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Guest post by: Melinda Copp Become an Author

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When you're perusing the shelves at your local bookstore, what's the first thing you notice about almost every book you pick up? The title! Titles are important because they attract attention, and some book biz experts even believe that a title can make or break a book. Whether or not that's true, a title is the first thing that a potential reader will see. Therefore, your title should accurately reflect what your book is about and what it offers readers. And if possible, it should do it in a catchy way. Here are a few title-writing tips:

1. Use your title to convey your book's topic. This seems obvious, but oftentimes writers get caught up in being clever or witty with their titles, and they choose something that doesn't really communicate anything to potential readers. As a general rule, choose function over wit and pick a title that tells your reader what your book is about. If you have a witty title that you really want to use, then follow it up with a functional subtitle that clarifies what you mean.

2. If possible, also convey your book's benefit. Keep in mind that in instructional nonfiction, you are selling a solution that your readers can use. And readers desperately want solutions, so use your title or subtitle to tell them exactly what benefit your book offers. How-to titles are a great way of accomplishing this. For example, How to Boost Romance in Your Marriage or How to Negotiate with Confidence. Both those titles tell readers exactly how they'll benefit from the information in the book. Other examples include, Fix Your Own Car for Less and Eliminate Clutter Once and for All.

3. Consider how well a particular title works with your publicity and marketing efforts, both what you're currently doing and what you have planned for the future. If you can create a title that echoes everything else you do in your business, then your book and everything you do to sell and market it works double-time.

4. Make a list of several different title options, with variations on the subtitle listed as well. Then ask friends, family members, and associates for their opinions and thoughts. What speaks to them? What makes them want to read more? And ask if they have any better ideas. Ideally, the people you ask will have read your book, or at least know something about it and what you're trying to accomplish.

5. If it makes sense for your book, use a number in the title. People respond to the idea that a solution is only X number of steps away. For some reason, it makes the solution your book provides seem attainable and easy. For example, 10 Steps to a Safer Home or Seven Secrets to Losing Weight. Both these titles let readers know that a better life is within reach.

Another way numbers work is by suggesting volume. For example, 101 Ways to Sell More or Seventy Success Strategies. These titles are effective because they show readers that your book has more than one answer, and increases the probability that one or (hopefully) several of your strategies will be beneficial to them.

Making Your Book Title Work

Your book's title is always going to be the first thing potential readers see. If your title effectively conveys the solutions contained within your book, then you can feel confident that it won't be the only thing potential readers see. When your title works, readers will want to know more.

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