5 Tips for Writing Great Book Blurbs July 10, 2018
Is the blurb the last thing on your mind while you're writing your book? That might be a mistake, because it definitely makes sense to start thinking about it early on. It's not really a problem, though—as you already know what you want to write about, right?
A blurb is, after all, “just” a short summary of the book’s content designed to directly encourage a purchase. You’ll find it on the front flap or, more commonly, as an author’s note on the back flap, possibly including references to your other books. If your book is a paperback, your text is usually found on page 2. The blurb helps categorize your book and therefore provides information about the content and, of course, the genre of your book or e-book. It’s essentially an advertising text designed to spark interest in potential readers or buyers. The problem is: you don’t have much time to win over a buyer. So your text needs to be quick and easy to grasp! It certainly goes without saying that not only must the content be correct, but so must the spelling and grammar. Here are a few extra tips:
#1 Make sure the opening is quick and simple
You only have a few seconds—so your very first blurb sentence must be able to spark interest. Try to use good, meaningful keywords and identify your book’s genre. It’s best to write in the third person right away—that is, you’re telling the potential reader/buyer what the book is about. This separates the blurb from the actual content and makes it more objective.
#2 Introducing the protagonists
In the next one or two sentences, your readers/buyers should get to know your protagonists. Introduce them with their key character traits and show how they relate to one another. This sets the stage and sparks curiosity—what will happen to them, what they’ll experience, why they’ll cross paths, etc. But stick to the truth and don’t, for example, add drama where there might not be any in the book! You want to get good reviews for your book, not disappointed readers!
#3 Maintain the form
Of course, the blurb should also look nice and, above all, be readable. The font and layout depend primarily on the book’s format. Important: The font should not be too small—at least 8 pt—and not too large (12 pt should not be exceeded). Stylistic elements such as line spacing, paragraphs or subheadings should primarily serve the purpose of highlighting the book’s content.
#4 Already got some early reviews? Then include them in the blurb
Do you already have some reader or even advance press reviews? Then you should definitely include them (provided they’re positive ;-)) in the blurb. They’re a popular selling point! They give buyers confidence and build trust in your book.
#5 Stay on topic and be precise
There’s a rule of thumb that says the optimal length for a blurb is 400–750 characters, or about 150 words. That’s enough to make a first impression, and even if you have a lot to say—stick to the essentials!
Do you have any questions or want more tips? Feel free to reach out—we’d love to hear from you!