Do you want to grow your email list with an opt-in? Wondering exactly how to make one?

Today is for you! We’re going to make an eye-catching checklist in Word, then turn it into a PDF that you can offer to visitors in exchange for their email address.

 

A PDF is a file that can be opened by anyone, whether they have the program you used to make the file (like Word) or not. It’s THE BEST way to deliver an item like a checklist, ebook, etc.

With a checklist PDF, you give away great value AND grow your list – that makes for a good day’s work.

 

A checklist is a great idea to offer as an email opt-in because it fits ANY niche.

• Baking • Recipe for pumpkin bread
• DIY • Fail-proof tips to pick paint colors
• Coaching • 12 ways to change your mindset
• Blogging • 9 steps to start a blog
• Parenting • Ideas to help your little one sleep through the night
• Travel • The ultimate packing list

 

Make a Checklist in Word

If you can make a document in Microsoft Word, you can make a PDF. We’ll make a simple checklist with a few fancy touches, then turn it into a PDF, all ready for your new subscribers.

 

1 – Add a title

Start a new Word document, and type out the title of your checklist. Choose a font that has some personality, but is still easily readable. Center the text.

To make the title stand out, let’s add a background color. In the Home tab, you’ll see an icon with a paint bucket. That’s the shading color. Highlight the text and choose a shading color. It will add a background color to the entire line.

 

STYLE TIP: Choose a bold background color (rather than a light pastel), and change the title to white text to make the headline eye-catching.

 

Click images to enlarge.

 

2 – Add the checklist items

Type out each item in your checklist, then we’ll begin to style the text.

Keep your font choice simple here. The title is the place for a fancy font, but you want the body of your checklist to be simple and legible. The default font for Word is Calibri, and you’re fine to stay with that.

The same applies to the color of your text. Stick with black or very dark gray. There are plenty of places to add style, but the whole point of a checklist is the easy-to-follow items that make up the list.

Make your list bulleted or numbered so it’s easy to scan quickly.

The theme here is: Make your checklist easy to read and follow!

 

3 – Style your checklist

Now for the fun part! If you have any experience making a checklist in Word, here’s where that come in handy. If not, no worries! Just keep following the steps.

Add section titles

If your checklist naturally fits into different sections or steps, add a section title to each portion. Here are a few ideas to give some style to your section title:

• Make the font size larger
• Use bold text
• Use the same text as your title
• Change the color of the text

You can use one or all of these ideas – just make sure you don’t add so much style that you can’t read the text!

 

Add checkboxes

There is something therapeutic about checking off an item. Just makes you feel all giddy and accomplished.

If you want to add checkboxes to your list, here’s how to do it in Word:

• Make your list bulleted.
• In the bullet options, change the bullet to a checkbox. (Highlight your list first.)
• If you don’t see a checkbox as an option, click Define new bullet. Select Symbol. Choose the Wingdings font, and find the checkbox.

Click images to enlarge.

 

4 – Add a footer

Do you add your blog name to every opt-in you offer? You should! Remind your reader where they found this awesome piece of info.

We’ll include your blog name in a footer. Double-click the bottom of the page to open the footer area.

Type your blog address, and any other info you want to include (copyright, etc.)

 

TIP: To add the copyright sign, go to the Insert tab, and click Symbol to find the sign. Or hold down Opt/Alt and type 0169 into the number pad on your keyboard.

 

 

Turn your blog address into a link by highlighting the text, and right-clicking. Choose Hyperlink. Add your URL.

Change the color and font to your liking.

 

5 – Save as a PDF

Almost done!

Before you save your checklist as a PDF, make sure you’ve first saved it as a Word document. You want to be able to make changes later!

To save your Word document as a PDF, go to the File tab and click Save As.

Under Save As Type, choose PDF. Make sure Standard is checked next to Optimize. Save your file.

Click images to enlarge.

 

You just made a checklist in Word! Boom. 

Without any graphics or fancy tricks, you can have a checklist that your readers will RAVE about.

Have some fun styling your checklist with some colors and bullet points, but remember – it doesn’t have to be complicated! It’s YOUR checklist that’s the star here, and the amazing value you give is the reason people will sign up for your list.

Oh, and I almost forgot! Once you’ve made a checklist in Word, you can use it as a template to make more in the future! Just remember to save your document under a new name.

 

Want a checklist on how to make a checklist in Word?

 

I’d love to see the checklist you make! #imaginedesignrepeat, or email me!

RELATED POST: Make an Opt-in Checklist in InDesign

 

Design Assets I used:

• Title font: Novecento Slab Condensed Normal
• Section titles & body font: Calibri (default font in Microsoft Word)