selecting a platform, contemplate elements like attain, royalty charges, distribution channels, ease of use, and the preferences of your target market. It might even be price exploring regional or specialised platforms relying in your e book’s area of interest or goal market.

Listed here are some standard choices:

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

KDP is among the hottest self-publishing platforms. It lets you publish and promote your e book on the Kindle Retailer, accessible by thousands and thousands of Kindle e-readers and Kindle apps. KDP presents numerous promotional instruments and supplies international distribution choices.

Apple Books

Apple Books (previously iBooks) is the e book platform for Apple units, together with iPhones, iPads, and macOS units. It supplies a seamless studying expertise and lets you publish and promote your e book on the Apple Books retailer.

Barnes & Noble Press

Barnes & Noble Press (previously Nook Press) is the self-publishing platform for Barnes & Noble, one of many largest booksellers in america. It lets you publish and promote your e book on the Barnes & Noble web site and Nook units.

Kobo Writing Life

Kobo Writing Life is an e book self-publishing platform related to Kobo e-readers and apps. It presents international distribution and the flexibility to set pricing, promotions, and earn royalties from gross sales.

Draft2Digital

Draft2Digital is a user-friendly e book distribution platform that helps you publish and distribute your e book to a number of retailers, resembling Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and extra. It simplifies the method by dealing with the conversion, distribution, and cost points for you.

3. Create an Account and Add Your Book

Join an account in your chosen platform. Present the mandatory info, resembling your title, handle, and cost particulars if required.

As soon as your account is created, observe the platform‘s directions to add your e book file and canopy design. Be certain that the recordsdata meet the platform’s formatting and measurement necessities.

You’ll additionally have to fill out the e book particulars, together with title, writer title, description, and classes or genres. These particulars assist readers uncover and perceive your e book.

4. Set Pricing and Royalties

Decide the pricing on your e book. This determines how a lot income you’ll be able to generate from every sale. By setting the fitting value, you’ll be able to guarantee your e book is aggressive out there whereas maximizing your earnings.

After getting your value set, you’ll wish to determine your royalty rates, which is the proportion of the e book’s value that you simply earn because the writer or writer for every sale.

Totally different e book publishing platforms supply numerous royalty constructions, and it is necessary to grasp the charges and phrases they supply. By setting royalties, you’ll be able to calculate and predict your earnings from every sale.

You may additionally wish to contemplate providing your e book without cost.

Though it wouldn’t assist generate direct income on your firm, it will probably nonetheless improve publicity and appeal to a bigger readership, resulting in word-of-mouth promotion and probably growing future gross sales. Plus, it supplies a chance to generate leads and construct an electronic mail record for future engagement.

5. Preview and Publish

Earlier than publishing, preview your e book to make sure it appears as meant and guarantee there are not any errors or formatting points. When you’re glad, click on the publish button to make your e book accessible for buy.

Understand that the steps talked about above are normal pointers, and the particular importing course of could fluctuate based mostly on the platform you select to publish your e book with.

Conducting an experiment or enterprise survey? This can be a nice technique to develop proprietary information and turn into a thought chief in your business. However how will you share your findings with the individuals who care about it? Create an ebook that describes the experiment, what you meant to search out out, the outcomes of the experiment, and what these findings imply on your readers and the market at massive.

Case Examine

Folks love success tales, particularly if these individuals are on the fence about buying one thing from you. If in case you have a shopper whose enterprise you are notably proud to have, why not inform their story in an e book?

Book case research present your consumers that different individuals belief you and have benefited out of your services or products. In your e book, describe what your shopper’s problem was, the way you related with them, and the way you have been in a position to assist your shopper resolve their problem and turn into profitable.

Product Demo

The extra complicated your product is, the extra info your prospects might want to use it appropriately. In case your services or products has many use instances or it is onerous to arrange alone, dedicate a short e book to displaying individuals methods to take advantage of out of it.

As an example, within the first part of your e book, you’ll be able to clarify methods to launch your services or products. The second part can break down the person options and functions your product is finest used for.

Interview

Are you interested by interviewing a well known particular person in your market? Maybe you‘ve already sat down with an influencer to select their mind concerning the business’s future. Package deal this interview into an e book, making it straightforward on your prospects to learn and share your inside scoop.

Playbook

A “playbook” is a doc individuals can use when taking over a brand new venture or idea that’s overseas to them. Consider it like a cheat sheet, filled with suggestions and methods that assist your prospects get higher at what they do.

When finished proper, a playbook equips your prospects with the data they would want to excel when utilizing your product. For instance, a software program vendor for IT professionals may create a “virus safety playbook” that makes assist groups higher at stopping viruses for his or her respective firms.

Weblog Put up Collection

Generally, the perfect e book for what you are promoting is already strewn throughout a series of blog posts. If you happen to’ve spent the final month writing articles all on the identical topic for what you are promoting, think about how these posts would look stitched collectively?

Every article can start a brand new chapter. Then, as soon as this e book is created, you’ll be able to market it on a touchdown web page, hyperlink to this touchdown web page from every weblog put up, and generate leads from readers who wish to obtain the whole weblog collection in a single handy e book.

Earlier than setting a price for your ebook, perform some research. Decide who your viewers is, what they’re keen to pay, and the way many individuals inside your goal market is perhaps prepared to purchase it. Then, decide the platforms you’ll promote your e book via. Amazon? Apple Books? Your web site? You’ll be able to analysis how a lot ebooks normally go for on these websites and incorporate this perception into your pricing strategy.

How is an e book structured?

There‘s no set rule for organizing your content material into an e book. It typically mimics the construction of a novel or textbook (relying on what it’s you’re writing about). However, it is best to be sure you adhere to some points of an e book.

Ebooks sometimes have a system of chapters and supporting photographs. Like a weblog put up, additionally they do nicely when additional segmenting their textual content with subheaders that break down the dialogue into particular sections. If you happen to’re writing about skilled sports activities, for instance, and one among your chapters is about Main League Baseball (MLB) within the U.S., you may wish to set up subchapters concerning the numerous groups belonging to the MLB.

What can an e book be about?

Something. Nicely, inside cause.

Ebooks are merely a marketer’s method of delivering a lot of crucial info in a type their potential prospects are most keen to learn.

For instance, an environmental firm may write an e book about water conservation. They could additionally focus an e book solely on utilizing their water-saving product or the way it helped a buyer resolve an issue.

Analysis is a major a part of e book creation, regardless of your e book’s matter. Opposite to short-form content material like articles and movies, the content material of an e book relies on belief and proof. A consumer who obtains (or requests entry to) your e book needs the complete story, not simply the bullet factors. That features all of the content material and testing you went via to provide the e book.

Are you able to edit an e book?

Nope.

An e book can‘t be edited as soon as it’s been saved in one of many major file formats, so it is best to make sure you have an editable model saved in a program like Microsoft Phrase.

However why would you need your e book to be uneditable? Making ebooks uneditable ensures the content material stays unchanged — each the format and the data — because it’s shared between a number of customers.

You’ll be able to edit ebooks in the event that they’re saved utilizing an editable PDF, a function that’s particular to Adobe Acrobat. If in case you have the software program, studying how to edit PDFs is easy with Acrobat’s user-friendly interface.

How do you learn an e book?

You’ll be able to learn an e book on many alternative units: iPhone, Android smartphones, a Macbook, PC, and e-readers such because the Nook and Kindle. The latter two units are sometimes used to learn novels in digital type. Nook and Kindle homeowners can retailer 1000’s of books (actually) on a single Nook or Kindle.

Share Your Experience in an Book

Ebooks are one of many high changing lead magnets a enterprise can supply to its viewers. Creating an e book is all about delivering excessive worth at a low value level to generate a excessive gross sales quantity.

Ebooks work nicely for brand spanking new companies on the lookout for model consciousness and established firms securing a spot as an business thought chief.

As long as you and your crew have outlined what success appears like on your e book launch, you’ll reap the rewards of this stand-alone asset for months — and even years — to come back. So get began in your e book utilizing the free template accessible within the supply under.

Editor’s notice: This put up was initially printed in November 2018 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.