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Book Cover Coaching
By Susan Kendrick
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For his book, "Swim With the Sharks
Without Being Eaten Alive," Harvey Mackay reports that
he hired a creative team to hold focus groups to
generate possible book titles. They included “Swim With the
Sharks” among the 800 titles voted on in the final
ballot!
For example, sometimes you can find in your own writing
an especially bold, concise, or even poetic way of
saying something. It may be a phrase that speaks to a
need for your book. It may relate to a benefit of
reading your book. It may not encompass your entire
message, but it points to it in such a powerful or
offbeat way that it suddenly jumps out at you. Again,
having someone else look through your manuscript is
helpful because they are seeing and hearing the language
you use for the first time. Next, look for words, phrases, or expressions that are uniquely yours. Without noticing, you may have coined a new term that will set you apart from everyone else writing on your topic. Look, for example, at bestselling books like "Freakonomics." 3. Check out your Table of Contents
A great chapter title or
heading can also translate into a powerful book title.
You have no doubt already spent time coming up with
these. And, while no one by itself will summarize your
entire book, one chapter title or heading can express a
key point that becomes an anchor for your overall idea
or approach. Finally, look for vivid images in your text. "Swim with the sharks" is a great example. An image that like might come from your picturesque way of talking in your book. If you see an image, grab it and see if it can be used as a title. Again, it may not sum up your entire message, but it does give people a strong visual that they then associate with you and your book--a great first step toward creating a powerful brand.
5. Other People's Words
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