Insider Design Tips for Ebook Cover Graphics That Sell

By Viki Nygaard
Posted Thursday, October 28, 2004

Ebook cover graphics. They are an essential marketing and selling tool for your ebooks. Here are some insider design tips on how to create ebook covers that sell, regardless of whether you do-it-yourself or hire a professional.

Ebook cover graphics. They are an essential marketing and selling tool for your ebooks. As I’m sure you’ve been told before, they must be unique. They must give an accurate representation of your ebook. They must also make use of the right colors and images in order to be effective. Sounds like a daunting task, doesn't it? Lay your fears to rest, we're going to give you some insider design tips on how to create ebook covers that sell, regardless of whether you do-it-yourself or hire a professional.

1. Make It Unique

For effective branding purposes, your ebook cover graphic needs to be one-of-a-kind. With so many cookie-cutter and free-for-all graphics available on the Web, it's tempting to fall into the freebie trap when creating your ebook cover. However, this is one area where it will cost you sales if you to pinch pennies.

Using the same pictures and colors that other ebooks are using doesn't allow you to uniquely brand your ebook. Viewers may associate your “copycat” cover with someone else's ebook and quickly disregard it - or else find it uninteresting. Although the basic book shape can be similar, or even the same as other ebook covers, the images and graphics must be original.

2. Say It With Colors

Colors can make us feel different emotions, and they can even trigger a physical reaction. Therefore, the color you use for your ebook cover is a strong factor in how the potential buyer will react to it.

Here are some guidelines to help you choose colors for your ebook cover graphic. Do keep in mind that these are guidelines only, and are not hard and fast rules.

Red is an action color, therefore it is a good color to use if your ebook is about taking action. “Eliminate Debt!” “Make More Money!” and “How To” -type titles urge the reader to take action, and would do well with a red cover.

Blue is a confidence color. If your ebook is about job hunting, sales strategies, getting a raise, etc., consider using a blue cover.

Green reminds us of money and prosperity. Green would work well for ebooks about investment strategies, starting a new business, or saving money.

Orange has been known to stimulate the appetite and represents health and vitality. An ebook about cooking or recipes would do well with an orange cover. (But be sure to stay away from blue, which is known to be an appetite suppressant!)

3. Pictures Tell It As It Is

Be sure to use pictures or graphics that represent the subject of your ebook. The potential buyer should be able to get at least a general idea of what your ebook is about by simply glancing at the cover.

Also, use “original” images, not those copied from other Web sites. You’ll want to incorporate either a .jpg or .gif file in with your cover to ensure the best quality.

Finally, be sure that your ebook cover looks professional. It should have smooth - not jagged - edges, the title and words should be easy to read, and the graphics should be crisp and clear.

As with traditional paper books, the cover is just as important as the content. Following these guidelines will result in an ebook cover that stands out in the crowd and gets noticed! After all, if your book never gets any attention, how in the world can you sell it?

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Want more tips, tactics and resources for creating & selling your ebooks? Visit (http://www.ebookpublishingtools.com). Viki has put together an arsenal of tools that no ebook publisher should be without. From writing to marketing to sales tools, you’ll find everything you need to make your next ebook a complete success!

About the Author
Viki Nygaard is President of Mount Evans Designs specializing in professional Web design. For those businesses who insist on quality but must maintain a budget, visit (http://www.mountevansdesigns.com) today. You'll be thrilled with the exceptional designs and the affordable rates!