What Makes a Book Cover Sell?
What makes a book cover sell? A cover sells when it instantly tells the right reader, "This book is for you." It does not have to be fancy. It has to be clear and fit its genre.
Most readers first see your cover as a tiny image on a phone. In about two seconds, they decide whether to look closer or keep scrolling.
In this article, you will get a clear answer, then the solution step by step, and then an industry hack that makes cover decisions easier and helps you avoid common hurdles.
Questions and Answers
Q: Should my cover show a scene from my book?
A: Not necessarily. It should show the feeling and genre more than a specific scene.
Q: Can I design my own cover?
A: You can, but a professional designer who knows your genre usually gets much better results.
The Solution
Study the top 20 covers in your category.
Note the common colors, fonts, and images.
Make your title easy to read at thumbnail size.
Use one strong image instead of many small ones.
Hire a designer who works in your genre.
Test the cover with real readers before publishing.
The Industry Hack
Shrink your cover to the size of a postage stamp and look at it next to the top books in your category. If you cannot read the title or tell the genre at that size, readers cannot either. Professionals always test covers at thumbnail size.
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Want to see how your book measures up? Download the free 10-point checklist at selfpublishmedia.com.
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