Book Cover Design that Actually Converts
Key Takeaways
- The thumbnail is more important than the full-size image (mobile first!)
- Genre Signaling: Your cover must look like other bestsellers in your niche
- Typography accounts for 50% of a cover's 'professional' feel
- Avoid 'Face-of-Author' covers unless you are already famous
The 3-Second Rule
A reader decides whether to click your book in less than 3 seconds. In that time, your cover must communicate **Genre**, **Tone**, and **Quality**.
1. Genre Signaling
If you write a thriller, your cover should be dark, moody, and use high-contrast fonts. If you use a bright yellow cover with a smiley face, thriller readers will scroll past. **Don't try to be too unique; be recognizable.**
2. The Thumbnail Test
Most readers browse on mobile. Shrink your cover design to 100px wide. Can you still read the title? Does the main image still pop? If not, simplify.
Color Theory
Use high-contrast colors for your title. White text on a dark background is the safest bet for visibility.
DIY vs. Professional
Unless you are a professional graphic designer, do not design your own cover. A 'pre-made' cover from a site like **SelfPubBookCovers** or **GoOnWrite** costs $50–$100 and will look 10x better than a Canva creation.
If you have a budget of $300+, hire a custom designer who specializes in your specific genre.
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