Whether you are writing an endorsement because the author selected you as someone with credibility in your field or simply because you love a book and want to recommend it to others – here are some tips on writing a great endorsement that stands out and supports the author (and helps to sell more books too)!
First things first – keep is short, sweet, and simple.The more concise and succinct an endorsement is, the easier it will be for the author to use your words on marketing materials, on the book cover, and/or their website. Longer endorsements aren't geared for the everyday browser of books. To write a lengthy endorsement, consider creating a blog post about your thoughts on the book, or post your review on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or other book selling sites.
Next, use colorful and creative language. One of my favorite endorsements that came in for our bookSpeaking Your Truth was written by author Sharon Lippincott who said "Speaking Your Truth sizzles with brave energy!" We ended up using those lines in a lot of our copy for the launch. Her well written endorsement, plus her name and book title appeared all over our site and marketing materials. (Aka – more exposure to her – the author of the endorsement). Think about adjectives that can describe the books essence. If you can write a one line, powerful endorsement, it's sure to be used and will get your name out there.
Check out other endorsements. Reading other endorsements before writing your own can only improve what you have to say. Take a peek at a few books on your shelf. Review the words that make up others endorsements. When looking at intriguing language, you should find some inspirational mojo to use. Notice what words you like, what jumps out at you, and how a well written endorsement creates curiosity for the reader.
Don't be afraid to personalize your endorsement. It's okay to include more about yourself and your experience reading the book. For example, if after reading a book on writing I wrote "As a freelance writer, this is a must read. 'Book Name' will be my go-to-guide for many years to come. In just a few weeks my writing has improved and my clients have noticed the difference. A brilliant piece of work! The author was able to take an everyday subject and turn it into a compelling read that I have recommended to all of my colleagues." – You can see in this example, I state what I do, another way to drive interest back to me, but I also put it into practical use in regards to my work. I even provided a few brief sentences that can be used in part such as "This is a must read!" or "A brilliant piece of work!"
Include your title. An endorsement is a great way to create interest in who you are and what you do. Writing a good endorsement will entice the reader to inquire about your book, business, or services. Be sure to include your book title , if you have one.
To find out more on writing a good endorsement, check out this article on eHow by Christina Hamlett.
Fanky Christian
fankychristian.blogspot.com