How to Create Bestselling Ebook Covers

Why Good Covers Matter

“Don’t judge a book by its cover” is good advice in life, but when it comes to selling books, covers are crucial. A well-designed cover is essential for catching the eye of the reader and providing a professional appearance. It must resonate with the book’s target audience, giving them an immediate understanding of the book’s genre and subject matter.

 

Characteristics of Bad Book Covers

Irrelevant to Book’s Topic

A major mistake in book cover design is failing to match the cover’s aesthetic to the book’s topic and target audience. For example, a non-fiction book should avoid looking like a fiction title, and a children’s book should not have an adult-themed design.

 

Poor Emphasis on Title

The title of the book must have its important words emphasized. A bad cover often highlights unimportant words, confusing the potential reader about the book’s content.

 

Bad Color Combinations

Colors play a critical role in design. Poor color combinations that clash or create readability issues can make a cover unattractive and hard to read.

Good Color Combinations	Bad Color Combinations
Blue & White	Red & Green
Black & Gold	Purple & Orange

 

Inappropriate Image

The image on the cover must align with the book’s content. Using irrelevant images, like featuring a cake on a football book, will confuse readers and potentially deter them from purchasing.

 

Example 1: Super Amazing Baseball Stories

This cover suffers from multiple issues:

• Cursive text is hard to read.

• Poor color contrast between the text and background.

• The title hierarchy is confusing, emphasizing “Super” over more relevant terms.

• The image does not clearly communicate the baseball theme at first glance.

 

Example 2: AI Generated Baseball Book Cover

In this example:

• The AI-generated image has apparent errors, such as distorted faces and arms.

• The cover gives an impression of poor quality, which may make readers question the quality of the content.

• No visible sales rank indicates poor performance.

 

Characteristics of Good Book Covers

Relevance to Book’s Topic

An effective book cover should clearly reflect its genre and subject matter. This helps potential readers quickly understand what the book is about, increasing the likelihood of a purchase.

Genre	Design Elements
Non-Fiction	Sleek design, professional fonts
Children’s Book	Bright colors, playful fonts

 

Clear Emphasis on Important Words

The most important words in the title should be prominently displayed. This makes it easy for readers to quickly grasp what the book is about.

• Keto Meal Prep: “Meal Prep” stands out as it explains the core topic. (Cover example below)

• Relaxation Puzzles for Adults: The terms “Adults” and “Relaxation Puzzles” are prominent. (Cover example below)

 

Good Color Combinations

Colors should be chosen carefully to create an appealing visual effect without compromising readability. They should also evoke the right emotions associated with the book’s topic.

 

Appropriate Image

The image should complement the book’s content. It should help illustrate what the book is about, enticing readers to explore further.

 

Example 1: Easy Keto Meal Prep

This cover is an excellent example of effective design because:

• The term “Meal Prep” is prominently displayed, making it clear what the book is about.

• The image shows appealing, prepared meals, which visually communicates the result readers can achieve.

• The color scheme is pleasant and professional.

 

Example 2: Relaxation Book for Adults

This cover excels because:

• The font style and colors create a calming effect, in line with the book’s theme.

• The title clearly indicates the target audience and the benefit (relaxation puzzles).

• The images of puzzles help convey the book’s content at a glance.

 

Process to Create Ebook Covers

Using 99designs

Step 1: Start a Contest on 99designs

You can start by visiting 99designs and initiating a design contest for your book cover. To begin:

1. Open 99designs and select “Get a Design”.

2. Choose “Book cover” under categories, then select “Ebook cover” for $199.

3. Input your preferences and book details. Specify likes and dislikes in terms of designs and colors.

4. Submit your contest and wait for designers to provide their concepts.

Step 2: Choose Winning Design and Negotiate Price

Once you start receiving submissions:

1. Provide feedback to designers throughout the contest to refine their concepts based on your preferences.

2. Select the winning design at the end of the contest.

3. Reach out to the winning designer to discuss future work. Often, designers will offer personalized rates for ongoing projects.

4. Negotiate for bulk design options if you plan to publish multiple books.

 

Using Fiverr (Affiliate Link) for Budget Options

If you are looking for more budget-friendly options, Fiverr is another reliable platform. Here’s how you can use Fiverr to get quality covers at affordable rates:

1. Go to Fiverr and search for “ebook cover”. You will see a range of options at different price points.

2. Narrow down your search by using filters like price range and best-seller ratings.

3. Select a designer with a strong portfolio and positive reviews. Check their previous work to ensure it aligns with your vision.

4. Communicate your design preferences clearly and provide examples of covers you like.

5. Negotiate rates and delivery times that fit your budget and timeline.

 

Tips for Instructing Your Designer

Using Examples for Inspiration

When instructing your designer, it’s helpful to provide examples of book covers that you like. Use these examples as inspiration but ensure that your final design is unique to avoid issues with Amazon KDP or other platforms.

 

Making Your Book Cover Stand Out

Consider doing the opposite of what everyone else is doing in your niche to make your cover stand out. For example, if most covers are dark-colored, opt for brighter colors or vice versa. A unique design can grab attention and make your book memorable.

 

Conclusion

By following these steps and tips, you can create bestselling ebook covers that attract readers and drive sales. Keep refining your approach and stay tuned for more advanced strategies in future posts.