How to Use Free Mockups to Promote Your eBook or Course

If you’ve ever tried to promote an eBook or an online course, you’ve probably noticed one big challenge: making it look professional and appealing. People are more likely to click, download, or buy something if they can see it clearly, and that’s where free mockup templates come in.

A mockup is simply a digital design that shows your product in a realistic setting. For example, instead of just displaying a flat cover image of your eBook, you can place it in a 3D book mockup or show it on a tablet. For courses, you can use mockups of laptops or workspaces to illustrate your lessons.

The good news is you don’t need to be a designer to use them. With plenty of free resources online, anyone can start improving their eBook promotion or digital product marketing strategy today.

In this post, we’ll go over practical ways to use mockups, where to find them, and how to integrate them into your content naturally.

Why Mockups Matter for eBooks and Courses

When someone is scrolling through social media or browsing your website, you only have a few seconds to grab their attention. A plain text description won’t always do the job. A mockup makes your digital product feel “real.”

Here’s why mockups are so effective:

• They build trust. A realistic image shows effort and professionalism.
• They help people imagine the product. Seeing an eBook on a desk or a course displayed on a laptop feels more tangible.
• They stand out. Visuals are easier to remember than plain text.

👉 Related: If you want to make your downloads stand out, check out our post on Beginner Tips for Designing eBook Covers with Free Tools.

Types of Mockups You Can Use

Depending on what you’re promoting, different mockup styles work best.

1. Book Mockups – Perfect for authors, bloggers, or anyone offering a free guide. You can show your cover in 3D or on a Kindle.
2. Tablet & Phone Mockups – Great for showing that your eBook or course is mobile-friendly.
3. Laptop/Desktop Mockups – Ideal for courses, webinars, or digital toolkits.
4. Bundle Mockups – If you’re offering multiple resources (like an eBook + worksheets), stacked mockups make it feel like a complete package.
5. Lifestyle Mockups – These show your product in a real setting, like on a desk with coffee and notes, which feels relatable.

Where to Find Free Mockup Templates

The best part? You don’t have to spend money to get started. There are plenty of places to download free mockup templates:

• Canva – Has drag-and-drop mockup frames, perfect for beginners.
• Placeit – Offers a wide variety, including lifestyle scenes.
• Freepik – Great for PSD mockups if you’re comfortable editing in Photoshop.
• Mockup World – Curated library of free, high-quality mockups.

👉 Pro tip: Always check licensing terms. Most free mockups can be used for personal and commercial projects, but it’s good to be sure.

How to Use Mockups for eBook Promotion

Let’s say you’ve just created a free guide or eBook. You could upload a flat image of the cover, but it won’t grab attention. Instead, you can:

1. Add it to your landing page. Show the eBook in a 3D mockup on a tablet or printed book.
2. Share it on social media. Post a lifestyle mockup image of your eBook with a caption highlighting what’s inside.
3. Include it in emails. A small mockup in your welcome email makes the freebie look polished and valuable.
4. Use it in ads. Visuals convert better—mockups can make even free downloads look professional.

👉 Related: Check out our guide on Email Marketing Tips for Sharing Free Digital Downloads for more ways to deliver your freebies.

How to Use Mockups for Course Promotion

Courses can be harder to “show” because they’re usually digital. This is where mockups help the most.

• Laptop Mockups: Show your course title on a laptop screen.
• Tablet + Phone Mockups: Demonstrate that your lessons are mobile-friendly.
• Course Bundle Mockups: Add worksheets, PDFs, and slides into one stacked image to look like a full package.
• Lifestyle Mockups: Place your course in a work-from-home desk scene to make it feel approachable.

By using these visuals, you make your course look like a complete product rather than just a list of modules.

Tips for Customizing Mockups

• Stick to your brand colors. Adjust backgrounds or accents to match your overall style.
• Use readable fonts. Make sure your course or eBook title is clear, even when the image is small.
• Avoid clutter. Don’t add too many elements that distract from your product.
• Test different styles. Some audiences respond better to clean digital mockups, while others prefer lifestyle scenes.

👉 Related: If you want to explore more about design, see our post on How to Create a Lead Magnet Using Free Canva Templates.

Mistakes to Avoid

Even with great templates, it’s easy to make small errors. Watch out for:

• Using low-quality images that look blurry.
• Forgetting to adjust text to fit the mockup frame.
• Overusing props that take attention away from your product.
• Sticking with one mockup—variety keeps your content fresh.

Bringing It All Together

Here’s a quick example of how you could promote a free eBook:

1. Design your cover in Canva.
2. Add it to a free mockup template (tablet + lifestyle scene).
3. Use that image on your landing page and social posts.
4. Create a second version for email newsletters.
5. Share reminders on social media with the same visuals for consistency.

This way, your audience sees a clear, professional product everywhere they interact with you.

Final Thoughts

Using mockups isn’t about making your eBook or course look “fancy.” It’s about clarity and professionalism. Mockups help your audience quickly understand what you’re offering, whether it’s a free guide, a course, or a resource bundle.

And the best part? You don’t need to spend money to get started. With plenty of free mockup templates online, you can start today and make your promotions look polished and engaging.

If you’re working on your first digital product, take it step by step: design your eBook, create a mockup, and share it consistently. Over time, you’ll see how much of a difference these visuals make in your digital product marketing.