Why a Stand-out Title makes for a Stand-out Book

In 2010 there were 328,259 titles published in the US alone. Now, think about that number repeating year after year; THEN add on the rest of the global publishing market.  How is a new author supposed to come up with an original and interesting title in a sea of books?!  Fear not, as long as you stick to your niche, and follow these tips, you can create a title that catches your reader’s attention.

Your first idea may or may not be your best

When deciding on a title, don’t go with your first choice. Even if your first idea is the best one, allow yourself the opportunity to think of other titles. While you are writing down this list of potential titles, also decide what you want your title to the reader at their first glance. By now, your book should have a clear topic/focus, so highlighting that in the title is important.

Search the sea of titles before you commit

Another reminder is once you have narrowed down your list of titles to a few great ones, do a google search to see what comes up. If your title is pulling up other books or articles, you might want to pick a different one. Additionally, if you find yourself struggling with thinking up titles, don’t be afraid to ask friends, family, and colleagues for help. Sometimes describing your book to someone else gives you a new perspective on it, as well as other people the opportunity to help.

A final encouragement

Writing a book is a huge accomplishment, so yours deserves a good title. Give yourself enough time to think of one. Sitting in front of your desk with a blank document and zero ideas isn’t the place to start, so carve out a couple of weeks to marinate on some titles. Once you have that running list, narrow down your favorites, and before you know it you will have a stand-out title!