Want your cover to sell your book for you?
People do judge a book by its cover. It’s true! I know I’m not alone in consciously or subconsciously putting a book back on the shelf because of the cover. I might not even pick it up in the first place.
It could be the most amazing story in the world, but if the cover doesn’t represent it well, it may never get read.
To avoid getting passed over, know that your cover matters. In my Self-Publish Program, I tell writers if they spend money on any part of the publishing process, it should be on editors and the cover.
Having a well-designed cover that matches your genre as well as catches your story’s aesthetic is what can set your book up for long-term success.
However, I remember what it was like several years ago trying to publish my first book for the first time.
I was a working mom with two young kids at home and I just didn’t have the extra money lying around to pay for an expensive cover.
Luckily, through learning the ins and outs of publishing, I found various ways to inexpensively create book covers. Book covers that still look professional!
The hours and late nights it took me to discover these options were worth avoiding financial strain between my husband and me.
So to save you from having the same headaches, let me share with you many resources you can use to create an eye-catching cover your book deserves.
Inside the Self-Publish Program, I break down your cover design options into 3 routes,
1.) Design a cover yourself,
2.) Customize a template
3.) Hire a cover designer.
There isn’t a right or wrong route to go with, but I do think there is a “best” option for you based on your abilities and budget limitations.
Here’s what to consider for each cover design route:
Design a cover yourself
You can do this for free but I only suggest you take this route if you are a designer or know basic design rules like color theory, text pairing, etc…
I provide a tutorial on how to create your own cover inside the Self-Publish Program and think it can be a great option if you have the eye for it. You can even use free templates and adjust them for free! Just make sure you include the right bleed measurement for your book! If you don’t, when it goes to print, you might have white space around your spine or edges!
Customize a template
This is a great option to stay inexpensive while still having control over the final look of your cover. If you know what you want but don’t know where to start, get a template you can use to adjust accordingly. This can cost just a couple of bucks and set you up for success from the start.
Hire a cover designer
This tends to be the most expensive option out of all three, but it doesn’t have to be an outrageous amount. There are some great freelancing sites that will help you find someone to design your cover well and stay within your budget. If you know where to look, you can compare pricing and find an option that works for you.
This option is great if you want someone with experience to do the work for you ensuring you have a professional cover, or if you simply don’t have a single designing bone in your body and know it’s better to be left to those who do.
Now that you know which path to take in creating the best cover for your book, here are some resources to get your cover done!
These are all great resources many authors have used and have had success.
Just remember this is not the place to skimp. Covers matter!
You have put so much work into writing your book! You don’t want crickets on launch day because your book isn’t conveyed well via the cover.
Wouldn’t it be nice if the cover sold your book for you? Yeah, fewer marketing efforts thanks to a great cover-is what we all dream of.
(If you haven’t written your book yet, check out my FREE Writing Program. I hold monthly writing sprints to encourage you to finish your book)!
Good luck creating your cover! Here’s to your book’s success future author!
P.S. Don’t know which Print-On-Demand company to use for your book? SUBSCRIBE HERE TO GET FREE ACCESS TO THE PRINT-ON-DEMAND COMPARISON CHART
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