“Title” Wave
There’s mixed information on just how important a book title is in the success of a book. Some say, not so much; others say
Some say, not so much; others say very important. But, let’s let the facts speak for themselves.
In a research study conducted by Thomas Nelson, readers consider the following seven attributes when picking up a book:
Surprise, surprise! Title is number one on readers’ list! And, of course, it’s most important, as it is the first indication of the essence of your book.
Before the reader even cracks the first page, they already have a slight clue of its content. Furthermore, your title creates a feeling and expectation for the reader much like a first impression does when meeting a stranger.
Consider your title as a headline. It should be eye-catching, informative, quick and above all appealing. If your title isn’t appealing to readers, it will simply be skipped over, quickly skimmed or not even picked up.
Before we get into how to find the perfect title, let’s jump back to the list above. Did you notice where “Price” ranked on the list? Last place. Surprised? I’m not.
The truth is, if a book, or better yet, title appeals to a reader, especially an avid reader, the importance of price decreases.
Imagine you’re at a bookstore, and you find an interesting book, and you’re ready to purchase. The title jumps out at you; the front cover is eye-catching, and the author bio and book synopsis already have you hooked.
Are you really going to put it back on the shelf because it’s $1 or $2 more than you anticipated? Probably not…Never undervalue the importance of a strong title. Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty of naming your book!
There’s a method I love to use to name my books called PINC:
Break Through to a Happier You
Create a promise to your readers. What will be the result for your readers, if they read your book?
In “Break Through to a Happier You”, I offer the tools and secrets to creating a life you love and learning how to live an extraordinary life, today and every day.
Winning in Life Now
Capture readers’ attention immediately with an intriguing and thought-provoking title.
Who wouldn’t want to “[Win] in Life Now?” If your goal is to intrigue your readers from the onset, create a title, which gives away just enough to draw them in, yet leaves them wanting more.
Busy Being Busy: But Getting Nothing Done?
“Busy Being Busy” is one of my most popular titles because it identifies the need of so many people. We are all busy, and we all crave solutions to help us manage our workload while remaining effective.
Your Book is Your Business Card
A content-focused title simply makes a statement. “Your Book is Your Business Card” is assertive and factual. From the beginning, the reader understands exactly what the book will be about.
If the topic grabs their attention, they’ll likely pick it up to learn more. Some titles can even be a mix of two or more strategies.
In fact, I consider “Busy Being Busy” a combination of all four title strategies.
The PINC guide is most effective for non-fiction or blog writing. If you’re writing from personal experience or for your business, the PINC strategy is a great tool.
While the same method can be applied for fiction writing, it’s not always so cut and dry.
What methods have you used to name your book? Will it be a promise, create intrigue, fill a need or share content?