How To Look Like A Best Seller
I understand that about ninety percent of what makes a book a “best seller” is what is written between the front cover and the back cover. The story, the plot, the characters, professional marketing and editing etc all play a huge part in the success of the book. If you feel that your book has everything that a best seller book has to offer, but is still not selling then I would advise you to keep reading.
It is every authors dream to gain the status of being an achieved “Best Selling” author. To see your name under the best seller list would be like winning a gold medal in the summer Olympics. But, much like being an Olympian, best selling authors are far and few between. Even if you are not yet a best selling writer there are certain steps you can take to obtain the same amount of professionalism as a best seller.
If you do not have a book that people are leaving their houses to buy, then how can you grab the attention of the passer-by at the bookstore? Studies have shown that a huge amount of shoppers will buy something completely on impulse. This fact automatically puts your book on the market, even if no one has heard of it. If you have one second to sell that book to the customer before he/she walks past it, what part of the book must you sell? The Cover!
Although the sang “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” may hold some weight, the truth is for most books that the cover is the difference between the book being noticed or not. If your simple-looking book is placed on the shelves between two James Patterson “Look-a like” covers, who’s book will most likely go home in the hands of the customer? This is obviously an over exaggerated scenario, but my point is that even though your book is not a best seller, it doesn’t hurt to look like one.
If you have signed with a publisher, then it may be in your best interest to let the publisher have a say in the design of the book. Authors should always have some input, but the fact of the matter is, publishers have the foundation of professional research to know what designs will bring upon the most success.
If you are a self-published author then take a look at what the trends are for best seller designs. Research best selling books in your specific genre and consider what it is that makes their design attractive to the public. Make sure that your self-publishing company is capable of producing professional grade designs. This may prove to be more expensive, but will pay off in the end.
A professional design for your book is only a small fraction of what it takes to compete with the best sellers. Of course there are many other pieces to the puzzle that are required to sustain that sense of professionalism. Professional editing and marketing are absolutely imperative in the process, but when all is said and done, the books look and feel could be your ultimate marketing tool.