Despite what everyone says, the truth is that we judge a book by its cover all the time, which is why it is so important to choose the title and cover of your book carefully. Just by understanding the simple fact that the title and cover of your book are very important, you know where to focus on the most once you have completed writing your book.
Now, if you are writing a book, there is a great chance that you are overly focused on putting together a great story that will not only captivate the audience of your readers but also help you get across your message to the world.
And as we stated before that the cover of your book is something that you cannot overlook as it is the first thing that the reader sees when they look at your book – the cover and title of your book become an essential component that you cannot ignore – no matter how well the book is written.
That said, choose the perfect title because you want to draw your readers to the book on the bookshelf before they even open the book.
Suppose you are a fiction or fantasy writer; in that case, you might want to hire the best fantasy book cover designers and have them help you create the perfect cover that will actually grab the attention of by-passers so they cannot resist but open your book to see what is in it.
Besides, the book title also serves the purpose of priming the reader’s mind for the potential message they are about to receive in the book. Here are a few tips to ensure that your book title is as good as it can possibly be.
Break Down the Title
The first crucial tip when it comes to titling a book is to use the title in a way that accurately describes what the reader can expect inside. One efficient way you can do this is by using numbers. For instance, if your book contains health and fitness ideas, you can title your book “13 ways to stay healthy and strong”.
The essential benefit of a descriptive title is that it can actually help people comprehend what your book is about at a glance. By using numbers, you certainly add structure to your book cover while making the title memorable and ensuring that people understand what they can expect to find inside the book.
Often, numbers are also used in book titles to show how quickly you can get from one point to another – for instance, in the previous example, the hypothetical book title displayed how to become healthy and strong.
The use of numbers also makes the reader more receptive to what is about to come, as numbers make goals look more achievable, and people prefer to buy books that help them achieve certain goals.
Choose an Attractive Subtitle
After you have come up with a title, the next thing that is left is choosing a compelling subtitle. Ideally, the subtitle should be a little longer and more descriptive. It wouldn’t be wrong to state that, in many ways, your book’s subtitle is more important than the main title itself.
While using the subtitles, you can use this area to communicate valuable information about your book. It is also through the subtitle that you help somebody decide whether they want to pick up the book and read it or not.
The subtitle also helps readers decide whether the book holds value or not. Your subtitle clarifies your title and further elaborates what your book is about. You can efficiently use your subtitles to speak directly to your audience.
Also, use the subtitle to address the pain points of your target audience and describe how your book will help by having the perfect solution. The subtitles will convince people that the book is good and will meet their needs.
If you are confused about how to start writing a subtitle, you might want to go to a library or bookstore and look through the books that share the same genre or niche as the book that you have written. Subsequently, you will want to pay attention to how the subtitles are crafted and what message they communicate.
By doing so, you will eventually figure out the best structure for your subtitle.
Always Go for a Unique Set of Title & Subtitle
If you truly want to stand out from the crowd with the book, you must ensure that the title and subtitle of your book are distinctive yet memorable. Make sure that the title is easy to remember so that it sticks to people’s minds.
There are different methods to making a memorable title – for instance, you can use metaphors. A metaphor or a fun phrase might work well as a title for your book because it is surprising and will entice many people to see what the book has to offer.
A unique set of titles and subtitles increases the chances of people picking up the book and reading it because the title surprised them and grabbed their attention. But also, make sure that the subtitle solidifies the book’s usefulness.
The subtitle is crucial because any passerby would have no idea what the book is about without it.
You get the point – by writing a unique, descriptive title with a compelling subtitle that accurately addresses your reader’s pain points, you will be able to reach as many people as possible with your book.
Ask Yourself – Would You Buy it?
Lastly, you will have to look at the book title and cover from the reader’s perspective and really understand whether you would buy the book or not. Does the title intrigue you to learn more about the book?
If the answer is no, you really have to do some digging and figure out how to change the title to ensure that it is impactful for you as well. Now, your audience is obviously very important, but your name is on the book.
This book is everything you want the world to know and see. So, if you aren’t buying the book based on the title – how can you expect other people to do the same?
