“People in the publishing industry are always interested to know what influences a consumer’s book-buying decision. More responses bear a common threat and many tend to include the following key topics: cover design, book blurb, positive reviews and book awards. Recently 200 people attending   a festival in Chicago, USA, were polled. They included librarians, teachers   and parents who were asked to state, in order of priority, the most important   factors they consider when selecting a book. The results concluded that the   following were most important in book selection:

 #1 – Awards

#2 – Reviews

#3 – Cove

 #4 – Blurb

Asked if they were likely to   chose a book with an award seal on the cover of a non-award winning book, 87%   of the time, consumers said they would chose the award-winning book. This   seems to be right. When my junior verse novel, Nobody’s Boy was   awarded a 2013 CBCA Notable sticker, sales spiked so much that the publisher   (Celapene Press) was forced to reprint the book.

Ninety seven percent of those   surveyed said that a favourable review printed on the front, back or inside   of a book affected their decision to buy. When asked their views on cover   design, 73% admitted they take the book’s appearance into consideration when   considering a purchase.

When asked if they would   still purchase a book even if they particularly didn’t like the cover, 19%   admitted they might not.

When asked if awards and   favourable reviews might change their mind about mind about purchasing a book   with a cover they did not find appealing 82% stated they might be included to   change their mind and purchase a book despite the cover, provided the book   had won an award or had a favourable review.

A startling 21% of people   responding to the poll admitted to never reading the book’s blurb.

It is surprising many   respondents actually selected a book entirely based upon appearance along   with the recommendations of others through awards and reviews.”