Are Your Chapter Titles Helping or Hurting Your Book?
Your Table of Contents is more than an outline; it's a marketing asset.
Most nonfiction authors think of the Table of Contents (TOC) as nothing more than a simple outline of what's inside their book.
But here’s the truth: your TOC is also one of your most powerful marketing tools.
Before someone buys your book, they’ll often flip to the Table of Contents. Or, if they’re browsing online, they’ll use Amazon’s “Look Inside” feature to preview the first 10% of your book, which includes the TOC.
In that moment, readers are scanning for answers to their questions, solutions to their problems, or some signal that your book is exactly what they need.
If your chapter titles are vague, generic, or overly academic, you risk losing the opportunity to connect before they’ve even read a single page.
So, how do you fix that?
Think of each chapter title as a mini headline. Just like a blog post or article title, it should do at least one of the following:
Spark curiosity
Promise a transformation
Identify a specific problem or benefit
Speak directly to the reader’s pain points
Here’s an example:
Flat Chapter Title: Nutrition Basics
Improved Title: Fuel Your Body Right: The Everyday Foods That Can Boost Your Energy and Mood
Flat Chapter Title: Exercise and Movement
Improved Title: Move More, Stress Less: Simple Ways to Get Active (Even If You Hate Working Out)
See the difference?
Strong chapter titles make a promise or offer clarity. They don’t just label a topic—they sell the value of what’s inside.
When done right, your Table of Contents becomes a preview of the transformation your reader can expect, drawing them in before they ever get to page one.
Pro Tip:
Start with working chapter titles to organize your draft, then go back and revise with your ideal reader in mind. Use emotional language, strong action verbs, or even questions that create curiosity and connection.
Your Table of Contents can either bore your readers or invite them in.
At Transcendent Publishing, we help authors craft books that not only inspire, inform, and transform, but also sell. From structure to strategy, we guide you through every step of the publishing journey. Schedule a consultation here.