To change or not to change a cover

[BySharonNelson]

I am not sure if this is the best place to put this but here goes ;) I have the first book in a historical romance out now which I have been promoting for almost two months. I have decided that the cover of the book just isn't exactly what I want and it doesn't really feel like a historical cover to me so I would like to switch it out for another that I just finished. My question is, is this going to affect the promotion I have already done and when is the best time to change the cover? This is the first in a series and the second will be coming out in the next month or two so I could wait and switch it then but I have several reviews coming out in the next few weeks so perhaps before those are released I should change it?? I am really torn and I would love any advice my lovely AW friends could offer. ;)

[jdm]

Just my opinion, but if you can get it changed in time for it to be represented on the two reviews with the cover you want, I would change it. I would be driven insane if the cover was not what I wanted

[NewGuy]

That's a tough call. I'd say it depends some on your marketing plan. If the cover is central to the sale, and you think the cover is not up to its job of catching the shopper's eye, then perhaps it is worth the upheaval. If you are primarily marketing online, though, or in some other manner that is less dependent on the cover, then perhaps it is not worth the additional expense and upheaval.

NewGuy

[BySharonNelson]

It is only for sale online and it really won't cost anything other than the time it takes to change it. I am afraid that I am losing sales because it is not really clear based only on the cover that it is a historical. When I first released it I wanted to play up the mystery/adventure part of the book but now I am wondering if I need to focus more on this historical/romance aspect. I think I have decided to go ahead and change it because it is only the first book in a series of 5 so if there were a time to change it it would be now I suppose. I am just really freaked because I do not want to do damage to the tiny audience I have already established.

[NewGuy]

It is only for sale online and it really won't cost anything other than the time it takes to change it.

Glad you're feeling more settled with the decision. Just curious -- are you selling this POD? Or some other manner? I ask because you suggest that the current cover is not conveying the right message, but what about the rest of the marketing?

NewGuy

[BySharonNelson]

I am only selling it for EReader. I have been marketing all along as a historical romance so I think I should be ok. As you will see in my sig I have begun the changing process. I think all I have left is to change the video and re-upload it to youtube.

[juniper]

So your new cover is the woman in gold dress? Old cover was what - the magenta one seen (for the moment) on your blogspot profile?

The gold one definitely has the romantic, historical aspects. I like it a lot. The other one, not so much.

[BySharonNelson]

Yes the one with the gold is the new one and the purple with the people running is the old. I haven't had a chance to change everything over. Every time I think I have gotten everything I come across something else. :)