Your Book Deserves Professionalism: Why a DIY Cover Screams "Amateur" and Hurts Sales
One more time, “don’t judge a book by its cover” is absolute crap.
Why shouldn’t we?
You’ve written your book, the content is outstanding. However, thousands of books are already available online. How do you convince readers to buy yours or at least take a look at it?
Your book cover is your marketing edge, so it needs to stand out, and for the right reasons. A professional book cover communicates your book's genre, tone, and professionalism in a split second. It determines if your potential buyer goes ahead to read the blurb or not.
If you're a book lover, you've probably bought a book simply because of its cover and not just because you've read raving reviews about it online. Well, it's the same for most people. According to market research, books with high-quality book cover design see higher click-through rates and better conversions. Why? Because readers associate a visually appealing cover with a well-written book. If the cover looks amateurish, they assume the content inside won't be worth their time.
Bad Covers and Good Covers: What Makes the Difference?
Let’s break down the elements of a bad book cover vs. a good book cover. That way, you know what to look out for.
Bad cover samples
Poor design aesthetic: Cluttered layouts, chaotic color schemes, or even mismatched elements, which make a cover end up screaming “amateur.”
Low-resolution images: Blurry or pixelated images that don’t scale well on Amazon thumbnails.
Genre mismatch or no clear indication of book genre: Imagine a romance novel with a dark, gothic design, or a horror novel with a cartoonish font.
Unprofessional typography: when the title or the author’s name is unreadable due to poor font choice.
Good cover sample:
Clean and bold typography that stands out: The best fonts for book covers are clean, bold, and readable options.
High-resolution imagery that looks professional
Genre-appropriate design that meets reader expectations
Balanced color scheme and easy-to-read layout
DIY Cover Vs Professional Cover
Why do you need a professional book cover design? So you don’t end up with a bad cover.
Designing your book cover can be quite rewarding, especially if you have a creative eye or you’re quite artistic. With the right tools, research, and effort, your DIY cover design can still be visually appealing. However, a professional book cover designer makes sure the elements of a good cover come together seamlessly. Distinct advantages that come with using a pro designer include:
Design expertise and execution
DIY gives room for your creativity to shine through, but for your book cover to stand out, you’ll need the knowledge of design principles, color psychology, and typography. Professional designers bring years of experience and understand how to balance elements to create book covers that are both eye-catching and market-friendly.
Marketability and reader perception
DIY covers can be unique, but they might not always align with market trends and user expectations. A book cover is not just about aesthetics, it’s about conversion. A well-designed professional cover is strategically crafted to attract your ideal audience and increase sales.
Time and effort investment
Creating a cover from scratch can be time-consuming and require multiple revisions to get it right, especially since you want the best results. If you don’t mind investing the time to learn design software and study successful book covers, then a DIY approach might work for you. However, if you’d rather focus on writing and marketing, hiring a professional designer can save you countless hours.
Technical precision and formatting
With a professionally designed cover, you’ll be getting the proper formatting across different platforms, from Amazon KDP to IngramSpark and Barnes & Noble. DIY covers, however, sometimes run into issues with resolution, dimensions, or bleed margins, which can affect print quality and online display.
First impression and sales impact
As I already mentioned, a strong book cover makes a powerful statement. A professional cover is quite the marketing strategy; it instills more confidence in potential buyers, increasing the likelihood of sales. Books with professional covers consistently outsell those with DIY designs. Plus, a timeless, well-designed cover ensures your book remains competitive for years.
The bottom line is this: if you have design skills and are willing to invest the time, a DIY cover can work. However, if your goal is to maximize sales, credibility, and reader trust, a professional cover is your best option. Some of the biggest bestselling authors understand and milk the power of a professional cover. Think about books like Atomic Habits or The Midnight Library. Their covers are clear, simple, and striking. Would these books have sold as well with a poor DIY design? Probably not.
Choosing the Right Book Cover Designer
You don’t want to hire a professional just to get similar results to doing it yourself, right? So, how do you find the perfect designer? What red flags should you look out for?
Review their portfolio
Look for designers with a strong, diverse portfolio that showcases covers in your genre. Check that their style aligns with market trends and reader expectations for your book category.
While going through their portfolio, ask yourself: “Would I pick up a book with this cover?” If your answer is no, move on.
Check client reviews and testimonials
Look for reviews on the designer’s website or Fiverr, Upwork, or Reedsy. You should prioritize designers who have positive testimonials and a proven track record in the publishing industry.
Experience with self-publishing platforms
The designer you choose should understand formatting for ebook, paperback, and hardcover editions. Also, ask if they provide print-ready files with the correct dimensions, DPI, and bleed settings.
Clear pricing and packages
Compare prices, but remember that cheaper isn’t always better. Focus on quality, too. Ask what’s included: initial concept, revisions, typography, licensing for stock images, and final files. Also, ask about delivery timelines and how many revisions are included in the price. A good designer should be able to provide at least 2-3 revisions to fine-tune details without charging excessively for minor edits.
Open communication and willingness to collaborate
The designer you work with should listen to your vision and provides professional input. They should also be able to explain their design choices and suggest improvements based on your book’s target audience.
Customization and originality
Ensure the designer creates original, custom covers and does not use generic templates. Avoid covers that look like “cut and paste” jobs, those won’t stand out.
Conclusion
Your book deserves to be taken seriously, and to do that, you need to hire professional help. A DIY book cover might seem like a budget-friendly choice, but it often does more harm than good. A professionally designed cover boosts credibility, attracts more readers, and ultimately leads to higher sales.
Chat with us today to discuss your specific book cover needs.