October 11, 2017 • Aerio Staff
It’s a nice moral metaphor, but taken literally, not really applicable in today’s competitive book market. Unless you’re a well-established author with a track record of bestsellers, readers are definitely judging your books by their covers.
You’ve spent countless hours, maybe even years, crafting the content of your book. You may be thinking “of course my book will sell because the story contained within is so gripping and relevant.”
Not so fast. First impressions are kind of a big deal.
Let’s consider the typical new book shopper . . .
Just browsing in a bookstore, this person hasn’t really done any research but knows the genre/subject matter they are looking for. Of course they have their go to authors, but now they want something new.
Glancing over a shelf in the mystery section, an eye-catching cover jumps out at them. They pick it up. Read the back cover. Read the inside flap. Flip through a few pages. Decide to purchase.
None of this happens, if the cover image doesn't grab their attention. Your book cover is your first opportunity to make a sale.
Creating an effective book cover image is an essential step towards setting your book apart from the masses. It is also important to keep in mind that a good book cover image isn't all about aesthetics. While the artistic elements of your book cover image play an important role, it is also vital that your book cover conveys an inquisitive and engaging message.
A book cover can be broken down into two distinct elements:
Once you have those elements nailed down for your target audience, you need to create a book cover image that:
You should spend just as much time and effort on your cover image as you did making sure your writing and content was well-polished. And just like the content of your book, the image needs to speak to a specific audience.
Here are a few helpful tips on creating a book cover that presents the perfect mesh of style and typography for optimal impact, and that also resonates with readers on a higher level:
Whether scrolling an online listing, or strolling the aisle of a bookstore, millions of book vie for reader’s attention every day. Even though competition is tough, a well-designed book cover image gives you a strategic advantage to make the best first impression.