Monday, March 31, 2014

Book Covers Should Never Be Blah and Boring ... Never!


Why, oh why, do self-published authors insist on creating mediocre book covers? At a recent publishing conference, I talked with a gaggle of newly published authors. As proud as a new Dad or Mom, they put their treasure in my hands. Too many times, the cover was poorly designed, didn’t relate to the book topic and was third-rate at best. Blah and Boring. And you are the winner of the worst cover ever award.
Earlier this month in another blog, the question was asked: Is your cover and spine a Tesla or a trike? Did you read it? How did yours rate? The two critical tips given to do a quickly and accurate test as to whether your cover was a keeper or a loser were given. Go back and make sure you read and use what was recommended ... the floor test and the front of the store test could easily be the deal breaker-for success or failure with your book sales.
bad book cover
Covers are your personal barker …
“Look at me.” 
“I have the answer to your question.” 
“Here’s the solution to your problem.” 
“Wahoo … pick me, I’m a terrific read.” 
Etc. Etc. Etc. Covers are a critical investment in the presentation of your book … not just the front, but the back. Where the front is designed to say what the book is about and convey, “Pick me up now, I’m the one;” it’s the back cover that should get them to fall in. Deeply.
Your buyers spend more time on the back—does it have a bold “grab them” headline so they fall in? How about three to five bullet points that are designed to hook the reader with “That’s me; that’s me; the author has written this just for me” as they read through them. It's a happy dance for the book visitor who turns into the book buyer.
A paragraph or two about the book and they should be sold. Don’t get stuck on a bunch of endorsements—unless they are knock your socks off with a name that is the guru in the genre your are writing in or the industry you are writing for. The truth is, most endorsements are fillers and used when the copy in the body doesn’t sing—you probably don’t need them.
With covers—the back, the front and flaps or a dust jackets—always think benefit to the reader. Your book shouldn’t look like it was “self-published.” Ever.

JB_pic_2013-2 Judith Briles is known as The Book Shepherd a book publishing expert and coach. She is the Founder of Author U,  a membership organization created for the serious author who wants to be seriously successful. She’s been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the 80s. Judith is the author of 31 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers  and a speaker at publishing conferences.
Become part of her inner circle by joining the Author's Ark and exclusive monthly webinar and coaching event. Her audio and workbook series, Creating Your Book and Author Platform is now available. Join Judith live on Thursdays at 6 p.m. EST for Author U - Your Guide to Book Publishing on the Toginet Network at http://togi.us/authoru. Follow @AuthorU and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU and TheBookShepherd on Facebook.  If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact Judith at Judith@Briles.com.

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