How to pick (the best!) book title

Today, we're diving into a crucial aspect of the book publishing process: writing a compelling book title. Your book's title is like a storefront window—it's the first thing potential readers see, and it needs to grab their attention instantly. 

As much as we’ve been told not to judge books by their covers…we all do. And, that includes the book’s title.

So, let's explore some tips and strategies to craft a title that sells.

[Check out my video on this topic, here! ⬇️]

1. Understanding Your Audience

The key to writing a compelling book title begins with understanding your target audience. Who are they? What genres or themes resonate with them? Conducting market research can provide invaluable insights into the preferences and expectations of your potential readers.

Understanding WHO you are speaking to will be crucial in ensuring your book is titled properly for the market you’re trying to attract. Think about Amazon and other bookseller platforms as a way for new readers to FIND YOU…even if you already have an existing audience. Think big picture here, and be strategic.

Do some brainstorming on your ideal reader. (You can create an entire avatar of your ideal reader, as well as map out your book from start to finish by getting my Book Clarity Blueprint HERE!)

Food for thought: a book that’s titled for identifying women will be inherently different than a book that’s titled for identifying men. A book that’s titled for a younger demographic will be different from that of a boomer population. Consider books in the genres and age ranges of your ideal reader, and make notes on any trends you notice in terms of language, length, tone, and complexity.

2. Strategic Titling & Search-Friendly Language

Most people who come across your book through e-commerce platforms alone will NOT KNOW WHO YOU ARE. 

Even if you have a unique system or method that you’ve trademarked, I’d encourage you to NOT use this terminology in a clever and cute brand-aligned title – because those who DON’T ALREADY KNOW YOU will not be drawn to this unknown language.

Simple, straightforward titles that focus on EXACTLY what the book does will ALWAYS win here.

Here’s an example:

My first self-published nonfiction book is called “Momfident As F*ck”. It was about learning to build body confidence and self-love as a new mom in your postpartum phase. 

At the time, I had built a confidence and self-love brand for moms, which was called, unsurprisingly, “Momfident AF.” I had amassed a large amount of followers, and knew I would use my social media platforms to sell the book. 

But…I was missing the opportunity for NEW readers to find me through Amazon alone, because “MOMFIDENT” is not a searchable term…I’m pretty sure I made it up.

In order to attract NEW readers, who DON’T CARE ABOUT ME, BUT JUST WANT THE CONTENT I’VE WRITTEN, I would have been FAR better to use the phrase “Confident As F*ck” – or literally anything with CONFIDENCE vs. MOMFIDENCE.

My existing audience would buy my book no matter what I called it.

A new potential reader does not care about my brand (or me, for that matter!) but ONLY wants to learn how to build better confidence.

Lean on simplicity and be as straightforward as possible when creating your titles.

3. Keep it Short and Memorable

Listen, attention spans are shorter than ever these days. Aim for a title that is concise and easy to remember. Short titles are not only more memorable but also more visually appealing on book covers and in marketing materials.

Consider brainstorming titles that are clear and straightforward, but memorable with a “make people notice” element. 

For example, one of my favourite authors is a woman named Denise Duffield-Thomas. She has multiple books, but the one that drew me in (and made my buy all her other books!) was one titled “Get Rich, Lucky Bitch!”. I did not know Denise at ALL when I came across this book, and the title of it alone made me click the “buy” button. From there, I became a multiple-book customer of hers, and even purchased one of her online courses and joined her email list. THIS is the power of creating a compelling book title – if done right, it properly starts the sequence of a buyer’s journey, and you can use this to your advantage if you do it right!

4. Testing and Refining

Don't be afraid to test different title options with focus groups, beta readers, or through A/B testing. Feedback from others can provide valuable insights and help you refine your title until it resonates with your target audience.

Be sure to consider your testing group when conducting this research – friends and family members aren’t always the ideal candidates for this kind of feedback. Consider your ideal client avatar and find people who fit within that demographic. Getting their honest feedback will be far more valuable and useful than if you ask your mom. (Unless, of course, your mom fits your ideal reader avatar!)

For my second non-fiction book titled “Author-ized”, I did a lot more strategic A/B testing and asked for a ton of feedback on my cover and title. Essentially the biggest change came down to my subtitle, which was too complex and not simple enough for a 5 year old to understand what my book would be about.

(And, for even more on titles, cover design, and exactly how to write a non-fiction book, you can get a copy of Authorized HERE!)

Writing a compelling book title is both an art and a science. By understanding your audience, capturing the essence of your book, keeping it short and memorable, evoking emotion, and testing and refining your title, you can increase the chances of grabbing readers' attention and enticing them to explore your book further.