How Stylish Book Covers Affect Book Promotion

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Book covers are just as important as the content itself. It’s like love at first sight. 

Picture this: You’re in a bookstore and you’re not exactly looking for a specific book, merely scanning the room for the next one to obsess on. You see hundreds or thousands of books on the shelves. How do you take your pick?
Well, I guess we can call it instinct – how we are drawn to books that are picturesque. The vibrant colors and the creative, yet completely legible, font styles of the book covers you see is what catches your eye. And let’s not forget the magic of illustrations. The way they speak a thousand words is what jolts your curiosity. That is what creates static! That’s love at first sight. 

A good looking book cover will intrigue and draw your audience in. So, heed this marketing technique – get a stunning book cover! If you’re still not convinced, here’s how impactful your book cover is. Your book cover is crucial to the success of your promotional strategies for the following reasons:

1.       It brings in prospective readers.

Unique book covers will definitely generate an audience. Colors, font styles, and illustrations allow your book to be visible, so take advantage of this. Moreover, don’t go with the generic. Prospective buyers might think that there’s nothing special about your book. They might think that it’s just “one of those books”. That won’t get them to buy your book. Since people are judging books by their covers, make sure yours is appealing and unique. Be creative. Think of something witty, funny, or whatever it is that can encapsulate your entire content in a book cover.

If readers are attracted to your book, they’ll get curious. This means that you have earned a little bit of their time. They will flip it over and read your blurb. They might look for reviews online. They might even look you up.

2.       It stirs up emotions.

Bold colors not only catch people’s attention. They also stir up emotions. When it comes to marketing, choosing colors for advertisements or designs means serious business. If you apply the right colors, you can communicate with your audience, and you can get the results you want. For instance, using shades of red translates your book to your audience as a story about passion or power, while using shades of blue translates as peace and tranquility.

Here’s a printing tip: Before you distribute printed copies of your work, print a copy for yourself so you can see how the quality of the print version looks like. Sometimes, the colors won’t be as vibrant in print as the digital version. So, you absolutely have to check it. If your work comes out dry, then it won’t make the same effect.

3.       It reflects your story.

The illustration or book design communicates what your story is all about. It gives readers an idea of the setting, mood, or the atmosphere of the story. For instance, the Bloomsbury editions of the Harry Potter books give readers a clue about important events in the story – Harry’s first train ride to Hogwarts, or the flying car ride to Hogwarts. 

Your book cover will also give readers a heads up on the tone of the story. Should they expect something humorous or something grim and eerie? Your cover is one way of communicating to your audience. More importantly, it becomes interesting for your readers once they reach the part in your story that explains your book cover.

4.       A high quality book cover assures readers of a high-quality content.

Once readers see the quality of work put into the creation of your book cover, they will have pre-conceived ideas about your content. Readers will think your book cover equates to your writing. If your cover is dull, pixelated, or generic, it might prejudice your readers. If not, there is still a chance that it will drive them away. Your reader, just like any other consumer, isn’t interested in half-baked goods.  

The trick is, don’t make it look like a self-published book. Most readers don’t waste on books with terrible covers, because unfortunately, most self-published books are getting a bad reputation in book cover designs. Make it look more professional as much as possible—minimalist designs without distracting images that confuse readers. Actually, one shape or figure can be good enough to portray your book.

5.       It seals the deal.

When readers are absolutely mesmerized by the cover, they will feel the need to buy your book to satiate their curiosity, or they might just want to complete the set if what you’re selling is a book series. If you have a concept that can apply to all your books, especially when you have a series, then use it. For example, there are books that look like puzzle pieces and once you collect all of them, you can see what the complete image is. If you put Oliver Sacks’ books on neurology together, it shows an image of a man and his brain. A unified theme is interesting and creative. Also, readers can identify your book from afar once they are able to familiarize your theme or concept. Another idea is aligned spines. This will look good on your readers’ shelves. These brilliant book cover ideas will urge your readers to complete the collection. This means more profit!

Your book cover is the gateway to your readers’ hearts. Once it’s out in print, the book cover—for most of the time—will decide the success of your book.  Because the primary objective of your chosen cover is to encourage readers to flip your book open. And if they are enthralled with your book cover and then with the book title, they’ll probably give it a go and read your content. Hiring a cover designer is also a crucial task. With potential buyers shopping online and readers scanning for a wonderful book to read, your book cover has to be compelling in thumbnail image and also in print. 

However, if you decide to DIY, just beware that you will be accountable for a number of things: copyright permissions, illustration costs, indexing, among others. Hire an illustrator that charge for a reasonable price, won’t rip you off, and has good reviews.

LitFire Publishing, an independent publishing company based in Atlanta, Georgia, knows every trick to make every indie author’s literary journey a lot easier and successful. With various packages and services designed for self-publishers alone, LitFire Publishing will take care of the hustle and bustle of publishing your book. Although considered as relatively new to paperback publishing, LitFire has had years of experience in e-book production and online marketing industry since 2008. Eight years after and over a hundred published titles later, LitFire is now one of the best self-publishing companies in the United States.

If you’ve got more to add, feel free to share it with us!