Why a Book Blurb Is So Hard to Write?
How hard can it be, it’s just a few hundred words?
You’ve written your book, 50k words, maybe more. What a fantastic achievement!
Well done!
As an independent author, you’re in control of the entire book creation process, from initial idea, through the plot to publication and ultimately sales.
Once you’ve commissioned the cover artwork, you just need to write the blurb. Yes, I said the word, just. It really can seem like yet another mountain to climb, can’t it?
You’re a writer, that’s your superpower. You may not be a marketing expert, not yet anyway. Book selling relies on marketing. A huge part of that is ‘what it looks like.’
You know that saying ‘Don’t judge a book by the cover?’ Well, unfortunately it’s a load of rubbish, mostly.
You should never judge a person by their appearance either, but with the best will in the world, we all do it, some of course more than others. Books are the same, we like to see a cover that grabs our attention.
People judge books by their covers ALL THE TIME!
It’s vital you get it right.
The reason, or at least one reason you can find a blurb so hard to write is, as writers, we are too close to the project. It’s our baby.
We built it from a dot on the page. We know things about the book that no one else does. Our bin is full of cut scenes, characters and drafts. You poured your soul into it.
We are too close to it, and that’s the problem.
Whilst knowing what the book is all about is necessary, you need to zoom out. Like a sky high drone, see the book from a distance. To understand why the book conforms with the tropes of the genre but also stands out from the rest.
To pick out the key elements that matter, give clues without spoilers, create hooks but not solutions.
No pressure then! Don’t worry though, there are options.
Take courses in marketing, sales, online copywriting
– Upskill, but remember marketing isn’t the only skill you need to write blurbs.
– Studying and self learning is my favourite accessible way of tackling things you haven’t mastered, yet. Every day is a school day.
Just do it. Write it yourself.
– Accept feedback and critiques from your network or other writers and editors.
– Ask for beta reader feedback, what do they say about the book. Knowing who to ignore and who to listen to can be the dilemma here.
Pay a professional to write it.
– It can be expensive but worth it. This couple of hundred words could be the most important of the entire project. This isn’t accessible to everyone due to cost.
Tips to get started with your first blurb.
Believable characters
You need to introduce your characters. Your reader wants to know who is in the book. Is it someone they want to know more about?
Good or bad? Who are they?
You don’t want to include a biography, but people like to know people, even fictional ones.
Little fights, or big ones
You need to mention a conflict. What’s the big deal?
Conflict is necessary in fiction, either through internal struggles or between characters.
Mention of this struggle can draw in your reader.
Here’s a great article about conflict, if you want to dig deeper:
Ups and Downs
What is your character up against? Does s/he need to fight a dragon, overcome an illness, save planet earth with nothing but a wooden spoon?
If she doesn’t have to overcome anything at all, maybe revisit your plot?
Sorry, but maybe you need to make sure you’ve given them a struggle, so your reader can root for them.
Risky Business
What’s at stake?
What does your character face losing by pursuing the path you’ve written for them?
But what’s in it for me?
Ultimately, we are all quite selfish, I know, sad but true.
We all buy books we want to read. We’re going to invest our time and money in the pages. What will your reader will get out of this book?
Will they learn a skill, feel uplifted or escape from their world just for a few hours?
Keywords
You need to add SEO keywords, so you can sell the book online.
These will be specific to your genre, so do your research.
Simplify
People are busy. They want to dip and run. Don’t make the blurb a huge dense chunk of text. Break it up. Keep it snappy.
Zoom Out Again
Look at the complete picture. Does it scan? This is where your word superpower comes back in. Does it make sense and summarise, describe and sell your book.
Never get bullied into putting out a book you’re not 100% happy with. Your name is on it, own it. I’m a passionate believer in authenticity and self-confidence, uniqueness and diversity. You will find your readers, and they will know if you aren’t being honest.
Please use the tips as starting blocks so you can set off on your blurb writing journey.
Next time you pick up a book, pay attention to the blurb, it’s the best way to learn.
In this world of ebooks, your potential reader might glance just for seconds at a thumbnail of your book cover, and speed read the blurb.
That could be their only contact with you and your work.
If you don’t grab them, they’re gone and may never come back. This isn’t to scare you. There are loads of places to get support. Online groups, other writers, your own peers and blurbs, blog posts, etc.
Spend the time to get it right.
Always remember perfect is the enemy of done. Don’t worry, most online book stores allow you to go back online and update it. This can be helpful to add in those great review quotes, too.
I’d love to hear how you put together your blurbs.
I hope I’ve inspired you to get creative, tweet me from your next coffee stop!
Are you a mid-lifer or newbie writer who’s feeling a bit stuck?
Let’s reboot your creative confidence, create your path to that healthier and happier life work balance you’re craving, oh and finally, at last, write that book! Get in touch!