While we’re yet to say goodbye to dog-eared paperbacks and hardcover books, there’s no denying that we’ve entered the new age of ebooks.
From enhanced creative control to broader global reach, the allure of creating ebooks is undeniable. However, unlike traditional book designs, interactive elements and responsive layouts play a very important role in a good ebook design.
To help you design the perfect ebook, I personally handpicked a selection of inspiring ebook templates that stand as a testament to the evolving landscape of reading. With Venngage’s vast template selection and user-friendly interface, you’ll be ready to design and publish your ebook in no time!
Click to jump ahead:
- What is an ebook and how does it work?
- 15+ Ebook examples to inspire your creativity
- 5 Real life self-published ebooks for your inspiration
- What factors should I consider when designing an ebook?
- Ebook examples FAQs
- How to create an ebook that sells with Venngage
What is an ebook and how does it work?
An ebook, short for “electronic book,” is a digital version of a traditional printed book that can be read on electronic devices such as e-readers, tablets, computers and smartphones. Ebooks are designed to replicate the experience of reading a physical book while taking advantage of digital capabilities.
You can typically find ebooks in formats such as PDFs or EPUBs that seamlessly adapt to various screen sizes and devices. This adaptability ensures that readers can adjust font sizes, styles and background colors to enhance their reading experience.
On the other hand, electronic ink screens used in e-readers emulate the appearance of ink on paper, minimizing eye strain during prolonged reading sessions. Beyond static text, an ebook or interactive ebook often incorporates interactive features like hyperlinks, multimedia elements and annotations, providing a dynamic and engaging reading journey.
Ebooks are usually distributed through online platforms, libraries and personal websites, offering readers a diverse selection to choose from, purchase or even download for free.
15+ Ebook examples to inspire your creativity
Having a well-designed ebook holds immense importance as it directly impacts how your content is perceived, engaged with and remembered. The right layout, typography and formatting enhance readability while aesthetic design captures readers’ attention and sustains their interest.
Let’s take a look at my personal favorite ebook examples that can get your readers captivated and generate leads:
1. Travel guides
In travel guides, visual appeal is paramount. Blend breathtaking images of destinations with well-organized, concise text.
When designing a travel guide, make sure to use a consistent color palette that aligns with the destination’s ambiance, enhancing the immersive experience.
Start with a layout that evokes the spirit of exploration and consider incorporating interactive elements that readers can interact with. For example, you can include clickable buttons that would redirect readers to learn more about a specific destination.
2. Business manuals
Clarity and usability always come first with business manuals. Opt for a clean layout and an easily readable font and organize content with a hierarchy of headings and subheadings to aid navigation.
Utilize bullet points, numbered lists and white space in your design to break down complex information. Venngage’s library of professionally designed charts, infographics and diagrams might also come in handy if you’re looking to simplify intricate processes and enhance comprehension for readers seeking practical insights.
Here are some ebook templates you can start customizing right away:
3. Marketing guides
To strike a balance between creativity and practicality in your marketing guides, combine visual examples with actionable advice to illustrate marketing strategies effectively.
A great way to do it is by incorporating real-world case studies to demonstrate successful implementation. Enhance interactivity by including clickable resources, allowing readers to explore relevant tools and articles, fostering a deeper understanding of the concepts.
Looking for an ebook template to get started? Check out these ones:
4. Social media toolkits
Designing effective social media toolkits requires a fusion of branding prowess and user-friendly functionality.
Provide editable formats that users can customize while adhering to brand aesthetics. Each social media platform has unique design specifications, so tailor your templates to ensure optimal visual impact. Consider dimensions for posts, stories, banners and profile images to maximize engagement.
You can always browse and customize Venngage’s selection of social media templates to include in your ebook as examples for better comprehension.
Templates aside, offer clear instructions on how to use the toolkit effectively. Outline best practices like maintaining text-to-image ratios, optimizing image quality and ensuring readability across devices. These guidelines empower users to create polished, on-brand content marketing.
5. Brand style guides
For brand style guides, precision and consistency are crucial. Detail every aspect of the brand’s visual identity, including color codes, font selections, logo usage guidelines and spacing rules.
Consider using visual examples to showcase correct and incorrect implementations, enabling readers to understand the brand’s essence and maintain its integrity across different mediums.
Start creating your brand style guide with an ebook template from one of our professionally created designs below:
6. Simple ebooks
Simplicity is elegance when it comes to your ebook’s design. Opt for a clean, legible font that doesn’t strain the reader’s eyes and maximize white space to enhance readability.
Simple ebooks stick to a limited color palette that complements the content and avoid the use of colors that can enhance the overall aesthetic and guide readers’ attention. Organize content with descriptive subheadings and integrate images or icons to break up text and provide visual interest without overwhelming the reader.
Lastly, mobile compatibility enhances accessibility — so ensure that your ebook is responsive and displays well on various devices, from smartphones to tablets.
7. Ebook covers
Ebook covers are a glimpse into the content’s soul, so crafting a compelling design is crucial. Choose a captivating image that encapsulates the ebook’s essence and intrigues potential readers.
If you don’t know where to start, research the visual styles of successful books in your genre. While maintaining uniqueness, draw inspiration from design trends that resonate with your target audience.
Opt for bold, easily readable fonts for the title and author’s name and ensure a strong color contrast between the text and background. This enhances the readability of texts even in thumbnail sizes.
Remember this — your cover design should offer a snapshot of what readers can expect within the ebook’s pages.
Not the ebook cover you’re looking for? Browse our collection of ebook cover templates to find one that fits!
5 Real life self-published ebooks for your inspiration
Self-publishing has empowered countless writers to bring their stories to the world without the need for intermediaries. Here are five inspiring real-life ebook creators who achieved remarkable success, proving that with determination, creativity and strategic marketing, creating ebooks can also fulfill your literary dreams.
1. The Martian by Andy Weir
Originally self-published as an ebook in 2011, “The Martian” gained popularity for its gripping story of an astronaut stranded on Mars. Its success led to a traditional publishing deal and eventually an adaptation into a major motion picture.
2. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
The erotic romance novel that hit the big screens in 2015 started as a self-published ebook on platforms like Kindle Direct Publishing. Its immense popularity led to a traditional publishing deal and a successful trilogy that captivated readers worldwide.
3. Wool by Hugh Howey
A great ebook example is Hugh Howey’s self-published post-apocalyptic sci-fi novella “Wool” in 2011. The ebook gained a dedicated following, which resulted in a multi-book series and print editions that were later picked up by major publishers.
4. The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr
This self-help ebook that has helped millions quit smoking was self-published by Allen Carr after using his own method to quit smoking. To his surprise, the ebook then became a global success which led to numerous translations and editions.
5. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
Timothy Ferriss’ “The 4-Hour Workweek” offers advice on lifestyle design and entrepreneurship. The ebook’s popularity led to widespread recognition, speaking engagements and traditional publishing success.
Inspired to create your own ebooks? Kickstart your ebook publishing journey with Venngage’s ebook maker with ease today!
What factors should I consider when designing an ebook?
Creating an ebook demands thoughtful consideration of various elements to ensure an enriching reading experience. Designing an ebook? Here are a few quick tips to help you get started:
Content structure and organization
A well-organized ebook begins with a clear structure. Strategically plan headings, chapters and sections to facilitate effortless navigation and understanding. A logical flow guides readers through the content, enhancing their comprehension and engagement.
Typography and formatting
Opt for fonts that are easy on the eyes, maintain consistent font sizes and ensure appropriate line spacing. Proper formatting techniques such as indentation and alignment contribute to a polished and professional presentation, elevating the overall reading experience.
Venngage’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to experiment with various fonts and formats to see which fits best for your ebook design. You can also customize one of our professionally designed ebook templates to get started with ease.
Images and graphics
Integrate high-quality images and graphics that complement the written content and provide context. It’s crucial to strike a balance between relevance and visual appeal. Optimize image sizes to prevent lag during digital rendering, ensuring a seamless transition across devices.
With Venngage, you can pick from thousands of high-quality and engaging stock photography options with our Unsplash integration. High-quality images with sharp details and vibrant colors make the ebook visually appealing and inviting.
Color scheme
Colors influence mood and readability — choose a harmonious color palette that resonates with the content’s tone and purpose. High contrast between text and background ensures legibility, particularly on digital screens, enhancing the user’s ability to engage with the material.
Responsive design
Readers access ebooks across a spectrum of devices so ensure your ebook is responsive, and adapting to different screen sizes and orientations. A well-executed responsive design helps readers enjoy your content without compromise, whether on a smartphone, tablet or computer.
Navigation and hyperlinks
Navigational aids are integral to a user-friendly ebook. Incorporate a clickable table of contents that provides quick access to different sections. Internal hyperlinks foster a seamless reading experience, allowing readers to jump between chapters or related content, enhancing engagement easily.
It doesn’t have to be complicated — Venngage’s user friendly editor allows you to easily add clickable buttons and links to enhance interactivity and navigation for your ebook with ease.
User experience (UX)
Prioritizing user experience is paramount so craft your ebook with the reader in mind, focusing on accessibility, simplicity and an intuitive layout. A design that’s easy to navigate enriches the overall reading journey and encourages prolonged engagement.
Incorporating these factors throughout your ebook design enhances its value, making it an enjoyable and informative experience for readers.
Ebook examples FAQs
What are some popular eBook formats?
Popular eBook formats include EPUB (Electronic Publication), PDF (Portable Document Format) and MOBI (Mobipocket eBook format). EPUB is widely used for its versatility and compatibility across various devices, while PDF maintains fixed formatting and is suitable for documents with complex layouts.
How do I publish my ebook?
You can use a publishing platform like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or Smashwords for broader distribution. Otherwise, consider selling your ebook online through your own website.
Prepare your manuscript, format it according to the chosen platform’s guidelines, design a compelling cover, set a price (or make it free) and follow the platform’s steps to upload and publish your ebook.
Should I offer my ebook for free?
Offering your ebook for free can help build a readership, generate buzz, and attract reviews. With free ebooks, however, you should consider the potential impact on perceived value and your ability to sustain your writing efforts. If you choose to publish a free ebook, have a clear plan for promotion and engagement to maximize its benefits.
How to create an ebook that sells with Venngage
Creating an ebook that sells requires creativity, strategic thinking and a deep understanding of your audience. When done right, an ebook offers a unique opportunity for ebook creators, experts and entrepreneurs to reach a global audience, share their knowledge and generate revenue.
So you have your ebook content ready but not sure where to start with the design? That’s what Venngage is here for! Our vast selection of carefully curated templates and user-friendly drag-and-drop editor makes customizing your ebook design a breeze. The best part? No design experience required.
Ready? Follow the steps below to create an ebook that sells with the help of Venngage:
1. Choose a profitable niche: Begin by selecting an ebook idea that aligns with your expertise and has a demand in the market. Your ebook should provide valuable solutions to a specific audience’s pain points.
2. Plan and outline: Outline your ebook’s purpose and structure using clear chapter breakdowns. Venngage’s vast collection of ebook templates can act as a roadmap that will guide your content creation process and ensure a coherent flow of information.
3. Create your ebook: Develop engaging and valuable content for each chapter. Address your target audience’s pain points and offer solutions that showcase your expertise.
4. Design and format: Design an attention-grabbing ebook cover that reflects your content’s essence. Venngage’s drag-and-drop interface makes it a breeze to customize your design with images, icons and infographics that’ll enhance reader’s experience. Additionally, ensure your content is formatted for optimal readability.
5. Convert to ebook format: For premium and business users, Venngage allows downloads in PDF format which ensures your ebook is accessible and compatible with various devices.
6. Distribution: Once your ebook is ready, set up a seamless distribution process. Offer the ebook for download after successful payment, making the user experience smooth and efficient.
7. Marketing: Maximize your ebook’s visibility by implementing a robust marketing strategy. Leverage Venngage’s social media templates, harness the power of email marketing and consider collaborations to reach a wider audience and boost sales.
So, whether you’re ready to embark on your own ebook-making adventure or just itching to dive into one, remember that the world of ebooks is bursting with untapped creativity.
Let these examples be your guide to navigating this brave new world, where storytelling and design come together in ways that light up our screens and fire up our imagination.