Please, Judge This Book by Its Cover

The first one…of course!!!!! You are looking directly at us and you look great. How’s that?!

Oh, Jane, I like both! There are so YOU! Great makeup, jacket, glasses and the pearls…so in line with the new image!
If I had to choose though, I would go for #2 – it’s wisdom and dreaminess in one…
LOVE it!

This is a tough one. My graphic designer side says go with the eye-contact photo on the left–but rework the quote text at the top. Never, ever have type across a face. It detracts impact from both. The same applies to the title and subtitle bleeding across your pearls. It distracts.

The flip is the photo itself on the right is more personal–even though it lacks the eye contact connectiveness. I like placement of text more–but am still concerned about immediate readability.

At any rate–both are fine, each is a great photo–and besides, we know it’s the content not the cover!

I love them both, but prefer the one where you are looking into the light with your chin in your hands. It conveys a thoughtful optimism… a little wit and wisdom, which I know to be true about you! Congratulations and good luck!

I like the cover with you looking straight forward. The one on the left as shown above. However, it seems there are too many pearls. They are lovely but the long on is distracting from you. Otherwise a great shot.
All the best,
Judy Hallberg

It’s not difficult for me to make a choice. The top cover shows happiness, satisfaction and success in your smile and pose. You are still full of energy. The bottom photo looks a little tired to me, after all, you are resting your chin on your hand. Your look appears to be slightly surprised at your success, perhaps questioning that you really did it. It also seems like you are looking at someone else in the room, not the reader/photographer, as if you are distracted from your purpose or simply thinking ‘gee whiz’. Also, I don’t like seeing the word Soul on a background of wrinkles in the shoulder of your dress.

It will be interesting to read the other votes/comments!

Hi Jane,
I think the side profile is more artistic and approachable, but the front view (#1) is certainly a stronger statement. Either would work for me and I would buy either of them.
Alison

I’m immediately drawn to option #2. I like the lighting, color tone and the up-close-and-personal feel.

Jane ~ I vote for the first one! I would also like to humbly add that I was really drawn to your book cover (the original Sole Proprietor) because it had your artwork on it. I am a designer desperately trying to find my way in the business world. There are tons of books out there for business owners but what attracted me to your book was the fact that I instantly new it was a book for creative business owners!
It is funny your book is sitting on my dining room table as we speak!!

I prefer the 2nd one. It’s kind of sassy and fun. I prefer the darker type instead of the white.

Jane, You can’t go wrong with either one of them — both are wonderful. #2 gets my vote. Love, Patty

I love to vote! I like #2 – more soul-like, I think! Somehow, it is more engaging to me, which may be ironic, since you are looking away. Congratulations on republishing your book! That’s very exciting!

Jane, I like both of your cover’s design. The left one is direct and straight, it showas a business woman who knows and gets what she want.
However I would vote for the #2 because it seems like your soul is shining on your face. It looks like you are thinking all of the good things you have reached and done for others.

Hi Jane! I think both photographs are beautiful! However, I prefer the cleaner look of the type in #2 because it is not competing with detail in your hair and dress. Personally though, photograph #1 made me feel like you were looking right at me and telling me “you can do it!” Congratulations!

Hi Jane– Much prefer the straight-on view. No contest in my opinion. –Prill

First, let me say that your marketing strategy for this vote is a success! Look at all the comments you’ve already received! Is the “free book” drawing the secret ingredient that got us all to take the time to vote? Could be… Which just goes to show you that your book is a DESIRED commodity for entrepreneurs like us and will hopefully translate into many, many sales when the new edition is released! I already have a copy of the earlier edition, but would love to have then new one to pass on to an aspiring Soul Proprietor!

Now for my vote: I work in a bookstore, and see LOTS of books. My first impressions was to go with cover #1 but that might be simply because I liked it when I saw it (my pc only showed the top one when I opened the email, the bottom was hidden). BUT when I started thinking about how the book would look on the shelf of a bookstore…. competing with so many other books for the buyers attention… I reconsidered and am officially choosing BOOK COVER #2.

And yes, I’m always this wordy… drives my hubby nuts
Wishing you great success, Jane!

Jane – I too love #1 with direct glance. However, the type goes through your necklace. I Know its an old habit but it still holds true. Best to you!

Beautiful photos of you!
Although I would generally recommend you look directly at us, I prefer the other photo for it’s friendliness. Maybe, if there’s enough left on the right side of the photo (or add in Photoshop), you can crop the straight-on one like you did the side view version–so you are all the way on the left. That would leave the right area for the text. I would have liked a version of the side view one with you looking at us–kind of a blend of the two.) You might consider making the entire background dark and getting rid of that top, somewhat distracting, part of the photo.
That said:
1) Try breaking the type so so it doesn’t run over the pearls
2) People read left to right, so with that much text at the top of version 2, I would make it flush left, Actually, I would cut the copy!
3) Also appears a bit hard to read when that type overlays that part of the photo at the top, thus my suggestion to make entire background dark and lose that part of the photo.
4) I think you can lose the border, you are attractive enough without it!
Congrats on bringing out the book again.
Robin

At the risk of going against the popular trend, I prefer the right hand side. I find your smile there to be more the authentic Jane I so enjoy working with! (Your chin leaning forward better conveys the level of engagement and attentive listening I so appreciate from you.) And I also feel that your smile in #2 has that wisdom and sense of humor better captured than #1. But again, your skills are many, and therefore your talents are difficult to cenvey in a single photo. Congratulations on a tough choice and the book’s ongoing relevance. And thank you for sharing your many talents with us!