You've put your heart and soul into writing your book, but now comes the tricky part: getting people to actually buy it. Think about the last time you bought a book online... What made you click "purchase"? Chances are, it was the book description that sealed the deal. Read on to replicate this marketing strategy and become a successful author.
How to Write Book Descriptions That Sell
Posted on October 28, 2024
Book descriptions work like elevator pitches for your story
You've written a self-help book with an impressive 80,000 word count, but you need to capture their essence in just 150. It feels impossible, but this is exactly what a book description needs to do - and it's why authors like you need to think of it like an elevator pitch.
The elevator pitch principle
Here's what happens in an actual elevator pitch: you've got about 30 seconds to tell someone why they should care about your idea. Too long, they lose interest. Too vague, they forget it. Too detailed, they get overwhelmed.
Your book description works the same way. The only difference is instead of pitching to one person in an elevator, you're pitching to countless potential readers online.
Building blocks of an elevator pitch
Imagine how movie producers pitch their films to studios. They don't recite the whole screenplay. Instead, they focus on three core elements:
The central concept
What makes it unique
Why people should care
This is exactly what your book description needs to nail down before anything else. It's not about telling the whole story but about making readers want to discover the story for themselves.
This focused approach sets the foundation for everything else we'll discuss about crafting your description. But first, let's look at how readers actually make their buying decisions...
Readers make decisions in under 30 seconds
You read that right - 30 seconds. That's all you've got. Our research shows that online shoppers scan book descriptions in an F-pattern, focusing on:
The first line
The first sentence of each paragraph
Any bold or highlighted text
This isn't the time to be mysterious. You need to hook your readers fast and keep them engaged.
Without more ado, here’s our actionable tips to help make your book irresistible to read (and buy).
Start with a hook that grabs attention
Want to know what works? Start with a bang. Look at these examples:
"What if the person you trust most is lying to you?"
"Three dead bodies. Two weeks. One small town with big secrets."
See how these lines make you want to know more? That's what we're aiming for. Avoid starting with "This book is about..." or "In this story..." - these are instant attention-killers.
Tell just enough to create interest
Here's our golden rule: reveal the setup, not the solution. You must think of your book description as a movie trailer. You want to:
Introduce your main character's struggle
Set up the core conflict
Hint at the stakes
But remember - no spoilers! Leave readers hungry for more.
Make your description scannable
Let's get practical. Your description should be:
150-200 words for fiction
200-250 words for non-fiction
Broken into 2-3 short paragraphs
Easy to read on mobile devices
PRO TIP: Use short paragraphs and plenty of white space. Long blocks of text are the fastest way to lose potential readers.
End with a clear call to action
This is where many authors fumble. Don't just trail off - tell readers what to do next. Try something like:
"Start your journey into [genre] today." "Discover the truth before someone else does."
The key is to create urgency without sounding desperate.
Final Thoughts
Before you hit "publish," check if your description:
Hooks readers in the first line
Focuses on your book's unique selling points
Uses short, punchy paragraphs
Ends with a clear call to action
Your book description is more of a sales tool than just a summary. If you get it right, you'll see the difference in your sales numbers.
Want to make sure your book description is doing its job? Read it out loud. If you stumble over any parts, your readers will too.
Your book deserves to be read. Don't let a weak description stand between you and your potential readers. Follow these guidelines so you'll be well on your way to crafting a description that sells.
Need help perfecting your book description or building your author platform? We're here to help you every step of the way. Book a consultation with one of our experts to get started.