How to Craft Your Title & Subtitle
I got a book in the mail last week from someone inspired to write a book. I think they’ll have a hard time selling their book organically (outside of their intimate circle of friends and family) because they didn’t quite nail the title or subtitle. And, I get this question a lot:
How do I title (and subtitle) my book?
Think of your title as the “what.” Answer this question:
What is the book about?
With You Must Write a Book , that’s what the book is about. My newest book (released yesterday) is: The Miracle Morning for College Students. Easy, right? Actually, yes. Your book title should very easily and succinctly tell what your book is about (and hopefully, be easy {enough} to remember). More great examples:
The Four-Hour Work Week
Crush It!
Never Pay Retail for College
Money Talks
When titling your book, go with the obvious and easy. Don’t over-think, go with your gut!
The subtitle seems like it could be tricky, but ultimately it’s the answer to this question:
What is the promise of my book?
In other words, what will the reader get as a result of reading the book? The subtitle of the book I received is Crossing the Finish Line is Just the Beginning. I don’t even know what that means (and no, I’m not calling out the author or telling you the name of the book). I don’t know what I would get as a result of taking the time to read the book. So I’m probably going to add it to my “to donate” pile instead of my “to read” pile.
Let’s use You Must Write a Book ‘s subtitle again as an example:
Boost Your Brand, Get More Business, and Become the Go-To Expert
You know exactly what you’re going to get when you read the book: you’ll boost your brand (get more name/logo recognition), get more business (make more money!), and become the go-to expert (differentiate yourself from the crowd). Everyone says they’re the expert, but you have a book and that, my friend, makes you the expert!
You have about six seconds to convince someone to buy your book when it crosses their path, and your title and subtitle have gotta be fantastic. Make sense?
In 2012, Pam Grout wrote the international #1 bestseller E-Squared: Nine Do-It-Yourself Energy Experiments That Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality . It’s sold bajillions of copies (give or take) and is still ranked in the top 5,000 on Amazon after five years. Way to go, Pam! But she first published the book under the title God Doesn’t Have Bad Hair Days . Same book, bad title and subtitle. It’s ranked about 300,000 on Amazon (a.k.a. it’s not selling very much).
The right title and subtitle can make tons of difference in the success of your book. Have questions? Press reply and send me an email, or leave it in the comment section of the blog.
{Big Announcement}: I’ve started the You Must Write a Book LinkedIn Group. Have questions or need help with any aspect of your book? Join the group and I’ll answer your questions!
I hope you have an awesome couple of weeks! Stay cool, writer friend!
***RESOURCES***
~11 Things You Should Know About BookBub Subscribers
~ Why You Should Check Your Email in the Morning
~ You Must Write a Book LinkedIn Group
BookBub!
Do you like BookBub? This site is crazy awesome and notifies you when books go on sale (think 99 cents). I have an Author Page with BookBub and if you follow me there, they will send you a personal note when I have a book sale. It’s that easy! Click the box below and hit the “Follow Me” at the top right of my profile.
Not receiving these posts in your inbox quite yet? Get everything you need to finally get your book written. Just go here .
How do I title (and subtitle) my book?
Think of your title as the “what.” Answer this question:
What is the book about?
With You Must Write a Book , that’s what the book is about. My newest book (released yesterday) is: The Miracle Morning for College Students. Easy, right? Actually, yes. Your book title should very easily and succinctly tell what your book is about (and hopefully, be easy {enough} to remember). More great examples:
The Four-Hour Work Week
Crush It!
Never Pay Retail for College
Money Talks
When titling your book, go with the obvious and easy. Don’t over-think, go with your gut!
The subtitle seems like it could be tricky, but ultimately it’s the answer to this question:
What is the promise of my book?
In other words, what will the reader get as a result of reading the book? The subtitle of the book I received is Crossing the Finish Line is Just the Beginning. I don’t even know what that means (and no, I’m not calling out the author or telling you the name of the book). I don’t know what I would get as a result of taking the time to read the book. So I’m probably going to add it to my “to donate” pile instead of my “to read” pile.
Let’s use You Must Write a Book ‘s subtitle again as an example:
Boost Your Brand, Get More Business, and Become the Go-To Expert
You know exactly what you’re going to get when you read the book: you’ll boost your brand (get more name/logo recognition), get more business (make more money!), and become the go-to expert (differentiate yourself from the crowd). Everyone says they’re the expert, but you have a book and that, my friend, makes you the expert!
You have about six seconds to convince someone to buy your book when it crosses their path, and your title and subtitle have gotta be fantastic. Make sense?
In 2012, Pam Grout wrote the international #1 bestseller E-Squared: Nine Do-It-Yourself Energy Experiments That Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality . It’s sold bajillions of copies (give or take) and is still ranked in the top 5,000 on Amazon after five years. Way to go, Pam! But she first published the book under the title God Doesn’t Have Bad Hair Days . Same book, bad title and subtitle. It’s ranked about 300,000 on Amazon (a.k.a. it’s not selling very much).
The right title and subtitle can make tons of difference in the success of your book. Have questions? Press reply and send me an email, or leave it in the comment section of the blog.
{Big Announcement}: I’ve started the You Must Write a Book LinkedIn Group. Have questions or need help with any aspect of your book? Join the group and I’ll answer your questions!
I hope you have an awesome couple of weeks! Stay cool, writer friend!
***RESOURCES***
~11 Things You Should Know About BookBub Subscribers
~ Why You Should Check Your Email in the Morning
~ You Must Write a Book LinkedIn Group
BookBub!
Do you like BookBub? This site is crazy awesome and notifies you when books go on sale (think 99 cents). I have an Author Page with BookBub and if you follow me there, they will send you a personal note when I have a book sale. It’s that easy! Click the box below and hit the “Follow Me” at the top right of my profile.
Not receiving these posts in your inbox quite yet? Get everything you need to finally get your book written. Just go here .
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