I get asked quite often why someone should pay $60, $80 or even above $100 for ebook cover graphics from a professional ebook cover designer when they can find someone on Fiverr or other discount freelance sites for $5-$20 that “claims” they can do the same job.
I’ve contracted dozens of ebook covers and site graphics, I’ve always had better results using a professional ebook graphics person. I typically have them work up various 3d covers, a flat cover page for the ebook itself, some banners that match as well as various course and video graphics for upsells. With professionals you get:
1. Someone with lots of experience who can match your requirements quickly and often in a better way than you may have even thought yourself. In every case I have an idea of the message I want portrayed by my ebook cover and usually have a sense for the colors and sometimes some ideas about the images I want used. However, in every case I have used a professional ebook cover designer I can say they have added their own design ideas and skills to make the cover even better than I would have thought of on my own.
2. They have proven licenses for the graphics they use ( you can ask for proof). This is important as copyright holders to images are becoming increasingly aggressive trolling for infringement “past use” dollars – at best you will be challenged to remove your image and discontinue its use, at wost, you may be challenged with $1000’s in back use license fees
3. They can work various backgrounds for you (transparent, white, etc…) and different size, formats for you. When you get a simple ebook cover generated you will often find that you have specific requirements for sizes, additional matching graphics, special backgrounds, etc… dealing with a professional ebook cover designer makes this much simpler
4. They can often work very quickly – and will be there consistently over the years you need them. For an ebook publisher planning to continue in their market, having professional ebook graphics designers available when they need them is worth every penny of any premium you pay.
Truth is, if you are serious about information publishing, the extra $60 or so you will pay (one-time) for professional ebook cover designs will be paid off in the first few sales you make – from then on, you will wonder why you even had the question enter your mind. Ebook covers are usually the ONLY visible marketing tool you have representing your ebook – wouldn’t you want that to be as professional as possible?
