What programs do you use to create your free reports to encourage optins?

I do all my reports in MS Word.

I have used Photoshop and other "graphics intensive" programs . . . but to be honest . . . I have found them to not be as efficient as Word simply because my reports are mostly written narrative.

Most reports are written for their content, not their graphics. So I would suggest you stick with Word.

Word really is quite flexible and lets you do whatever you want. Could the problem be that you are only using a small portion of Word's capability? You can format text and graphics wherever and however you like. You can use columns, headers and footers, anything else that suits your fancy.

Here's a suggestion: find a report online that appeals to you, turn it into a Word file, then save it as a template. Then you can go back into the document, edit it however you like to include your own written content and graphics, and then save it as a pdf file.

This method will allow you to start of library of your own templates that can be used for whatever purposes you like.

The best to you.

Steve

Open Office and save it into pdf. Or Word and use a free software called cutepdf to save a pdf copy.

I agree with Steve B that it's content that really makes your report. Because it's recipes, of course graphics or photos added would make your report pop.

Leilani

I also use MSWord. It has almost everything you'll ever need in producing a nice'n professional ebook. Its text and drag-drop graphics manipulation is amazing. There's also a free add-in from Microsoft Office if you're running Office 2007 and above for the doc file to be saved as PDF or XPS. I also use Adobe Acrobat to work with PDF file. With Acrobat, you can do almost anything you want to do with PDF files but it's quite expensive though so just MSWord will do.

I use MSWord to create ebooks and create ebook covers with a free service like “myecovermaker” to make a 2d (or 3d) cover image. If you don’t have design skills you can hire a designer from Fiverr to create a classy ebook cover.

If you have links in your ebook sometimes I find they don’t always save using MSWord so I use “freepdfconvert” since I’ve never had any problems with broken links or formatting using this free software.

MS Word was all i ever needed for my reports and ebooks. I believe any program that was the function to save in PDF would suffice for this task. You don't really need much for a report.

But if you are looking for something with impressive placements and images, you could consider exploring the use of Adobe Photoshop. You can really create some stunning works with that and its mainly what professionals use.

Just note that you do require a good amount of skill before you can actually create something which looks visually appealing.

Word or Open Office, then export as .pdf

al

MS Word and Open Office works well for me. Its easy and none complicated.

I use MS Word. I'm pretty good with it. Then when I turn it into a PDF, I use this program called Nuance PDF Professional. If you don't have that, then I would suggest pdfonline .com. Then upload it to my site.