This is Part 3 of 3 in our Content Series on creating professional digital products.
Step Two: Include These Essential Pages
Your document is almost ready. Now you just need to insert the following digital product essential pages to make it complete and professional.
1. Cover Page
This is the first page of your product, which should include:
- The title of the product
- The subtitle of the product
- Your name (as the author or licensee)
- Your product's ecover graphic
2. Legal Page
This is the page that includes your copyright, as well as any disclaimers or other legal information. I'm not an attorney, so I can't tell you what to put on this page. Consult with an attorney to be sure you have the proper legal verbiage in place, or go to a site like Nolo.com to get a template.
3. About the Author (Or Licensee)
Here you can put a little information about yourself. You should use this page to build your credibility and essentially answer the reader's question, "Why should I listen to this person?"
You may list your credentials, your background experiences, how many years you've been working in the area, etc. Be sure to close with a link to your website.
4. Table of Contents
Your table of contents should be clickable, so that readers can click on a section and jump right to that section. This improves user experience and makes your digital product more navigable.
5. Recommended Resources
Your customers will appreciate a list of gear and/or resources. This is also a chance for you to make extra money.
If you have other products, promote them in this list. Otherwise, you can link to other resources using an affiliate link, where applicable.
NOTE: An affiliate link tracks clicks so that if someone buys through your link, you'll get a commission. One example of a marketplace of digital goods that offers commissions is ClickBank.com.
6. Glossary
This is optional. However, if your course is aimed at beginners, you may include a glossary of common niche terms. This adds value and helps readers understand industry-specific language.
7. Pagination
The last piece is to be sure that all pages are numbered. Your word processing software can do this automatically for you.
For example, if you're using Microsoft Word, then click on "Insert"… and then click on "Page Number" (which will let you choose where you'd like your page numbers to appear).
Step Three: Convert to a PDF
Once your text document is formatted and looking pretty, then it's time to convert it to a .PDF. Again, you can outsource this task on Fiverr.com.
NOTE: A .PDF is a file format that's readable on both Windows and Macs, as well as across a variety of tablets, phones and other devices.
Keep these tips in mind when converting your document:
1. Use a High-Quality Conversion Tool
You want to make sure that the tool's branding doesn't end up inside your finished product. That's why you'll want to use a high-quality tool. Examples include:
-
Adobe: A professional tool available at Adobe Acrobat
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Power PDF: Another professional tool available at Kofax
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Soda PDF: You can use the free version at SodaPDF
2. Be Sure the Links Are Clickable
Some converters don't automatically make links clickable, which is why you'll want to double check that the links in your PDF are clickable. Test every link before distributing your product.
3. Determine if Customers Are Going to Print It
If your customers are likely to print your PDF, then make sure any graphics are high-resolution graphics that will look good when printed. It's a good idea to outsource graphics creation to a designer who understands what's required for a graphic to look good in print.
Your Next Step
Your assignment for this lesson is two-fold:
First, determine if you're going to do the layout and design yourself, or if you're going to outsource this task.
- If you plan to do it yourself, then the next step for this assignment is to gather the necessary tools (template and converter).
- If you intend to outsource, then find someone on Fiverr.com who will do a good job for you.
Second, prepare your document with all the digital product essential pages mentioned above (such as the cover page, legal page, table of contents, and more).
With these elements in place, your digital product will look professional, provide real value to customers, and set you apart from competitors who skip these important details.
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