Know Your Audience

The design of a book cover is a science as well as a fine art. Different aesthetics will appeal to different types of people. When you’re in the process of designing your book cover, your target audience needs to be taken into account.
 
Your book cover is, essentially, a marketing strategy to your audience. The words on the inside should have everything to do with your color scheme, typography, and format. Ask yourself what your audience should expect from your book, and then make sure the cover is designed appropriately to give what the reader expects from you.
 

Font Type Matters

The font in which your book title will be displayed is equally as important as the rest of your cover. If we’re being realistic, you should know that no one likes Comic Sans. If this were a do’s and don’ts list, using Comic Sans or Papyrus fonts would definitely be at the top of the don’t list. The font you choose should grab the reader’s attention, but it’s a good idea to stick with only one type of font, or two at the most.
 

Remember the Back Cover

With all the talk about fonts, colors, and imagery on the front cover, you don’t want to leave out the back cover. The back cover is made for a short blurb or small description of your book. This is a sales pitch to make potential readers understand why they need to buy yourbook.
 
The goal of the back-cover blurb is to leave the reader wanting more.When you write the blurb, give the reader enough information to grab their attention, but don’t give away too much. Leave them with some vague idea of what’s to come. You want to compel them to open it and see the resolution for themselves.
 
Of course, keeping the reader’s attention is almost as important as gaining it. You don’t want to lose the reader’s attention before they even leave the back cover. A general rule to go by is to write in short paragraphs so it’s easier for the reader to scan.
 
Say what you will, but a great example of an effective back cover blurb comes from Stephanie Mayer’s Twilight:
 
“About three things I was absolutely positive.
 
First, Edward was a vampire.
 
Second, there was a part of him – and I didn’t know how
dominant that part might be – that thirsted for my blood.
 
And the third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably
In love with him.”
 

Get Professional Help

While all the above are good pieces of advice to follow, you should get professional help. Professional designers can help you appeal to your target audience with the right colors and images that are attractive to that audience. An experienced artist will have more knowledge about the things that draw readers in. If you have plans of your own for your book cover, remember that just because it is appealing to you doesn’t mean it will appeal to everyone.
 
If you want a good design but don’t have a few thousand dollars to shell out to an independent artist, there are still some options for you. You can still find some professional help on websites like Fiverror Upwork for a lower cost.
 
Hiring a professional doesn’t mean you have to give up your ideas entirely. Find artwork that appeals to you, and that can reveal your aesthetic to your artist. Take a look at other book covers similar to yours and even some that aren’t. Take note of the things you think are effective and what isn’t. Communicating with your artist will help you be able to achieve the perfect look that will satisfy you as well as the reader.
 
Have you published a book? How did you go about designing a cover? To whom did you turn for help? Share your comments and experiences in the comments below.

The post How to Write a Great Book Cover appeared first on Solopreneur Solutions.

Make a Decision

For a first-time book writer, selecting what your book is going to be about is the first step. If you only have one good idea, that may be better than having to select from all the ideas floating in your head. If you are trying to decide which topic is going to jump-start your business, and can’t focus because of all the great ideas you have, keep a list and narrow them down. You may even do a few rough outlines and see which one comes the most naturally. Once you complete your first book, you can always go back to your inspiration list for your next book idea.
 

Set a Goal

The ultimate goal is to FINISH the book. Set a goal of when you would like to finish the book, and work backward to figure out how much time, energy, and resources you will need to accomplish your goal. Like preparing for a big race, someone who has ample free time to train will likely find more ease in finishing than someone who works full time and has a multitude of other responsibilities.
 
Reflect on how much time you can dedicate each week and schedule that time to write. Everyone is different, so writing once a week may be the best you can do. Ideally, daily writing time will help you achieve your goal quickly. Don’t give up if you get off track, but try to carve out time to make up for missed writing. Be sure to check in each month to see if you are on track.
 

Select your Best Course of Action

Are you a type ‘A’ planner, or more laid back and willing to go with the flow? Don’t get so caught up in planning that you avoid or delay the actual writing. If you need to stay organized and on track to succeed, certainly plan to create a detailed outline as your base. If outlines are restricting or hold you back, simply start with a beginning, middle, and end. Allow yourself to work on the beginning and the end, then fill the gaps in between.
 
If you need a strict outline, follow it to guide yourself to the end. Like training for a marathon, many runners like to follow a specific training plan. However, sometimes you may get off track, lose momentum, or focus. If this happens, try to go to the end and work backward. This may not bridge the gap, but often will open your eyes and get you out of the monotony of writing chapter by chapter.
 

Overcome the Obstacles

Life always brings obstacles. Many runners face injuries that prevent them from running the marathon, or throw their training off track. For writers, there are even more obstacles to completing their first book. A major obstacle once you have been writing consistently is staying organized.
 
Some tips to stay organized are to plan ahead and take breaks if you are overwhelmed. If you are typing your book, be sure to use electronic folders and label items properly. If writing on paper, try to use separate notebooks, and have a designated space for all things book-related. Avoid editing or revising as you write and allow yourself to free write as much as possible.
 
Regardless of your writing method, at least try to keep the writing separated by the beginning, middle, and end. Keep in mind the time you spend scrolling or searching is robbing you of time to write.
 

Make it to the Finish Line

Staying organized and motivated will allow you to succeed in finishing your first book. Although the task seems large, breaking it down into small goals and setting realistic expectations makes the process simple. Lastly, try to find a local accountability partner or online support group to get feedback and stay on track. You are on your way to a best-seller.
 
Have you written a book? How did you get started? More importantly, how did you make sure to finish? Share some advice from your journey with our readers in the comment section below.

The post The First-Timer’s Guide to Start Writing a Book appeared first on Solopreneur Solutions.