| People like to say that you do not judge a book by | | | | attention. |
| its cover. That may be true generally, but in the | | | | - The sub-title should also be short and describe what |
| literary world the fact is that most people do judge | | | | the book is about. |
| books by their cover. We live in a society where | | | | - Try not to use more than twelve words on the |
| packaging is everything. The book cover is your | | | | front cover. |
| greatest advertisement and great care should be | | | | - Use powerful words that are laden with benefits |
| taken to make it as stunning as possible. | | | | for the reader. |
| It is, in fact, a good idea to work on your cover | | | | - The spine, front cover and title must collectively |
| before you get down to the serious business of | | | | say, "Pick me up!" |
| writing the content. It will help you to capture on the | | | | Some Tips For The Back Cover |
| main theme of the book and keep you focused as | | | | - This is important sales space and must say |
| you write. | | | | emphatically: "Buy this book!" |
| Book covers sell books | | | | - Set yourself a goal of using no more than 75 words |
| Think about this fact for a moment. When book | | | | on the back cover. |
| agents visit bookstores they do not carry a suitcase | | | | - Target your buyer. |
| full of books with them. Most buying decisions are | | | | - Use an arresting headline and though-provoking |
| made on the design and sales copy of the cover. | | | | questions. |
| That is how important a good cover is. It has to be | | | | - State concisely what the book is about and how it |
| eye-catching and relevant. | | | | will benefit the reader. |
| The Wall Street Journal says the average buyer picks | | | | - What need are you trying to fulfill? What market |
| up a book, spends eight seconds looking at the front | | | | are you trying to reach? What is your motivation for |
| cover and fifteen seconds reading the back cover. | | | | writing this book? |
| This assumes the spine was eye-catching enough to | | | | - Add some short testimonials and endorsements. |
| make them select the book in the first place from | | | | - Encourage the consumer to buy your book by |
| hundreds of others in the average bookshop. | | | | telling them specifically how reading it will help them. |
| The cover of your book has two purposes. | | | | - State the category your book fits so it will be well |
| Obviously it is there to protect the contents, but it is | | | | placed in bookshop. |
| also a vital selling tool. Every word on the cover must | | | | - Add the ISBN and bar code. The bar code identifies |
| be targeted to sell what is inside. This is your best | | | | the ISBN, which in turn identifies the publisher, author |
| and most effective sales copy. | | | | and edition. |
| Some Tips For The Front Cover | | | | - Add a short biographical sketch to your name as |
| - Make the cover bold, distinctive and intriguing | | | | the Author. |
| enough to catch the eye. | | | | Your cover is your best advertisement. Use this |
| - Use professional graphics. | | | | opportunity to make a lasting impression. |
| - Select a short title that catches immediate | | | | |