Number 1 is the best. Number 3 is a very close second. I think either will work great.

I think number 2 is awful. That hackneyed graphic of a fist clutching a bundle of cash turns me right off.

Hi!
Sounds like great content you are giving. I would grab the book according to the following preferences.
Cover1, Cover3, Cover 2. So #1 ist the most favoeable for me.

Why?
#1: It’s very modern and the re circle with the benefits in them makes it very appealing and interesting. My favorite one. The word dominate in red is very powerful.

#3: Very classy, classic with the black background. Projects a high value and high end product. The kind of orange/gold for the word ‘Dominate’ is a good choice. I read about color psychology and orange/gold means wealth. So that cover is excellent, too. But I’d go with the more innovative #1.

#2: The reach out for the money appears ‘cheap’ to me. Might be a scam, or something like that. Succeeding in business is not about ‘grabbing the money’ is’s about giving high value to your niche, your clients. Si I didn’t like that much.

I am curious, which cover wins.
Besides that your graphic artists do a great job.

Yours
John

P.S. I hope this was kind of helpful. Was fun for me to write this.

I think I like the black one the best. It looks so sophisticated. Nothing hokey or cheap about it. My least favorite is the 2nd one. I am just up to my ears in “make tons of money” hype. It sounds like you’re including some real content instead of the typical useless theory you see all the time so I wouldn’t “cheapen” what you have with a “get rich quick ” looking cover like that.

Thank you very much for the feedback and comments so far. They are very useful.

Keep them coming. Let me know your frank opinions the ones above.

Those who have commented I will be emailing you the ebook of the excerpts when we complete this survey in a few days.

Thanks!

Hi Sant,

I like the first one although the colour theme looks like some book I’ve seen before although I can’t pinpoint which exact book.

But #3 does stand out too because you are talking about niche and a black cover is not so common.

For #2, although it does have a hint of being overdone, it’ll definitely grab my attention at the book stores! Whether I’ll buy it based on the cover is another thing but at least I find that it’ll stand out among the other covers.

Personally, I’ll choose number 2 as a book that I would at least pick up and flip through. The other 2 are just a bit plain for me to bother.

But with a cover like #2, I would definitely want to see if the content can really deliver on the promise of big bucks!

Hi Sant,

#1 Favourite: Cover 2
#2 Favourite: Cover 1
#3 Favourite: Cover 3

Contrary to what the rest think, I think Cover 2 is the best.

The image of the hand grabbing the notes is big, loud and so attention-arresting that it jumps at me almost instantly.

It conveys the notion that “I can make a serious bundle of cash fast if I learn the ’secrets to dominate my niche’

Cover 1’s design is very conservative and is like those typical, dry and boring business books out there. Granted, yes, it’s clean and exudes a “professional” feel, but it doesn’t resonate with your fiercely-unique and controversial identity as a “Profits Strategist”.

Cover 3 resonated with me the least. Actually, black is supposed to convey something mysterious, clandestine and controversial, which in turns creates the perception that it is of “higher value”. But I think the font used for the text as well as the text itself diluted the effects.

If you take a look at the following URL, you will see the epitome of how “black books” should look…

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?994ed341bb.jpg

So, to conclude, I think you should go with Choice 2. And to combat the notion that it gives a “cheap” feel, you might want to enhance the design a little; probably by ‘yellow-ing’ the title of your book, so it looks something like that…

http://www.amazon.com/Steal-This-Book-Million-Letters/dp/193359649X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1203490061&sr=8-1

By the way, I’d also like to highly recommend a controversial graphic designer whom you might want to approach to bounce off more ideas.

http://www.marketingbrainfarts.com/4hire.html

If you frequent Michel Fortin’s forum, you’d know him by his nickname “Mr Subtle”. More than just a graphic designer, he’s a grizzled direct marketing pro. Go ahead and check him out. Read every one of his post.

Right, that’s all I have and I wish you all the best!

Anonymous (you’d know who I am by my email…)

By the way… I missed out on the following…

It (Cover 2) conveys the notion that “I can make a serious bundle of cash fast if I learn the ’secrets to dominate my niche’ which is TOTALLY, ABSOLUTELY in sync with your identity as a “Profits Strategist”

BTW I re-read what I wrote and realised that I typed sooo quickly that I said certain things which didn’t make sense afterwards… LOL

#1. Probably by ‘yellow-ing’ the title of your book

Correction: I actually wanted to say set the background behind your title in yellow. But, as an afterthought, don’t do it. Yucks!

#2. controversial identity as a “Profits Strategist”.

Correction: Delete the controversial. LOL.

#3. But I think the font used for the text as well as the text itself diluted the effects.

Correction: I think it’s really the “golden underline” of the word “Niche” that messed it up. Otherwise, it’ll be alright… but it still pales in comparison with Cover 1 and 2… cos somehow, I find it very “dull”. I guess it’s because of the title… not controversial enough to fit a black cover.

I think that’s about it.

I keep having intermittent farts of ideas and inspiration… so sorry… this is my 4th post now…

But this is SUPER IMPORTANT…

U might want to change the word “Niche” to “Industry”… so it’d be “Secrets To Dominate Your Industry”

If I am not wrong, you are targetting the mortar-and-bricks entrepreneurs who are more accustomed to the word “Industry”

Tell them “niche” and you will get a “blank stare”

Only if ya targetting internet marketers then you want to use the word “Niche”, cos by the same token, you will get a “blank stare” when you say “Industry”

BTW your headline (”Differentiating Ideas To…”) isn’t emotional and visual enough. Might want to say something like “Crush Your Competition To Bits And Pieces, Steal All Their Top-Paying Customers Legally That Causes Their Thick Stream Of Cashflow To Flow Into Your Bank Account”

Thanks Andy and Anonymous : )

Interesting inputs indeed. Quite different from the first few comments.

I do agree that a the big image creates a strong visual impact… though the specific image might need to be changed.

This is not a full-fledged direct marketing book, as I co-author it with another entrepreneur. There are a lot of good content and examples that are not only about direct marketing, but about positioning and differentiation & other strategies. The style of writing is also not fully me as it is a combination of our thoughts and philosophies. So to a certain extend the copy and cover is bit more toned down.

My other up-coming book which is a personal project will be more full-on, no-holds-barred me So that book will convey more of my Profit Strategist branding.

I didn’t know mr subtle is Michel. Thanks for the info. His stuff is good.

Frankly, Harlan’s book is not something that I’d pick up based on the cover and his headline (though I do have a copy). I’d thought he would’ve come up with a better headline than that.

Thanks again!

Sorry again, the consequence of typing too quickly. LOL.

No, Mr Subtle isn’t Michel. I said it wrongly.

Haha, now I’m wondering who Mr Anonymous is!

I like cover 3 more.. it makes your book different from the rest at the bookstores…

my second choice would be cover 2 .. I like the money grabbing =)

I agree with Mr. Phang. Number 3 is an “attention grabber” for sure. It comes across as of a higher level in quality of what it can deliver and is a perfectly compliments the word “Niche”.

Number 2 is my second choice but to me its message is totally different from number 3. It catches the eye and will make you want to have a look see at least.

Number 1 is regular and one of many!

#1 Cover3, #2 Cover2, #3 Cover 1.

Reasons?
#1: Best of the lot to represent the book which is about niche and domination, with black and gold colours.

#2: Good visual, but not impactful enough for the title.

#3: Fist of dollars inconsistent with the title of book. More of a “get-rich-quick’ connotation.

All the best for your book.

Hi Sant,

My opinions:
Cover 3 - my first choice will be the black book coz it gives me a very classy feel and looks exclusive.
Cover 1 - my second choice, very clean cut, British feel, modern and not cluttered but may not stand out from the rest in the bookstore.
Cover 2 - very cheesy with the picture of the fists grabbing the USD but some people will like this type of graphic, although not me.

Well, looking forward to your book when it hit the stores!
Cheers!

So far cover #3, the black & gold cover is leading with the most no.1 choices.

We thought that it is also a very good and classy cover too… then we went to a few book stores and check out their business/marketing shelves…

Do you still think that it will stand out and grab attention on the shelves, in between other business/marketing books?

I will be ending the survey in just a couple of days. If you have anyone that might be interested in the excerpts of the book, ask them to comment soon.

We are also doing other surveys offline. I will let you all know the design we eventually choose when we decide at the end.

Thanks so far!

BTW, we have received a few more wonderful endorsements from the draft we sent out. Here’s one:

“If you’ve ever dreamed of the riches and personal freedom that can come from starting your own business, this great book will help you get there.”
- Roger Dawson, author of Secrets of Power Negotiating.

Do you want to hear my opinion?

It’s really up to you, Sant…

I say: Do market your book in 3 phases…

Phase 1: Soft Launch> Cover #1
Phase 2: Massive Launch> Cover #2
Phase 3: Emotional Launch> Cover #3

Your Objective is to spread this book to as many
peoples as possible to improve their liveihood…

Of Course, You may also promote Cover #1 in phase 3
if there might attract attraction…

Having said that, I thought might gat a new idea in
the process of writing this posting!

Thanks for your well intentions Daniel. However, your suggestion is rather contradicting and will create self-sabotage.

A strong brand is build through consistency, repetition of the familiar and emotional connection. Changing the cover too fast will only confuses the target market

The online survey for the book cover has ended. Thank you all for all your comments and feedback. We are just waiting for the results of other surveys (offline) we’re doing to come in. We’ll then let you know which cover we will be using.

I will be emailing the excerpts of the book to those who have commented by end of the week. I think you will find some useful and interesting strategies.

Thank you once again.

Hi,
Great site and concepts. I prefer #2. It feels strong .. emphasises oomph! #3 was a bit secretative, bit black bookish but .. seems bit cold.. #1 good heading but the circle and writing kinda didnt grab me at all.