Have you ever walked through a book store and been drawn to a novel solely based on its cover? You’re not alone. We’re all taught not to judge a book by its cover, but a visually appealing book cover design can make-or-break a sale. Studies show that up to 80% of people are initially intrigued by a book because of its cover, and up to 60% decide if they will purchase the book based on the cover’s visual design. Therefore affecting the readership of the book before it is even opened. But just how much of an impact does it have?
How Book Covers Influence Buying Behavior
Cover designs utilize a variety of visual elements to tell readers what the story may be about. Typography & fonts, colors, images, drawings, and other parts of the composition entice specific readers. It conveys the story before they read anything about it, and this first impression can control whether or not they continue to engage with the actual story. This makes it imperative to choose the right option for your book.
A novel’s genre can be communicated through its cover design. A dark, moody book cover design could imply a psychological thriller, while a bright, pastel-colored cover might indicate a lighthearted romance. Readers look out for these design cues when searching for a story they might enjoy and purchase. The earlier study noted how those 60% of people who choose to buy a book based on its cover do so even after they’ve read the back cover. In terms of first impressions leading to a sale, cover design can be more important than what the story is about.
Book Cover Design and Their Impact on Sales
So, what influence does book cover design truly have on sales? One study showed how redesigned covers increased engagement by 50% or more. They compared the original cover of four books with their respective redesigns, while leaving the language of the advertisement and everything else the same. As a result, every single newly designed cover performed better than the originals.
For example, a book titled Miles of Files increased its clicks by 122% by switching to a newly designed cover. The crime novel initially looked like a romance, with pastel colors and an image of a beach. The more successful cover better matched the story’s genre with an overlay of a cityscape and piles of files. A bolder font replaced the thin serif of the original. In combination, these design elements create tension, which lets readers know about its contents before reading a word.
Similarly, another inquiry tested the effect of redesigned covers across many genres including middle grade books and nonfiction. Their example of a fantasy novel entitled, The Island, garnered an increase of 164% improvement. However, the original cover already had a fantasy look to it, with a textured royal blue background and a mythic-looking medallion beneath the serif font. For this redesign, they created a more photo-realistic look with sections of the image relating to specific plot points within the story. This made it more unique rather than looking like every other fantasy book.
Overall, aligning your book’s cover with its genre is important, but making sure it stands out within that genre is also key.
How to Get a Great Book Cover Design if You’re a Self-Published Author
The facts surrounding book cover design and its impact on sales is beneficial to writers wanting to boost their sales. How one enacts this promotion is a whole other task. There are a wide range of options for self-published authors to create profitable cover designs.
99 Designs is a platform that allows you to work with freelance designers for a variety of things, including book covers. They’ll show you a list of thousands of designers. Examples of their work and reviews are also included on their profiles. From there, you can work directly with whomever you choose to discuss ideas, prices, and a timeline.
Reedsy can also connect you with a designer, along with options for an editor or marketer. They have 998 professional designers who can create your cover and help with formatting on the inside. Profiles with reviews, a portfolio, and genre specialities are also included on this site.
If you’re looking for more direct price estimates, Fiverr shows you options that range from under $20 to above $100. Again, reviews and profiles are included for each designer who puts their ad on the website. Each ad includes information about what you need to provide and what you can expect to get out of the service.
Another site you can use to connect with freelance designers is Upwork. Like all of the previous sites, it shows designer profiles with reviews. It also includes their work history, job success, and hourly rates.
As we’ve seen through the earlier statistics, finding a professional designer who can bring your story to life on the cover can have a tremendous impact on how it sells. As a result, it also determines how many readers get to enjoy your story.
About the Author
Jenna Welty is an intern. As a senior English major at Mount Mercy University, she is often reading classics and writing fiction. In her free time, which is limited because of her hefty involvement in campus clubs, Jenna adores sewing, organizing her Pinterest boards, and shopping for fun clothes.
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