The Title Must Sell Your Book

Title writing is a unique skill that requires marketing expertise. As an author, you may be an expert in a particular subject, but that’s a different skill than being able to choose the exact words that will capture and hold a potential buyer’s attention.

If possible, it’s very useful to find a book marketing expert to evaluate your title. This person knows what works and what doesn’t, and after reviewing a manuscript, he or she will present a few alternatives that drill right down to the message that the book’s buyer is looking for.

The same skill set applies to the text on the back cover of your book. When we review back cover text submitted by the author, often it will contain great detail about why he or she wrote the book, and what’s meaningful about it to him or her. It’s important to remember that the buyer is asking only one question — “What’s in it for me?” Back cover text that doesn’t answer this question causes the buyer to put your book down and choose another. Again, a book marketing expert writes text that not only informs the potential buyer, but also motivates him or her to spend money.

You can find book marketing experts online, you can ask about them in online forums, and you can get references from local publishing associations. Your prospective book buyer reads your title and back cover text, and decides, in a few seconds, whether or not they “like” your book. Hiring a book marketing expert ensures that you’ll make an immediate and positive impression in this short time and gives your book the best possible chance to sell.

What do you want to know? What topics should we explore together? How can we help you along your publishing journey? Everyone here at 1106 Design wants to help. Post your comment here or email us at office@1106design.com

Michele DeFilippo, owner, 1106 Design