10 best words to use in eBooks and 10 you should nOT

tl;dr – Engage readers and find new ones with the 10 best words to use in eBooks. Stay away from the 10 you should not use in online storytelling.

As an avid reader, I’ve come across countless books that have left me feeling underwhelmed due to their overused and clichéd phrases. While some may argue that these words are used for a reason, they can often detract from a reader’s enjoyment of a book. Here are the 10 best words you should use in eBooks and 10 you should not. BONUS: See the 10 most frequently-used words in eBook titles.

Why are catchy words in eBooks and titles important?

What are the 10 best words to use in eBooks?

The importance of catchy words in eBooks and titles is the difference between “just another eBook” and one that gains traction and readers. Whether you’re writing an eBook just to become published or marketing it to a wider audience, ensuring that your paragraphs and titles are engaging and memorable is essential. Simple rule: Use engaging words.

1. Use words that are engaging to wide audience(s)

Know and understand your target audience. This is probably the most important suggestion on this list. If a reader doesn’t engage with your words, they’re unlikely to stick around for very long. Make sure that your titles and paragraphs are full of exciting and engaging phrases to keep readers wanting more. What’s engaging? Words that use colorful language, familiar phrases for the location or characters’ styles of speaking, short words instead of intentionally long ones (to make you look smart) and words that paint a picture in the readers’ heads.

2. Use unique words that are specific to your genre

Be creative. Be clear. Be accurate. Just as it’s important to be engaging, it’s also important to stand out from the crowd. Make sure that your titles and paragraphs use unique words that show you have a command of the subject. They will capture a reader’s attention when they search by keywords, even if they haven’t heard of you or your book before and are searching for a subject. If you write about a topic and use terms incorrectly, it will result in negative reviews and make you appear unqualified to write about the subject.

3. A great font choice creates eye-catching titles

Fonts matter. Once your eBook story is unique and engaging, it’s also important that it looks good and catches people’s eye whether they’re shopping online or in person in a book store. When they look at your cover and title or skim a few paragraphs, make sure the design is appealing and visually stimulating. Choosing an eye-catching font for your title or subtitle on the cover makes potential readers more eager to click the “buy” button. In addition, paperback books usually use serif fonts (like Times New Roman) so there’s no reason to get fancy with paragraph fonts on paperbacks. Books read on Kindle, laptops, smartphones and Libby often use serif fonts for paragraphs as well.

4. Use active verbs in your titles, subtitles and dialogue

Use active words that reflect your content. Using active voice shows readers your storytelling is going to do something, your characters will start, grow and change. A problem will be fixed. A murder will be solved. Using action verbs in titles and subtitles will make your readers feel like they’re experiencing the story firsthand. It will also show them that you know what you’re talking about, which will encourage them to read further. Try using words such as “raced” (not ran), “escaped” (not went out), “slept” (not rested), or “watched” (not saw).

5. Experiment with word strategies in eBook stories and titles

Be creative but be clear. Choosing one word over another can make all the difference in how engaging your story or title is. Try mixing up your words by using synonyms, homophones and antonyms to create a more interesting and dynamic sentence. For example, “The injured were tended to by the paramedics” might be replaced with “Paramedics tended to the injured.” You get the picture – your 8th grade English teacher was right.

10 best words to use in eBooks and eBook titles

These words reflect high-selling eBook storytelling and titles. They generate feelings and give readers an expectation of what your story is about.

“Secrets“: How to use secrets to intrigue readers
“Seduction“: Adding a touch of seduction to your eBook
“Power“: Using power as a selling point
“Unforgettable“: How to create an unforgettable title
“Forbidden“: Making forbidden things seem even more enticing
“Killer“: Creating a sense of urgency
“Obsession“: Using obsession to grab readers’ attention
“Survival“: Creating a sense of danger and survival
“Mystery“: Using mystery to keep readers hooked
“Betrayal“: Adding a twist of betrayal to your title

10 worst words to use in eBooks and eBook titles

Let’s try to avoid using clichés and hackneyed phrases. ‘Nuff said.

“It was a dark and stormy night“: This phrase has become a running joke among writers for a reason. It’s a cliche that’s been used so many times that it’s lost all of its impact.
“Love at first sight“: While this phrase might seem romantic, it’s been used in so many novels that it’s lost its emotional impact.
“Tears streamed down her face“: This phrase is overused to the point of being trite.
“He had a heart of gold“: This is another cliché that’s been used so many times that it’s lost all of its meaning.
“She let out a sigh“: This phrase is often used to indicate frustration or boredom, but it’s so overused that it’s lost its impact.
“He was as brave as a lion“: This simile is often used to describe brave characters, but it’s so overused that it’s lost its effectiveness.
“She was as beautiful as a rose“: This simile is another cliché that’s been used so many times that it’s lost its emotional impact.
“He rolled his eyes“: This phrase is often used to convey annoyance or disbelief, but it’s become so overused that it’s lost its impact.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times“: While this opening line from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities might seem iconic, it’s been quoted and parodied so many times that it’s lost its impact.
“He lived happily ever after“: This ending is often used in fairy tales, but it’s so overused that it’s lost its emotional impact.

BONUS: 10 most frequently-used words in eBook novels and titles

These words and phrases are some of the most frequently-used by authors in their storytelling and eBook titles.

Love – This is a common theme in novels, particularly in romance novels.
Time – The concept of time is often explored in literature, whether it’s through time travel, aging, or the passing of time.
Life – The word “life” can be used in many different contexts in literature, from exploring the meaning of life to the experiences of a character’s life.
Death – Death is a common theme in literature, as it can be used to explore mortality, grief, and loss.
World – The word “world” can be used in a variety of ways in literature, from exploring different worlds in science fiction and fantasy novels to exploring the world we live in.
Man – The word “man” is often used in literature to explore the human condition, from the struggles of everyday life to the search for meaning and purpose.
Woman – Similarly to “man,” the word “woman” is often used to explore the experiences and struggles of female characters in literature.
War – War is a common theme in literature, as it can be used to explore the impact of conflict on individuals and society as a whole.
Love Story – This phrase is often used in romance novel titles, as it clearly indicates the genre and subject matter of the book.
Timeless – The word “timeless” is often used in book titles to indicate that a book is a classic or that its themes are universal and relevant across different time periods.

These are a few suggestions for how to use elegant and uncommon words in your eBook story and title so it’s easy to find as a search result and appeals to a wide audience. Use some of these tips and you’ll be able to keep your readers engaged throughout the entire book.