You’ve worked so hard on your book. Maybe it’s a romance novel or a mystery or a sci-fi adventure. Or maybe it’s a non-fiction how-to book or memoir. Regardless, without the right book blurb, the chances of your opus finding its way into readers’ hands are slim to none. Bottom line? Book blurbs are (or should be) one of your most powerful marketing tools. So learning how to write ones that attract the readers you’re targeting is a must.
Book blurbs are (or should be) one of your most powerful marketing tools. So learning how to write ones that attract the readers you're targeting is a must.
Yes. I know that advertising is what many authors are successfully using to drive potential customers to their books online. But, here’s the thing: Just getting readers to see your book in an online store isn’t enough to get them to buy it. Instead, what are they going to do? Two things: read your book blurb and look at customer reviews.
Now, let’s be clear. This post isn’t about how to get good reviews on Amazon or Kobo or Audible or anywhere else. The quality of your book is what will drive the number of stars you do or don’t get from readers. That—I’ll leave to you. Instead, what this post is about is how to write book blurbs that tell the story of your book in such a way that your target readers will say, “Gimme it NOW!” (or something like that).
A Snapshot of Your Story
Answer The Right Questions
Does your book have a hook?
You know that feeling when you’re reading a book and you can’t put it down? When the story pulls you in like an invisible force and refuses to let go until you’ve finished the last page? It’s not just your imagination. The authors of these books know how to get their hooks into readers – they used a hook. Your book blurb needs to have a hook, too. It should pull readers in and make them want to know more (AND buy your book!).
Is the protagonist interesting and relatable?
You know the protagonist in a story is interesting or relatable when they make you feel something. In your book blurb, describe your protagonist in a way that readers will clearly see that they’re going to feel a lot—from sadness to joy to anger to hope.
What’s at stake?
Stories are powerful, but what’s the point of telling one if it doesn’t have an impact? The stakes can be anything from a love interest to life and death. What do you want your audience to feel when they read your book? Make that incredibly clear in your blurb.
Next Steps for Writing a Book Blurb that Tells the Right Story
- You’ve put a TON of time into writing your book. (And probably some tears thrown in there for good measure.) But don’t let the blurb be an afterthought or something you rush through.
Here are steps to get started on writing a blurb that’ll hit home with readers:
- Be clear about what the core idea or theme of your book is and then focus the blurb tightly on that. For example, if the theme is about redemption, focus on the protagonist’s past transgressions and the need for absolution. We don’t need to know about where the protagonist grew up or what their job is. If it’s not directly related to the book’s core meaning, leave it out.
- Read blurbs of books from successful authors in your genre before writing your own. Odds are, they’ve got things figured out regarding what readers are looking for. So, learn from them. (But don’t copy them.)
- Ask those who read books in your genre to read your blurb and give you honest feedback. Does it pique their interest? Does it make sense? Is it easy to read? Does it make them want to read your book?
Your book deserves a chance to be read by an audience. And that audience deserves to read your book. It’s YOUR responsibility to connect them.
