An attractive book cover can make all the difference in engaging readers in your written work. Whether your book comes in online PDF format, hardcover, or softcover form, it should have an eye-catching cover that makes people want to read what you’ve written.
The cover of your book can make or break the success of your book and its contents, so it’s important to put some thought into it from the beginning of the publishing and distribution process. Below are 10 tips to help you design an engaging book cover yourself or get it designed by a professional designer.
1.Understand the Power of Cover
No matter how good the content of your book is, if it doesn’t have a good cover, then it won’t be picked up by readers. A cover should be something that catches the eye and inspires the reader to want to learn more about the story inside.
The first thing a potential buyer sees when they look at your book is the cover, so make sure it is something that you are proud of. If you have completed writing an amazing book and are looking to get its cover designed, you should avail expert book design services by experienced graphic designers.
2.Hire Someone Who Knows Their Stuff
A good book cover design is the first opportunity you have to grab a potential reader’s attention. The visual elements of a cover should convey the essence and tone of your story while also drawing readers in by making them want to know more.
But crafting a great cover can be challenging if you’re unfamiliar with graphic design or don’t have access to professional design tools. Therefore, it is always recommended to hire someone who is an expert in their field.
You can search for online book design services from expert graphic designers to help you get the right cover for your book.
3.Create and Design an Informative Cover
A book cover is the first thing that your potential reader will see, so it should be both inviting and informative.
Whether you’re a professional graphic designer or just want to create a more attractive front for your self-published book, the number one most important thing about designing a good book cover is getting the message across quickly.
Think about how long someone will look at your book before deciding whether to buy it. It should perhaps be only a few seconds. It’s important to convey what your story is about in this small amount of time so they can make their decision based on content instead of outward appearance.
4.Consider Book Categories
There are a few different book categories that might help you choose a cover design. If your book is targeted toward children, you may want to consider creating a colorful and inviting cover.
A good example of this would be the classic Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. If your book is targeted towards teens or young adults, you’ll want to try something more classic with lots of cool colors and graphics that show off the mood of the story.
5.Try to Keep the Information Brief
There are certain things you can follow to get the best possible design for your book.
- Emphasize the title. Make sure the title is big and bold, it’s the first thing your readers will see.
- Keep it simple. Limit yourself to no more than three colors and one font for a clean, professional look that’s easy on the eyes.
- Consider showing the main character on the cover
- Include images from inside the book or show what happens next if you’re releasing part of your story as a serial.
- Avoid cliche stock photos and models
- Add symbols, patterns, textures, or illustrations.
6.Don’t Overcomplicate the Layout and Topography
Don’t overcomplicate things. For quick reference, you can check on Google to find different book cover templates you can choose from. Choose one that is simple and straightforward and doesn’t have too much going on in terms of layout and typography.
You also want to make sure the fonts are classic and easy to read from a distance. For example, a bolded word in all capitals might be difficult for readers to read at first glance.
7.Be Symbolic and Simple
Designing a book cover is a great way to show readers what they will find inside your story. There are many different methods you can use when designing your book cover, but the most important thing is ensuring it’s as engaging as possible.
A minimalist style is always best when it comes to designing a book cover. It can just be a photograph or drawing with a little prominent header and footer. Remember, you need to make a connection with the readers, so choose images that are symbolic and evoke a special emotion.
8.Make Your Title Prominent
As a writer, no one other can know that the most important thing about your book cover is its title. It is what attracts readers to have a first glance and your book. So, try your best to get it designed in a way that it looks prominent and stands out from the other elements of your book cover.
The title of your book is the essence of what’s written inside. No matter how beautifully the book is written inside, the only way to make the user select it is by choosing an outstanding title and then placing it on the cover in the primary place.
9.Be Sure the Design Looks Professional
Always remember that good book covers are easy to read and depict. Also, they have a distinctive and clean design. The images on the cover will depend on the genre you are writing about.
You will need to see other books in your genre about how they use colour palettes and types of imagery. We’re not saying you should copy them, but you can just consult them for inspiration for your own book.
10. Consider a Subtitle or a Teaser
A short teaser or subtitle will give your users a little more context about what is written inside. Readers at the store don’t always open the book and start reading while standing there. All they need is a little teaser that will spark suspense to read what’s inside.
The subtitle might need a little time to read but it can motivate the readers to take a look inside. You will have to keep all these tips in mind while selecting a cover design for your book. This will ensure the best sales for your book which is just around the corner to get published.
