Why loving your book cover as a self-published author is important

One crucial element an author should not overlook in the self-publishing process is your book cover design. It may seem like a small detail, but it’s worth your time and investment getting it right as book covers can make or break your book’s success. In this article, I will discuss why loving your book cover as a self-published author is important and even more crucially, why the cover is the most important marketing asset authors have.

So you wrote a book? Congratulations! What follows is likely a flurry of marketing plans, strategies and designing the look and feel of your book cover and overall visual branding you want to break into the marketplace with. Since completing your book you’re likely eager to get it into the hands of your readers! And what better way to celebrate this milestone than to select and reveal your cover? However before you rush to complete this crucial task on your own, let’s review the impact of your book cover.

Grabbing attention

A visually appealing and eye-catching cover can draw your dream readers in and lead them to pick up and buy your book. In today’s market where competition between books is fierce, having an attractive cover can help yours stand out in your reader’s minds and on store shelves, physical and digital.

Does your book cover represent your book well?

Far beyond a ‘branded moment’ your readership will recognize you one day, your book cover sets the stage for all that’s found inside your book’s pages drawing your ideal readership in. Therefore, the face of the book should elude to what your story is about or how it will make the reader feel. If your book cover doesn’t reflect the genre or tone of your writing, it could mislead potential readers and even cause them to pass by your book completely.

Boost credibility

While writing may come naturally to you, designing an eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing book cover can be quite challenging. A professionally designed cover enhances your book’s credibility, making it more appealing and trustworthy to potential readers. It shows that you have invested time, effort, and money (read more about book cover design pricing) in producing high-quality work on the cover, so what’s inside is also more likely to be perceived as quality by extension. That leads us to the importance of developing a relationship with the right designer. Authors need to feel confident there’s a fit and they can trust the person and feel comfortable working with them.

Loving your book cover will help with marketing

Without traditional publishers backing authors up with promotional efforts, self-published authors need to take their advertising efforts into their own hands. Imagine trying to sell a book you feel ashamed of when looking at the cover. Not so easy, right? You can avoid this pain by working with a trusted designer who can turn the written work you’re so proud of and ready to share with the world into the visual plane. A designer who will be working with you so your book cover is a source of pride in your marketing conversations.

I had the enormous pleasure of working on the covers of all three books published by author Melissa Giomi. After working on her two books, she said I “captured the essence and energy of my words perfectly with exactly what I imagined for both book covers”. You can have a look (and support her by buying her book!) at Melissa’s books here.

In conclusion, as a self-published author, you have full control over every aspect of your book, so why not make sure to love it all? Especially when it comes down to the face of your book that represents both the work as a whole and boosts your confidence in promoting it. As the creator of your work, you know the essence of your book best. A book designer can help you capture that essence visually, ensuring your finished work takes a coveted spot on readers’ shelves for years to come. If you’re ready to take the next step and speak with a designer about your book cover dreams, get in touch for a consultation or learn more about my book cover design packages.