Sometimes we are too close to what we do and cannot see the forest for all the damned trees in the way.
This is my story… heh.
My book (which is pretty good) had what I realize now is most likely the worst book title EVER, and it has cost me dearly in sales.
Here’s the title (no longer available on Amazon… with no change in sales numbers. Heh.)
“What I’ve Learned So Far”
1. It made no sense to anyone but me and a handful of people.
2. It didn’t have any context to what it was about.
3. It was “me” focused instead of the end user.
4. Nobody really cared about what I had learned because it didn’t impact them.
5. Nobody really cared about what I had learned because they had no clue who I was.
It is really possible that I titled my book with the worst possible title ever.
Better titles would include.
“My Photos Don’t Totally Suck”
“I Got Your Photos Right Here…”
“Is There Salt In Donuts?”
Any title with the terms F**K or Badass in it… Those are really hot right now.
Oh I know one…
“MASSIVE FAIL”
Awesome.
I needed context, information, and some way of telling people what the book would do for THEM. How it would help THEM learn stuff.
The stuff I learned can help them, but the title didn’t say anything even remotely associative to that possibility.
I.
Am an idiot.
So it is time to rewrite, re-edit and RETITLE this book.
(And if you have any ideas, let me know please.)
PHOTO: ANJALI FONG
Recent Journal Posts
BUSINESS: SEO IN THE AGE OF AI
SEO IN THE AGE OF AI: CHANGES ARE COMINGWhy SEO Is So Tough for Photographers (And What to Do About It) If you’re a photographer trying to get your website to rank on Google, you’ve probably noticed it’s a lot harder than it sounds. Your site might look gorgeous—full...
PITCHING EDITORIAL CLIENTS
Pitching Editorial ClientsIdeas and strategies for today's photographers.Summary This document explains how to pitch a photo story to a magazine or publication. The author, Don Giannatti, advises photographers to research the publication, understand their style, and...
14 TRAITS OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PHOTOGRAPHERS: SELINA MAITREYA
14 TRAITS OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PHOTOGRAPHERS SELINA MAITREYA AND DON GIANNATTIWe had a wonderful meeting with Selina Maitreya today. She gave us her list of qualities that all of the successful photographers she knows posess. They Show Up and : / Are talented /...