The Ultimate Guide to Creating an E-Book Design That Sells Your Content
1. Introduction to ebook design
In this article, we will explore the basics of ebook design.
The ebook industry is growing at an exponential rate. So it is important to learn how to design an ebook cover that will stand out in the marketplace and make a potential reader want to take a closer look.
We'll start by exploring the different ways to focus on ebook design tools, resources and content planning, that can help you build a highly valuable ebook for your readers.
2. Designing the Front Cover of your Ebook
A good book cover is the first impression of your book and it is crucial to make a good first impression. The cover should be an accurate representation of the content, and it should also be appealing to readers.
Ebook Makers For Better Productivity
One of my recommended ebook designer tool is Sqribble. It takes care of page design, cover design, text and image management, and comes with loads of stock photos and content ready to use.
A similar ebook maker/designer tool with different pricing structure is Designrr.
And DIY tool that needs slight training but virtually free is Canva.
Make sure to weigh your tools based on your skills and time-value. You might end up spending lot of time on free tools like Canva, and save time with professional ebook creator tools like Sqribble.
Concept Art for Front Cover
The front cover of your ebook will depend on the genre you have chosen for your book. You can have a photo or artwork that represents the theme of your book, or you can use a photo or artwork that has nothing to do with your book as long as it looks appealing and fits in with what readers might expect from that genre.
In the case of a book like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which is based in a fictional fantasy world that has magical creatures and settings, readers would expect to see animals and scenery from that fantasy world. In this case you can use a photo or artwork of your favourite animal or scenery from that world.
A good place to start looking for great custom artworks is on Fiverr.com
3. The Introduction Page/chapter of your Ebook
The introduction page is the first page of your book. It is important because it often determines if the reader will continue reading. Often digital ebook stores like Kindle, offers free sample chapters, and this is where introductory chapters matter.
You should use the introduction to provide a preview of what your book is about, and why it's worth reading. You can also use this opportunity to make a connection with your reader and show them that you care about their time and are invested in providing them with value.
The introduction page can be used to provide a brief overview of what the book is about, or it can be used to create intrigue by giving away an intriguing fact or statistic from the book.
4. Chapter Headings and Content Pages
Chapter headings and content pages are essential for the reader to understand the structure of your book. Some fast readers also cherry-pick the specific sections of the book from its index.
Chapter headings should be formatted in a way that they are easy to read and understand. They should not be too long, or too short. The chapter heading should include a title and a summary. It is also important to include keywords in the chapter heading to help readers find your book on search engines like Google.
Content pages, in contrast, need more attention because they are page-specific, unlike chapter headings which give an overview of the whole book's content. They must have an introduction that includes keywords and a brief description about what will be found on this page. It is also necessary to have a conclusion at the end of the page with links back to other content pages or chapters if there are other related topics.
5. Conclusion and Acknowledgement
Conclusion
The conclusion is the last thing to be read by your audience. It is a final summary of what you have said in the previous pages. You can include here any information that might be important for your readers. For example, you can provide a list of resources or links if they want to know more about your topic.
Acknowledge
Acknowledgement is an expression of gratitude given to someone who has helped you in some way, often at the end of a book or other work. Acknowledging others will make them feel appreciated and acknowledged for their help and support.
Back Cover
Back cover is an asset that sells your book, if you’re planning to go in print with services like CreateSpace.
You can include blurbs from celebrities, known people in the industry or simply your best reviews from sites like Amazon or Apple Books.
Make sure you utilize the back cover wisely!