While you’re writing your novel, you are a creator. A wordsmith. An artist. But, as soon as that novel’s finished, you’re about to take the next step in publishing business. Yes, you’re becoming not just an author, but an entrepreneur. You are creating a product that has to contend with literally thousands of other products.
Can you, as author, afford for your product – your work of art – to be any less than visible or desirable? No.
What is one of the key selling points of any product? The packaging.
What is a book’s packaging? The cover.
So, what’s the purpose of a cover? Many writers will say: “To get customers to pick up the book, or click on the download button.” This is true. BUT, if the customer is to pick up or click and read the book’s summary, and realize that the cover and story have nothing to do with one another, then back goes book to shelf, or, the next ebook is clicked on. You lose a sale.
Yes, the cover must entice the customer. But the full purpose of a book’s cover is to:
- Get the customer to notice the book;
- Pick up or click on the book;
- Buy the book;
- Read the book;
- Talk about the book;
- Repeat for next customer.
If your name is “Stephen King”, then that book can have a blank cover with his name, and it will sell. But until you reach such status, your name is not yet known, so your book’s title and cover art alone carries the day.
So where do you start? You start by pretending you’re telling someone why they should buy your book. Point out the book’s strengths, its genre, its core, what it’s about and what makes it tick. These elements are your unique selling points, and should be conveyed through your title and cover art. And the ultimate purpose is to precipitate an emotional response from your customer. And the outcome? A sale. This is exactly why a professional designer is needed.
Starting to re-realize the importance of your book’s cover? You should. Because it’s not just about a pretty cover anymore, is it?
A good cover will reinforce the customer’s initial attraction. We also do this by adding blurbs – which will tell the customer; “Yes, you have made a good choice, and this blurb rewards your decision, as the book is THAT good.” Every detail on a cover must be thought out and planned. Even the placement of the title and writer’s name is extremely important. Again, this is exactly why a professional designer is needed.
Look at your current book’s cover. And if you don’t yet have one, then think about book packages that work for you. Are all the elements of the cover presenting accurately, attractively and powerfully the appeal of the book?
So, in designing your product’s package, or, framing your work of art, realize the importance of your book’s cover. You must not just want a pretty cover – your book deserves a professionally designed package that will represent you, your story and product congruently.
And YES, you can get an exclusively designed cover by an industry professional for your book:
JH ILLUSTRATION & COVER DESIGN
https://jhillustration.wordpress.com/
This Blog post appears on www.indieauthornews.com
JH Illustration 