How to Write Great Chapter Titles - Non-Fiction Book Writing Tips

[@KimberlyGasuras]

Julie, I feel like I did a good job in listening to your advice about this in other videos and live streams so my chapter titles are the only thing about my book that I am 100 percent happy with right now, lol. Thank you so much for all the wonderful advice you offer!!

[@BookLaunchers]

Wonderful! I am SOOOOOO happy to hear this. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The next draw will be on May 18th at 2pm PST right here on BookLaunchers.TV. 

I do hope you can be here. If not - you can catch the replay to see if you won. 

 *Also* our final Deep Dive until September is happening on May the 15th! It’s going to be all about creating Influence and Impact from your book and we’ve got some special guest authors joining us to share what has worked for them!! It’s going to be fantastic. 10am PST on Saturday. Register: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@brrryan2908]

THIS information is pure gold! Absolutely essential for making the sale!

[@BookLaunchers]

Thank you! :)

[@briankreeger9888]

I really need to review the chapter titles again. Afraid they are weak. Great video. One of the better videos. Hit me at the right time.

[@BookLaunchers]

Great to hear!! Thanks for the feedback on the video. :)

[@antoniodossantos5960]

I have improved a lot my chapters titles...Thanks Julie 🌎p

[@BookLaunchers]

FABULOUS! Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The next draw will be on May 18th at 2pm PST right here on BookLaunchers.TV. 

I do hope you can be here. If not - you can catch the replay to see if you won. 

 *Also* our final Deep Dive until September is happening on May the 15th! It’s going to be all about creating Influence and Impact from your book and we’ve got some special guest authors joining us to share what has worked for them!! It’s going to be fantastic. 10am PST on Saturday. Register: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@poetryfromtheheart1287]

I enjoyed the title examples, it really helps to make the topic much clearer.

[@BookLaunchers]

Thank you! Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The next draw will be on May 18th at 2pm PST right here on BookLaunchers.TV. 

I do hope you can be here. If not - you can catch the replay to see if you won. 
*Also* our final Deep Dive until September is happening on May the 15th! It’s going to be all about creating Influence and Impact from your book and we’ve got some special guest authors joining us to share what has worked for them!! It’s going to be fantastic. 10am PST on May 15th. Register: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@beelinebill]

After this, I know I missed the chapter titles, but my conclusion was solid by adding a future promise....thank you Julie!

[@BookLaunchers]

Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The next draw will be on May 18th at 2pm PST right here on BookLaunchers.TV. 

I do hope you can be here. If not - you can catch the replay to see if you won. 

 *Also* our final Deep Dive until September is happening on May the 15th! It’s going to be all about creating Influence and Impact from your book and we’ve got some special guest authors joining us to share what has worked for them!! It’s going to be fantastic. 10am PST on Saturday. Register: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@marylynneturner5290]

I often do read the Table of Contents before deciding on whether to buy the book or not. If the title are clever, I'm more likely to think the writing is going to be interesting. Nice tips!

[@BookLaunchers]

Totally agree! Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The next draw will be on May 18th at 2pm PST right here on BookLaunchers.TV. 

I do hope you can be here. If not - you can catch the replay to see if you won. 

 *Also* our final Deep Dive until September is happening on May the 15th! It’s going to be all about creating Influence and Impact from your book and we’ve got some special guest authors joining us to share what has worked for them!! It’s going to be fantastic. 10am PST on Saturday. Register: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@colinconway-author]

Fantastic video. Thank you for the great advice!

[@BookLaunchers]

My pleasure! Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The next draw will be on May 18th at 2pm PST right here on BookLaunchers.TV. 

I do hope you can be here. If not - you can catch the replay to see if you won. 

 *Also* our final Deep Dive until September is happening on May the 15th! It’s going to be all about creating Influence and Impact from your book and we’ve got some special guest authors joining us to share what has worked for them!! It’s going to be fantastic. 10am PST on Saturday. Register: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@klash4631]

No doubt, this is great for non-fiction books but the advice translates well for creating titles in any episodic writing. Thanks!

[@BookLaunchers]

Glad it was helpful! I love when people can apply this in so many ways. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The next draw will be on May 18th at 2pm PST right here on BookLaunchers.TV. 

I do hope you can be here. If not - you can catch the replay to see if you won.

[@BlackRobb55]

Happy Tuesday! So great to be the first one here :). Chapter titles are like calling cards for the reader and others to get into your world. Sell a benefit, create curiosity or both. Thanks Julie.

[@BookLaunchers]

WOOHOOOOOO first prize! See you Saturday. :) I'll be emailing more about that later today. :)

[@sylvandread9721]

I love brainstorming chapter titles!

[@BookLaunchers]

Me too!!! By the way - our final Deep Dive until September is happening on May the 15th! It’s going to be all about creating Influence and Impact from your book and we’ve got some special guest authors joining us to share what has worked for them!! It’s going to be fantastic. 10am PST on May 15th. Register: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive Can you join us?

[@samconcklin]

I'm not working on a book at the moment, but I will use these tips for my lesson titles when I teach online. Now I have some ideas so I won't have to end a class with "Conclusion" ever again. Thank you!

[@BookLaunchers]

Fantastic!! :)

[@sarz1837]

This is really important!

[@samconcklin]

Love your energy! As always, a great video with awesome tips. :)

[@BookLaunchers]

Thanks so much! Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The next draw will be on May 18th at 2pm PST right here on BookLaunchers.TV. 

I do hope you can be here. If not - you can catch the replay to see if you won. 

 *Also* our final Deep Dive until September is happening on May the 15th! It’s going to be all about creating Influence and Impact from your book and we’ve got some special guest authors joining us to share what has worked for them!! It’s going to be fantastic. 10am PST on Saturday. Register: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@tobiasbalda2037]

This is something that I didn't know I need to think about, but now I do. My titles are boring by them selves, but outline a 7 step process. It has worked so well in presentations and changed business' lives in the real world. All that being said, this is my first book so I really need to consider your professional advice. Yet first thought is "if it works don't fix it". Such a dilemma ? 😂 ! 😎 ?

[@BookLaunchers]

Can't you summarize each of the 7 steps in a cool and benefit driven way for the titles. Please tell me you don't call them "Step 1, Step 2, Step 3" :) Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The next draw will be on May 18th at 2pm PST right here on BookLaunchers.TV. 

I do hope you can be here. If not - you can catch the replay to see if you won. 
*Also* our final Deep Dive until September is happening on May the 15th! It’s going to be all about creating Influence and Impact from your book and we’ve got some special guest authors joining us to share what has worked for them!! It’s going to be fantastic. 10am PST on May 15th. Register: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@tobiasbalda2037]

@@BookLaunchers lol, its not follow the numbers 😂 I did create 3 to 7 word Benefit sub-titles this morning, and each will fit on one line 😎 Thanks again

[@BookLaunchers]

@@tobiasbalda2037 AWESOME! :)

[@ArtistAllanWest]

I handed a manuscript to my cousin and she flipped to the one chapter I would prefer she didn't judge the whole book by. The title is compelling, which is good, but I guess the other chapters need more compelling titles in order to win out on the potential reader's initial flip through.

[@BookLaunchers]

The initial flip through - I might have to use that! :)

[@camoflage61821]

Even works of fiction can benefit from chapter titles. It's almost like a couple dozen more elevator pitches for your book for potential purchasers. I know it's helped me! Thanks for the shout-out, Julie, as always!

[@BookLaunchers]

Good point!

[@ScullyPop]

This is a one stop shop for that person looking to publish.

[@BookLaunchers]

THANK YOU! Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The next draw will be on May 18th at 2pm PST right here on BookLaunchers.TV. 

I do hope you can be here. If not - you can catch the replay to see if you won. 

 *Also* our final Deep Dive until September is happening on May the 15th! It’s going to be all about creating Influence and Impact from your book and we’ve got some special guest authors joining us to share what has worked for them!! It’s going to be fantastic. 10am PST on Saturday. Register: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@rachelrobertson7353]

Ironically, I’m not usually a huge fan of chapter titles for my books; yet, skimming chapter titles in other books is one of the first things I do in a bookstore. Hmm...🧐 *heehee* I believe I’m becoming a convert now, though. I’m opening my mind and seeing the benefits. #noboringbooks BTW, totally agree about Chapter 9! So glad you kept to the original with that one.

[@BookLaunchers]

THANK YOU!! :) Brainstorming doesn't always mean you have to change. Sometimes it just confirms what you already have.

[@rachelrobertson7353]

@@BookLaunchers That's the best perspective I've heard about brainstorming. Those two sentences need to be an official quote! :-)

[@pastoraaroncrowley]

Because of your advice in a previous video on chapter titles, I took my titles super seriously. I work shopped them and had beta readers tell me what they think. In the end, I have gotten so many compliments on my chapter titles. Thanks, Julie!! 😎

[@BookLaunchers]

I LOVE THIS!! Thanks Aaron. :) *Also* our final Deep Dive until September is happening on May the 15th! It’s going to be all about creating Influence and Impact from your book and we’ve got some special guest authors joining us to share what has worked for them!! It’s going to be fantastic. 10am PST on May 15th. Register: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@TrishLee]

Big thumbs up to this 👍

[@BookLaunchers]

THANK YOU!!

[@TrishLee]

@@BookLaunchers Welcome much!❤️

[@buchyvon]

I agree, you made me think more seriously about the chapter titles and I changed a couple (one had "big why in it" as a sub-chapter title but I'm changing it)! I do think that it's important, though, not to mislead the reader. I've read a couple recently where the clever title set me up for something and there was no payoff. That's super disappointing and makes me not trust the author.

[@tobiasbalda2037]

Maybe my chapter titles need mini sub-titles? Best of both worlds ! Thanks !

[@BookLaunchers]

Ha! Yes that is possible. It might get a bit messy but you can definitely do it. We do that for media topics on our clients media kits all the time!

[@laurelleafr6091]

Important question . please answer. Should the translated version of the book, have the same cover? Will that be beneficial to marketing? I think it will look more professional if you have the same book same cover design for the translated version of the book. What do you think about keeping the same very inspiring cover for my translated memoir? thanks!!!

[@j10001]

I’m not sure what you should do in your case, but I have seen many traditionally published books with different covers for different markets/translations. Even a second printing (not a second edition) might have a different cover. So that is an acceptable option. On the other hand, it’s totally fine to keep the original cover, too! What feels right for your book?

[@BookLaunchers]

Thanks for this answer and he's right. The big thing I would suggest you do is look at the marketplace of the translated cover. Different countries have very different looks and feels for books in different categories so that would be where I would go to see how I would compare if the translated book was going to be selling primarily in a foreign market.

[@laurelleafr6091]

@@BookLaunchers Thank you. Yes, it will be sold mostly in one specific country in particular but it will also be available on Amazon for speakers of that language who live everywhere around the world.

[@laurelleafr6091]

@@j10001 Thank you!!

[@catlind2649]

Title of my book Spiritual Journeys With A Human Cat - about (well my personal journey) but focused on gratitude, growth and the gifts that are possible when there is hope of healing after child loss. Some chapter titles: 'Call 9-1-1, I think he's dead!', 'Entering the Twilight Zone' 'Why is the world still spinning, my child is dead!', 'Auto-pilot WILL lead to major crash' and 'Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe' Each chapter is meant to cover the different physical, emotional and spiritual challenges and obstacles a bereaved parent faces, and what I learned NOT to do and what DOESN'T work. Denial is a river in Egypt, you can't live there for long.

[@cynthiaworsham6352]

And one more chapter title I’d like to share for the pickleball book I’m writing: This is a chapter about ideas for excuses you can use for blowing a shot. The chapter title is “There’s a Hole in My Paddle, Dear Liza, Dear Liza”

[@jeande4505]

Have a nice day!

[@BookLaunchers]

Have a nice day to you too.

[@StevenSeril]

Captain Julie She's a hero She's gonna send boring books back to zero!

[@joycerobinson855]

Chapter titles " sell a benefit, create curiosity or do both." They reinforce the hook.

[@BookLaunchers]

100%%%%%%

[@cynthiaworsham6352]

I’m writing a light- hearted book about pickleball tips and tricks. I have a chapter about how to stop cramps in the middle of the night. Pickle juice has discovered to be a good remedy for this. My title for the chapter about this is “Pickle Juice - It’s a Big Dill”

[@BookLaunchers]

HAHAH I can tell you're quite clever. This could work if your other chapters are selling funny benefits. I would also consider: Pickle Juice for the Win Or, even tease the answer vs give it: Stop the Overnight Cramps with One Sip of This

[@cynthiaworsham6352]

@@BookLaunchers Thanks so much!

[@andyw9932]

Think I literally used conclusion as a chapter title multiple times lol! Better brainstorm some ideas for the next time :) #noboringbooks

[@BookLaunchers]

HA! You are so so so not alone. I literally picked up a client's book yesterday that had 'Conclusion' as their final chapter and they have gone through one round of editing with us and still have it! Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The next draw will be on May 18th at 2pm PST right here on BookLaunchers.TV. 

I do hope you can be here. If not - you can catch the replay to see if you won. 
*Also* our final Deep Dive until September is happening on May the 15th! It’s going to be all about creating Influence and Impact from your book and we’ve got some special guest authors joining us to share what has worked for them!! It’s going to be fantastic. 10am PST on May 15th. Register: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@Drathaar01]

Uh oh. I'm guilty of using conclusion. How about "Putting it all together?" Summing it all up?

[@BookLaunchers]

Why not label it after the outcome you want people to have after they end your book vs a wrap up? For me the conclusion chapter was "Lives are about to change" Depends on the book but I would summarize your hook with the last chapter title as your summary would be about the hook.

[@Drathaar01]

@@BookLaunchers Nice. That's why you're the boss!

[@StevenSeril]

Someone left a one-star review because I named my chapters XD

[@cynthiaworsham6352]

Another chapter title for the book on pickleball I’m writing: Pickleballers (especially women) tend to say “ I’m sorry” to their partner every time they blow a shot. The chapter title is “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”

[@BookLaunchers]

Hey Cynthia - my mother-in-law was a champion Pickleballer at the World Senior Games. We have so many medals and trophies from her victories. Thanks for the smile as I remembered that. I'm thinking you should be a bit more direct in the title 'Stop Saying Sorry' or 'The Worst Thing to Say is Sorry' or some other version that is close to the hook of your chapter to create curiosity. Your title sounds almost poetic but poetry doesn't always sell a benefit even if it reads beautifully. Hope that helps! If you liked this video you will LOVE my new book: Self-Publish and Succeed. You can grab it here: books2read.com/ap/RDOjGr/Julie-Broad
 Hope to see you again soon!

[@PaulPavao]

I wrote _Rome's Audacious Claim_, a century by century and church father by church father examination of the Catholic claim that the pope has "full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church." It is also an apologetic against well-known defenders of "Papal Primacy." I'd like to ask about two chapter titles. I really like chapter 2's "First Round Knockout," which covers Catholic authorities recently acknowledging that their claim that the Roman bishop has had supreme authority since the beginning is not historic. I have to suppose, though, that chapter 3: "The Development of the Papacy," is dull. The chapter is an overview of the history of the papacy in preparation for the detail that comes in the rest of the book.

[@BookLaunchers]

What's the most important thing you want the reader to take away from the Development of Papacy? Or what is a cool little factoid from it that you can tease? Depending on what you talk about you could say something like: The Investiture Controversary and the rise of the Papacy .... or something like that to create curiosity in the story??

[@BookLaunchers]

ALSO ... Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The next draw will be on May 18th at 2pm PST right here on BookLaunchers.TV. 

I do hope you can be here. If not - you can catch the replay to see if you won. 
*Also* our final Deep Dive until September is happening on May the 15th! It’s going to be all about creating Influence and Impact from your book and we’ve got some special guest authors joining us to share what has worked for them!! It’s going to be fantastic. 10am PST on May 15th. Register: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@PaulPavao]

@@BookLaunchers I want them to know how and why the church in Rome ever started claiming that its bishop had authority over any church other than Rome, much less all churches everywhere. Is "Rome's Rise to Fame" to intellectual and non-emotional? Of course, my audience is prone to being intellectual anyway.

[@j10001]

@@PaulPavao That’s a much improved chapter title! It’s neither too intellectual nor too emotional. It’s a little catchy, too. You could also probably brainstorm others that play on that notion of gaining celebrity status without substance.

[@j10001]

@@PaulPavao I might play with the idea of creation “ad nilo” (is that the right term for god creating the world from nothing?) and say the papal authority of Rome was created out of nothing. That might tweak an intellectual audience’s funny bone?

[@kreshaspence4930]

Little salespeople too right.

[@BookLaunchers]

Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag. The next draw will be on May 18th at 2pm PST right here on BookLaunchers.TV. 

I do hope you can be here. If not - you can catch the replay to see if you won. 
*Also* our final Deep Dive until September is happening on May the 15th! It’s going to be all about creating Influence and Impact from your book and we’ve got some special guest authors joining us to share what has worked for them!! It’s going to be fantastic. 10am PST on May 15th. Register: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive