Updated November 6, 2024
A book’s title is extremely important. According to Thomas Nelson publishers, research shows that consumers look at a book’s title first and foremost when the author’s name is taken out of the mix (well-known authors are sometimes the deciding factor in purchasing a book). However, coming up with a compelling book title can be arduous, time-consuming work. Here are some guidelines to help you craft a compelling, memorable title for your book.
1. Follow the PINC Acronym
PINC was created by Michael Hyatt (former CEO of Thomas Nelson and author of Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World). It stands for Promise, Intrigue, Need, and Content. In essence, your book title should do one of the following four things:
- Make a Promise - Your book title can be your promise to your reader—what they will get out of reading your book.
- Create Intrigue - Your title can engage your potential reader in a compelling way—drawing them in to learn more.
- Identify a Need - Your book title can point out a need in someone’s life. It may be a need they already know they have, or it might be a need they become aware of through reading your title.
- State the Content - A book’s title can also simply state the content of the book—letting the reader know exactly what they will learn or receive from reading it.
2. Make Your Book Title Original
Titles cannot be copyrighted in the United States. Therefore, two or more books can have the same title. However, if you use a title that is the same or very similar to another book, it makes it hard for your title to stand out. Be sure to search any potential book title you are considering both on the Internet and on Amazon to make sure other books don’t have the same title before settling on your final title.
While you want your title to be original, it should still match the soul of your book. If you're self-publishing a fiction book, the title should reflect the story. If your book is nonfiction, it should reflect the content in some way. Weighty books shouldn't have cheerful titles, and conversely, funny books shouldn't have grave titles.
3. Make Your Book Title Memorable
Creating a memorable title is also important. If your title is too short or too long, people won’t remember it. One- or two-word titles often don’t convey enough information and are harder to remember than titles that make a statement. The book title Sing is actually harder to remember than Sing Your Way to Peace. Titles that are too long can lose a reader’s attention. Studies show that attention spans average at about 8 seconds, so make an impression, but quickly.
You can also use alliteration or rhythm to make the title memorable. Titles that have a pleasing sound are easier to remember. Stan Lee claimed that he gave so many of his characters alliterative names (Bruce Banner, Matt Murdock, Peter Parker) because of his poor memory. Think of Black Beauty, Pride and Prejudice, The Two Towers, and Peter Pan. Titles with a catchy rhythm also stick in readers' minds. For example, A Song of Ice and Fire and A Court of Thorns and Roses follow a pattern that's been extremely popular and is hard to forget.
4. Test Emotional Impact
Consider how your title makes potential readers feel. Does it evoke curiosity, excitement, or a sense of urgency? Emotional resonance is crucial for grabbing a reader’s attention. Titles that create a strong emotional reaction are often more engaging. Ask everyone who’s been with you during the writing and publishing process (editors, alpha and beta readers, reviewers, friends, and family) how it makes them feel, and see if that matches with what you want to convey.
5. Check for Readability
Make sure your title is easy to read and pronounce, even for non-native speakers. Complicated or ambiguous words may confuse potential readers and make it hard for them to recommend the book to others. A clear, easily understandable title will stand out on a bookshelf, online search, or in conversation. Avoid using overly complex or obscure words that may confuse or alienate the audience.
6. Use Just Enough Words to Convey Your Book's Theme
Keeping your book’s title memorable and short makes it easy to say and type into search engines or as a URL. You don’t want a title that's difficult to say or too long to type comfortably. Otherwise, it'll cause issues when you're being interviewed by the media and when readers are trying to recommend your book to family and friends. Additionally, you want to remain excited about your book’s title even after you've said it 2,000 times.
Keep your title down to just enough words to convey your book’s theme. After all, you can always add more descriptive subtitles to your book.
7. Think About Series Potential
If you plan to write a series, choose a title format that allows for consistency across multiple books. For example, The Hunger Games series uses similar title structures, making the books feel cohesive. This can create a sense of cohesion when linked with future installments. This often means choosing a title or series name that hints at the overarching themes or the world of the series rather than focusing too narrowly on the plot of the first book. Also, a consistent or adaptable naming structure, such as a repeated phrase or a shared word, can make the books feel more connected and recognizable to readers.
Remember, your book’s title is an essential piece of your book metadata and a reader’s first impression of your work. It's the way in which your book introduces itself.
Follow these guidelines as you craft a title for your book. Brainstorm many ideas and then test them with your peers before settling on the one that's original, memorable, and just enough words for you and your readers to say and type for years to come.
