Social media is an important element of any author’s online platform. According to a survey of 6,000 readers by Marie Force, 69% of readers use Facebook to find information about their favorite author, and 88% of readers follow their favorite author on Facebook. Whether you have a page, a public profile, or a group, you can mark your presence on Facebook with a unique cover photo design.
You are reading: Facebook cover photo books
Your online platform should always look polished and professional, and make it easy for readers to connect with your books. additionally, every time someone likes your page, follows your profile, joins you, or joins your group, your cover photo will appear in their news feed for their friends to see (a percentage of which is determined by the facebook algorithm, but regardless, some people will see it). your cover photo will also appear in the fan feed every time you update it.
If you don’t have a professional designer at your disposal, here are some quick tips for creating a great facebook cover photo:
- The full dimensions of the cover photo are 851px wide by 315px tall.
- To make sure your design doesn’t get cut off on mobile, in news feeds people or on their first visit to your page, try to fit your most important design elements within the bottom 150px and middle 563px. am i still confused? this guide to facebook dimensions should help.
- you don’t need photoshop to create a great design. free apps like canva can help.
Here are some ideas on what to include in your cover photo and examples to inspire you. the designs below are from a mix of traditionally and independently published authors. Whether you’re a designer at a publisher or a self-published author, these can be a source of inspiration for any of your book marketing campaigns, even if you decide not to have a Facebook presence.
Shows a preview of an upcoming book release
If you have an upcoming book release, create a promotional cover photo to remind readers of the upcoming release every time they visit your page.
cheryl bradshaw
catherine coulter
claire delacroix
susana ee
barbara freethy
philip gregorio
stephen king
jeanne mackin
zadie smith
show your latest release
remind your readers of your latest release by including it in your cover photo.
sejal badani
johanna basford
tanya anne crosby
nancy herkness
Alice Hoffman 
colleen hoover
julie james
See Also: How to Make Money with Kindle Direct Publishing [Case Study]
eve english
debbie macomber
brenda novak
laurelin paige
james patterson
daniel silva
worker rasshelle
show a series of books
If you have a new book series or one you’re known for, show it off in your cover photo. it will remind current readers of an updated series or show it to new readers at first sight of your page.
clear cook
susan hatler
dean koontz
m. yes parker
kiru taye
ellie wade
presentation of a film/television adaptation
if your book has been adapted into a tv show or movie, you can use your facebook cover to promote it!
brown brown
joe hill
display books from your catalog
Another strategy is to highlight the books in your editorial portfolio, so that they are the first thing users see when they visit your page. this can help build name recognition with your most popular background books.
savi sharma
lauren weisberger
t.r. ragan
show a scene or artwork from your book
If your book features illustrations, your cover photo is the perfect place to showcase them. can give readers an idea of your book.
daniel arenson
roshani chokshi
See Also: Don Winslow Books — Official Website of Don Winslow
may be wise
nicola yoon
promoting a book discount
If you’re currently running a price promotion, your facebook cover photo is the best place to convey this discount to both current fans and new readers.
kristen ashley
promote your international presence
By promoting your presence internationally in your Facebook cover photo, readers can easily see if your book is available in their country. this could help you expand your global fan base!
liane moriarty
show your copyright
Your cover photo doesn’t have to show your books; can be used to display your author mark. By choosing a cover photo that resonates with you, readers will have a better idea of who you are.
piper huguley
jorge r. r. martin
claribel a. ortega
allison parr
veronica rossi
angie thomas
use a video header
Facebook recently added the ability to upload videos as cover photos. We recommend keeping these shorts clean in design. here are some authors who use this feature creatively!
lee boy
dawson mark
cj lions
gretchen rubin
As you can see, the options for what to include in an author’s Facebook cover photo are limitless. You can promote any of his books, showcase his extensive catalog, or drive a particular marketing campaign. no matter the focus of your creativity, the best designs are unique, polished, and professional.
what are your favorite facebook designs from an author’s page, profile or group? Let us know in the comments below!
do you want to share this post? here are prepared tweets:
click to tweet: lots of cool facebook cover photo designs here. authors, take note! #writingcommunity http://bit.ly/1noc07j
click to tweet: not sure how to design your facebook page? here are 50 examples to inspire you! #pubtip http://bit.ly/1noc07j
This post was originally published on August 18, 2015 and has been updated with new examples!
See Also: Rachel Gibson – Book Series In Order