All About Books: The Dos and Don'ts of Books for Print and Web

When you're deciding to write a book, a few things come to mind. You'll want to determine your core audience, your topics, and how you might eventually go about selling your book. Both printed books and ebooks are an art form, both of which can be enhanced with a few guidelines. Unlike websites, a book has a lifespan that takes it from rough draft to final version where the words will stay the same. More care will probably be taken to make sure the completed book has longevity and relevance.

While these guidelines don't have to be followed every time, they will help improve your book, whether it is intended for hard copy or reading online. The key is to focus on great content and then make the layout of your book as reader friendly as possible.

Do: Hire an Editor - An editor's job is to polish up the manuscript and act as a second pair of eyes. A great editor will correct grammatical mistakes, enhance word choices, and verify any questions, while also improving the overall language and keeping the writing style consistent. Having an editor look over your work will also help you find anything you may have overlooked. Plus, it never hurts to have a professional read it over. If you can't afford to hire editor, at least have someone with good English skills take a look.

Don’t: Use too Many Fun Fonts - The rule of thumb is usually no more than two fonts on a page. And it is even better when you take one font, use it consistently, and use the italic and bold versions rather than introducing more fonts that might make the page messy and hard to read. So many great books become an eye sore when they are laid out with all kinds of curly fonts and distractions on the page. Remember the most important part is the content, not the fancy decorations. In the end you should have a pdf file with pages that are easy to read, whether printed or on the web.

Do: Engage Your Reader - Remember those boring history books that sound more like computer program instructions then crucial reading material? Well, you probably have forgotten them, but don't let people forget your book. Make it unforgettable by using the same tools that storytellers use. Just because your book is explaining tips on how to build a website does not mean it has to be boring. Think of creative ways to propel your reader forward. Keep them reading with language that is engaging. End each chapter with a hook to start the next one. Use questions with fill in the blank spaces to make it more interactive.

Don’t: Be Sloppy with Layout - Just like websites, a book that has pages that are overcrowded with text or a sloppy layout will be hard to navigate. Most books have a series of chapters, paragraphs that are indented, headings, and a readable font. The most important thing is to be consistent with layout. If one chapter title is in all caps, make them all that way. Using one-inch margins will provide enough white space around the edges. If you are including pictures, consider putting a box around them or arranging them thoughtfully. Remember, once a book is printed, you can't log back in and change it like you can with a website. So, make it look nice from the start.

Do: Have a Great Cover - While you don't have to hire a designer, at least try to create a few mock up covers and have your friends or colleagues help you decide which one to use. Things to put on the cover include your company logo, your first and last name, and of course, a great title that is easy to read. If you have too long of a title, try to shorten it, or use the additional words as a subtitle. And just like any book or magazine cover, the cover can have extra information that might entice readers, like "turn to page 50 for secrets to a great PR campaign," or a subtitle like "Everything you need to know about investing but were afraid to ask." Sometimes a simple cover really comes to life with wording that suggests action.