Selling Your Book before it is Even Read – The Importance of Good Book Covers

​One of the most important elements of your book is the cover. Marketing can only bring the reader so far. The odd thing is that previously, the cover was usually not as important. More emphasis was given to the content inside. However, it has been noted that the book cover can definitely impact the appeal and the sales of the book.

​​People are visually impacted by the products around them and a beautiful book cover will compel someone to buy it. This is the first step. Once they pick it up, they will look at the blurb on the back which is when most make up their mind to buy it. To get to this point, the cover needs to be appealing enough to tempt them and they will be willing to buy the book.

​This little phenomenon is known as selling your book before it is even read. In fact, the cover of the book is so important that you will find limited editions of books with different covers. It not only boosts sales and compels readers to buy the book again. Now, if you have written a book and are thinking about getting a book cover made, consider the following:

Get a Good Designer

​Always work with a good designer who understands the content of the book. You don’t have to give them the book to read but you can also provide a brief summary of the storyline. Additionally, if you have any examples of the kind of book covers you like, share it with the designer. This makes it easier for them to design the cover. Sharing the summary also means that you and the designer are on the same page.

The Font of the Cover Matters

​The font on the front of the cover will make a huge difference on the reader. Bad font choices here can drive away people from buying it. Certain fonts are also associated with different things. The dripping, goopy font is often seen in R.L. Stine’s horror story titles. Many non-fiction books use Helvetica or a Serif font on the cover since it is associated with feelings of trustworthiness. You will hardly ever see Comic Sans unless it is on a kid’s book or a spoof or comedy book. 

Pick Attractive Colors  

When picking colors, pay attention to the impact of color psychology as well as the theme of the book. Some colors like red and blue are common choices but you can also use muted alternatives such as pink, teal or more. The right color combinations, along with the right font can elevate your book cover. Even if there are no graphics, the colors will be appealing enough to attract buyers.​

These are just 3 quick tips you need to remember while getting a cover made, but if you're unsure, why not get in touch with us, we'd love to help!