How To Create Book Titles That Sell Like Crazy

We just finished up a 1.5 hour interview and tutorial on writing book titles that sell which is now uploaded to Information Markter’sZone when an article appeared in the New York Times titled “Titlenomics, Or Creating Best Sellers”.

On the heels of the tremendously successful Freakonomics – the best selling 2005 book by Steven D Levitt and Stephen J Dubner, a new book has been released by Claire Shipman and Katty Kay titled “Womenomics”. 

So, the debate about what makes a great title for a book and how often successful title patterns can be copied ensues.

What is clear is that great book titles contain the following charateristics:

1. Attention Grabbing – great titles instantly grab widespread attention – take one of the top selling non-fiction books on Amazon right now “Virus of the Mind: The New Science of Meme”.  Virus of the mind certainly grabs our attention, leading the way for a solution that is “New”
2. Emotionally Grabbing – titles that are most effective at converting “lookers” into “customers” do a very good job at tapping into the emotion of particular pain or desire for pleasure in one’s life.  “How To Win Friends and Influence People” is a great example.  One of the most fundamental human emotions is to be “wanted” – to “fit in” and to “be loved” all of which are covered by this simple title.
3. Achievement Grabbing – the other main trait found in many excellent book titles is the promise (implied or overt) that the information contained in this book will help you to finally fulfill your desire and help you come closer to overcoming the pain or achieving the pleasure you desire.  For example “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity” contains a very clear promise – that suffering with low productivity and the frustration of not making any forward progress will be overcome and suddenly we will be able to finally get things done in our life after reading this material. 

Are you writing a non-fiction book?

Do you already have a book, ebook or information product (audio package, home study course, seminar, coaching program, etc…), but just can’t seem to sell it as well as you would like?

Your title and headlines will make a huge difference in your results.  Head over to Information Marketer’sZone where you can get leading information on positioning your book and information products in your highly competitive marketplace – including our recent interview on expert title and headline writing techniques with examples from Million dollar ebooks and books.

Do you have a favorite or good example of a book title?