As an author, one of the most important marketing tools at your disposal is the book description. As the second step in the book sales funnel, a well-written book description can compel potential readers to pick up your book, while a poorly written blurb can turn them away. So what makes a good book description? Today, you will explore the elements that make up an effective book description and how you can use them to market your book to your select audience, turning them into super fans.
First and foremost you'll need a strong opening hook. A strong hook immediately grabs the potential reader's attention and makes them want to continue reading.
A good book description should provide a clear and concise summary of the book's plot. This means giving the reader an idea of what the book is about without giving away too much. Striking a balance between providing enough information to pique the reader's interest and not giving away the entire story is important. A good way to do this is to focus on the book's main conflict and the main character's journey.
In addition to summarizing the plot, a good book description should also provide information about the characters. This doesn't only include the main character, but also the supporting characters and the relationships between them. Character development is valuable to a good book description because it helps the reader connect with the characters and become invested in the story. By giving a glimpse into the characters and their motivations, their journey will be more real and relatable to the reader.
Setting and atmosphere also play a very important role in a good book description. A book description should be able to convey the setting and atmosphere of the book in a way that immerses the reader in the story. This means providing information about the location and time period, as well as the mood and tone of the book. By giving the reader a sense of place, you can make the book feel more real and help them imagine themselves in the story.
In addition to these elements, a good book description should also be easy to read. This means you must use clear and concise language. A good book description should also be the right length. It should be long enough to provide all the information the reader needs, but not so long it's tedious to read.
If you have reviews and testimonials - use them. Reviews can be a powerful tool for building credibility and creating social proof. By including quotes from positive reviews in your book description, you can show potential readers that others have enjoyed the book and that they are likely to enjoy it too. Testimonials can also be used in the same way, they can build credibility and show that other people have found value in your book. This gives your work social validation.
A clear and concise, well-written book description is one of the most important marketing tools for authors. It is the second step in the book sales funnel, right behind your amazingly beautiful book cover, and should provide a clear and concise summary of the book's plot, information about the characters, convey the setting and atmosphere, be formatted and easy to read and use reviews and/or testimonials. By following these guidelines, you can create a book description that will entice potential readers to pick your book up and hopefully become the newest fan of your work.
Also, there are resources available for authors and publishers to learn more about writing effective book descriptions. Books such as "Fiction Blurbs The Best Page Forward Way" by Bryan Cohen and "How to Write a Sizzling Synopsis:" by Bryan Cohen are great resources for learning more about how to write an effective book description
But if you're on a budget - don't fret! Check out my free book description generator that uses artificial intellegence to help authors write blurbs. Just head over to https://www.blurbly.app