Menturion

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.

About the Author

Shelley Lowery is the author of Ebook Starter. A complete
ebook design kit that takes you step by step through
designing, creating and marketing your own ebook. Give
your ebook a professional look in just a few simple steps
with over 100 ebook interface and cover templates.
http://www.web-source.net/ebookstarter.htm

Having been in the printing and design business for most of my life I have seen my share of ‘file it under G’ business cards. That said our printing firm fulfills hundreds of business card orders in Canada and the US each week. So what I am about to share with is a matter of opinion. I am of the opinion that you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. In life, oh well, if you don’t like it leave. But in business this is not the case, assuming that your goal is to make a good first impression. This is the way I view new contacts in business;

1) Your prospect wants you to WOW them

2) Your prospect wants you to sell them something

3) Your prospect forms an opinion of you in the first 30 seconds

So these are the assumptions that I walk into every business meeting with. Many of us truly believe that a business card is critical to your success and without it you are toast (for lack of a better term). To a certain degree you are correct.

I would like to submit to you that first impressions are always formed from one person to another. Your business card should reflect you and what you represent in the sweetest way. But make no mistake, YOU need to make that first impression and that is not accomplished with a handshake, smile and a business card. So carefully spend time redefining your approach, want you want to sell and how you want to sell it. Try to follow this proven sales formula. We call it the AIDA formula;

Approach Interest Desire Action

OK, so now we have buffed up a little on pre sales psychology, what about that business card? How can I get the design wheels turning? If you are of the creative mind but are not sure how to get started, there are many printing companies online that offer business card templates created by professional graphic designers. A good example of this can be found here http://www.weprintcolor.com/buscardtemplate.htm

You may also be of the creative mind and are well versed in the use of professional desktop publishing programs such as Adobe Photo Shop, Corel Draw, Quark Express, or Adobe Illustrator, why not just send the file for printing? Before you do you should make certain your digital file is optimized for best print result! First learn what is required here http://www.weprintcolor.com/pre-press.htm then you can submit your digital file for free preflight check here http://www.weprintcolor.com/upload.htm . This way you are certain your file will print nicely.

Here are my 10 Tips on how to get your Business Card filed under ‘G’ (garbage);

1) Print type that the size of ant’s feet. Your eyes may be great but mine aren’t

2) Print on perforated 10 up card templates from your ink jet or laser printer. Remember that first impression?

3) Choose colors that clash or do not compliment each other. There is a color wheel that explains 10 colors relating to each other. These colors have 3 basic relationships: Adjacent, Contrasting and Complimentary Adjacent colors share a common side and are similar. Contrasting colors are those which have three other colors between them. Complimentary colors are those on opposite sides of the color wheel.

http://www.weprintcolor.com/usingcolour2.htm

4) Use a co worker’s business card and hand write your information on it. You might be able to use this once but don’t try it on your second or third meeting.

5) Print your business card with typographically incorrect information then try to patch it up. I will again, suggest that you rely on the resources at hand. For the $49 a company like ours would charge you to completely reproduce 500, professionally printed high quality, full color, aqueous coated business cards it’s a no brainer.

6) Chew bubble gum, wear sun glasses or wear a beard. Although these will not necessarily get your business card discarded, statistical no no’s. Also a good example of how you are first, your business card should serve as a reminder of you. In the real estate sector most real estate agents print a picture of themselves on their business card for this reason.

7) Print your business card in an irregularly large format. Your card looks unique and professional but I can’t file it in my business card file system that I keep all my key suppliers in. Oversized business cards are becoming more popular and given the right circumstances can be delivered effectively. However from an overall perspective I recommend that mainstream business stick with the standard size- 2 X 3 “.

Print your critical contact information on the back or on the inside of a fold over business card. For the same reason above. Once I file your business card in my file system all of your contact information should be easily read at a glance…I want to place my order now.

9) Print on thin or flimsy material. This projects a feel of cheapness. Besides if you managed to WOW your prospect and your business card makes it into his /hers wall of fame pouch it will it will likely not survive the test of time.

10) This is the final and most important for the rookie to intermediate graphic designer. Have you ever heard of looktocloseitis? Many graphic designers that develop onscreen work at a highly magnified viewing level while design and editing. Sure everything looks great at 500% magnified view but when the card is printed it is printed 100%. A good practice, before sending your business card file for professional printing is to print your own hardcopy and give it a glace from a 3 foot distance. Make sure your message is being communicated when you do this. If it is not working, back to editing and repeat the process.

Take your time and it will be worth your extra efforts. This will be reflected in the finished product.

We have printed thousands upon thousands of business card orders worldwide. Show here;

You will find a large collection of some of the business cards we have printed for our clients here. http://www.weprintcolor.com/buscard_examples/index.htm . These examples include custom and template style business cards. When you click on each thumbnail the page will tell you if it is ‘custom’ or ‘template’. In the cases where it is template you can click the link and start designing your unique version immediately.

If you would like to view a full business card catalogue of available template designs for business you can visit this page http://www.weprintcolor.ca/ or get tips for creating better business card designs here http://www.weprintcolor.ca/online_design_cat1/index.php

Some clients send files from there computer to ours, others use our online design system. Either way we have developed software and a natural eye for esthetically pleasing graphic design work. The reason I write these articles is to help you make an educated decision with the design and print of your business card. If you end up coming to us with your business we always appreciate that. The last thing I want to happen is you making a regretful purchase online. This hurts all online retailers that offer a quality product.

Robert is regarded as an industry expert is print and design. Online since 1999, Robert was one of the pioneers that brought graphic design tools to the web. For online graphic design solutions visit http://www.weprintcolor.com/

About the Author

Robert is the marketing director of a leading online printing and design firm http://www.weprintcolor.com . Robert believes in an educated customer and has created a personal blog, online to help achieve this goal. Learn commercial printing and design tips from the pros http://www.weprintcolors.com