As you know, I like to accompany Creative Design articles with different downloadable content that can help you in your day-to-day life. Sometimes these are infographics, ebooks, or even templates.
These info products are part of my content marketing plan. They represent a valuable resource that is much sought after on the networks.
I have already talked a lot about infographic design, as well as about the best tricks to get a good finish. But I have not talked so much about what tools and programs to make an ebook you should use.
It may seem more complicated at first glance. As there are many elements to pay attention to. And they require more time and dedication than other downloadables.
Do you want to know how? We will talk about a few basic tips when creating your first ebook and the tools and programs that I usually use to make the ebooks that I usually share on the blog.
Design resources and tools to make an eBook
When it comes to writing editorial content and, above all, thinking about how to make an ebook, you won’t find so many problems at the design level; You “only” need a word processor in which to shape the content.
A document from Google Drive, like Word from Microsoft Office, or any other free software, is the same.
The visual part can be the most complicated since you have to look for graphic resources, layout the content, design the cover, etc.
For this reason, I have prepared a compilation of the tools and sources that I like the most. And we usually use them on my team to create professional ebooks.
I hope this helps you!
Inspiration Resources
If you’re out of writing and copywriting ideas, or if it’s your first ebook, you might want to know some places to find inspiration.
Here are some highly recommended platforms:
Pinterest: It is a social network you can find many ideas for design, even for the promotion of the ebook.
What’s New: Web with free templates that you can customize and that will allow you to start with certain ideas.
Writing profession: Fantastic web page full of resources, ideas, and techniques to improve writing in order to create a quality and professional ebook.
Fiverr: Platform full of ideas for layout and cover. You can find what you need at a good price or get inspired by all the ideas you can see here.
Banks of images, icons, illustrations, and vectors
Another of the big issues that revolve around how to make an ebook is where to find the necessary graphic resources; from the elements to design the cover to the illustrative images or the necessary icons to organize the content.
Some of the banks of images, icons, illustrations, and vectors that I recommend are:
Shutterstock: Extensive catalog with all kinds of content in Premium quality.
Pixabay: Free images and videos that you can use in any type of product.
Freepik: It is a free catalog specialized in vectors.
Iconfinder: Free and Premium icons of all styles.
FindIcons: Free icons packaged by themes.
As I have already said, using quality graphic resources when creating your ebook can make the difference between professional content and one that goes unnoticed. Don’t worry about spending some time looking for what best suits your style.
If your business or company has an online presence but you cannot reach your target audience, it is because you need to follow a more solid strategy.
The best programs to make a professional eBook
How to make an ebook is not only considering how to write the content. It also implies how to layout it and design the cover.
If you don’t have a professional who is usually in charge of this type of work, you will have to look for a good program that will help you get what you need. And that is easy for you to manage.
Choosing between more or less specific programs is a matter of taste and of the ability you have with this type of graphic task.
Professional design programs to make ebooks
Among the professional design programs that you can choose when considering how to make an ebook, the most popular are those from the Adobe package, although there are other options that you can opt for:
Adobe InDesign: Specific software to layout all types of documents, from brochures to ebooks or presentations.
Adobe Illustrator: Focused on vector design, it can be very useful when creating the cover.
Photoshop: It can be used both to work on the graphic resources of the interior and for the cover.
Sketch: An alternative for those who work with Mac.
Gimp: Free software for all types of operating systems, with functionalities very similar to those of Photoshop and Illustrator.
InkScape: Ideal for designing illustrations and working with vectors. It is open-source and also works with all kinds of operating systems.
Online programs
The Internet is full of free options with which to work your ebook online. They are often more basic tools than what we have seen so far. It is quite common that they are more than enough for the idea you have in mind.
Also, starting with these types of programs can be very useful to see how you are doing and launch yourself to a higher level when the time is right.
I have differentiated two categories within the online programs that provide solutions to how to make an ebook. It depends on whether they are better for creating the cover or for the interior layout.
Layout programs
NeoBook: Exclusive tool for Windows since it requires a small installation. Although it has an editor for the cover, it is quite simple. However, the layout tool is easy to use and achieves good finishes.
iBooks: Create ebooks in an optimal format for iOS and has a wide variety of templates of all kinds.
Writing Studio: Especially useful because of how complete it is. Since in addition to being used to create the ebook, it gives you the necessary steps for self-publishing on different platforms.
Bubok: It allows you to create public or private ebooks, convert them to paper books and even solve distribution problems.
Myebook: Ideal tool for those looking to create interactive ebooks, including audio, video, or any other type of audiovisual content.
Programs to design covers
Canva: One of the complete online design programs of the moment. Now it also has a selection of templates to create covers for magazines, books, brochures, etc.
FotoJet: Specially designed to work with illustrations and vectors. And it also has a catalog of ideal templates to design a cover.
Book Cover Maker: With a free plan and a premium plan, it allows you to easily create all kinds of designs, including 3D graphics.
DesignFeed: Very complete and easy to use program.
It can often be better to work on each part of the ebook separately and then stitch it together with a PDF creation tool.
Not all ebooks require the same type of program. And sometimes what some give for the design does not work for the layout (or vice versa).
Don’t worry if you need to use more than one program. There is no single answer to how to make an ebook. And sometimes the combination of different tools and techniques can give the best results.
Conclusion
Creating an ebook of content is a very good option to improve online reputation and reach more users.
Also, if what you want is to sell information products on your website or blog, considering how to make an ebook can be the first step to launching new ideas that your community likes.
In any case, whatever you decide on, always offer well-presented content of value. Or it will not be worth the work and time invested.
