Thanks for Voting!
Thanks for your input! You’ll receive an email April 12 when the book is ready for mailing 🙂
So I’m curious – which cover did you choose, and why?
Much appreciated.
David
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I voted for the fish as it had that feeling of jumping out of the boring old bowl to find something more exciting. The photo of you with half your head missing in the note was a little off putting. Maybe try a great photo of you holding the bowl of fish with one jumping out!
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Goldfish. It’s more active than the $100 and, to me, gives the sense of breaking away, swimming with my own flow, heading for freedom!
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rhea
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I voted for the fish, much better design and very evocative. Also the other design is very unattractive, even ugly.
Cheers,
Rhea -
Louise
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I voted for the goldfish cover because it was refreshing honest and not greedy. Like all money pushers all you see is money., Money is fine but you don’t need to stuff it under everyones nose.
I have money but you would never know it. Louise -
Bobbi Salas
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I voted for the goldfish simply because it caught my eye.
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ANA
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Money cuts your head – and subconsciously I don’t even want to hold such book in hands.
Goldfish does not relate to money but it’s more aesthetic (as somebody mentioned before). Water makes picture fresh.
Fish cover is not ideal, but it’s better than a bent bill. -
I liked the layout of the goldfish cover better. However, I am familiar with the goldfish image from http://www.istockphoto.com and would be concerned that it’s been used before.
Good luck with it David. -
I liked the ‘ goldfish ‘ better. Cleaner looking. I liked it beacause it is different, and as a voracious reader, I look for the jacket cover to catch my interest even before the title. The fish catches my eye because I am curious as to what the book is about, especially with the fish jumping in and out. The dollar bill cutting your face in half, not pleasing to look at, even though I know where you’re going with it. Your attire is a bit too dressed down for me to take you too seriously, or to think you really know what you are talking about.
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Now that I’m just seeing the cover with the goldfish with the sunglasses (and no shirt) next to the cover of you and the folded $100 bill, I’ve got to admit that the sunglasses stick out even more on the fish. I have to agree with your reasoning about the subtle sunglasses. (Actually, I don’t really *have* to, but I do find it compelling.)
IMHO, both of the goldfish covers are more intriguing than one with you and the $100 bill (even though you and Ben Franklin make a fine team). To me, the goldfish conveys why people should read the book. Hey, I like money, too, but a $100 bill isn’t as compelling to me as an enjoyable lifestyle – and to me, that includes cash.
Now it’s starting to dawn on me why my mind has been on vacation in Hawaii over most of the last hour.
It was nice meeting you at SANG a few months ago!
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Trudy Whitcombe
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The cash note encapsulates for me the freedom to do what you want, and the leaning smiling relaxed figure shows confidence and ease with oneself, though the wording of the 5 steps on this cover is a little awkward, prefer the wording of the 5 steps on the fish cover. While the fish were ‘cute and colourful’ and I do get the idea of one fish leaping as being an individual it just didn’t have the relevance to the title that the other cover had. Good luck with it all.
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Carolyn
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Apparently there are three covers but I only saw two. So of the two, I voted for the one with the $100 bill….I didn’t particularly like it but seemed to fit the book title more. The one with the goldfish was more polished but also like any other success cover that would not stand out to me.
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The $100 bill cover is slightly unsettling. I voted for the fish w/ sunglasses, but it doesn’t seem to capture the essence of the title. Any other choices? The fish got my vote, but I don’t think it should be the final pick for your book.
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I voted for the fish that is different. If one is getting paid for who they are, it comes not only from the fact that the fish is soaring in the air but is wearing an outfit that distinguishes him from the other fish and establishes his own identity. He is definately following his own rhythm and celebrates being different. I can’t wait to read / hear this book and am so proud of all that you are accomplishing. Best to you David!!!
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I chose the cover with the clothed fish because it looks different from the others still in the water. It has really escaped. It is really free, which is what the title of the book talks about.
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Pat
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I voted for the fish with the shirt – I thought it did stand out from the other one and I also did not see a 100 or a leaning choice. I knew what the book was about from just looking a the fish out of the water with the shirt on, that’s why I chose that one.
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David – you made me laugh.
I’ll tell you my thoughts – the fish without sunglasses polled really well. Beat all other covers. We’re just tweaking now. It stands out because it’s leaping out of the water. And if you have to look closer to see the subtle sunglasses, all the better. So I think the one without the shirt gets my vote.
so far the votes are SHIRT: 63 NO-SHIRT: 60
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Mara Gurevitz
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I voted for the Hawaiian shirt goldfish over the one with just sunglasses because it appeared to be a BIGGER FISH than those in the “school” below. The color of the Hawaiian shirt also made it stand out – if I were browsing in a book store I believe it would catch my attention more quickly than the smaller fry.
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I voted for the leaping goldfish in the Hawaiian shirt over the one just wearing sunglasses. The one just wearing sunglasses didn’t stick out enough in the picture. But now that I’m thinking about it, a goldfish wearing sunglasses in real life would sure stick out to me! Maybe we can give the fish a without the Hawaiian shirt a Mai Tai either to stick out or for consolation?
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I loved all three original book covers. The fish one got my original vote, and I like both of these iterations as well. I voted for the Hawaiian shirt version, because, as noted by the others, it makes the fish stand out all the more. Great work!
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I personally hated the hawaiian shirt and would pass it over as too gimicky. But I do agree it, the fish should have a bit more than sunglasses to separate it from the pack
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The Fish cover with the Fish in the Hawain shirt…subtle demonstration of individuality.
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Jan Heine
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I voted for the “clothed” goldfish simply because it had alittle more color.
As a retired graphic artist, I’m not sure either one would stand out in a bookstore. I think you have more creativity in you than that. -
Lin
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The “dressed” fish really punctuates the whole concept of breaking free from the pack (or more appropriately, school”!
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April
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I like the fish in shirt & sunnies; creates the idea of breaking free of the mundane, everyday & making fun in your life. Works for me.
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Kalama H
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I clicked on the more simple heading of the FISH cover, but I really do not like and would not buy the book based on this cover. It actually turns me off quite a bit. Something more simple would work.
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LT
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There was no $100 note on my screen. Just two books with fish covers. I chose the one that had the biline “work from anywhere, free up your time, etc.” The other one’s trendy phrases turned me off.
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David,
I spent 25 years in the magazine publishing biz and the covers that SELL off the newstand the best are ones that have a number in them like “Top Ten Cars for 2011” or “5 Secrets to Better Sex” ~ etc. Go with the one with the “5 Steps…”
*just my personal opinion based on experience…*
Best of luck, I can’t wait to read it. -
Jim
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I chose the leaning cover. The fish one says nothing to me and the lettering emphasis makes no sense or impact on me at all.
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Mike
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I voted for the goldfish. Without a person on the cover it’s easier to personalize the message in a positive way making it about the reader improving. With the author on the cover it feels more judgemental, more of a in-your-face “you’re doing it all wrong and I’m doing it right” message.
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Bernie...from Australia
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Go with the fish man, its abstract, a nice metaphor and clean & stylish.
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Alfonso
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The tropical setting is magical and if you work and show who you are and get rewarded for, so be it.
The fish convey the message,be diferent take a chance,but is kids pet here is it going?
The leaning is just that relax something will happen,do not do too much. -
David Wood
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thanks guys!
We’ll reset the vote and put the next round on there. Any comments coming after this one will be on the next round of covers.
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Lynne
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Very cool.
I really prefer the one with you leaning — that pose says it all. Being relaxed, being yourself. Also very clean and simple, it communicates instantly.
The fish are beautiful, and at the same time, the fish are small, and it looks like it took oh so much effort for the one to get out of the water. The jumping out of water makes it look like you have to do something that is NOT who you are.
The ocean cover, also clever. But to me, the beach conveys leisure (good) but it doesn’t communicate “who you are.” I see that the dollar bill over your face is what communicates the “money for who you are” but the ocean dominates, and it takes a bit too long to get it all.
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Isabel
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Darkening the rest of the fish would be an option, too
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FAVOURITE: Goldfish. Clean, stylish and direct. What about changing the colour of the jumping fish to accentuate its personality?
Leaning cover, one more in tthe bunch. Dollar cover, looks messy to me…I had to look at it three times to understand it, too much information in “one” picture.
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David
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The fish image associates (or equivocates) being self-actualized with being out of one’s element and therefore unsupported by life. The implication is that the fish is innovative and radical (and perhaps can fly — which is not the nature of a fish).
Isn’t the real message that one can shift from superficial support to deep support? Isn’t the message that one can become MORE of a fish and that doing so makes the water a miraculous blessing? Isn’t the message that “escape” is the point of view of the ones without the support and nourishment of strong awareness?
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M
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The water should be totally even, and right now it tilts slightly to the left, which is very distracting and off-putting. Otherwise I like the phrase on the front just above the fish, because it’s quickly descriptive of what the book is about. I’d avoid putting your face/body on the cover, as that seems cheesy and a little self-aggrandizing.
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Michelle
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I voted for the fish cover because it’s unique. I like things that are unique. Others like me who want to get paid for being their authentic self, are “different” from the rest and I think are more likely to be drawn to a book that doesn’t have an author on the front or some tropical scene on it… that’s so blah and boring, I’m really tired of seeing people on the cover of their own book and/or the implication that if I make money, I will want to go to a tropical island with my money. I want to DO something SPECTACULAR to touch others’ lives when I begin to make money just by being authentic, and jump out of the water I’m swimming in! To improve the fish cover, I’d suggest incorporating something to do with money in the image. I loved the way the title was arranged and “who you are” sticks out on this cover.
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Vu
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Well I think the fish should be the shark, will be more impressive 😀
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Marc
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MAke the fish jumping a different color
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fred
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the pictures of the author are dodgy. a bit gay?! tight jeans and t-shirt…no thanks. So I chose the fish one, but the way the title is written on the other two is better. you need to combine the fish with the look of the writing on the other two in my opinion.
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Frank
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I voted for the goldfish. I would suggest making the jumping goldfish a real gold colour so that it stands out from the rest. Gives it distinction and will catch the eye of potential readers. Also symbolises more! Better than a dollar note..
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Vittorio
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I vote for the leaning picture
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Guillermo
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The goldfish cover appealed the most to me; I think it represents the idea of helping you to find OPTIONS in life that you were not seeing before. I’m not sure, but maybe I’d try to test this cover using more shadows below the water’s surface, and the fish in black&white, only showing the true colors on the jumping fish.
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Russ
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The goldfish was best: professional, stylish, contemporary. The title says it all. The $100 bill was disturbing in what it did to your face. The one of you leaning wasn’t bad. Look forward to reading your book!
Cheers
Ruski
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Stephen C
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I would find the fish cover more appealing if the fish were a bit bigger and the subtitle a bit bolder
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patdc1
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I voted for the goldfish one. It was between that and the 100 dollar bill one. The dollar bill one grabbed my attention more, but I was intrigued mainly because I DIDN’T like it. Interesting, because it kind of irritated me, but I would have picked it up anyway. There was a phrase on the dollar bill one that said something about “the planet” which grabbed my attention more than the similar phrases on the other titles. Overall, the goldfish captures the concept more and is more visually appealing.
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Thomas Vetter
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I’m not crazy about any of them. Get some more suggestions.)
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Jerome
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The fish is a good symbol for abundance and prosperity but i don’t think the goldfish jumping out of a bowl (to inevitably end up dead and dry on the living room’s carpet) is very positive. i would stick with the idea of the fish but with a totally different lay-out, at least with one that would suggest some kind of destination or opportunity for the fish. or perhaps, instead of a goldfish jumping out of the bowl you could have a little shark or a dolphin, to emphasize the importance individuality has on one’s success – often it is refreshing to realise, without of course being condescending, that we do not belong to the life we made out for ourselves, but to a life based on higher grounds, deeper values, better skills, and meaningful challenges. good luck.
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Dinesh Jaggia
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The fish cover is great and catchy.
It makes you read more and that is what a cover is intended to be.! -
Wow… I’m really surprised.
First, I thought the fish cover was by far the worst. It’s bad on so many levels. For one thing the typeface of the title, stressing “WHO YOU” is distracting. Second, it’s clearly an attempt to be gimmicky, the opposite of being authentic, and incongruent with the message of the book. Speaking of which, just what does a fish jumping out of water have to do with getting paid for who you are? A fish out of water is NOT being who he is. I get that a fish jumping out of water is breaking with the conformity of what other fish do. But this is not a smart move for the fish. In short, it’s a lousy metaphor.
If you’re writing a book on being authentic, and thriving by being yourself, the obvious choice is the leaning cover. You look relaxed, not caring what others think, yet satisfied and happy. The cover communicates the message of the book. And it looks professional. Jack Canfield’s name is also prominently visible, which will sell more books than any jumping fish.
Finally, how congruent are you writing a book about profiting by being yourself and leaving the decision on the cover up to other people? If you really “get paid for who you are”, then pick the cover you like.
-Gene
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Thanks a lot guys – I’ll make some tweaks to the fish cover. It’s way in the lead of the voting by the way.
the money one provokes and unsettles people, which may ‘work’, but I’m not really up for that.
D
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BOB
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I went with the funny money one…..The fish one could be grabbing some type of money out of the air.
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Dennis
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I would have the fish jump towards a $100 bill or food which would display an ability to go after what you want even if it is out of your comfort zone.
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RON
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The $100 Note cover is colorful and catches the eye faster when looking to buy the book. Even if the book is displayed amongst other new books, it jumps to your attention. Go with the Money Cover…
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David
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I voted for the goldfish cover cuz I liked it best, but it -is- still a bit bland.
Could you maybe put little top hats on the other fish, and then a red clown nose on the fish jumping away? Or something else uniquely identifying?
I feel like something could be added to make the fish pop more…
I look forward to the book! 🙂
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Pam Bailey
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I would make the fish jumping out of the bowl a different kind/color of fish….my 2 cents…!
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Isaiah
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The fish cover is great; however, if you can, try to put a small pair of wings on the fish that’s in the air (flying fish) that signifies the difference between just swimming around like all the other regular fish and one that’s using his ability to soar like a bird and go after his dreams. Peace!
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rick
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The ‘leaner’ is the most aesthetically pleasing and would sell the most books (in my opinion). In the past few years I have bought literally thousands of books and believe that gimmicky covers don’t sell well to book readers (a slowly dwindling population).
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Make the copy clear and readable. right now, at a glance… i don’t even know what it says… which is probably why I voted for the book with the narrow column oriented title with you leaning on the words.
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Brad
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Plain and simple: If I were walking through B&N or browsing Amazon I would see the fish cover and take a look. For me, any cover that has a picture of the author is usually ignored initially because it reeks of self-promotion rather than idea promotion.
I speak from experience. My Amazon bill was over $10K last year.
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Tom
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I think if you made the jumping fish a different color and type of fish, or a different type of animal, maybe a pimped out fish, or rock lobster with some kind of $$$ symbolism? More color? Thanks 🙂
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Patrick
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I would consider changing either the size of the fish jumping or the color & type.
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The Fish cover looks ALMOST IDENTICAL to Gay Hendricks’ latest book, The Giant Leap. I would recommend going with one of the other covers (The Blue one with the 100 dollar bill my vote). The cover would cause to question copyright infringements. way too similiar.
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Lorna
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I loved the fish cover as an image – it really stands out. However, I didn’t vote for it becasue I wasn’t sure it gets across the message of the book. The leaping fish is different from the others but there’s no suggestion that it’s getting paid for being authentic.
Maybe it could leap out of the bowl into some kind of transformation image – partly morphing into some kind of transforming version of itself – half goldfish, half golden whale?
What I liked about the leaning one is that you look completely authentic – no hype, no special clothes, bling, lighting, makeup etc – and relaxed.
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tim
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I voted for the fish because I have a Dr. Seuss fetish! Kidding!! I l iked it the best. I didn’t like the money one at all. The leaning one was 2nd best. DO NOT dress any different contrary to what the other person said about your apperance. Could you introduce me to Rain for all this heartfelt info?=D
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Marty
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Have the fish trying to get the $100 bill as it’s jumping out of the water.
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Appreciating all your feedback and suggestions 🙂
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Scott
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I voted for the cover of you leaning against the title because it felt much more real to me than the other two. The money one kind of weirds me out so I’m glad that one’s not in the lead, and the fish one didn’t associate with authenticity or freedom to me though it is easy on the eye.
The leaning cover I’m more inclined to have on my bookshelf because relating to the title and subject matter, it seemed the most authentic. Though I admit I wouldn’t want a bookshelf of books with the author on the front, for this one I think it’s appropriate and I like the casual and chilled feel of it.
Good luck with your book!
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ed
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Have the fish jumping toward a paycheck or currency.
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Nick
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I like the fish, but I HATE the type and the font and the placement. It doesn’t look professional at all. I could do better in a couple hours with photoshop. It just looks hodge podge and mix matched. I picked the one with you leaning, it looks most professional, however, it looks the most boring. But when it comes to getting paid, I think professional is more important then being boring. However, it’s sales, and it’s about being yourself, so who really knows. Best of luck.
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The leaning one, because it conveys your exact message: that I can be comfortable in my own body, my own clothes, my posture and still make money. Plus I very easily saw Jack’s name on the front, and not too many other words. And it was personal… I saw you… I know who is talking to me now when I read.
The cash one felt disturbing because it broke up your face with a gimmick related to cash. I didn’t trust you to relate valuable, trustworthy information to me that wasn’t gimmicky.
The fish one was pretty, but took my brain a long time to get to how it was related.
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Scott
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Hands down the goldfish. The others look cheap, like they’re trying too hard, and how can I say… kinda 1990’s…
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Larry
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The leaning one, becuase it is consistent with books already out there such as like a Jack Canfield book. The dollar one I found unsettling, and the fish actually could be quite a good one because the imagery is unique and open to interpetation.
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I like the leaning cover because it most highly suggests the content of the book, ie, relax and be yourself is the suggested key to success. However, I knew that already. Perhaps someone seeing it on a shelf would not.
In that vein, the fish cover might be better, altho I didn’t get it for a second either. I agree with the above, that something like sunglasses on the fish out of water would be an improvement. As it is, it suggests supreme effort, but sunglasses on the fish would suggest a simpler process of setting onesself free from the masses. Also, they all just look like a bunch of fish at a glance.. If you go with this cover, I think the “out of water” / “against the flow” theme would stick out better if the water had some color to it (light blue), better highlighting that the fish is in a new realm, and would add some needed color/pizazz to the cover.
The leaning cover would benefit by moving your name and forward info to the bottom (under the title) and moving the subtitle to the top left. It’s too small to be read/noticed easily, and a casual observer of the book on a shelf might miss it entirely. Since that’s the point of the book it deserves to be treated more like an important headline.
While I like that the colors of the dollar cover do make it stand out, I also agree that it’s a weird, unsettling image; money on a book-cover is old hat, but if this book is about “authentically being you” then “you” need to be seen clearly and authentically. Vote for the leaning cover!
Guy
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MIke
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Combine the visual impact and curb appeal of the “$100 bill” cover with the content/layout of the “leaping fish” cover (which actually makes a better subject matter statement about the book’s goal and core audience: not the MONEY part, the YOU part.) How to do this? Easy – have fish jumping in Tahiti, to connote not only the leap of faith, away from the pack, but also that when the fish leaps he’ll likely be successful post-jump. (Most fish that jump out of a fishbowl die). Oh, and put Raybans and a hawaiian shirt on the goldfish who dares to jump, people just love that.
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John D
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I voted for the fish for esthetics mainly.
Honestly, I think you should keep looking for a better front cover design. There must be something way better out there.The LEANING one is just too normal and as many have already said would go under.
The DOLLAR is very cliché. It would catch my attention shortly, and I mean it may very well represent what your book talks about and teaches, but personally I would not have looked twice at such a book – just not serious and thought-through-looking for me. I’d think: Oh yeah, another one of those how to get rich and hand out on my private beach, without working… Probably not unique, and probably full of presuppositions and values I do not share….
The fish design look nice, and it takes (me at least) a second or two to understand what it means – which I think is cool. As long as I take the 2 seconds to think about it. But I personally probably would because the title would grab me.
MY TIP OF THE DAY:
Maybe the individualistic fish could have some special feat. Like geeky or cool or posh (or whatever) sunglasses on. Or something else that would destinguish him from the rest and be a symbol for being authentically who you are…What would be very cool (in my book 😉 would be to have multiple versions (with different looking individualistic fish) scattered on the bookshelf at random. You know – symbolizing how everyone is different, but being yourself is good and will get you places….
that’s my two cents worth.
Thanks alot for the offer. I’d really enjoy having a look at your book, if I really get my hands on it FOR FREE. Sounds awsome.
greets from Zürich Switzerland.
John
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Scott
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I agree that the title is awkward grammatically. It should be “Getting Paid for Being Who You Are” or “Getting Paid for Being Yourself”. I’m guessing the current title was intended to be a play on the phrase “loved for who you are,” but the difference is that the “for” in “loved for” refers to a *reason* for loving, while the “for” in “paid for” implies an exchange of something for money. In that sense, “getting paid for who you are” could be interpreted as “selling your soul,” which I’m sure is NOT your intended meaning. 🙂
You might also consider changing “Getting Paid” to “Get Paid” — that would have more impact, IMO.
I voted for the leaning cover because the photo looks like a relaxed and happy guy just being himself, not needing to impress anyone. But I think it would be better if it included some images that signal prosperity, like the tropical island and/or the C-note in the first cover.
I almost voted for the C-note cover, but your left cheek looks all cruddy from the semi-transparent Benjamin Franklin showing through, and the title font is not as attractive as the bold, sans-serif font in the leaning cover.
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sandy
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I love the fish cover. I’m thinking it would be better to have your secondary words–share your passion, etc, bigger. I agree that an authentic lifestyle comes first, then the money, if in fact this is what you are seeking. Some people in this day and age are not. But they are truly looking for a way to live from the depths of their being authentically. I only had to think about a second to vote for this cover. Great idea, Sandy
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I would have voted for the $100 cover, but something about the photoshop job on David’s face (mostly his smile) showing through the bill looked off-putting. I think it would be the best cover of the three if David’s image were a little smaller and the bill didn’t occlude his face.
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