8 Tips for Writing a Powerful Book Description

Writing a powerful book description is one of the most critical components in the process of setting your book up for success. After a reader is drawn to your cover, the next step in evaluating your book is reading the description. If the cover creates an emotion that pulls them in, the description has to generate a buying response.

Authors are tasked with creating a description that not only highlights relevant points in their book but also connects with the reader on an emotional level. A successful description will capture the reader’s attention in the first two sentences. Include plot points and interesting information to raise your book’s “purchasing power.”

Breathe and enjoy these tips for writing a powerful book description.

1. Get to the point, quickly- Most readers have short attention spans and little time to be reading detailed or lengthy descriptions. You only have seconds to capture a reader’s attention. Focus on using short, but descriptive sentences and bullet points if necessary. Each sentence should end with a hook that will keep their attention. The description needs to be long enough so they continue reading, therefore giving them time to decide they want to buy your book.
2. Use the right words to stir emotion- Creating an emotional connection is essential. Describe how the reader will feel or what they will learn from reading your book. Choose your words wisely to tap into the right emotions that parallel relatable life experiences. This will motivate the reader to delve further into the content and take a closer look at your book.
3. Your description is an advertisement- Think of the description as an advertisement or a movie trailer. What are the core questions raised in your book that everyone can relate to? What is the central conflict or valuable information provided by reading your book? With the ultimate goal of selling your books to everyone; give them just enough information to get them wanting more, but pull back before you give it away!
4. Don’t put them to sleep- Keep your description to a couple of well-constructed paragraphs. Most readers will get turned off quickly if the description is too long. There is no reason to summarize the entire book along with every twist and turn.
5. Use testimonials or reviews if you can- In the ideal world of book marketing, you will be promoting your book during the production phase. I recommend that all my authors get reviews and testimonials from genre related leaders or influencers while the book is still being worked on. Consider adding your top testimonials or reviews into your book description. A satisfied reader review will have a significant influence on other readers.
6. Don’t keep them hanging- While you are quickly grabbing the reader’s attention with your writing, make sure you keep explaining what the book is about in definitive terms. Readers want to categorize the elements of the book in their brain and will have an easier time doing so if they know what the book is about.
7. Use the right keywords- Using well thought out, high traffic keywords will increase the chances of your book showing up in searches. Do your research on the keywords or keyword phrases that you want to use to see how they rank and who your competition is for that word.
8. It’s ok to get help- Often the author is not objective enough to write their own book description. They are too close to the material. If you find yourself struggling with this, I suggest writing a rough draft and then enlisting help from a trusted professional. If you feel your book description needs a few tweaks, then search online for examples. Sometimes that is all the boost you need.

If you write a compelling book description, chances are readers will not only buy your book, but they will write positive reviews about your book. That is exactly where you want to be with writing a powerful book description. Feel free to comment and share this post with other authors.

Rick Lite of Stress Free Book Marketing, stands at the forefront of the ever-changing book industry. He is a seasoned book marketing professional with over 13 years of experience in the industry. Rick’s expertise comes from tirelessly working on new and innovative ways to market his own books and CDs with his company and parent company, Stress Free Kids. Embracing the core values of integrity, innovation, and growth, Rick works closely with authors to create custom, robust book marketing programs. His easy-going manner provides “stress-free” support and comfort to authors going through the book marketing process for the first time. Rick is quick to share his knowledge and “insider tips” for a successful marketing campaign that will lead to increased exposure, awareness and most importantly, sales.