You may have heard the adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Well, now you’ve published your first book, you might as well forget that saying exists. It’s been proven people do judge your book by its cover… at least initially.
Your story’s cover will be the first thing potential readers see, and it has the potential to draw people in. This is why one of the most important things you’ll do on the path to publishing is to hire a book cover designer.
How can you ensure you find a cover designer who can help you target an audience your story is meant for? Continue reading to learn five essential tips to help you make the best choice.
1. Their Style Should Mesh With Yours
Every book cover designer has a unique style. You want to ensure this style meshes with what you’re looking for with your book. A book cover designer with a different kind may be fantastic but just not right for your project.
2. Figure Out If You Want Photo Manipulation or Illustration
The two types of book cover designs are photo manipulation and illustration. Photo manipulation uses stock photos and edits them to create your design. Illustrators will create the cover from scratch using a computer program or traditional art methods.
Photo manipulation is the most common type of book cover design. Illustration tends to be more prevalent in specific genres, such as children’s books or epic fantasy. Sometimes this choice boils down to personal preference.
3. Understand the Difference Between Premade and Custom Covers
Premade Covers will be cheaper, but you’ll have to settle for a design made without your exact book in mind. Custom covers will cost you more, but you’ll be able to get precisely what you want.
Beware of premade designs that are sold to multiple authors. This means your exact book cover could be seen on several other titles, which isn’t good for sales. It’s generally recommended you customize your book cover if funds allow.
4. Check They Have Cover Design Experience in Your Genre
Each book genre has a different feel to it, and the covers found on them reflect this. Horror books should feel scary or ominous, while women’s fiction should generally feel uplifting. Romance books typically have a couple on the cover, while children’s books are usually very colorful.
Find a cover designer with previous experience in your book’s genre. This helps ensure they know how to nail the “feeling” or format your cover needs to inspire.
5. Consider Price and Included Revisions
Sometimes paying a little more is well worth it, but you don’t want to pay much more than the average rate. You should also read the fine print and consider how many revisions are included in the cost. Some cover designers have none, while others may offer two.
Do You Have More Questions About Hiring a Book Cover Designer?
Hiring the best book cover designer for your specific project is essential. Your cover is what will draw people to your book initially. With poor cover design, few people will read the story you’ve worked so hard on.
Do you have more questions about hiring a book cover designer?
Check out our other blog posts. Many related posts will help you dive further into the subject.
