ComputerHunter.org

 

Titles (and Subtitles) Sell Books!


Does a title really sell a book? The short answer is, yes. If a book does not attract a reader initially, it will be overlooked and not purchased. The book title is the element that creates the initial attraction to the book.

Watch people who are browsing in a bookstore. A catchy title grabs their interest and makes them reach for the book out of curiosity. A great title makes browsers think, "Really?" or "What does THAT mean?" or "That's what I need". Think long and hard when choosing your book's title. The title must give some clues about the book's contents in a snappy "one-liner".

Many authors struggle fiercely with the title choice, not realizing that the title is there somewhere in the book's contents. They just haven't recognized it because they are too close to the project. Sometimes it helps to talk to impartial, unbiased persons. Tell them what your book is about, and then listen to their feedback.

Alternately, on the tongue-in-cheek advice of one publishing professional, open a bottle of wine and start writing. Make a list of everything that comes to mind about what you have written in your book. Nothing is too silly, but do try to strike on the central theme or message.

When your list is complete (and the wine is all gone), group your notes into categories. Choose the snappiest, most intriguing words that say something about your book without sounding like a boring explanation.

Perhaps these titles will help you:

  • Woman-Sense Rules!

  • Fit to Cook

  • Climb Your Stairway to Heaven

  • Light the Fire

  • Spell Success in Your Life

If you are planning on a series, your title should be your "brand". Then as you make your brand into a household word, you ensure future sales. As each title in the series is published, you know that people will buy the latest book to complete the series. Think Harry Potter or Nancy Drew.

The subtitle of your book is a great way to increase sales. The subtitle gets to the heart of the book and convinces the reader of the book's benefits. It lets people know that the book is unique and that they really can't live without it. It makes the reader believe that he or she just can't live without it ? and that is your objective.

Check the following subtitles:

  • Woman-Sense Rules! ? The Spiritual Woman's Guide to Finding Yourself When You Didn't Know You Were Missing

  • Fit to Cook ? Why "Waist" Time in the Kitchen?

  • Climb Your Stairway to Heaven ? the 9 habits of maximum happiness

  • Light the Fire ? Fiery Food with a Light New Attitude!

  • Spell Success in Your Life - A road map for achieving your goals and surviving success

In the title and in the subtitle, you can use humor or emotions to sell your book, but avoid clichés and "corny" expressions, or overly common sayings. They soon become stale and annoying. Keep your title unique, catchy and relevant.

Before making the final decision on your title, conduct a title search (see our home study course, Idea to Book?to Success ? the fast, easy, simple way! for instructions on title searches). Although you cannot copyright a title, duplicating titles only leads to confusion, and you want people to buy your book, not a competitor's book. Make your title one that increases the likelihood of increasing your book sales.

About The Author

© Copyright 2004 Ink Tree Ltd.

Ink Tree Ltd. helps authors publish, market and sell books. From "101 Things You Need to Know About Publishing" to our Ultimate Book Marketing Kit, we will help you make your book a success. http://www.inktreemarketing.com

info@inktreemarketing.com







Google News - Top Stories

Ottawa Citizen

European Leaders Take Steps to Stem Global Financial Crisis
Voice of America - 55 minutes ago
By Lisa Bryant Leaders from European countries agreed Sunday on a joint plan to attack the financial crisis by guaranteeing inter-bank lending and safeguarding financial institutions from collapse.
Video: Draft Statement: Europe Will Guarantee Bank Debt AssociatedPress
European leaders hatch aid plan for banks in crisis Reuters
ABC Online - Xinhua - CNN - Bloomberg
all 624 news articles


The Associated Press

US surrenders power to appoint World Bank president
guardian.co.uk - 1 hour ago
The US is to lose its power to appoint the president of the World Bank after the UK's development secretary, Douglas Alexander, brokered a deal to throw open the post to candidates from any country.
Video: Robert Zoellick on the financial crisis - 09 Oct 08 AlJazeeraEnglish
World Bank to protect vulnerable countries International Herald Tribune
AFP - Reuters - Forbes - The Associated Press
all 1,272 news articles


Voice of America

Biden decries 'ugly inferences' against Obama
The Associated Press - 36 minutes ago
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden on Sunday accused the McCain campaign of trying to distract Americans from their economic woes by launching "unbecoming personal attacks" at Barack Obama.
Video: Obama, Biden Get Boost From Clintons AssociatedPress
Scranton Style: Bill, Biden, and Hillary Woo the Working Class FOXNews
CBS News - AFP - Scranton Times - MSNBC
all 841 news articles


Boston Globe

US Declares North Korea Off Terror List
New York Times - 42 minutes ago
By HELENE COOPER WASHINGTON - The Bush administration announced Saturday that it had removed North Korea from a list of state sponsors of terrorism in a bid to salvage a fragile nuclear deal that seemed on the verge of collapse.
North Korea in nuclear U-turn after terror list reprieve guardian.co.uk
Analysis: Verification next step in N. Korea nuclear deal CNN
International Herald Tribune - BBC News - Washington Post - Wall Street Journal
all 2,821 news articles


Times Online

Haider was driving at twice speed limit
guardian.co.uk - 1 hour ago
Jörg Haider, the polemic populist at the heart of Austrian far-right politics, was driving his powerful black sedan at more than twice the speed limit before the car crash that killed him, investigators said yesterday.
Haider's Party Names 27-Year-Old Stefan Petzner as Successor Bloomberg
Austria far-right leader Haider speeding before fatal crash AFP
International Herald Tribune - BBC News - Scotsman - Washington Post
all 1,204 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base