Bright garish fonts.
Short tartan mini-skirts.
Miniscule bikinis failing miserably to
conceal a curvy woman’s huge bazookas.
Titles such as “I Rammed the Babysitter”
which leave nothing to the imagination.
Is this really what selling erotica is
about?
We’ve all heard about the major increase in erotica sales thanks to both the impact of Fifty Shades of Grey AND mobile ebook reading, whether dedicated readers such as Kindles, or iPads, Tablets and smartphones.
We’ve all heard about the major increase in erotica sales thanks to both the impact of Fifty Shades of Grey AND mobile ebook reading, whether dedicated readers such as Kindles, or iPads, Tablets and smartphones.
We’re also led to believe that a big factor in erotic ebook sales is the perceived anonymity afforded by these devices. Who needs to blush in Waterstones or Barnes & Noble anymore when buying smut, when it can be downloaded at home to your heart’s content?
But what’s the point in using a Kindle HD or iPad hoping for some inconspicuous smut reading on the train only for the front cover to completely give the game away to anyone in the immediate vicinity? Busted!
Think of the covers used in Fifty Shades... Are there any gratuitous T&A or images of a young lass being trussed up in BDSM gear? No. Nor is there on the plethora of novels released shortly after, such as those from Sylvia Day et al. Funny that. Coincidence?
Search the Erotica titles on Amazon. The subsequent results are awash with covers – and titles – that are less than subtle. Of course, not every cover is exactly the same, but enough similarities exist.
Is this really what:-
a) appeals to consumers
b) drives sales
c)
accurately reflects the quality of writing ?
I don’t think so.
Again, “Fifty Shades..” easily demonstrated that relatively crude cover designs are not essential for commercial success. Indeed, maybe their very absence is a key selling point, thus increasing the acceptability of the books among an increasingly important market segment.
But not following the herd is a surefire way to generate some attention. In fact, it’s a classic marketing maxim. The smart cookies realise that in a growing – if not already saturated - market the clever money is on seeing what everyone else is doing – and doing the exact opposite.
This was exactly the strategy I chose when launching my first brace of erotic stories. For the ‘Crash! Bang! Wallop!’ stories I wanted not only to make a visual impact on the Amazon search results (And they do! See for yourself.) but I also wanted to create a recognisable identity for the fictitious London marketing research agency my stories are set in. You could easily imagine a website and the usual company-wide paraphernalia – letterheads, notepads, business cards – all festooned with the black background and multi-coloured logo. And hopefully, help transport you into the world of focus groups, interviews and all the associated office antics – and politics – that sets the scene for the subsequent romps.
Similarly, the first three titles in the London Lovers’ Ground series have a consistent colour-themed background and typeface. And not one pair of buttocks or boobies to be seen. And this is going to remain the case for all subsequent stories published.
Consistency is a HUGE deal in any branding programme. And make no mistake: unless you plan to be a one-book author with no intentions of publishing any more, then there needs to be that consistency. Amongst all the competing books out there, consistent branding is one of your best friends. For authors, it sets their books apart from the relatively disjointed competition, when they have a salvo of books adhering to the same layout principles, typefaces, colours, etc.
For prospective customers it immediately projects professionalism and consistency. In a fast moving, ever changing marketplace like the erotic fiction market, customers appreciate familiarity. They don’t get that if each subsequent title from an author features different people, colours, typefaces.
But wait a moment: is this perhaps just some misguided sense of marketing idealism, or even simple design snobbery?
Well, that’s where I’d like you to come in. I REALLY want to hear YOUR thoughts on this matter. Please post your comments below on this and encourage others to think and participate too.
Hopefully we’ll get to the bottom of the matter once and for all over the next few weeks, with the launching of the Erotica Reader Survey. Cover design is one of the areas in which smut-lovers will be asked for their opinions. Stay close to the blog over the next few days as there will be a posting with full details and survey link appearing shortly.
I don’t think so.
Again, “Fifty Shades..” easily demonstrated that relatively crude cover designs are not essential for commercial success. Indeed, maybe their very absence is a key selling point, thus increasing the acceptability of the books among an increasingly important market segment.
But not following the herd is a surefire way to generate some attention. In fact, it’s a classic marketing maxim. The smart cookies realise that in a growing – if not already saturated - market the clever money is on seeing what everyone else is doing – and doing the exact opposite.
This was exactly the strategy I chose when launching my first brace of erotic stories. For the ‘Crash! Bang! Wallop!’ stories I wanted not only to make a visual impact on the Amazon search results (And they do! See for yourself.) but I also wanted to create a recognisable identity for the fictitious London marketing research agency my stories are set in. You could easily imagine a website and the usual company-wide paraphernalia – letterheads, notepads, business cards – all festooned with the black background and multi-coloured logo. And hopefully, help transport you into the world of focus groups, interviews and all the associated office antics – and politics – that sets the scene for the subsequent romps.
Similarly, the first three titles in the London Lovers’ Ground series have a consistent colour-themed background and typeface. And not one pair of buttocks or boobies to be seen. And this is going to remain the case for all subsequent stories published.
Consistency is a HUGE deal in any branding programme. And make no mistake: unless you plan to be a one-book author with no intentions of publishing any more, then there needs to be that consistency. Amongst all the competing books out there, consistent branding is one of your best friends. For authors, it sets their books apart from the relatively disjointed competition, when they have a salvo of books adhering to the same layout principles, typefaces, colours, etc.
For prospective customers it immediately projects professionalism and consistency. In a fast moving, ever changing marketplace like the erotic fiction market, customers appreciate familiarity. They don’t get that if each subsequent title from an author features different people, colours, typefaces.
But wait a moment: is this perhaps just some misguided sense of marketing idealism, or even simple design snobbery?
Well, that’s where I’d like you to come in. I REALLY want to hear YOUR thoughts on this matter. Please post your comments below on this and encourage others to think and participate too.
Hopefully we’ll get to the bottom of the matter once and for all over the next few weeks, with the launching of the Erotica Reader Survey. Cover design is one of the areas in which smut-lovers will be asked for their opinions. Stay close to the blog over the next few days as there will be a posting with full details and survey link appearing shortly.
AB
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