| Authors, self publishers and book publishers | | | | |
| often spend a lot of time thinking over | | | | In any case, you want your title to be simple |
| possible titles for an upcoming book they | | | | and exact for the search engines. And a 'how |
| plan to publish and rightly so. There are | | | | to' in your title guarantees you a lot more |
| some basic considerations to keep in mind | | | | 'hits' from Google and the other search |
| when choosing a title, assuming you're | | | | engines. After all, people use Google to |
| publishing a non-fiction book. | | | | search for information they need NOW - help |
| | | | that fills their needs, wants and desires. As |
| The most important thing to remember is to | | | | a result, traffic will increase to your |
| choose a title that describes exactly what | | | | website or any other website that carries or |
| the book is about. Some of you may think this | | | | mentions your book. |
| is common sense. But many publishers I've | | | | |
| talked to have chosen titles that don't give | | | | Besides bookstores and Google, librarians |
| you any idea of what is in the book. | | | | like titles that describe the book exactly. |
| | | | They're likely to order more copies for their |
| Many times publishers come up with cute, | | | | patrons. Librarians don't necessarily order |
| clever or humorous titles that offer the | | | | just one copy. They order multiples, for the |
| prospective buyer no clues. | | | | main branch and all the branches. Don't |
| | | | overlook them as a good source for sales. |
| Bookstores don't like to carry books that | | | | |
| don't say exactly what the book is about. | | | | I've seen many titles make or break |
| After all, many customers browse the spines | | | | publishers with great marketable non-fiction |
| of books on the bookshelves in search of the | | | | books. In some cases they were forced to |
| information they need. | | | | change the title and go back for another |
| | | | print run - expensive. Some couldn't afford |
| Say your book is about repairing Volkswagen | | | | to do it. They were stuck with a garage |
| engines. If you pick a title like "My Life | | | | full of books on pallets. Don't let this |
| with Cutie Patootie" instead of "How to Fix | | | | happen to you. |
| Your Volkswagen Beetle Engine", you're | | | | |
| signing a death warrant to your publishing | | | | Knowing all of this, if you absolutely can't |
| efforts. | | | | bear the thought of giving up your 'working |
| | | | title', then use it for the sub-title. But |
| I recall a case when two titles came out | | | | using it as the title will guarantee a slow |
| about the same time. Both had the same title | | | | but certain death to your publishing and |
| - "When the Bough Breaks." They were similar | | | | marketing efforts. |
| in content but who knew what gems might | | | | |
| really be inside. The books never had a | | | | The title is the most important decision |
| chance without a descriptive title. | | | | you'll have to make when you publish a book. |
| | | | |
| Publishers often find themselves in this | | | | To be safe, authors, self publishers and book |
| 'title' dilemma after they publish their | | | | publishers need to make sure they choose the |
| book. They have two options. Go back for | | | | best title for their book - a title that says |
| another print run with the new title or | | | | exactly what their book is about. What it |
| continue to throw money down the drain and | | | | contains. No guesswork. And a 'how to' in the |
| market the 'heck' out of the book. Granted | | | | title will never be outdated or go out of |
| they'll sell some if they're persistent but | | | | style. Everyone will appreciate knowing |
| nothing like the rewards a good title would | | | | what the book is about and a lot more copies |
| bring. | | | | will be sold. |