Help me choose the cover for my next book!
Hey, Everyone!
My publisher sent me a bunch of book covers for my upcoming RFP book and I can’t decide which one I like best. I’m hoping you can help! Below I’ve posted the six cover options followed by a simple multiple choice poll. All you have to do is take a look and then vote for your knee-jerk reaction.
By the way, you might notice that some look pretty similar, so please take into account the different fonts, colors and type sizes. And if you have any suggestions on individual elements you would change or swap, please leave me a note in the comments.
Oh, and note that the Cover number options apply to the book above them. Ah, spacing issues.
As always, thanks for your insight and help. I’ll announce the winning cover in the next few days and keep you updated on the book’s release!
Tom
Cover 1
Cover 2
Cover 3
Cover 4
Cover 5
Cover 6
[poll id="1"]
I like Cover 5 the best but I think I would decrease the size of your name as you have in Cover 6. While I like the way your name looks in the larger font size, I’m not sure that want to put as much emphasis on your name as the book title.
Anybody else have thoughts on the size of his name/color combo?
1Anything where Tom’s name is at the top of the cover.
Otherwise at first glance it looks like it makes an obscene statement.
As Tom’s father, I object.
2Don Searcy
Awww Dad, lighten up a little bit, would’ya?
3Cover 1 has some nice elements; I like it best…
I like the author treatment with the little man in your “o” — I’d brand that
I like the wad of paper versus the “sucking” visual
but (you knew there would be a “but….”)
The title falls way to the background visually and Tom Searcy pops—I would suggesting you do it the other way so that your eye is drawn to the title.
4Your name is way too large on 1, 3 and 5. The focus should be on the title, not the author. Right now they are competing for priority.
Number 2 has great contrast, breathing room, and easy eye flow. This is also the only one that has a color scheme that works for me. It jumps out from the rest of the books.
5Cover 4. Head and shoulders. Less ‘shouty’ and exudes more authority and professionalism. Hard for you Tom, but you know what they say, you can’t judge a book by its cover
6Seriously – I like No 4 a lot and I’m looking forward to the book’s debut. I’m sure it will sell like hotcakes…I know I’ve already been browbeaten, erm I mean inspired to buy a bunch for the Story folks.
I’m EXACTLY with Simon. Number 4 looks classy and professional…and jumps out just as much.
7hmm…is the inconsistent capitalization on “for all” part of the options/design or just typo?
8I like Cover #1. The changes in color are interesting and capture attention quickly!
9I chose #6 for several reasons:
1. Hierarchy of information – what’s most important (title) should clearly have most prominence and not compete with any other information on page in size, color or position. Best way to test all six against each other is to give the squint test: Squint your eyes until you can barely see any of the covers. Which title stands out? Imagine the title competing for attention in a bookstore against other books when viewing from several feet away. Squint test works for that as well.
2. Author name should not be screaming at you – #6 does not and allows the title to stand mostly on its own. Are you selling Tom or the content of the book? Hhhhmmm maybe you are selling both, but seems you have a stronger/clearer message if you pick one over the other.
3. Background crumpled paper is nice touch; not too gimmicky, but gets point across of tossing away RFPs (crumpling paper out of frustration?) while having polished graphics “feel” of serious business information enclosed in book.
All those factors combined makes #6 stronger for me.
10Hello Tom,
I like #2 best. The way that the red contrasts with the rest of the average bunch of books in a book store makes a good first impression on me. The swirled font and the in-your-face title make perfect sense and blends nicely with the in-your-face red. Such a powerful content should stick out above all the average business books.
Good luck and enjoy the success to come. Cannot wait to read it.
11Ralf
Hey Tom,
I like the concept of covers 2 and 4 with the words being sucked away…but to where? If you go with one of those concepts, I’d add a vacuum cleaner, or, better yet, a depiction of a black hole.
Yes, I need therapy…
Dan
12Tom,
There are some really great suggestions here. I think we should take them into consideration, tweak the 2 or 3 favored covers, and then re-post those for a final vote next week. Deal?
Everyone please leave any other feedback or suggestions you have for the cover. This is so incredibly helpful!
Thanks,
13The Publisher & Marketing Nag
Book covers are on Seth Godin’s mind too…today’s blog
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/07/the-purpose-of-a-book-cover.html
14Tom,
I understand the message you are trying to convey with the title, but I would strongly advise that you stay away from the word ‘suck’ in a book title. It is a term that is awkwardly overused and rather sophomoric. Your name on the cover will sell the book; you don’t need a gimmicky title. Professional people are drawn to professional books. I am afraid that those who don’t yet know your work might not take it seriously.
My 2 Cents
15I like # 1.
16Please add an apostrophe after RFP and before the s.
Also the word “for” should NOT be capitalized, as in “and for All”
It’s just not as important of a word.
I’m not crazy about the orange color for the title – maybe explore a couple of options.
I didn’t recognize what the crumpled paper was in any of them except the first one.
17Even though I use the term “suck” myself, I don’t think I would use it in a book title that targets professionals. It kind of dates your book too, because slang words come and go with generations. Do you want your book to be timeless? As for the covers, I think the graphic artist is lacking in creativity. Changing colors and fonts is the easy way out. If you keep the title, I liked the idea of using a vacuum or a black hole.
18The two large copy areas are two similar. The orange color is not as dramatic as the maroon you use on other samples. I do like the person in the O as a branded element. I also did not recognize the crumpled paper as the background element in other options.
19Thank you everyone for the feedback. It has been great! We are taking what you have given us and finalizing 2 choices for your review.
Now, you know we didn’t take every piece of advice, but I think some of the gems are going to make it a much better cover.
As an aside, I read Seth Godin’s recent blog on book covers- in summary he said that the cover’s responsibility is to get people to read the back of the book jacket and the back of the jacket is to get people to read the inside flap and the flap hopefully gets them to buy the book.
The fact is that the majority of the business books are bought on line- so, we have even less real estate to use to provoke interest. I think that the title, “RFPs Suck!” meets the test of provocation for me. I think that the feedback about the word “suck” is all valid- I have just decided to go with it anyway.
Please look at the 2 choices and let me know this week what you think of our finalists!
Thanks-
20I’m a big fan of #1. And just as an aside comment to #16, Steph, there is not apostrophe after RFP. It’s simply a plural form, not a possessive, so I hope you won’t make that change! Really excited for your book, Tom–knowing you, it will be great!!
21Provocation: something that incites, instigates, angers, or irritates.
Although the words are often used in conjunction with eachother, I don’t think you can ‘provoke interest’. I think when you provoke, the result is almost always a negative reaction.
I am looking forward to reading the book (goofy title or not).
22You can “provoke interest” but you may have to do it in the “anti-semantic” section of the bookstore.
23