Creating Workbooks and PDFs for Online Courses

That’s where workbooks, PDFs, and downloadable resources come in. A well-designed workbook can reinforce key concepts, increase engagement, and improve completion rates.

But how do you create effective course materials that don’t just sit on a student’s hard drive? Let’s break down the process of creating workbooks and PDFs that add real value to your online course.

Why Workbooks and PDFs Matter in Online Courses?

Workbooks, guides, and PDFs help students turn passive learning into active learning. When learners write things down, complete exercises, or reflect on lessons, they absorb the material more effectively.

Well-designed course materials can:

• Improve retention by encouraging students to apply what they learn.
• Make lessons more interactive, reducing information overload.
• Give students a sense of progress as they complete exercises.
• Increase course completion rates, which improves student success and your credibility.
• Provide bonus value, making your course feel more premium and well-structured.

If you want students to stay engaged and take action, adding downloadable workbooks and resources is a must.

Step 1: Decide on the Type of Workbook or PDF

Not all courses need the same type of workbook. The format you choose should match how your students will use it.

1. Fillable Workbooks

Best for: Self-paced courses, coaching programs, personal development, and business training.

• Includes reflection questions, worksheets, and prompts.
• Encourages students to write their thoughts and track progress.
• Works well for courses that involve goal-setting, strategy, or transformation.

2. Action Guides & Checklists

Best for: Step-by-step courses, marketing programs, or skill-based training.

• Includes quick-reference tips and action steps.
• Helps students implement lessons quickly without long explanations.
• Great for fast learners who need practical takeaways.

3. Templates & Planners

Best for: Business courses, productivity training, and content creation programs.

• Includes pre-formatted templates students can copy and use.
• Works well for social media, email marketing, financial tracking, or fitness planning.
• Saves students time and effort by giving them a done-for-you structure.

4. Study Guides & Summaries

Best for: Certification courses, test prep, and academic-style training.

• Provides key takeaways, terms, and explanations from each lesson.
• Helps students review without rewatching entire lectures.
• Can be paired with quizzes and assessments to reinforce learning.

For a more structured approach to designing your course content, check out this guide on structuring your online course content.

Step 2: Plan Your Workbook Content

A well-structured workbook should follow the flow of your course, reinforcing key lessons without overwhelming students.

Here’s a simple way to outline workbook content:

Start with an Introduction

• Briefly explain how to use the workbook.
• Set expectations for how it will help them.

Break It Down by Course Modules

• Each section should match a lesson or topic from your course.
• Include exercises, reflections, or tasks that support learning.

Use Prompts & Questions to Encourage Action

Instead of just repeating information, get students to think and apply.

Examples:

• “What are three ways you can apply this lesson to your business?”
• “Write down the top five mistakes to avoid when implementing this strategy.”

Include Visual Aids, Tables, or Charts

• Help simplify complex ideas with diagrams, checklists, and tables.

End with a Summary or Next Steps

• Give students clear instructions on what to do next.
• Add a motivational message to keep them engaged.

If you’re planning to include quizzes or assessments as part of your materials, you might want to explore this guide on setting up course quizzes and assessments.

Step 3: Choose the Right Design Tool

You don’t need to be a graphic designer to create professional-looking workbooks. Many easy-to-use tools allow you to design high-quality PDFs and interactive workbooks.

Best Free & Paid Tools:

• Canva – The best beginner-friendly design tool with templates.
• Google Docs – Great for text-heavy workbooks and easy collaboration.
• Adobe InDesign – Advanced tool for polished, branded course materials.
• Microsoft PowerPoint or Keynote – Works well for printable slides and worksheets.
• PDF Escape or Adobe Acrobat – Helps create fillable PDFs for online use.

If you want a simple, clean design, start with Canva or Google Docs. If you need more customization, Adobe InDesign is a great option.

Step 4: Design Your Workbook for Engagement

A workbook isn’t just about the content—it should also be visually appealing and easy to use.

Best Practices for Design:

• Use a Clear, Readable Font
  • Stick to simple, professional fonts like Arial, Lato, or Montserrat.
  • Avoid overly decorative fonts that make reading difficult.
• Add Plenty of White Space
  • Avoid cramming too much text on one page.
  • Use bullet points, headings, and sections to make it easier to skim.
• Incorporate Your Branding
  • Use consistent colors and logos to align with your course brand.
  • Add page numbers, headers, and footers for a polished look.
• Make It Printable & Digital-Friendly
  • Keep margins wide enough for printing.
  • If making it fillable, test the PDF fields to ensure students can type directly into the document.
• Use Icons, Checkboxes, and Tables for Better Organization
  • Checklists and step-by-step guides improve readability.
  • Icons make information visually appealing without cluttering the page.

Step 5: Export and Deliver Your Workbook

Once your workbook is ready, it’s time to export it in the right format and deliver it to students.

• Save as a PDF – This ensures students can open it on any device.
• Make It Fillable (If Needed) – Use Adobe Acrobat or PDF Escape to create interactive text fields.
• Host It on Your Course Platform – Upload the PDF to Teachable, Thinkific, or Kajabi.
• Email It as a Bonus Resource – Send it as a downloadable link in a welcome email.
• Print Copies (If Applicable) – For coaching programs or hybrid learning, offer a print version for students who prefer physical workbooks.

To maximize student engagement, consider drip-feeding course content over time. Learn more about how to implement this strategy with this guide on drip-feeding course content.

Final Thoughts

Creating workbooks and PDFs for your online course is one of the best ways to boost engagement, increase completion rates, and provide extra value to your students.

To recap:

• Choose the right format—whether it’s a workbook, checklist, or study guide.
• Structure it to match your course flow, guiding students step by step.
• Use design tools like Canva or Adobe to make it professional and engaging.
• Keep it clean, simple, and action-oriented so students actually use it.
• Deliver it in a way that’s easy to access and use on any device.

By creating well-designed workbooks, you’re not just teaching—you’re helping students take action, stay engaged, and get real results from your course.