How to Find a Killer Title for Your Book

What’s the point of writing a masterpiece if the title you choose for your book isn’t compelling enough for anyone to pick it up? It’s time well spent doing the research necessary to find a killer title for your book.

Instructions

1. Come up with a working title. Make it as long as necessary to illustrate what the book is about. Use this as a guideline for brainstorming possible titles. If a title idea does not encapsulate the working title, move on.

2. Browse the bestseller list for clues on what titles sell. Publishing companies often hire people to write titles that ultimately make their way to the bestseller list, so pay close attention.

3. Study print magazine ads. What headlines catch your eye, and why? Try to incorporate a similar sales strategy in your title.

4. Go down to your local bookstore, find a comfortable seat and observe people as they pick up books. You’ll probably find that most people spend just two to four seconds looking at the book cover before deciding whether to open it up or put it back down. The title, of course, plays a big role in that decision. Also make note of what books don’t get picked up at all. A display table is a great place to train attention, as the book covers are in full view of both you and the customers.

5. Think short and simple when you’re trying to find a killer title for your book. Long, complicated titles are difficult to read and say aloud, making them a hard sell. As most bestseller lists illustrate, the shorter the better.

6. Keep your title positive as opposed to negative--for instance, “12 Paths To Happiness” ascompared to “12 Ways To Stop Being Depressed.”

7. Be clever if you can, but never sacrifice clarity. “Ace of Spades” may sound intriguing to you, but it will backfire if it gives no real clue as to the content of your book.