By A Web design Company
	© 2012 by Bart Smith, TheMarketingMan.com & Founder of MyMarketingCart.com, MyTrainingCenter.com, ReallyCheapNames.com & MyPaymentServices.com

It’s been said that one should be able to see a book cover from across the room. Frequently, a book cover will sell a book, despite the contents of it. If you have a well-designed book cover, it should reach your intended audience of readers.

Now, allow me to share some valuable tips on what goes into a great book cover design:

"FRONT" Book Cover Design Layout "FORMULA" ...

What’s the secret to designing world-class book covers? Whenever I have to design a book cover, either for myself or a client, this is how I approach every FRONT book cover:

		Every book cover should have an elegant BACKGROUND. Whether you make use of gradients, shades or patterns, your book should be so appealing that it catches the reader's eyes and they feel compelled to buy it. It should be unique and stand out among all other books of like or similar genre.
		Of course, every book should have an eye-catching and captivating TITLE that tells exactly what the book is about.
		I also like to use unique fonts and colors (in the title) that go well with the title and theme of the book.
		I like to keep titles usually to about 5 words or less. It's best to keep them short and memorable.
		If your title is longer than 5 words, consider turning that into your subtitle, and coming up with a shorter title for your book.
		It's optional, but I recommend choosing a GRAPHIC that helps depict what your book is all about. Text alone is boring. Either choose a graphic, or how about a photograph of yourself on the front cover? Either way, spice up the cover with a main image.
		It's optional, but there's nothing wrong with using a SECOND GRAPHIC to further depict what your book is about.
		Every book should have a SUBTITLE, naturally. The subtitle can be as long as you want, but keep it as concise and to-the-point.
		What's a book cover without the AUTHOR'S NAME? If you co-author a book, put both you names on the front cover. Ladies, first!
		It's optional, but you might choose to put your WEBSITE ADDRESS on your front book cover. Why? Well, suppose someone sees your book, but doesn't buy it immediately. No worries. Your website will be on the front cover. Now, suppose that potential book buyer decides to look up your website, the information on your website might “wow” that person and he or she might just buy your book online.

 Sample FRONT "Book Cover Designs" I've Designed For Myself & Clients ...

Take a look at these book covers to see the potential for what your cover might look like:

B.S. THE BOOK		LAWS OF THE BEDROOM		MY NETWORKING TACTICS		RICH COACH BROKE COACH
WATCH OUT LADIES		WATCH OUT BRIDES		WATCH OUT DADS		WHY MEN ARE LIKE DOGS
INTERVIEW TACTICS	BREAKING THROUGH DARKNESS			OCRACOKE		FEEDING YOUR CELLS

 "BACK" Book Cover Design Layout "FORMULA" ...

FRONT book covers have their own design formula just as BACK book covers have a discreet formula. If the purpose of the FRONT cover is to intice the customer into picking up your book and checking it out, then what's the purpose of the BACK book cover? It is to CONVINCE the potential customer to buy your book, right? Does the following quote sound like music to your ears?

The back cover needs a design with interesting or inspiring information to make your reader to open the book and look inside. He best thing that could happen now would be for the buyer to purchase your book, take it home, read it, AND recommend it to others. Here are the basic components to remember when you have someone design your BACK book cover ...

		BOOK CATEGORIES/GENRES for quick sorting at the bookstore. You can typically choose up to two categories.
		Optional HEADLINE to catch a reader's attention. This might tie in with other headlines you might have on this cover.
		Optional, but TESTIMONIALS promote the fact that your book is appreciated/valued by others.
		Optional, second eye-catching HEADLINE. The back covers of non-fiction books should contain one or more headlines that call out "benefits" and "pique curiosity."
		What does your book do for the reader? Tell them in a rich LIST OF BENEFITS. This acts like "sales copy" for your book convincing readers "why" they should buy your book.
		Optional HEADLINE spelling out the benefits of your book. Don't be afraid to use headlines all over the cover.
		Standard BARCODE+ISBN area. You might create a box with rounded corners, feathered edges, or have other ideas.
		Standard SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE. Pricing your book can be a challenege. It’s not about what it’s worth, but how much will it sell for?
		I like to put my WEBSITE ADDRESS right in the top-right corner across from the book category area.
		Optional PHOTOGRAPH OF THE AUTHOR or other image. Pictures can tell a lot about what's inside the book.
		Optional QUOTE or other BENEFIT reminder. You can place a testimonial here also. Use your imagination!
		Do you have a lot to offer at your WEBSITE? Optional, but why not make it obvious where folks can find you online.
		Optional BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION about the author. This is not the time to be shy! You are not only promoting your book, you are promoting yourself. Remember, people buy books and sometimes, they buy covers of books, and other times they may be inspired to buy a book based on what they read about the author.
		Do you have other WEBSITE LINKS you might like readers to know about? The back cover can be a billboard for promoting almost everything you have to offer a potential reader. If the reader doesn't buy your book, they can at least walk away with a few websites to check out. Think "future book sales" when you do this.

 Sample BACK "Book Cover Designs" I've Designed For Myself & Clients ...

The back covers of books give you an opportunity to tell your story and sell potential book buyer on the benefits of buying it. Again, I have a checklist and a formula for designing the backside. Following are some examples of back covers:

B.S. THE BOOK		LAWS OF THE BEDROOM		MY NETWORKING TACTICS		RICH COACH BROKE COACH
WATCH OUT LADIES		WATCH OUT BRIDES		WATCH OUT DADS		WHY MEN ARE LIKE DOGS
INTERVIEW TACTICS	BREAKING THROUGH DARKNESS			OCRACOKE		FEEDING YOUR CELLS

Do you like what you see? Would you like your book covers to look this crisp, sharp and attractive? Would you like the back of your book redesigned with better "sales copy appeal" to really "hook" that "potential book buyer?" Contact my office, so we can discuss your book project, book cover design needs and everything else related to your book.