A book cover creates an instant impression to potential readers about the contents inside. For this reason, the design on it is one of the most important marketing tools for any book launch. If the cover design is done poorly or does not connect with people, then it can result in a loss of sales. In order to avoid this from happening, it pays to employ a professional fantasy book cover designer. They will be able to get the book into the hands of readers through creating feelings and emotions.
It can be helpful for an author to make some points about what should be included in the design of the cover so that they can provide a designer with some guidance in the first instance. Doing this avoids having a cover designed that fails to convey the right type of message to the audience. Those books that feature eye catching designs and bright colors tend to gain more sales.
A book’s cover is a very important tool for when it comes to marketing it. This is why it pays to employ a book cover designer that is experienced and has the time to dedicate to designing, what is essentially, a piece of art. Book buyers are always going to be attracted to those books that have creative looking covers.
- Catches the attention of buyers – With more and more books hitting the market right now, an eye catching book cover really can make a difference and act as the difference between a sales success and a sales flop. The key to an attention grabbing book cover is for it to give away the right amount of information that it persuades people to pick it up and make a purchase. However, it is important that the cover does not give too much away.
- Keeps the binding together – When put onto a bookshelf, the spine of a book is all that can be seen so it is important that the eye catching design over the front and back cover extends to this part of it. The binding works to keep the edges of the book intact so it is important that it not only looks good but is of good enough quality that it keeps the book well protected.
- Boasts about reviews – A positive book review from a well respected book critic or literary organization can vastly improve the success of a book. The best book reviews should contain the complexities that are set forth by the work itself and not treat it as something that is suspect. It should cover what has been done, how it has been implemented, and whether or not it has been delivered with skill or in a way that is particularly compelling.
- Gives a glimpse of the book – The main thing with a book cover is to attract potential readers to the book by giving just a small glimpse of it, whilst at the same time not overdoing it. However, there is a very fine line between flashy and attention grabbing so be sure to tread this carefully. The cover should portray a purpose or theme that is important in the book in a manner that is very distinctive. That being said, a book cover should never tell the entire story. A book can be ruined if there is too much revealing information on the cover.
- Carries information about the book – Clarity of book information should be a prime concern when designing a book cover. Regardless of whether it is a piece of fan fiction, an educational reference book, or a child’s entertainment book, it is important to include key information that delivers some insight into the content of the inside. The cover needs to deliver the layout of the story within. Treating it like a living thing and allowing it to speak for itself is an effective way of ensuring success. The very best book covers out there typically contain at least one key piece of information that attracts readers.
Book cover elements to guarantee success
The cover of a book is one of, if not, the most important marketing assets to invest in when launching a book. This is because it is basically everywhere. For instance, it features on social media, sales websites, brochures, and the actual book itself. In order to ensure that the marketing and sale of a book goes well, it is important to include the following design elements.
- Typography – This relates to the style and appearance of any printed words or copy that is present on the book cover. It should always be readable and appealing to look at. Whilst typography may be an afterthought for some people, it is actually a very important element that needs to be considered with great care.
- Imagery – Any imagery that is used needs to act as a teaser that draws potential readers in. It is important that they do not give anything away or act as a spoiler to the story. The right imagery can communicate to the reader a lot of information without ever giving too much away. Cover images are also great for gaining attention.
- Contrast – Accentuating the differences between certain design elements on the cover can really help to grab attention or put focus on it. Contrast is also useful for improving clarity of a message and for organizing information. As well as enabling a cover to really pop, the use of contrast is timeless and will never go out of fashion.
- Layout – It is important to plan the layout of the cover first before any design work takes place. Look at other similar books currently on the market to determine what the layout should be.
- Color – The color or colors that are used on a book cover should help to create a certain mood and work to convey a particular message or messages that potential buyers will respond to. It is best to use colors that compliment one another and are opposite one another on the color wheel.