8 Reasons Why Google Docs Rocks
Guest Post & Video Tour of Google Docs both by Alan Petersen
Info product creation is one of the best ways of making money online. Although some folks find the info product creation process a bit daunting I was surprised to come across folks who have the writing process and info product subject down pat –but are actually stuck in the technicality part: How to get their report or e-book from their word processor into a file format ready for sale online…
The most popular file format for reports and e-books for digital consumption is Adobe PDF. And it can be a confusing process of getting your report or book from MS-Word (the most popular word processor program) into the PDF format.
For most folks just starting out buying Adobe Acrobat is cost prohibitive with it’s $450+ price tag. There are other PDF conversion software programs in the market with prices ranging from around $20 on up to $100+. I’ve tried a couple of those and they weren’t as easy to use as advertised.
Luckily there are several free solutions out there from third-party services like PDF995 to open source software like Open Office. I’ve used both but there is another option out there that is usually over-looked and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorites: Google Docs.
Google Docs is a free Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and form application put out by Google. Google Docs has become my favorite go-to application when it comes to writing blog posts, articles, reports, ebooks, creating spreadsheets, and PowerPoint like presentations.
Here are 8 reasons why I love Google Docs:
1. It’s web-based
Open Office and MS Office are huge programs that take up a lot of your computer resources to use plus they eat up a lot of computer disk space. Google Docs is web-based so my computer resources gets a rest.
As a Mac user, I don’t have to buy emulators or the expensive Mac version of MS Office to be able to use it with my Mac computer. Plus since it’s web-based I can use it from anywhere in the world with any computer (be it my own, a friends, or at an Internet cafe).
In 2008 I’ve traveled to Europe twice and I just back from Mexico. Each time I was able to get some of my writing done just by logging on to Google Docs.
2. It allows me to create and edit documents online while collaborating in real-time with other users
This is a fantastic feature. I simply give my editor and proof-readers access to my file via Google Docs and they can easily access it online. Make notes, changes, etc. without having to download anything.
3. Easily converts documents to PDF
4. Google Docs is compatible with Microsoft and Open Office files
You have that word .doc file or that Open Office .odt file. No problem. How about that cool PowerPoint presentation you want to use. No problem. Excel spreadsheets–you guessed it–no problem. You can import and export documents from Google Docs to those popular applications in a snap.
5. Filing system
It’s easy to keep track of your documents with Google Docs. I have a folder for “articles”, “project ideas”, and I file them by niche like “weight loss” for example so it’s easy to find and for me to stay organized (no small task).
6. Search
Well of course Google, the kings of search, have a sweet search function so finding your files are a snap. Forget about digging through your computer hard-drive looking for that document. With Google Docs just search for it using keywords. Very snazzy.
7. Easy to use
If you’re familiar with MS-Office applications like Word or even Open Office, you’ll find Google Docs very easy to navigate and use.
8. Nothing to install
Since it’s web-based I don’t have to download or install anything to be up and running. All you need is a Google account. So if you use Gmail, Adwords, AdSense, etc. you already have Google Docs. It’s easy to find just look for the “Google Docs” link in your Google account and click on it.
The only possible downside to using Google Docs is your Internet connection. Most folks are now on broadband but if you’re using dial-up you might have issues using these type of web based applications.
It’s also easier to start from scratch than importing an existing document. If it’s plain text it isn’t that big of a deal but if you have a lot of images and custom formatting done on Word then you might need to do some cleaning up of your document once you import it into Google Docs.
Info Product Creation with Google Docs
As I wrote previously creating info products is one of the best ways of making money online. So lets get back to the report you’ve written on Word and you’re uncertain on how to move to the next step.
To get the document ready for prime time simply go to Google Docs and click on the “Upload” tab. Export your masterpiece into Google Docs. Double check formatting for changes. If it looks good, go to “File” then to “Download File As” and select “PDF”. A pop-up box will appear, just name the file what you want and indicate where on your computer you want your PDF file saved to and that is it. You’re ready to make some money or build that list with your PDF report!
Check out the video tour of Google Docs I put together so you can see it in action! Oh and yes, this post was written in Google Docs. 
Guest Post by Alan Petersen of Internet Marketing Nirvana. Alan is well known for simplifying Internet Marketing processes through detailed video tours and helpful reports. Check out his blog, and be sure to leave your comments below!
Stay tuned for more Guest Posts, and also watch for photo & video updates from Lynn while she enjoys beautiful Australia…
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Another free option I like is http://www.cutepdf.com
It’s free and works great but not sure if it works for mac.
Is there anything Google CAN’T do? Wow! This might change a lot for me – as a “newbie” I’m always on the prowl for things to make business easier. Awesome and helpful – Thanks
Great stuff Alan! I did not know about this until now. I will have to give it a try.
Side note: I want to guest post too!
Wow!!! As I have my ebook ready to become a pdf file and put out on on Clickbank, this is exactly what I needed!!! I’ve used pdf995, but was looking to see if there was anything better. I’m going to check it out now!
Lynn,
Google Docs is one of my favorite online tools. I don’t know what I’d do without google docs. I do EVERYTHING in google docs. Great posts.
Follow me @deannatroupe on Twitter.
Thanks Alan.
I’ve used Google Docs before but not with any serious intention. I found out a few months ago you can also use spreadsheets to run surveys! Flipping fantastic!
I may uninstall Microsoft Office to make space for my new videos that I will be producing!
By the way, what software did you use to capture your screen on your Mac?
Cheers
Desiree
Alan
Thanks for sharing with us. I like the easy search option. I am always searching for something on my hard drive. Looks like a real time saver.
Thanks for posting while Lynn is gone!
Jean
Follow me @jeanmandel on Twitter.
Alan,
Very cool tip, man that will make JV’s on projects a lot easier.
Thanks for all the great comments and for Lynn for the guest post shot. Happy to help out while she takes a much deserved vacaton!
Desiree, I use Screenflow and I love it. It’s like Camtasia for the Mac at half the price. TechSmith has been working on a Mac version of Camtasia forever but now with Screenflow we don’t need them. I haven’t fired my old PC to use Camtasia since I got Screenflows six months ago.
Follow me @alanpetersen on Twitter.
Hi Alan,
Thanks for your update. I took a look at Screenflow and IShowU last night.
All Mac-ers seem to love Screenflow – thanks for the tip!
All the best and thanks Lynn for sharing Alan with us!
Desiree
Well, now you’ve gone and done it, Alan.
You’ve convinced me to take another look at Google Docs!
Follow me @DanReinhold on Twitter.
I love Google Docs but we don’t use it anymore for content and collaboration.
We switched to the tool http://www.getdropbox.com -> go check it out, it’s great and works with all kinds of files in real-time.. it really helped me streamline our content pipeline. Oh, and it’s fre.
I love Google Docs too. A friend and I collaborate on projects and ideas together on Google Docs. It works really well because we have very different schedules. I can just imagine how the application could be even more useful. I just love Google, and my Gmail email account has so many features that work so well for me in my commissioned art business.
I’m new to Google Docs and use it for collaboration purposes, but this quick post helped me to realize some really good uses for Google Docs.
Another good use of my 5 minutes – reading Click Newz!
Follow me @sharonmc on Twitter.
I did not know about Google Docs. Seems it can increase productivity. I will go and check it out right away. Thanks for sharing Alan. Great post !
[...] a guest writer (Alan Peterson) for her very good blog discussing GoogleDocs, with an entry called 8 Reasons Why GoogleDocs Rocks. It’s worth reading – and he produced a nice little video to hightlight [...]
Great stuff, Lynn! I had heard bits and pieces about Google Docs, but your article makes me want to go try it out right now. Sounds like it’s good for a lot of things — and perfect for those collaborative projects. Thanks for sharing.
Doug
Thanks for sharing tips. I like google docs. It’s easy to use and web based.
Usually I use open office to convert to pdf. It’s also free to use.
Google docs rocks, should be used by anyone who is always connected to internet. At least you have extra space for your hard drive.
I’m having a great time with Google Docs, too. I’m working at five or six different computers, so it’s great to be able to hop into a document from anywhere.
could you tell me please what is the best PDF reader other than Adobe’s ?
The biggest advantage of docs for me is being able to access them from any computer. I’m so tired of being tied to one particular computer just because Outlook is installed on it or having to physically move office documents from one computer to another via email or flash drive whenever I know I’m going to need them someplace else. This is probably the main reason I’m loving Google docs so much now.
I have been using Google Docs for a couple of years now and I really like it. Google offers an alternative to Word, PowerPoint and Excel that fit my needs very well. I can create documents easily, share them with others for editing, upload and download with Microsoft and keep all my stuff on a virtual desktop so I don’t have to keep stuff with me on a thumb drive.
I’ve been using Google docs for a while. It rocks because its reliable and fast for transferring files to different computers.
If you don’t have a Google account yet, I strongly urge you to get one and start exploring the features. i have been using Google docs at the school to collaborate on documents on a regular basis. We also use google docs to send information to other communities.
We’ve recently used Google docs in a committee meeting for planning the implementation of common assessments. We found it very helpful. We assigned different colors for different groups and collecting the feedback was a breeze.
Just the filing alone will help save at least a few hours a month. Add it up over 10 years and you probably can take a break for a month.
I’ve tried to use Google Docs, easy and simple to use
Thanks for your sharing
thanks alan for this wonderful and illuminating article on googledocs. i dint really know that it could be used to do so much. thanks for sharing
regards
We’ve recently used Google docs in a committee meeting for planning the implementation of common assessments. We found it very helpful. We assigned different colors for different groups and collecting the feedback was a breeze.
The only possible downside to using Google Docs is your Internet connection?
What about maximum file size?
Thank you for the mention about the PDF! I just made one and did it easily.
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