How did you approach cover design for your self-published book? Did you hire a professional or take a DIY approach and what advice would you give to others?

Question

Crafting the perfect book cover can make or break your self-published book's success. Insights from an Author Success Coach and Editor-in-Chief shed light on the best practices to elevate your cover design. From conducting market research for your book cover to partnering with an experienced creative artist, these experts share four key insights. Get ready to uncover the first-hand experiences and invaluable tips from those who have nailed the art of cover design.

Ali Tugwell · Answer

I hired an artist that had never done a book cover before and I would not recommend that! However, what I DID do that I would recommend is doing some market research and seeing what bestselling books in your category look like ... what's already selling that you notice you could derive inspiration from for your book cover?

Jessica Hammerman · Answer

My advice for first-time authors is to look at other book covers in your same genre. The book cover communicates a message about the mood, the audience, and other aspects of the book's themes. 
I own a mom-and-pop shop for editing, formatting, marketing, and design. My amazing husband, Isaac, is an artist and has designed hundreds of covers. Sometimes, authors have a particular vision, but they often don't. It is okay to leave the design to the professionals sometimes and then critique or edit it to match your vision.

Bryan Heathman · Answer

Of all the aspects involved in self-publishing a book, your cover art needs to be a top priority. If you are serious about the success of your book, this is one area where it pays to work with a pro.
Cover design can be quick, cheap, and easy by hiring a contractor or a friend. We all want to save money, right? The trick is that people do judge a book by its cover, contrary to popular belief. The book cover needs to convey an accurate feeling about your story in 7 seconds or less.
The first step is to get clear on your targeted reader (and no, it is not everyone). Next, choose colors that appeal to this segment of readers. Ask yourself, for example, should the cover be pink or black, and why? What comes next is to ensure that your imagery on the cover aligns with the words in your Title and Subtitle. Finally, if you are going to do it right, then take the time to solicit an endorsement or foreword from a celebrity to feature on the front cover.

Eileen Timmins · Answer

For my book The Forgiveness Fairy, I designed it myself and then partnered with a creative artist to finalize the cover and entire layout. Having a dual partnership with an experienced artist who had experience in the book publishing industry worked very well for me.

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Do Market Research for Book Cover

Look at Other Book Covers

Prioritize Cover Art for Success

Partner with Experienced Creative Artist