Can anyone recommend from personal experience a book cover designer on Fiverr? Thank you.
Not a recommendation, a comment on my experience with Fiverr.
I use Fiverr quite a bit for various things: Beta readers, Voiceover actors, Narrators, Graphics Design (covers), Copyeditors.
It has not all been peaches and cream but I am happy with the results after learning how to find quality. My suggestions are:
1) Insist on your native language is the vendor's native language. Nuances are lost in the digital world, more so with idioms and colloquialisms.
2) Prioritize people in the same geography - your typical working hours should be their typical working hours (day shift).
3) Don't be afraid to ask for examples - most have a site where you can review their work
3a) Look on their site for discounts and bargains - They may be willing to tweak a premade cover for a lot less than a new creation
3b) Look for style in the examples that is close to your desire - doesn't have to be exact if the vendor is willing to work with you
4) Don't be afraid to to request rework - specify upfront the review edit process (most have this in their terms)
5) Don't tip, you pay a HUGE processing surcharge for tips (I bump the agreed to price to avoid the tip surcharge)
6) Make sure their terms give you all rights without restrictions - ANYTHING else is a non-starter
7) Do not approve the order until you are happy with the product - I have, twice, filed complaints and received my money back
I'll stop there, but I can add color/examples if asked.
Cheers,
R.C.
UPDATE8) Another thing I do is insist on receiving files I can edit. For covers, I demand PSD files. The reasoning is simple: If the cover fails to attract, I can edit the type and sometimes the imagery in Photoshop. Counterintuitive to buying a finished product? Sure. But, there are no absolutes. Belts and suspenders. (For the Brits: That is belts and braces.)
