Editing Word Documents

All text-based products include editable Word (.docx) files. Here's how to make the most of them.

Opening Word Files

Microsoft Word

• Double-click the .docx file to open
• Full editing capabilities
• Best formatting preservation

Google Docs (Free Alternative)

1. Go to docs.google.com
2. Click the folder icon (Open file picker)
3. Select Upload tab
4. Upload your .docx file
5. It will open ready for editing

Tip: Google Docs works well but may slightly change some formatting. Review after upload.

Other Options

• LibreOffice Writer (free)
• Apple Pages (Mac)
• WPS Office (free)

What to Edit

Essential Edits (Minimum)

• Replace author name with yours
• Add your website/contact info
• Include your logo on title page
• Add a call-to-action

Recommended Edits

• Update the title to match your brand voice
• Write a personal introduction
• Add your own examples or stories
• Include links to your products/services

Advanced Customization

• Rewrite sections in your voice
• Add new chapters or sections
• Update statistics with current data
• Change formatting and design

Step-by-Step Editing Guide

1. Review the Document First

Before editing, read through the entire document to:

• Understand the structure
• Note areas to customize
• Identify your branding opportunities

2. Find and Replace

Use Find & Replace to quickly update repeated text:

• Windows: Ctrl + H
• Mac: Cmd + H
• Google Docs: Edit → Find and replace

Common replacements:

• "[Author Name]" → "Your Name"
• "[Website]" → "yoursite.com"
• "[Company]" → "Your Business Name"

3. Update Headers and Footers

Click in the header/footer area to edit:

• Add your logo
• Include page numbers
• Add your website URL

4. Customize the Title Page

The title page is the first thing people see:

• Update the title and subtitle
• Add your author name
• Include your logo or brand graphic
• Add a tagline if desired

5. Personalize the Introduction

Write a brief introduction that:

• Introduces you as the author
• Explains why you created this resource
• Sets expectations for what readers will learn

6. Add Calls-to-Action

Throughout the document, add CTAs like:

• "Visit [yoursite.com] for more resources"
• "Join my email list at..."
• "Get the companion workbook at..."
• "Follow me on [social platform]"

Formatting Tips

Keeping Consistent Formatting

• Use the existing styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, Body text)
• Match font sizes and colors
• Keep spacing consistent

Changing Fonts

To change fonts throughout:

1. Select All (Ctrl/Cmd + A)
2. Choose your desired font
3. Adjust sizes if needed

Safe fonts that look good:

• Arial, Helvetica (clean, modern)
• Georgia, Times New Roman (traditional)
• Lato, Open Sans (web-friendly)

Changing Colors

To update accent colors:

1. Select the text or element
2. Use the text/highlight color tools
3. Apply your brand colors consistently

Exporting Your Finished Ebook

From Microsoft Word:

1. File → Save As / Export
2. Choose PDF format
3. Select quality settings
4. Save

From Google Docs:

1. File → Download
2. Select "PDF Document (.pdf)"
3. Check the downloaded file

Common Issues & Solutions

Problem: Formatting looks different in Google Docs Solution: Review and manually adjust after upload; export to PDF to lock formatting

Problem: Images moved or disappeared Solution: Re-insert images and anchor them to specific positions

Problem: Fonts changed Solution: The original font may not be installed on your system; choose a similar alternative