Write an Exciting Ebook Description

Write An Exciting E-Book Description

The description for your e-book is like the back cover. It is a call-to-action to the reader to get them to buy and read your book.

It can be a daunting process. You’ve just finished writing an e-book of considerable length and put a lot of effort into the creation of it. So how do you sum it all up in a few concise paragraphs?

Here are our top ten tips on how to create the perfect e-book description to encourage people to read it:

1. Know Your Book

You have been writing and editing your book for weeks, or even months and are likely to know it in a lot of detail. It is time to get familiar with your book through the eyes of a marketing expert. Look for the assets of your book that make a reader want to buy it.

You will need to look at the book objectively to do this. Try to put aside your own feelings and emotional investment in the book.

2. Length

Make sure that your e-book description is short and concise. Less than 150 words is perfect. A long, detailed plot summary will bore the reader and lose their attention.

“Try to make your description snappy, active and playful,” says Pete Davell, a marketing expert at Writinity.com and Lastminutewriting.com. “You want your audience to buy and read your book, so what will make them interested? If you need to, get some examples of competing books for inspiration.”

3. Plot Points

Try to keep your description broad so that you can appeal to a number of different readers but do so in a way that is not deceptive or dishonest about the plot. Try to avoid putting the book into an overly specific category, as this might put readers off from buying.

4. Achievements

If you have any major accolades, like awards that you have won, or a bestselling status, make sure that you include these in your description.

5. Reviews

If you have collected testimonials from your test readers, make sure that you include them, alongside quoting the number of 5 star reviews that you hold on review sites. Testimonials are only really relevant if your beta readers have some credentials.

“Get feedback from your beta readers on the best parts of your book,” says Linda Hock, a freelance writer at Draftbeyond.com and Researchpapersuk.com. “You can use these to create emotional hooks in your description to tell your audience what they would get from buying the book.”

6. Quotes

Similarly, if you have got a quote from a good source, or a reader with a strong credential, make sure to include that here.

7. Comparables

If your book naturally compares to another famous book, TV show or film, then make sure to mention that. For example, you might say “Perfect for fans of Harry Potter” if the genre fits.

8. Your Track Record

Do you have any other well-known books? Make sure to include these where applicable to help harness your existing audience.

9. The Emotional Hook

Ideally, the start of your book description should have your readers feeling like you are speaking just to them and wondering how you knew them so well. By creating a sense of identification, you are much closer to securing a purchase, especially if you can focus on an emotional hook that solves a problem for the reader. When writing your hooks, you can list them as bullet points, or as a couple of paragraphs.

10. Language

Keep your language active and exciting and try and avoid the passive voice if you can. Adjectives like gripping, irresistible, riveting, chilling and thrilling will keep the reader interested.

Ideally, you want your description to sound like it has been written by a publisher. Keep the focus on your book, rather than you, unless you happen to be a celebrity.

Watch your grammar and spellings as mistakes look unprofessional and will put readers off from buying your book. If you mess this up, readers might assume that your ideas are as messy as your typos.

Ashley Halsey writes professionally for both Luckyassignments.com and Gumessays.com. She has been involved in several projects across the country. In her spare time, she loves travelling, reading and spending time with her two children.