Ebook Design (PDF)

Once you have decided upon the best format for your ebook,
your next step will be the design process. No matter which
format you choose, one of the most important factors in
determining your ebook's overall success is your presentation.
Your ebook should not only look professional in design, but
should also be well organized and easily navigated. In
addition, your ebook should include images that will enhance
its appearance and compliment your subject matter.

Although you can design your ebook using an application of
your choice, for the purpose of this article, we will focus on
designing your ebook with Microsoft Word.

When you purchase and install Adobe Acrobat, a shortcut
button will be added to your Microsoft Word toolbar. This
button will enable you to instantly convert your word
document into a PDF document.

When you begin designing your ebook, think of each page you
create as a page of a book, because that's exactly what it is.
Your ebook is a book in electronic format. Although the
structure of your ebook may vary, here is a basic guideline to
assist you:

Opening Page

The first page of your ebook will represent your book cover.
It should contain an image or logo that will compliment your
ebook. This page should also include your ebook's title,
followed by an opening statement.

Foreword

The next portion of your ebook may contain a Foreword with
information in regard to your copyrights, disclaimers or other
important information.

Instructions

Your Foreword may be followed by instructional information
in regard to using your ebook, such as navigation. Your
instructions might include an overview of how to navigate
your ebook and even some screenshots.

Table of Contents

A Table of Contents will assist your readers in easily locating
each section of your ebook.

When writing your text in Microsoft Word, you are provided
with a number of options to assist you in formatting your
pages in a specific layout. This powerful program will not only
enable you to insert page numbers, headers, footers,
borders and images, but it will also create your Table of
Contents for you.

Creating Your Table of Contents will be one of your last steps
in designing your ebook. In order for Microsoft Word to create
your Table of Contents, you must first apply specific heading
styles to the chapter headings that you would like to be
displayed within your Table of Contents.

To add a style to your chapter headings, highlight your text
and click on the style drop-down box on the left side of your
toolbar and select Heading1. You can edit your Heading1 style
to display your heading in the font and size of your choice.

If you would like to display any subtitles beneath your titles,
simply follow the same procedure above. However, instead of
selecting Heading1, select Heading2 and so on.

To build your Table of Contents, click on the page where you
would like to insert your Table of Contents. Click on "Insert"
then on "Index and Tables" and select the Table of Contents
tab. Select your preferred format and Word will instantly
create your Table of Contents.

Word builds your Table of Contents by searching for headings
with specified styles. It then sorts the headings according to
their heading level, references their page numbers, and then
displays the Table of Contents within your document.

Once you create your Table of Contents, your document can
be easily navigated by clicking on any page number within
your Table of Contents. This will enable your readers to
instantly jump to the corresponding chapter headings within
your document.

Introduction

Your introduction should follow your Table of Contents and
might contain an overview of your ebook's subject matter or
whatever you'd like. Your introduction will be a prelude to
your chapters.

Chapters

The next part of your ebook will contain your chapters. Your
chapter titles should be displayed in a larger, bold font. Each
new chapter should start at the top of a new page.

There are a number of ways you can spice up your ebook's
appearance and give it a professional look and feel. Here are
a few ideas to get you started:

Inserting Page Numbers

You can insert page numbers simply by clicking on "Insert"
then "Page Numbers." You will be presented with several
formatting options for positioning, alignment and styles. If
you would like to add additional text with your page numbers,
you can use the "Header and Footer" option.

Headers and Footers

Headers and Footers can be used to insert specific
information at the top and/or on the bottom of each of your
pages. To insert these fields into your pages, click on "View"
then on "Header and Footer." A header and footer area will
appear at the top and bottom of each page. You can type
in your text and/or use the toolbar to insert your information
into your pages. You only have to insert the information into
the "Header and Footer" area of your first page and it will be
displayed on every page.

Borders

Borders can be used to enhance your ebook's appearance.
To add a border to each of your pages, click on "Format"
then on "Borders and Shading." Click on the "Page Border"
tab and select your border style and color.

Images

Just as borders can be used to enhance your ebook's
appearance, images can also be used. Try to select images
that will enhance your reader's experience and compliment
your ebook's focus.

To insert an image within your page, click on "Insert" then on
"Picture" and select an option.

Take your time and make sure you use Word's powerful
features. It will assist you in creating a great looking ebook.
If you're not sure how to do something, simply click on "Help"
and it will guide you through the process.