When it comes to self-publishing, your book title isn’t just a label—it’s your first impression. It’s what stops someone scrolling, sparks curiosity, and gets them to click. Or not.
A weak title can quietly kill your book’s potential. A strong one can make all the difference.
Here’s how to create book titles that actually help you sell more books—without gimmicks, keyword stuffing, or guesswork.
1. Sell the Result, Not the Topic
Most first-time authors default to describing what their book is:
- “Gratitude Journal”
- “Sudoku for Adults”
- “Time Management for Beginners”
Okay… but what does the reader get from that?
Instead, focus on the transformation your book offers:
- “Calmer Mornings in Just 5 Minutes a Day”
- “Boost Your Brain Power with Daily Sudoku Challenges”
- “Take Back Your Time: A Simple System to Feel in Control Again”
Readers don’t want a product. They want a result. Your title should reflect that.
2. Use Proven Book Title Formulas
If you’re stuck, plug your idea into one of these proven structures:
✔ [Result] in [Timeframe]
One Month to a More Organised Home
Boost Your Mood in 5 Minutes a Day
✔ The [Adjective] [Book Type] for [Audience]
The Gentle Budget Planner for Women Who Hate Numbers
The Big Letter Colouring Book for Toddlers
✔ A [Type of Book] That [Solves a Problem or Creates a Feeling]
A Planner That Helps You Stick to Your Goals
A Journal That Helps You Let Go and Breathe
✔ [Number] [Things] to [Achieve a Result]
75 Affirmations to Start Loving Yourself Again
52 Activities to Help Kids Manage Big Emotions
✔ Done-for-You / Fill-in-the-Blank [Book Type]
The Done-for-You Wedding Planner
Fill-in-the-Blank Storybook for Grown-Ups and Kids
These formulas work because they speak directly to the reader’s needs, goals, or struggles.
3. Avoid Keyword-Stuffed Subtitles
A subtitle should clarify, not clutter. Yet many self-published books include subtitles like:
“Gratitude Journal: 100 pages, 6 x 9 inches, for mum, dad, grandma, grandad, adults, teens, kids and pets.”
Yikes.
While keywords help with searchability, stuffing them into the subtitle not only looks spammy, it can trigger KDP review issues. Instead, use the subtitle to support the promise of your title or explain who it’s for in a natural way:
“A 30-day journal to help you reflect, reset, and feel more grounded.”
4. Use AI to Speed Up Brainstorming
Struggling with ideas? Tools like ChatGPT can help.
Prompt it with:
“Give me 20 title ideas for a [type of book] that highlight the reader’s desired outcome.”
Then refine the results. You don’t have to use any directly, but they can spark better phrasing or help you unlock new angles.
Final Thought
Your book title doesn’t just describe what you made—it sells what your reader wants.
So if you want more clicks, more sales, and a better chance of standing out, start thinking of your title as a mini sales pitch: short, emotional, and focused on them, not just your book.
Want to see examples and real-time tips? Check out the full video:
Watch: How to Write Book Titles That Sell
*This post may contain affiliate links.