Designing a book cover that will grab the attention of a reader is paramount. When choosing a design for the cover, there are a few things to keep in mind. Remember that a good book cover is as important as the synopsis and logline because it is what will draw the reader towards your book above the many others in your genre.

1.     You must view your book as a reader would. These days books are advertised on websites such as Amazon and the cover is just a thumbnail. So ask yourself, does the cover clearly depict the genre of the book, is the design enticing and is the book title clearly visible when the reader is quickly scrolling through looking for an interesting novel to read? What emotions does your cover spark? Readers buy because of the emotions a book evokes.

2.     Do not make the cover overcrowded; just use a simple design. The use of handwritten type is also very appealing to the reader I have found. If the plot has many twists and turns, make the cover obscure and graphic. A collage design is also engaging. If the plot is set on the ocean, maybe have the ocean as a backdrop?

3.     Know your audience. Who will be reading your book - teenagers, women over thirty? What images are popular? This is where you research different designs. Check out the bestseller list for your particular genre. Is there a common thread? You will undoubtedly see something in common with them all. Use this information as a guide when designing your cover. When you have designed your cover, get some feedback from your chosen audience, maybe family members or friends. Ask them their opinion. Can they tell you the genre of the book and, if not, then go back to the drawing board.

4.     Avoid obvious designs, in other words, avoid clichés. Use your imagination. If you are writing a romance novel, then avoid hearts and a couple embracing because that has been done over and over. Make your design as unique as you can. What message do you want to convey to your readers? What is your book's purpose? Write this down and cross reference it to your designs.

5.     Think about the characters in your novel. Are they quirky? Are they sadistic? Do they have a deep, dark secret? Is this conveyed in your cover? Maybe a quirky romance novel could have a girl sitting in a large cocktail glass, smiling as she sips on her drink?

6.     Use the power of social media for their opinion. Maybe post three designs and let people choose which design they prefer and why. People are very honest and love giving their opinion. You can run a poll on Twitter too and it is very easy to do. Remember to use relevant hashtags in your post so your potential audience can be reached.

7.     Remember you have a few seconds to impress the reader and draw them towards your novel so make the design memorable. If you are not design savvy, then visit a website such as Fiverr and employ the services of a professional. Give them your brief and an outline of the story, and let them do all the hard work. Remember to choose a designer that offers unlimited revisions.