Hiring an ebook cover designer?

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Hi everybody!

I would like to ask your opinion, hiring expensive designer over cheap one, is it worth? You can get eBook cover in Fiverr for $5 which looks OK, and then you can hire somebody for $200 or even $1000, and when you put those covers side by side, there isn't much difference, where is the catch? Why should somebody hire cover maker for $1000 if you can get it for $5, am I missing something here?
Only thing I can imagine, that more expensive cover maker will be making his/her own images/photos.
#main internet marketing discussion forum #cover #designer #ebook #hiring
  • Banned
    ... whereas the cheap one will be using unlicensed photos stolen from the Internet?

    But I disagree that most fiverr providers do a quality ebook cover that looks as good as one done by a real designer.
    • [ 3 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • I didn't even mention that most fiverr designers provide good looking covers, but some of them do decent job.
  • I'm wondering the same thing

    My dilemma is actually whether I should get a very cheap cover designed on Fiverr or design one myself. The biggest advantage of designing one myself is that I'll be sure I'm not violating any copyrights.

    A more professional cover may result in more sales though. Maybe you should post a contest on Freelancer.com - that way you can get multiple entries and you only have to pay the person whose entry you select.
  • I agree with your disagreement. Some times spending a little more is worth it.
  • I mean honestly, its $5, i repeat $5 on fiverr. Some good cover designers give you the option to review the cover a few times. Personally, i had good and bad experience with fiverr ebook covers

    And if you aren't satisfied, seriously $5, 1 drink ... Nothing to lose
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Do your own where 99% of the Fiverr GIG's do it.

    eBook Cover Creator | Free Online eCover Design

    There are a few free designs available, just try it out.

    It's very much a question of what you like to accomplish with the report to decide to go for a pro designer or for DIY

    G.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Tough call, because no matter what road you go down, you will never know what you missed. In the past I have used Fivver and places like freelancer.com, all with good results. Prior to this latest cover project, I decided on a $50 budget and just picked 10 $5 designers to give it a shot and took the best one for use and was happy to have paid a total of $50 for a good cover. For my latest project I hired a US based designer who created a knockout cover for $50 plus $23 for stock photos. The design is fantastic and well worth the money as it will payback many times in sales on Kindle. That said I was lucky, I hit the right designer, but who knows what will happen next time around. Not sure there is something to learn there but that is why they call this a discussion. Thanks and good luck, Edward Smith.
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • You get what you pay for in this world!
    There is no cutting corners ..
    If a $5 product defines your product then you should be fine.

    You product image is how people are going to perceive the value of your product.

    I still can never understand how you could even ask the question when you have to know the answer in your heart to your question..
  • Well as a designer myself all I can say is 9 out of 10 times you get what you pay for! With designers well any designer worth his salt knows how to design a page to sell. Where as a $5.00 designer may just design something that looks good or even great but the call to actions or image and text placement is just plain wrong. $200 to $1000 is really a little over priced IMO. Anyhow, $5.00 designer to a pro designer make sure you always get the org file. If it is say done in Photoshop make sure you always get the psd. This way if you ever want to change anything around you can either a; do it yourself, b send it to another designer and they do. Good luck.
    Tom
  • I agree - I've contracted dozens of ebook covers and site graphics, I've always had better results using a professional ebook graphics person. I typically have them work up various 3d covers, a flat cover page for the ebook itself, some banners that match as well as various course and video graphics for upsells. With professionals you get:

    1. Someone with lots of experience who can match your requirements quickly and often in a better way than you may have even thought yourself

    2. They have proven licenses for the graphics they use ( you can ask for proof)

    3. They can work various backgrounds for you (transparent, white, etc...) and different size, formats for you

    4. They can often work very quickly - and will be there consistently over the years you need them

    Jeff
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • So far, my experience with hiring ebook cover designers on Fiverr has not been bad. I think you can find really great designers there as long as you take the time to do your research, ask the right questions, and give your designer enough guidance so they create something close to what you want (color, them, ideas for images, etc).
    • [1] reply
    • If I have to give them everything, then why to hire them, just to put things together, I can to that myself in Photoshop.
      • [1] reply
  • I'd argue that there is A LOT of difference. Would love to see what you're getting for $5 and compare it for something that costs more.

    Have you used 99 Designs? RED 009: 99Designs – How To Make It Work For You | RED: Real Entrepreneur Development has a podcast with some advice that will help you get the best results from it.
  • I think it's all about trying them out! Obviously certain people think their work is amazing and try to charge a whole bunch of money for their stuff, but I'd definitely try out the lower amounts first and try and find someone that will be steady that loves doing what they're doing! Most people are happy to make a couple bucks doing something they love such as art like that, so like I said definitely focus on lower amounts and trying people out! Everyone thinks their creation is the greatest right?
  • Go here Warriors For Hire
  • In my experience about half of the designers on Fiverr have come up with decent designs but as someone said earlier you get what you pay for. I wouldn't pay anything over $100 for a cover though as thats just a plain rip!

    Just my 2 cents

    -Ryan
    • [1] reply
    • I am regular buyer on Fiverr and can say one thing that for $5 they all do a decent job!!!
  • Buy premade ecover templates then customize the templates

    Lots of fiverr gigs are using premade templates. I know because I saw my premade templates there

    And the sad part, they got it illegally
    • [1] reply
    • There are two ways to make covers as I see it:

      -to find a good base image and just add the right font for the job, plus minor adjustments.
      -to make composition/creation.

      If you need the latest, you have to go top of the line. Cheap composition is painful to see.

      If you are ok with the first option, you can go with a low/mid range designer. BUT you will have to provide/offer to buy the core image.

      And then, there are other elements to consider. Cheap designers usually don´t deliver the editable file, just the jpg, and don´t necessarily save the job for future interaction. So any change/addition/related image will take you to square one.
  • If a person has some skill making eBook covers then I suggest that they do it themselves.
    Ps. I am new here. Why can't I see anyone's signature when I am logged in, but can see them just fine when I am logged out?
  • There is a HUGE different in quality.
    I know a girl who charge around 500$ for a cover, and it's a peace of art
    All those 5$ covers from fever looks very simple, like it was made from "premade covers".

    I think for a simple book, 5$ is the way to go, but if you wrote a very potential book, with HQ content , than i would hire a pro design and pay much more.
  • I get all my ebook covers from Fiverr. I was lucky enough to find an AMAZING designer. Fast turnaround too. Go to fiverr and try out different designers. Stick with one that delivers quality EVERY TIME.
    • [1] reply
    • A graphic design professional who has been trained and educated in the field will typically possess the computer graphics software and know-how, the technical and aesthetic skill, and previous artistic experience you need to communicate the message of your cover, your brand, and at the same time, showcase your product in an enticing manner.

      Because the barriers to selling on Fiverr are almost non-existent, it's been my experience that most cover makers there don't possess these same skills, experience, or "eye" for design. A very few may, but how do you single out the true professionals from all the willing "good enough" sellers.

      Let's face it, can a professional designer afford to be paid $4 for what might typically be 4 hours of work?

      That problem is compounded because most of the Warriors here saying Fiverr is fine don't know the difference between good and poor design. They are happy to get a cheap cover and won't ever know how much a great design could have helped their product and brand sales. I'm not "knocking" anyone individually. And the same problem holds true for those making their own covers - do they really understand what makes a good design and why? Maybe a few.

      This would be a great test: Come up with two separate titles for your book. Give each book a different pen name. Hire a professional designer for one cover and a Fiverr designer for the other. Submit the books at the same time to the same places and track which one sells the most copies. My guess is, the professionally designed cover will outsell the Fiverr cover and more than pay for the difference in the cost of the covers.

      In almost everything we buy, doesn't quality generally trump a low price? That's been my experience in life.

      Steve
  • I have a great guy on fiverr who does 90% of all my stuff for, well, a fiver. We have a nice business relationship where he does great work for me, and I send him new clients. These clients are normally my friends so they are happy, and he is happy too with fresh business, and I am happy because he does all my work first instead of charging $20 to do it in 3 days he does mine in 12 hours maximum for $5.

    If I need something more complicated or elegant I go to View Profile: yuccarichard nothing but good work back, but it is 6-7 times the price.
    • [1] reply
    • a lot of opinions, but, yes, actually I see difference now, tried another fiverr gig, end result was.... I wouldn't say it's worth even $5, just picture and some text over it, I could have done it myself in 5 minutes.
      Could somebody recommend decent designer, which wouldn't charge arm and leg for his job?
  • You could probably find good designers on fiverr as well, if you look hard enough. And if you give them good guidance of what you want then it is bigger possibility it will come out good for you.

    However if you dont have any idea what you want it to look like, and you want the designers help with it, you should probably go with a professional.
  • Go for a good designer on Fiverr but make sure you opt for one that has a lot of clients. If you don't like what they have done you have just lost $5.
  • Designing book covers for $5 on fiverr will bottom line come down to use of images. The $5 covers will use free images or public domain images and so therefore wont be able to find the perfect image for the clients covers.

    Finding the image is about 70% of the design so $5 wont make the designer search hard.

    You can definitely get quality graphics on fiverr but you need to research and ask for image licenses or get the psd file and buy your own similar image that way you know your covered with the license.

    Thanks
    Andy
  • You get what you pay for.
  • I think $5 in a gigs of Fiverr is not enough for a good e-book cover at all. Of course it is very low rate, on the other hand $1000 is not right , because it is a big amount. One can spend for a good cover $20-100 only.
    • [1] reply
    • Take it from someone who does this for primary income that a $5 cover (plus a good stock photo, another $6) does extremely well for Kindle ebooks.
  • I heard Box Shot King is great for creating web graphics (ebook covers,optin forms,banners,etc)

    Boxshot Software Creates Ecover Graphics in Seconds Box Shot King
    • [1] reply
    • That's a good tool but a clone from MyEcoverMaker.com.

      They sold once a few PLR licenses and Boxshotking is one which put it into Action and actually launched a product using it.

      You can use either one, same product.

      G.
  • Banned
    I would just go to odesk and get one for 25 dollars and it will be slightly higher quality
  • I get my stuff from fivver.
    I love it.
    Very satisfied.

    And YES I got VERY SATISFIED for $5.

    I do not want to know what $1000 worth of e book cover satisfaction means until I finsih my "Shades Of Dolphin Colored Gray" Trilogy I am writing!!!


    Peace!

    Kyle O
  • In my opinion, I would get it professionally done by someone who is willing to take there time and actually care about it. So i don't know how a fiverr gig gets that job done.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Go with the one Sommer who produces quality work, independent of cost Thanks!
  • It's definitely worth hiring a designer to do a custom job if you can. But if you can't, then I'd recommend buying a premade cover from somewhere like The Book Cover Designer. If you can find a premade that suits your book, you can get a professional design without paying custom prices.
  • You can buy your own image for $2-$5 from iStockPhoto.com and ask the fiver designer to use the photo for your cover...

    Find an ebook that looks similar to what you want. Show the designer that example (plus any colors and scheme that may be different) and have him use your image.

    So you're looking at $10 max for exactly what you want.
  • do a book cover or a movie poster for you - fiverr

    Been using her with amazing results. You're welcome
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Somebody name me a top-selling book that had a cover done on Fiverr.

    I rest my case.
    • [2] replies
    • Azon crusher by Brian g Johnson

      What case is this you speak of?
    • Agree. I would add, show me a FICTION bestseller that have a cover done on Fiverr.
  • I am sure the Fiverr gigs $5 & $1000 cover quality is not same. Of course there are much distance. if you think the 5 dollar cover is okay for you, you should not see others. There are so many people do not like the Fiverr cover, they hire those freelancer who make extra ordinary looking cover. There are much difference. much difference. much difference.
  • Cheap is not always worst. i guess it is your concept.
    so, so hire someone and tell him to steal any picture from internet.
    If you do not like that cover, edit it or leave it.
    $5 dollar is not much amount.

    Thanks
  • i will still opt in for fiverr. the fact that fiverr is cheap for $5 doesnt necessarily mean that it is low quality. people need to see fiverr as a marketing function. low profit - high turnover or high profit - low turnover. the guys are fiverr are offering such services for that ridiculous amount because the platform to broadcast them is there. i just ordered my first gig on 3D eCover design and i think its awesome for me.
  • Very good. SommerS. Here I would like to say the $5 & 200 are not same. There is a much difference, so the cover of $5 & cover of $200 there are also much difference.
  • There are now ecover creation tools and software that can actually create convincing and neat covers. The problem with fiverr is you never know how the cover has been created - have illegal images been used and so on. Kinda risky.
  • Try offering a contest with the amount of money you are willing to pay the artist who wins, stipulate what you want and try offering $500
  • I create all of my own covers, but I've seen some covers done via Fiverr gigs that were very well done. I've also seen covers that people spent hundreds of dollars on that looked like a 5-year old threw them together in MS Paint. I personally wouldn't spend thousands on a cover that I can make myself in Photoshop, but I recognize not everyone has the ability to make their own.

    I will say this...If you order 10 gigs from 10 different artists on Fiverr, you're going to spend $50 and will probably get at least one good cover out of the bunch. If you're worried about unlicensed images being used, buy the image or images you want used on the cover and give them to the artist. That way, you'll know the images being used are good to go.
  • One of the main reasons is that many good designers start working on Fiverr and are not aware of other places where then can make much money providing the same service and vice versa. So in that case, though cheap someone on Fiverr can give you a service as good as one you pay $200 for.
  • Personally I am a cover designer but I refuse to charge an arm and leg but my work is often compared to those who charge extreme amounts.

    I believe in offering affordable prices for quality covers.
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  • What i would say about fiverr is make sure you read the reviews and look at the samples. If when you get your end product its clearly not the same quality then ask for a refund.

    You will probably find some designers that charge an arm and a leg just get someone on fiverr to design it anyway.
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    Hiring an ebook cover designer?

    Hi everybody! I would like to ask your opinion, hiring expensive designer over cheap one, is it worth? You can get eBook cover in Fiverr for $5 which looks OK, and then you can hire somebody for $200 or even $1000, and when you put those covers side by side, there isn't much difference, where is the catch? Why should somebody hire cover maker for $1000 if you can get it for $5, am I missing something here?