Titles Sell Books

The title and the book cover are what makes a potential reader pick up your book in the first place. Even though the publisher may change your original title you need to create the best title you can. After all editors are influenced by good titles too.

Let me show you what I mean. If my title is Men Think Logically Women are Sloppy Emotional Creatures readers are not going to pay much attention But the same theme condensed into the title Men Are From Mars Women From Venus sold millions of books. Lets look at one more.  Heres the title. How To Outdo The Other Person By Bullying.  Youd throw this one into the waste paper basket. On the other hand the book of the same theme Winning Through Intimidation sold millions of copies.

Shorter titles are generally the best. My favorite title is just three words: Dont Die Broke. Some of the title types that work are How To Turning a Common Phrase The Paradox and The Opposing Elements title

• The How-To Title: State the premise clearly and offer something the reader can use with an implied promise. Here are a few.

1. How to Flatten Your Stomach
2. The Only Investment Guide Youll Ever Need
3. How to Get Rich and Stay Rich
4. Get in Shape Stay in Shape

• Turning a Common Phrase:Simply take a phrase everyone knows and turn it to create your title

1. Happily Ever After
2. Knowing Where the Heart is
3. How to Get Happily Published
4. A Walk in the Woods

• The Paradox Title: This one grabs attention because it is so odd

1. Something Under the Bed is Drooling
2. How to Swim With The Sharks Without Getting Eaten

• Opposing Elements: This is the thrust/counter thrust principle: This title uses ideas that dont fit together. These make some of the best titles.

1. Tough Times Dont Last Tough People Do
2. Auto Repair for Dummies
3. How to Eat Like a Thin Person
4. Dont Die Broke