These days it seems that everyone has an e-reader or e-reader app on their phones. Books are not necessarily a thing of the past, but it seems that electronically reading is the in thing. I have my own e-reader, as well as a matching app on my phone. It makes reading easier, and lighter, since you don’t have to carry a bunch of books, just a piece of technology that weighs a few ounces.
Electronic readers
Given that many use electronic readers you might think that the cover for your book doesn’t matter as much. After all, it won’t be seen as much in a bookstore. Electronic sales are more important, right? Bad way to think! You still need a kick butt cover to get your book recognized and get attention. And don’t discount the physical book angle either. If your book gets published, there will be physical copies in a bookstore.
So what is the purpose of a book cover?
It’s to catch the attention of the reader. In a store full of books it takes a great cover to catch that attention. Think about the last time you were in a bookstore. What caught your attention? A plain cover? How about the cover that was colorful or eye catching? Not rocket science, it was the eye catching cover. But again, since most sales are electronic, what’s the big deal? The big deal is that those covers are also used on the electronic book sites. Go look at Amazon and their Kindle® books. Are they just lists of names of books and authors. Nope. It’s pictures of books and their covers.
Covers that either grab the reader or get ignored. Which do you want yours to be?
Obviously not ignored. You don’t make any sales if people ignore your book cover. It could be the Sistine Chapel of books but with a boring cover, hardly anyone will read it. Now add a great, kick butt cover that grabs the attention of your target audience, and maybe others, and your sales will soar! Or at least they won’t flop.
So don’t cheap out on your book cover. Get one made that captures the essence of your book and grabs your prospective readers by the collar and demands they buy!
Some sources of book covers
So where can you get a really great book cover? Here are some ideas for how to find a great book cover designer!
- If you have author friends who have a great book cover then ask who designed it for them (maybe the best way!)
- 99 Designs… because some big self publishing podcasts recommend them, the designers there have done a fair amount of covers
- Fiverr… if you are limited in your budget, using Fiverr.com is a great place to start
- DIY… if you are not a designer, this is the riskiest way to go, but sometimes you have to get started somewhere! Canva.com is a great resource for easy Graphic Design.
Hopefully this post will help you to get going on this super important resource!
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