IF YOU USE AI TO CREATE YOUR COVERS, DISREGARD THIS POST AND PROMPTLY JOG ON! 🙂
Over the years, I have been trying to explain to every individual author and publisher why cover reveals are a necessary thing.
A vast majority tell me “You know, I didn’t even think about doing one.”
If I am being completely honest, that baffles me to the far reaches of the universe.
Why wouldn’t every single author or publisher take the opportunity to post a simple photo onto their website, social media accounts, newsletter, etc.?
Now listen, I know a lot of you will say “David… come on. Publishers post cover reveals all the time!” and you’d be wrong. They don’t. Even when they do… even with their thousands to hundreds of thousands of followers, they barely scratch the surface of engagement on social media platforms like Twitter because of algorithms. Instagram is a bit different since it is all photos anyway, and I assume Threads has gotten better (haven’t really gotten on that bandwagon TBH). Facebook is practically dead except for reels and baby/wedding photos, and others really haven’t taken off or stayed around.
So, let’s chat a bit…
WHY
- It is a FREE marketing tool that takes literal seconds to either post yourself or request someone else post (i.e. blogger, booktuber, booktok’r, other author(s), etc.)
- It can lead to early preorders – trust me, book covers (no matter what some say) can sell books. They may not sell as many as you’d hope – people also consider the subject matter, genre, whatever other biases they have – but you’ll potentially find new readers (if you are a veteran author) or you’ll find readers *period* as a new author.
- It can boost not only a healthy following for the author, but also the platform with which the author uses to do the reveal. The aforementioned bloggers, etc. are always looking for more engagement and posting a pretty cover 9.9/10 provides engagement, likes, follows, etc. It is a boost of confidence that some may need.
- IT IS SO FREAKING EASY OMG. TAKE ADVANTAGE
HOW
- Just do it on your own social media. Post an image, little blurb about the book, who the artist is, when it releases, links to purchase, etc.
- Ask a book reviewer. You would be hard pressed to find people that will turn you down. PROMISE
WHEN
- Preferably, before the book comes out (and yes, I have had some that have asked after the fact – but hey, any publicity is good publicity)
- When you are confident that
1. Your cover is ready for the masses to see
2. Your book WILL be released within the next several months (preferably less than 6 so it sorta sticks in the mind of readers)
WHAT
All reviewers, etc. are different when it comes to reveals – i.e. what is included, how they wish to present it, blah blah blah.
When I do a cover reveal, I always ask for these key ingredients:
- High-res version of the cover (full jacket as well is a plus)
- Cover artist & designer (website and social media accounts are a plus)
- Book blurb (you can include early praise if you have any you want to share)
You can also include the series title (and # in the series), genre(s), formats, page count, audio length, and publisher (if not self-published) - Preorder links
- Author photo, bio, and website/social links
- An excerpt if you wish to share one
- If you are so led, a little note from you talking about the book, the cover, the artist, etc.
- Maybe an ARC Request form? Really up to you!
WHO
Just check out our Friends of FFA list and there are dozens to choose from 🙂
Look, don’t be scared to reach out to folks. We are all here to help one another in the book community. But if you do reach out, make sure you do some research on the individuals you are pursuing. It’ll help you in the long run!
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