It may seem like a small and insignificant thing, but an informative book blurb can mean the difference between someone reading your book or moving on to the next one. It can pique a reader’s interest or completely turn them off the story. Let’s take a look at how you can make your blurb work for you.
What is a book blurb?
A book blurb is a tiny peek into your story. It’s the information you share with potential readers in order to entice them into purchasing or reading your book.
There’s a difference between a blurb, a synopsis, and an endorsement. It’s important not to confuse the three:
A blurb is just a tiny bit of information meant to intrigue an audience. It doesn’t give away any spoilers or major plot twists.
A synopsis is much more than that. It is a summary of your story that gives away crucial plot twists, spoilers, and even the story’s climax if there is one.
Endorsements are also sometimes called blurbs. It is a written recommendation of your book by another individual.
How to write a blurb
The first thing to keep in mind when writing your blurb is to keep it short. Your blurb should be no more than 150 – 200 words. The average human attention span is 8.25 seconds. That doesn’t give you very much time to grab and keep the reader’s attention, so you have to make it count. This means your opening sentence is critical! You have to hook the reader and reel them in with just a few perfectly structured words. The reader also needs to know what’s at stake, and for who. The goal is to get the reader invested in at least one (main) character as quickly as possible. And finally, if you are marketing and selling your book online, you should add as many keywords to your blurb as possible without detracting from the substance and flow. This is not an easy task, but it is a critical one. Keywords are what will drive traffic to your book.
How blurbs can set you apart
Yours may be the greatest book ever written but what if you can’t get anyone to read it? This is the power of the blurb. It is the fastest and most effective way to gain the attention of potential readers. If your book is being sold in brick-and-mortar bookstores, your blurb will be the first thing individuals read when they take it off the shelf. If you are selling your book online, it will usually be the content displayed directly under the cover art that the reader will use to decide if they want to buy the book. Its crucial. Having a snappy and fascinating blurb will demonstrate value and ultimately help sell your book.
