You\u2019ve all seen them\u2014those complimentary blurbs printed on the back of the books you read. Sometimes you even recognize the names of those who wrote them. <\/p>\n
What are they for, who should have them and why? Here\u2019s the deal, for many decades\u2014maybe forever\u2014authors have relied on credible experts in their fields to endorse their nonfiction books. Authors of fiction try to get well-known writers in their genre to write testimonials for them. And authors may solicit endorsements by psychologists, educators and so forth for their children\u2019s books. These brief statements by known and\/or credible experts are thought to help sell books. Think about it, if you see an endorsement by your favorite author on a book or by someone you admire or trust\u2014even an actor you like\u2014aren\u2019t you more apt to purchase that book? Possibly. <\/p>\n
How do you get testimonials? Well, you determine who would be the greatest influence in enticing people to read your particular book and then contact them. This may be someone you know or someone you\u2019ve only heard of. It could be someone quite well-known or someone with a book or who leads an organization related to the theme of your book. If he or she likes your project, they just may say yes. After all, a testimonial on your book cover affords greater exposure for their own books or organizations. So even high-profile people in your field, especially if they have a new book out, may be most pleased to write you a favorable endorsement for your book cover. Note: a testimonial from a very well-known person could even go on your front cover.<\/p>\n
Another way you could use someone else\u2019s name to bring attention to your own book is by asking them to write your foreword and then put their name on the front cover of your book\u2014say, for example: Foreword by George Clooney\u2026<\/p>\n
How many endorsements should you get? For my nonfiction books, I request a dozen or more. I may not hear back from everyone. If I end up with too many for the cover, I list the others on a page in the front of the book.<\/p>\n
Sometimes the people you ask for an endorsement will want to read the book or at least a summary of the book and your table of contents before agreeing. Others just allow you to write an endorsement and put their names to it. I\u2019ve even had experts in my field give me a sampling of possible statements and I choose the one I want to use. Some people who are asked quite often for their endorsements have learned to write rather generic testimonials. They focus their comments on the industry rather than the book itself. Does it matter? Not if it is worth having this person\u2019s name on the back (or front) of your book.<\/p>\n
Reach out early in the game. Not everyone is as prompt as you are when it comes to responding to a request. So you\u2019ll want to start early gathering testimonials from those names that you most want on your cover. And be sure to follow-up.<\/p>\n
If this person does not know you, offer an introduction, a link to your website and a good description of your book. Also, of course, offer to send all or part of the book to them.<\/p>\n
The testimonial or endorsement is still a popular method of promotion. It comes under the concept of building promotion into your book even before it is a book. <\/p>\n
For more about testimonials, building promotion into your book and hundreds of other book promotion ideas and activities, order your copy of \u201cPromote Your Book.\u201d It\u2019s at amazon.com in print, Kindle and audio as well as at many other online and downtown bookstores.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
You\u2019ve all seen them\u2014those complimentary blurbs printed on the back of the books you read. Sometimes you even recognize the names of those who wrote them. What are they for, who should have them and why? Here\u2019s the deal, for many decades\u2014maybe forever\u2014authors have relied on credible experts in their fields to endorse their nonfiction […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t