“Writers begin with a grain of sand, and then create a beach” – Robert Black
In an ocean of content how do you stand out from the crowd? It’s a fact that most of us do judge a book by its cover, don’t we? Often when we’re looking to buy a book or an information product, be it an eBook or a hard copy we’re immediately drawn to the cover image. Instant decisions over whether to stay and read any further are made on the premise of the visual imagery.
- Do we pick it up or click on it?
- Is it jumping off the shelf or off the screen at us?
- Does the cover resonate with us, stir up an emotion, excite us or intrigue us?
- Are we connecting with the author and what they’re trying to convey on some level?
Stand Out From The Crowd
The author only has a second to capture our attention before we move on. If it’s visually appealing then we’ll want to know more. We’ll offer up our valuable time to read the blurb on the cover and delve in to find out more about what the book or product is about. First impressions last.
Getting Hooked
I’ve been well and truly hooked by countless books and info products over the years, usually when I’m looking to discover a new author and expand my book collection or learn something new from a course or piece of educational information.
These authors have executed their intention effectively by connecting with me in an instant, tapping into my speedy visual processing with the use of a powerful image that tells me its own story of exactly what the book or info product is about. People want a hint of what they’re buying into, a promise of what’s to come when they turn the cover.
We’re highly visual beings. It’s a scientific fact that a huge percentage of our brain dedicates itself to visual processing. Images have the ability to grab our attention easily and immediately engage and interact with us. We’re instantly drawn to images that create a moment of connection. Image is everything.
Why are covers so important? Well, they’re the first piece of customer-facing marketing that a reader will see. Images are such a huge part of marketing for every business, especially in this current digital age. There’s so much competition out there that if an author fails to produce an attractive cover… well, I think we all know what happens next!
Designing Covers
When it comes to designing covers you can outsource and find designers on:
- Fiverr
- 99Designs
- Upwork
- PeoplePerHour
Or DIY?
If you prefer to create your own then some great sites to access are:
- Canva
- Venngage
- Adobe Spark
I’ve also used SmartMockups on many occasions and really love what they provide. They offer free and premium plans.
I’ve also used Adazing’s Free Ebook Cover Creator too to experiment with different cover styles.
Remember to have fun when you’re planning your cover design and really let your creative juices flow. It’s worth taking your time and making sure you have the most engaging, stand-out cover imaginable! I hope you’ve picked up some useful info from my How Do You Stand Out From The Crowd? post.
To Your Success!
