how to make an e-book look totally professional

16 replies
Quick question. I've written a number of e-books which are pretty much Word documents converted into PDFs. They aren't visually interesting.

On the other hand, I've seen e-books that look very slick. Nice fonts (that aren't standard ones), nice headers and graphics, a professional-looking layout.

Does anyone know of a service or designer that will take your Word document, and create a finished PDF e-book that has the totally "professional" look I am talking about?

I'm not even sure what software is used to lay out these e-books that look slick and "high end." I'd love to know this, as well...
#ebook #make #professional #totally
  • Profile picture of the author Barry Unruh
    Just jump in the Warriors For Hire section, you will find people who can handle your job.

    You should be able to make it look very slick in Microsoft Word, before you save it to PDF. You have access to thousands of fonts, clipart, pictures you can insert. Probably your biggest challenge will be with the cover.
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  • Profile picture of the author uniquecontent
    Hi,

    I saw sndas is doing this job very professionally. You also contact him at his below thread. He'll do your job in quite professional manner and surely it will help you to grow your business.

    http://www.warriorforum.com/warriors...est-price.html
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  • Profile picture of the author Deepak Media
    To be honest, If I am buying your ebook, I would only care about whether I am getting a return on investment on the ebook. In other words, the knowledge I gain should be worth it. And it is enough if the ebook is easy to read. Sometimes fancy graphics are the last thing I need when I read an ebook!
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  • Profile picture of the author yukiyenster
    Hey Rob,

    Thru personal experience, one good way would be to find a successful competitor's ebook in the niche you're targetting and note down all the graphics and charts he's providing in his book. Also take notice of his formatting and layout style.

    Then note down how your graphics and ebook will be better, this will help in giving your ebook quality and also give you that competitive edge.

    Take it, compare it, improve it, sell it!
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  • Profile picture of the author yukiyenster
    Originally Posted by Nathan Segal View Post

    I'm getting ready to launch a product that will handle this very request. It's for both the cover and interior of ebooks in MS Word. If you'd like to know more, PM me.

    In the meantime, check out my post: http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...CEgznTodz8aEaL

    Great info, I can't send PMs yet, Nate...think my post count is too low. Am interested in your product though. Is it some kind of software that can help automate the process? Drop me a PM yea, don't be shy
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  • Profile picture of the author sparky.ebiz
    Check out fellow warrior Tracy Yates' WSO.
    http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...BZFqlFVgMOwKeH

    Tracy offers both her ebook service or you can get her EZ Templates and then do it yourself.

    Sparky
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  • Profile picture of the author Leigh Beckett
    Hi Nathan,

    Can you send me the details too please. Also, I'm piecing an eBook together that has quite a lot of graphics in it - any idea what a manageable size should be for downloading etc?

    I haven't finished it yet but I'm guessing it'll be around 10+ MB toward in the end. Obviously I can re-size the graphics files if necessary.

    Leigh
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Wells
    Originally Posted by robvegas626 View Post

    Quick question. I've written a number of e-books which are pretty much Word documents converted into PDFs. They aren't visually interesting.

    On the other hand, I've seen e-books that look very slick. Nice fonts (that aren't standard ones), nice headers and graphics, a professional-looking layout.

    Does anyone know of a service or designer that will take your Word document, and create a finished PDF e-book that has the totally "professional" look I am talking about?

    I'm not even sure what software is used to lay out these e-books that look slick and "high end." I'd love to know this, as well...
    As long as you have the original text all finished and formatted the way you want, I can add images, and header graphics ect. anything you want to make it look very professional.....P.M. me for the price, it really depends on how many images you need, how many custom graphics, ect....
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  • Profile picture of the author Christophe Young
    I used Ebook Pro to create my ebook. It's an ebook compiler that comes with lots of professional designs and templates. You just pick and choose. I started with Word then uploaded to Ebook Pro and it gave me an awesome finished product.

    That's one other option for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jay F
    I agree with the poster that said that the content is most important. Word gives you plenty of formatting options, even with tables. If you want some charts, the Excel will generate them for you in the same style and you can easily add it to Word.

    Mind you I'm sure many of the designers referenced in this thread can give you an outstanding product, but for me, I'm just trying to keep cost in control.

    Good luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
      Some tips for making your ebook look more professional:

      1. Get a professionally designed cover. I llike to get the minisite graphics, ebook cover and add on a large, flat image to use as the cover from the same cover designer.

      2. Include the proper front matter such as disclaimer, copyright notice, & publishing information

      3. Use MS Word table of contents builder to professionally build a classic or more modern looking TOC that is linked automatically to your headings for chapters

      4. I like to format the first page of a chapter to begin halfway down the page, start with a large capital "dropped caps" (graphics design letters A-Z to use for these large caps on first letter effects)

      5. Use professional stock phot art strategically through your ebook - one picture per chapter works well - you can get these from places like istock or other royalty free image directories online. Note - these images should enhance the content, not just be put in because they are images

      6. Use headers and footers in MS Word where you can place your book title, chapter title and consistent design in the header keeping consistent design throughout your ebook.

      7. Use tables to represent your data. I often find in information products there are a few places in ebooks where data represented through writing can be enhanced by placing it in a a table which enhances design and makes it easier to read.

      Hope this helps...

      Jeff
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