The impact of your book title on sales cannot be underestimated. Along with your book cover and blurb, the title is a key factor in any reader purchase. An effective title should captivate your readers, drawing them into the story and giving them a glimpse of the magic that is to come. So, what to do if you need a title but you are coming up blank? Don't worry, we've got you covered.
Step 1: Write down the Unique Selling Point of your book
The unique selling point of your book is what differentiates it from the competition. To identify your USP ask yourself: What makes my book unique? How is it different from others in the same genre? Take some time to think about the tone of your book. Is it funny, conversational or formal? What is the narrative point of view? Make sure you don't match a novel narrated in the third person with a first-person title (e.g. My crazy year).
Step 2: Think Theme
What is the underlying theme in your book? Is the setting significant? Is there any recurrent imagery, colors or symbolism? How does your book fit into the genre? The title needs to match the story in a way that builds anticipation yet doesn't ruin the ending. If this book is part of a series, think about how the title of this book will match others in the series.
Step 3: Keywords
Once you have considered your unique selling point and theme, it's time to formulate some keywords. Put yourself in the mind of your reader: what words could a reader search to find your book? What words would grab the attention of your readers? How can you sum up the unique selling point and theme in just a few words?
Step 4: Brainstorm
Take these keywords and themes and let your mind run wild. Turn off your 'self-edit' button and brainstorm as many options as possible. Search for your keywords on Google, Tumblr or Pinterest to see what comes up. If the ideas aren't flowing, try some of the following book title generators:
Fantasy Name Generator – for genres: adventure, children, drama, fantasy, horror, humor, mystery, non-fiction, romance and sci-fi.
Book Title Generator – all fiction genres.
Book Title Generator – all fiction genres.
Step 5: Edit
Take a break, to get some perspective, then return to your list of titles. Immediately cross out those that don't feel right. For each option, ask yourself:
Is this title attention-grabbing?
Is it short and memorable?
Does it hint at the theme of my story?
Does it convey the tone of my book?
Now is the time to ask others for their feedback, ambush your writing group, critique partner, family or the little old lady that lives next door (someone who fits your target audience is best) to ask them which titles they prefer. If you already have a fan base try asking your readers which title they prefer, an email or Instagram poll works perfectly here.
Step 6: Check that your title is not already taken
Before you declare success and throw out that list, check that your title is not already taken. Do a search on Amazon for books for similar names. Type your title into Google and go through the suggestions. This is what will appear whenever anyone searches for your book, so make sure it's easy for your readers to find your book at the top of the search results.
An irresistible book title is a vital component of your book marketing strategy. Don't be afraid to take your time with the process, brainstorming and testing different ideas on others before coming to a final decision. In the end, your title should be something you love and can't wait to share with the world.
