3 Free & Easy Tools to Create an Ebook That Actually Makes Money

Did you know you can write an ebook to sell to your audience in as little as a weekend?

You totally can.

And it doesn’t require any special tools or technical skills.

In fact, you can learn how to write an ebook with the tools you probably already know how to use.

We’re going to talk about my three favorite tools to create an ebook in a second, but first, let’s talk about why you should create one in the first place!

Why Create an Ebook?

A woman sits in her office wondering about the tools to create an ebook.

You might be thinking…

“What is the point of writing a book when there are so many other quick ways to make money online?”

This is such a valid question. There ARE other options out there for making passive income.

You could do affiliate marketing, create a paid newsletter, brand deals… The list is almost never-ending.

But here’s why I think ebooks are worth it:

  1. They help solve reader problems (and you do want to help your audience, right?)
  2. They help build trust with your audience (an audience that trusts you will want to buy MORE from you later.)
  3. Because an Ebook is a digital download, they can provide you with that money while you sleep type of passive income!

Now that we know WHY we should create an ebook. let’s talk about HOW to create them…and my three favorite tools you should use.

My 3 Favorite Easy & Free Tools to Create an Ebook

There are more than three tools you can use to create an Ebook.

But, before you carry on, here is why I have only three on this list.

First of all, these three tools are really good for creating an Ebook as an infoproduct. If you’re thinking about creating a work of fiction or literature, this is probably not the route you want to go.

Secondly, these three tools are all free and easy. You’ve probably used AT LEAST one of these before. And even if you haven’t, they are super easy to use.

And lastly, they all make it super easy to download your document as a PDF that you can share it when someone in your audience purchases your book.

And that is the whole point, right? You’re writing this book because you have something to share with your audience that is going to improve their life in some way and they are going to be willing to give you MONEY for that improvement!

Ok, with that out of the way, here are three very free and very easy tools to use to create an Ebook that you can sell as a digital product.

#1. Google Docs

One of the easiest and quickest ways to create an ebook is by using Google Docs.

First – go into your Google Drive, create a new document (or reuse one you have already started) and start writing! You can use images or screenshots in between sections if you want too 🙂

Now, I know what you’re thinking, but Google Docs is kind of, well, blah.

As is, Google Docs doesn’t really have a whole lot of pizazz. It doesn’t look super professional or fun. It does look bland.

But, let me show you what you can do if you start working with templates in Google docs:

That’s a snippet from an Ebook I wrote about how to create a digital offer with the help of ChatGPT (and it just happens to be about creating an Ebook!)

I used a template in Google Docs that is customized with brand colors and fonts.

Not so blah after all, is it?

When you’re done with the content of your Ebook, your next step is exporting that doc as a PDF file so people can download it.

Here’s how:

1. Click on FILE > Download > pdf from the dropdown menu.

2. Save the pdf wherever you like.

Now you’ve got a file you can share with your audience when they buy your Ebook.

>>>>BTW! Did you know that you can create a digital/editable workbook to go with your Ebook in Google Docs? You can check out this super quick under 2 minute video to see how:

@marybethsantos

Replying to @user3103343130185 Creating a workbook is a great way to add value to your ebook. More value means higher prices. 😀 #makemoneyonline2023 #howtowriteanebook #digitalproductstosell #digitalproductstosellonline

♬ original sound – ✨Marybeth | Odd Noodle✨

Creating Beautiful eBooks in Google Docs

People shy away from Google Docs because they think they can’t create something that looks great. That isn’t true at all. Check out this quick tutorial on how you can create your beautiful books in Google Docs.

#2. Canva

Canva is a crowd favorite when it comes to creating social media graphics – but did you know that it’s also a great tool for creating ebooks too?

Yes, it’s true. Canva has all sorts of templates for ebooks. If you’re looking to create a book that is more stylized than a text heavy guide like the one I made in Google Docs, then Canva might be the right choice for you.

Here’s an example of a free template you could use in Canva to create your book:

It is so easy to make a really creative ebook with the layouts here! And all of the colors and fonts are customizable so you can make something that really fits you!

And just like Google Docs, Canva will let you export to a PDF file so you can share the file when someone purchases your Ebook.

Canva is perfect if you know you need a lot of images or graphics in your ebook. For a book that’s MOSTLY text, however, I prefer Google Docs.

We also love Canva for your eBook cover! There are lots of great ebook cover design ideas that you can choose from.

#3. Google Slides

Last but not least when it comes to tools for making an Ebook are google slides!

You probably already know that there are templates specifically designed for creating presentations in Google Slides. There are some really slick-looking options and you can customize colors and fonts if you want to.

But you’re probably thinking, I don’t want my Ebook to be horizontal like a slide!

I’m with you! I didn’t think I would want that either. (I have an example below of a GREAT horizontal layout, however!)

Luckily, it’s super easy to change the orientation of a presentation so that your Ebook is a vertical 8.5×11 size.

You’ll just go to File > Page Setup, select Custom and enter in 8.5 x 11.

And if you don’t love any of the templates that are already in Google Slides, a quick search for “Free Google Slides Ebook Templates” will get you lots of options to download like these from Hubspot.

You can also customize your own template, of course. Here’s an example of an ebook I created with Google Slides:

Each slide is a different page. This layout works perfectly for this very image heavy ebook.

Once you’re done adding your content, you guessed it, download it as a pdf!

Which Tool Will You Use to Create Your Ebook?

So these are my three favorite tools for creating ebooks quickly and easily…Now go out there create something today, build your audience & grow your authority!

Because they are waiting for you to help them with that problem that they are having!

Hurry up and help them already!

Tools to Build a Joy-Based Business

I'm on a journey to make $2,500,000 in the next 12 months...

Every week, I'll share updates and insights into what is happening with this journey.

You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a 7-figure business as a solo creator.

Get tips, updates, insights, and an occasional bad joke or two every Wednesday.

More Essays

The New Content Engine

Your online business is driven by content. But the old ways of building content engines only lead to burn out. Here is how to set yourself up for the future.

The Success Paradox: Why Your ‘Character Flaws’ Might Be Your Superpowers

Think a superiority complex is bad? New research shows it might be exactly what you need. Here's why the most successful people never apologize for being 'too much.'

The Beautiful Prison of Content Creation And How to Break Free

Tired of creating content that disappears? Learn how to build worlds instead of walls, create meaningful impact instead of meaningless impressions, and use AI to scale your truth instead of your noise.

The Enemy Effect: Building Worlds Through Opposition

The Enemy Effect isn't just another branding tactic - it's how you build a movement. Discover why the most powerful force in your brand isn't what you stand for, but what you stand against.

The Medieval Art of World Building

Want to break free from the content hamster wheel? Learn how a 12th-century knight's approach to world building can revolutionize your content strategy and turn AI into your personal medieval bard.

The Death of Business Plans (and the Birth of World Bibles)

The death of business plans isn't a tragedy – it's liberation. Discover how World Bibles are helping entrepreneurs build profitable worlds from their joy instead of beautiful prisons from someone else's blueprint.

The Business of Vibes

Why you have to run on vibes to truly succeed in today's world of business.

The Cerebellum, Marmosets, and Cheese

We spend so much time trying to build a normal business that we often don't see how the weird businesses are the ones that stand out and succeed.

About Snails

How snails surviving in a cutthroat world showed me everything that I needed to know about business.

The Secret to Showing Up Every Day

Showing up every single day isn't about willpower. It's about understanding your curiosity and finding the question you need to answer every single day.