How to Create an eBook in Canva: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Create an eBook in Canva: Step-by-Step Guide

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Create An Ebook In Canva | Income Intelligence

Table of Contents

Why Create an eBook?

Creating your first digital product is a great way to grow your blog. I highly recommend you try it.

Designing an ebook in Canva is easy. This article will guide you step by step on how to create your own.

This guide covers every step. It starts with developing your ebook’s concept. It then covers writing the content, making a great cover in Canva, and combining everything into a polished, valuable PDF for your audience.

How to design your eBook in Canva:

After completing most of your ebook content, you can begin the design process in Canva.

There are two options on how you can create an eBook in Canva:

  1. Design the eBook yourself from scratch.
  2. Invest in an eBook Canva template.

If you’re passionate about design, option #1 is the perfect choice for you!

How To Create Your First Ebook

Before starting your first ebook, there are a few key decisions you’ll need to make.

Step 1: Name + Focus

To start, you should decide on the topic of your ebook and identify the audience you intend it for.

Consider your blog’s niche.

Consider who your blog serves. What problems are you solving for your audience?

Consider improving a popular freebie that is doing well. Or, turn a high-traffic blog post into your ebook’s main theme.

Make sure your ebook covers a topic that interests your audience. It’s best if there is content that has already engaged them.

Be clear about the single problem your eBook will solve for your audience.

What is your audience’s number one struggle?

And how will your ebook resolve this struggle for them?

For example:

  • Do they struggle with healthy eating?
  • Do they struggle with time management?
  • Do they struggle with planning or organizing?
  • Do they struggle with the fact that they can’t do something (f.ex knitting, gardening, cook, DIY crafts, etc.)

Once you’ve defined your ebook’s focus, choose a title and headline.

The headline is far more important than the name itself.

The name can be almost anything, though it helps if it connects to your ebook’s theme.

Your ebook’s headline is key. It must explain how you’ll solve the problem.

Step 2: Research + Brainstorm

Conduct in-depth research on your eBook topic.

Use Google, Pinterest, and YouTube for inspiration and ideas. Refine and enhance the content to make it your own (without copying, of course).

The key is to get an idea of what is already out there and what is working.

Look for existing products or eBooks that cover similar or related topics to yours.

Sale and review these products to inspire ideas for your own book.

The goal isn’t to copy but to conduct effective market research and analyze competitors.

Amazon is a great resource for exploring top books and eBooks in your niche. It can help you gather ideas.

Check the comments section to see what people are discussing and asking about.

While conducting thorough research, begin outlining the chapters and sections for your eBook.

As you research, jot down any great ideas. Keep everything organized in a single document, like Google Docs.

Step 3: Outline Your eBook

The next step is to create a full outline of your eBook.

I prefer doing this in Google Docs, though you can also use Word or any writing software you prefer.

Define your ebook’s key takeaways and main sections. Then, turn them into chapters.

Use your brainstorming notes to develop your table of contents. Then, expand your outline.

An example:

Introduction

Chapter 1: ABCD

  • Essential points to remember to include.
  • Essential points to remember to include.
  • Essential points to remember to include.

Chapter 2: ABCD

  • Essential points to remember to include.
  • Essential points to remember to include.
  • Essential points to remember to include.

…And so on.

Now, you can expand sentences to capture your ideas. This will make it easier when you draft.

Step 4: Write the first draft of your eBook.

The time has come to write the first draft of your new ebook.

This is the most time-consuming step of the eBook creation process. 

Fill out your outline and turn it into a first draft.

Don’t worry about it being perfect at this stage; just write.

You can always go back and edit your draft later. 

To take the pressure off, aim to write your first sh*tty draft (pardon my French).

The first draft doesn’t need to be stunning. That’s why we edit and proofread it next.

Don’t edit and write at the same time.

Let there be spelling mistakes, punctuation errors, and red lines all over the page.

Put the perfectionist in you on the back burner during this step.

Step 5: Edit and Proofread

I recommend waiting a few days before editing the first draft.

Give yourself time and space, and take a breather from your work.

Then, dive right back in and read through your first draft.

Edit anything that needs editing.

Perfect anything that needs perfecting. 

If your budget allows, consider hiring an editor to review your first draft.

When I first started, I didn’t have the budget for this. But a review can offer a fresh perspective.

If you’re editing alone, read the text aloud. It helps catch errors that are often missed when reading silently.

Step 6: *Digital High Five*

Let’s take a moment to celebrate, raise a virtual glass, and send you a big digital high five!

You just completed the meat of your eBook.

You just wrote a book for crying out loud!

That is quite amazing! 

Take a minute to celebrate and be proud of yourself.

Now the fun begins—it’s time to design a stunning eBook cover in Canva.

Step 7: Sign up for Canva

Canva is free to use, but you must sign up to get started.

You can sign up with Facebook, Google, or by creating a new account.

Follow Canva’s prompts to set up your account. After completing the setup, return here to continue.

Sign up for Canva

Sign up for Canva for FREE here.

Step 8: Create the eBook cover.

When your ebook is ready to share with your audience, it’s time to design an eye-catching cover in Canva.

Create your brand kit in Canva.

Before designing your ebook cover, set up your brand kit in Canva. It will make your brand colors, fonts, and logos easy to access.

Your branding must match your website and your blog’s other aspects.

In your Canva dashboard, click on Brand Kit from the menu on the left.

Create the eBook cover

Then, start adding your brand colors, logo, and fonts. 

An example of my work-in-progress brand kit is below.

progress brand kit below

Create a new design.

Go to your Canva dashboard. Click “Create a design.” Then click “US Letter Document.” This is the perfect size for your ebook cover. Then begin designing your ebook cover. Canva also has stock photos that you can use – completely FREE, which is super cool.

Using a Canva template.

You can either base your cover design off of Canva’s own templates, or you can design your cover from scratch. 

When using a template, customize it. Use your own fonts, colors, and images that match your brand and fit your ebook’s theme.

Step 9: Create the ebook and download it.

Now, it’s time to bring your ebook to life. After completing it, download it to share with your audience.

Create the ebook and download

How Long Should an Ebook Be

While there’s no ideal length, a well-developed ebook often feels much. Yet, avoid padding it with unnecessary content.

What matters most is to deliver value to your audience. Keep in mind the problem you’re solving. The length, page count, or word count of your ebook is secondary.

As long as you provide genuine value and fulfill the promise of your headline, you’re all set.

Creating an ebook in Canva can increase your visibility, reach, and sales.

If you want to create an ebook, here are three reasons to start.

  1. Being a knowledgeable authority in your industry boosts your credibility. It also makes you a go-to expert.
  2. By sharing your unique expertise, you build trust with your audience and demonstrate your knowledge and experiences.
  3. An effective ebook not only brings in qualified leads but also generates revenue. Readers who find value in your content’ll explore your other offerings. It’s easier to keep happy customers than to seek new ones.

Though it might feel overwhelming at first, bringing your book idea to life is easier than you think. Canva is a free online design tool that allows you to easily turn your idea into a finished ebook.

With a small investment of time and effort, you’ll soon be on the path to authorship.

To begin, make sure your brand kit is set up in Canva.

Visual branding is key to making your brand recognizable. So, create a brand kit in Canva with your logos, fonts, and colors.

This will help you keep your Canva designs consistent. It will make it easier to create cohesive content.

Inform your audience that you are creating an eBook.

Share the news with your audience if you’re creating an ebook in Canva. Tell them what you’re working on. Explain its value. Show its benefits. Identify the problems it will solve.

Before and during your launch, make graphics for Instagram, blogs, and Pinterest. They will build excitement and engagement.

You might consider including various page types and layouts in your Canva eBook.

1. Cover page

Since this is the first thing people will see, making a strong first impression is essential.

Your ebook’s cover page should include its title and an optional subtitle, which can help readers understand its content.

An ebook titled “$100k with Digital Products” could be titled “How I Made My First $100k Selling Digital Products and How You Can Too.” This would show readers that it aims to help them succeed in digital sales.

Pro tip: Focus on a need or desire your audience is eager to pay for. People invest in solutions to their problems and dreams, so find out what matters most to them.

2. About the welcome page

Next, you will want to introduce yourself to your readers!

Here are a few things you can share with them:

Explain the motivation for this ebook. Maybe you’ve faced this challenge, helped clients with it, or seen a gap in the industry and wanted to help. Highlight what makes you uniquely qualified to write this ebook. It could be your industry experience, unique perspective, or specialized knowledge.

Share a few personal details—for example, your values, interests, or hobbies. You might mention a passion for community, hiking, or exploring local coffee shops. Include a meaningful story related to your ebook’s topic. For example, selling digital products lets you travel for six months.

3. Table of Contents

A table of contents helps readers see the coverage of your ebook and easily navigate to specific sections of interest.

4. Start here or learn how to get the most out of this eBook.

Many don’t finish what they start. So, consider how to encourage readers to finish your ebook or get its full value.

A positive, memorable experience with your ebook can impress readers. It will encourage them to think well of you and recommend you to others. Provide useful tips and guidance to help them navigate and make the most of your ebook.

5. Chapter cover pages

These are helpful because they will tell your readers when the chapters start and end.

6. Text (and image) pages

This is where you’ll write most of your info. In these pages, you’ll go in-depth about your chapters.

7. Tip or action step pages

If you have a tip to emphasize, consider creating a dedicated “Tip” page. Or, if there is a specific action step you want readers to follow, set up an “Action Step” page.

8. Chapter summary pages

Including a summary at the end of each chapter can enhance its effectiveness. It highlights key points and recaps what readers have learned. I always appreciate this in a book.

In your chapter summaries, recap the content. Also, highlight three key takeaways for readers.

9. Writing prompts

Enhance your ebook’s interactivity by incorporating writing prompts. Many readers forget what they read, and prompts help them reflect, improving their retention and memory of the information.

This addresses your readers’ problems and desires, which is why you created your ebook in Canva. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.

10. Checklists

Incorporating checklists into your ebook is highly advisable, as readers appreciate their simplicity. Checklists break tasks into steps, making it easier for readers to act rather than feel overwhelmed by a big task.

If unsure what to include in your ebook checklist, consider this: a checklist. It’s called “Create Your Digital Product in 2 Weeks.” It lists daily tasks. Also, an “Is Your Digital Product Ready to Go?” checklist.” checklist.” checklist.” checklist.” checklist.” checklist.” A checklist for pre-launch preparations and a “Digital Product Announcement” checklist. It details steps for a successful launch. For example, it suggests drafting pre-, mid-, and post-announcement emails to your audience.

11. eBook summary

Like a chapter summary, including an eBook summary can be beneficial. Highlight the key points you want your readers to keep.

Helpful tips for creating your eBook in Canva.

Ensure that most, if not all, of your written content is complete.

Instead of writing your ebook in Canva, use a Google Doc or Notion page. This way, you can easily transfer the information to your Canva file.

A separate document is helpful. It makes it easier to edit or change the layout and spacing of your pages. A dedicated document will make transferring text between pages easier and less stressful.

Make sure your text is readable.

Ensuring that your readers can easily read your content is essential. Script fonts can be pretty. But they are hard to read in long sentences. So, use them only for headers or sub-headers. Instead, choose a serif or sans-serif font that is easy to read and comfortable for the eyes.

Split long text blocks with paragraphs, images, quotes, and headers to boost readability.

It’s essential to ensure your ebook is easy to read and digest. Remember those tedious childhood textbooks? Long paragraphs made it hard to focus and keep your place.

Avoid subjecting your readers to that experience. Add breaks, images, quotes, and headers to improve their reading experience. This will prevent large blocks of text.

Use the hyperlink feature in Canva.

You can include a clickable link to a webpage, such as a blog, a freebies page, a resources page, or the sales page of a digital product.

In Canva, you can create internal links in your ebook. This lets readers jump to specific sections from the table of contents. This hyperlink feature is accessible to both free and Canva Pro users.

Use charts and graphs to present information more clearly. They help readers grasp key facts quickly.

I enjoy seeing charts and graphs in books. They make the information more engaging and fun. Include some charts and graphics in your eBook to keep your readers interested.

Faqs

Why should I include charts and graphs in my eBook?

Charts and graphs in your ebook can improve the reader’s experience. They make the information more engaging and easier to understand. Visual elements help break up the text and can make complex data more accessible.

How can I create an ebook that captures my audience’s attention?

To create a captivating ebook, use a customizable ebook template. Visuals like charts and graphics will make the content more engaging and fun to read.

What are the best practices for designing an ebook?

When designing an ebook, use clear fonts, engaging layouts, and interactive elements. Visuals, like charts and graphs, can engage your audience and help them understand the content better.

How can I make a digital book stand out?

To make a digital book stand out, use a professional ebook template. Add visuals like charts and infographics. These features can enhance readability and sustain reader interest.

What tools can I use to create an ebook?

You can use various tools to create an ebook. Design software like Canva has customizable ebook templates. Also, charts and graphs can help visualize data. They can make your ebook more appealing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an engaging, eye-catching ebook is key. It will capture and hold your audience’s attention. You can enhance the reading experience by using charts, graphs, and interactive features. They make complex information easier to digest. An effective ebook template can save time. It helps you focus on delivering valuable content. Your goal is to create a resource that informs and resonates with readers. It should encourage them to return for more. With the right tools, you can design an ebook that stands out. It will leave a lasting impression.

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