As a graphic designer who has created everything from brands and business cards to billboards, it’s disappointing to see talented authors create less than professional, high-impact book covers that sell their books in every way, starting with emotional impact.
Content is king, but the face of your book is an elemental expression of professionalism and credibility. When a cover appears weak or confusing, it doesn’t speak to the validity of the author.
Why take shortcuts as you’re completing your book cover’s visual impact? You’re preparing to unleash your heart, your compelling story or advice, and your hard-earned knowledge. Make it count in a big way.
Ten points to consider for your book cover
- Do the research. Which books do you find yourself drawn to online? Which ones do you select, and why? This should give you a clue what you’re attracted to regarding color and style when you’re exploring your competition online.
- Brand your business with an authentic and distinctive essence. Carry your mark through your marketing collateral, including your books, to use your branding investment. It will reflect your project in a positive light.
- Create an irresistible cover. Why settle for over-used and free stock images? You probably don’t want to see another book for sale with art like yours. That can happen and could make your book appear like a sad boilerplate. Treat your potential readers to a dazzling book cover from the onset of your book launch. Create the aura of confidence for purchasing your book.
- Keep it legal. Beware of snagging images online, with the mistaken expectation they are free. Use of copyrighted images or clip-art can cause untold amounts of legal heartburn and financial expense into the thousands, just for starters. Pay for the commercial rights to high resolution stock photos. Better yet, get high-quality custom photos by a professional, then you own the rights.
- Author’s byline. Placement of the author’s name on the cover with the words, by—written by—is unnecessary. That would be like placing the word—phone—before your number on a business card. Do we need to add unnecessary clutter? Your readers are savvy enough to know using your name states that you’re the author, or at least I hope so.
- Select fonts. Google worst-fonts and you will find enlightening lists of overused fonts to avoid. They will do nothing for your book cover other than making it appear unprofessional, even unpolished. For good quality fonts, try dafont.com (check commercial rights) and FontSquirrel.com, offering free commercial licenses. Confirm the usage terms before selling your book with fonts downloaded from any website.
- Is your cover easy to read? Think visibility and legibility. View your book cover on your monitor in thumbnail size. Is there enough contrast? Does the typography and image reflect the character of your subject?
- Honest feedback. If you create your book cover without professional help, get impartial evaluations and professional feedback before publishing. If your cover is not stellar, this is a marketing error sure to cost your sales.
- DIY template art? White space is beautiful and classy. Non-designers often fill the entire cover with images and text. Free software is available for non-designers to take a stab at creating a book cover. However, that doesn’t mean it’s in your best interest to do so. If you must indulge, try canva.com. Note to self: I do not want my book to have a generic or unprofessional appearance.
- Hire a pro. While you may be an independent author and a wicked-hot one at that, your book cover doesn’t have to appear ordinary or home-grown. You can enjoy the benefit of skillful cover art on a par with major publishing house releases. Your best investment is in hiring a professional graphic designer. In a brick and mortar bookstore, someone who’s thumbing through a book is likely halfway to the checkout counter. In our book browsing world online, clicking on a book cover is the equivalent of being halfway to the sale. Make your book cover count by investing in a professional, dynamic cover. You’ll want your book to be chosen over all others.
One more suggestion:
As you begin writing your book, have your book cover created. This may seem like something you would do after the book is written. Having a visual of the book cover makes the book real. Having the physical image can be a motivator to write, plus it gives you time to live with the cover. You can decide to edit or change the cover altogether before publishing. Print the cover and display it where you can view it as you write. Instant inspiration.
With Global Touch Press, every aspect of your book is important to us. We’re ready to partner with you to design your book cover and guide you through the entire process of turning your manuscript into a beautifully published book.