An Index Makes or Breaks Sales: The Bottom Line

(1) Design your text carefully

Pay attention to your book's layout—especially the fonts/sizes used for section headings. Make sure a subsection heading uses smaller size font than the section heading it's under. Be sure page numbers are correct and easy to read too. Use serif fonts for your text. Save sans-serif fonts for your headings.

(2) Send complete pages

Include your Table of Contents, Foreword, Glossary, Appendices, etc. If possible, include your illustrations. Ask for an opinion if you think there are sections that do not need indexed, but send those sections even if they will not be indexed. Give your indexer the whole picture of your book.

(3) Reveal your audience(s)

Tell your indexer who the intended audience(s) is/are for your book. This will help with topic selection, wording of entries, cross-references, and other important aspects of your indexer’s work. If you have a book mission statement or marketing plan, send share them with your indexer too.

(4) Send readable, final pages

Your indexer needs pages that will not change significantly before publication. Make sure your pages for your indexer (and your other readers!) are as error-free as possible. This will help you to get your book to market as soon as possible.

(5) Provide enough space

Ask your indexer for an estimate of how much space your index will need. This could save you the headache of having to cut out parts of your index after it is done. If possible, let your indexer use as much space as needed.

(6) Proofread your index

Proofread your index for errors, just as you proofread the book before you publish it. Don’t expect your indexer to be more perfect than yourself or any other author reading their own work.

(7) Indexes are organic

Changing one thing in your indexer may affect other things in ways you might now have considered. Indexers are trained professionals who should have reasons for everything they do in an index. Consult your indexer if you think changes should be made, and let them make your changes.

(8) Layout your index well

Make sure the design of your index enhances, or at least, does not interfere with its readability. Your index is your reader's primary tool for gaining access to the thoughts you've worked so hard to convey. Make sure your ideas are easy to find!

(9) Don't lose your readers

Use running heads (“Topic” continued) at the top of the page in the index to indicate the heading when its subheadings flow from one column to another or one page to another.

(10) Ask for advice

Indexers are "book people." Many offer other services to authors, such as copyediting or manuscript evaluation as well as indexing. If you need advice or referrals to other publishing industry professionals, talk with an indexer when you are planning your book.