The old saying “never judge a book by its cover” doesn’t always hold up well. All too often, people do judge books by their cover. For some, a cover is reason enough to purchase the book. For others, a bad cover can drive them away.
That is why a great cover is the cherry on top of a great book. By having a great cover, you won’t run the risk of turning potential readers away. A great cover will be just the thing to help them discover the great material you have in store for them.
So, let’s take a look at five ways in which you can turbocharge your book by using a great cover.
Highlight Your Title
All great covers highlight the book’s title. After all, it is the focal point of the cover. Graphics, colors, and other design features should make the words stand out. Otherwise, potential readers may get lost in the commotion surrounding the title.
The title should be the element that first catches the reader’s attention. If the reader has to search for the title, chances are you will lose them. Perhaps the worst mistake is to have an illegible title. This can easily happen as words and letters get drowned in a sea of colors and graphics.
So, keep these things in mind:
• Use a clean and simple font
• Choose a font color that stands out from the background
• Utilize a font size that is visible on a thumbnail
• Organize graphic elements so that the text does not get buried
Ideally, your book’s title should be visible on a small phone screen. That way, you’ll get your message across.
Be Wary of Colors
Bright colors are always catchy. But for book covers, it’s best to use neutral tones. Colorful book covers are always attractive, but they may confuse your reader. After all, you want the reader to focus on the title and your name rather than be distracted by the artwork.
Choosing neutral tones that facilitate reading text is the way to go. Additionally, choosing a font color that contrasts well always makes sense. Try your best to choose background colors that work well with white or black letters. Also, a font like Serif or Sans-serif is classic.
Keep It Simple and Sweet
Less is more when it comes to book covers. A crowded cover will distract the reader. When you have too much going on, readers may get caught up in the artwork and not the book’s contents. So, going with a neat, clean cover that highlights your book title and name is always the best way to go.
Often, uncluttered backgrounds that feature a clear space for your title is the right choice. Of course, avoid being overly simplistic. That may signal a lack of effort. Thus, maintaining a proper balance is key.
Don’t Forget About Your Genre
It’s important to keep your genre in mind at all times. With novels, imagery that provides clues to the story is crucial. With non-fiction books, providing related graphics and images is essential. If you fail to make this connection, readers may become turned off. If your graphics do not reflect your book’s contents, readers may simply pass. So, always make sure that your cover is the reflection of your book’s genre.
Your Cover Should Be in Line with your Theme
Like your genre, your theme should be at the forefront of your cover. It seems natural but far too many books get this wrong. Your book’s cover should reflect the feelings you want to evoke in your readers. If you fail to get this message across, potential readers may simply pass before they even give you a chance. Your book’s cover ought to be an extension of the text contained within. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.
The Low Down
A cover can make or break any book. So, it’s worth taking the time and effort to make the cover appealing while keeping in line with the message you want to convey. A neat, clean design that highlights the title is the best way to go. A good cover will draw in potential readers. That way, your text will keep them hooked on every page.
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