We’ve talked about how your book cover can be your greatest marketing tool. Your front cover is the first thing people see when looking at your book, but when marketing self-published books, it’s important to have an intriguing book blurb on the back cover to capture their attention. 

A book blurb is defined as: A short promotional piece accompanying a creative work, traditionally found on the back cover or rear dust jacket. Blurbs are normally written by fellow authors, the publisher, or other notable people.    

“It will touch your heart.” – Publishing News

It may not be as hard as you think to secure a stellar book blurb. Start by reaching out to publications and authors in your genre to review your book and provide one. Use all the connections you have to contact resources. If you’re new to self-publishing and still establishing an audience, don’t panic if you don’t have access to a notable endorsement. You can have a friend write a blurb, or instead, concentrate on creating a captivating back cover.

Here are some points to keep in mind when curating your back cover:

 

Do some research:

Look at other books in your genre and examine their back covers. What information is included? How much? How is it formatted? What’s the content breakdown?

 

Keep it brief:

Your book blurb content should be easy to read or skim.  If you overwhelm your back cover with too many words, it could deter someone from reading the information enough to buy.

 

Quote yourself:

Include an all-encompassing quote from your book to bait the reader and make them want more. This quote should stand out so that the eye is drawn to it.

 

Blurbs vs. reviews:

There’s a difference between a blurb and a review. You can incorporate a blurb and reviews on your back cover. A blurb functions more as a teaser than a review. It’s usually short and meant to entice prospective readers. Reviews are critical assessments and more nuanced, providing more insight into their interpretation of the book and how it made them feel.

 

Speak to your target audience:

When writing the synopsis or book description, always have your target audience in mind. Create a persona for your readers, and then cater to them. This will allow you to speak to them directly, naturally. Provide details and background about the plot and protagonist, without giving too much away. Use language and phrases that align with your genre and think of what your reader wants to know to seal the purchase.

Have questions about publishing a book yourself or ready to get started? Download our free Ultimate Guide to a 48 Hour Book.