| Does a title really sell a book? The short answer is, | | | | If you are planning on a series, your title should be |
| yes. If a book does not attract a reader initially, it will | | | | your "brand". Then as you make your brand into a |
| be overlooked and not purchased. The book title is | | | | household word, you ensure future sales. As each |
| the element that creates the initial attraction to the | | | | title in the series is published, you know that people |
| book. | | | | will buy the latest book to complete the series. Think |
| Watch people who are browsing in a bookstore. A | | | | Harry Potter or Nancy Drew. |
| catchy title grabs their interest and makes them | | | | The subtitle of your book is a great way to increase |
| reach for the book out of curiosity. A great title | | | | sales. The subtitle gets to the heart of the book and |
| makes browsers think, "Really?" or "What does | | | | convinces the reader of the book's benefits. It lets |
| THAT mean?" or "That's what I need". Think long | | | | people know that the book is unique and that they |
| and hard when choosing your book's title. The title | | | | really can't live without it. It makes the reader believe |
| must give some clues about the book's contents in a | | | | that he or she just can't live without it - and that is |
| snappy "one-liner". | | | | your objective. |
| Many authors struggle fiercely with the title choice, | | | | Check the following subtitles: |
| not realizing that the title is there somewhere in the | | | | - Woman-Sense Rules! - The Spiritual Woman's Guide |
| book's contents. They just haven't recognized it | | | | to Finding Yourself When You Didn't Know You Were |
| because they are too close to the project. | | | | Missing |
| Sometimes it helps to talk to impartial, unbiased | | | | - Fit to Cook - Why "Waist" Time in the Kitchen? |
| persons. Tell them what your book is about, and | | | | - Climb Your Stairway to Heaven - the 9 habits of |
| then listen to their feedback. | | | | maximum happiness |
| Alternately, on the tongue-in-cheek advice of one | | | | - Light the Fire - Fiery Food with a Light New |
| publishing professional, open a bottle of wine and | | | | Attitude! |
| start writing. Make a list of everything that comes to | | | | - Spell Success in Your Life - A road map for |
| mind about what you have written in your book. | | | | achieving your goals and surviving success |
| Nothing is too silly, but do try to strike on the central | | | | In the title and in the subtitle, you can use humor or |
| theme or message. | | | | emotions to sell your book, but avoid clichés |
| When your list is complete (and the wine is all gone), | | | | and "corny" expressions, or overly common sayings. |
| group your notes into categories. Choose the | | | | They soon become stale and annoying. Keep your |
| snappiest, most intriguing words that say something | | | | title unique, catchy and relevant. |
| about your book without sounding like a boring | | | | Before making the final decision on your title, conduct |
| explanation. | | | | a title search (see our home study course, Idea to |
| Perhaps these titles will help you: | | | | Book...to Success - the fast, easy, simple way! for |
| - Woman-Sense Rules! | | | | instructions on title searches). Although you cannot |
| - Fit to Cook | | | | copyright a title, duplicating titles only leads to |
| - Climb Your Stairway to Heaven | | | | confusion, and you want people to buy your book, |
| - Light the Fire | | | | not a competitor's book. Make your title one that |
| - Spell Success in Your Life | | | | increases the likelihood of increasing your book sales. |