writing tips – Page 27 – Jean's Writing

Do you know how to write a good book description?

Published on May 5, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell27 Comments

You know the kind I mean.

It’s a small blurb that goes on the back of your book.

Then another one a bit longer that will sell your book. At least we all hope so.

I only wrote about a dozen before I settled on one that I thought was pretty good. Then I had to write a short version and a long version.

In all honesty, I may rewrite it again before I give the final okay to publish. It’s hard to know when something is good enough. You know what I mean?

I’ve read and read what makes good copy. Everyone has a different opinion, but most agree that the description needs to hook the reader.

Again with the hooks. Seems this term is one of the most important in writing. It pops up everywhere.

With all my reading and rereading books like mine in addition to successful writer tips, here is my takeaway on a decent book description. Fingers crossed mine is good enough to catch a reader.

There’s no magic formula. Too bad, I had high hopes.
First sentence – make sure people know what your book is about.
Don’t bore the reader to tears. If the description is boring, no one wants to read the whole book.
If possible end your description with a cliffhanger.
Think ad, not summary. Make it pop and sizzle.
Make it short and simple.

I hope these tips helped. Like I said, I keep tweaking mine.

Do you have any tips to add?

Please share!

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

Keep reading great links at the bottom of the page!

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

THE 11 INGREDIENTS OF A SIZZLING BOOK DESCRIPTION by Mark Edwards

Creating Promotional Copy That Works: Book Descriptions by Marcy Kennedy

How to sell your book with a target audience

Published on May 4, 2016May 3, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell16 Comments

On this subject, I’m totally clueless.

There I said it. They say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. Well, I don’t know about you, but this is a problem for me.

I’ve never been good at the sell!

One thing I’ve learned through this process. Targeting an audience begins with the title of your book. This is something I didn’t realize until now.

I’ve now discovered the audience for my upcoming book is preschoolers. That means my target audience is their parents or grandparents. Right? Because preschoolers can’t order books on Amazon at least not without a little help.

So, what’s next? I can’t lurk in the parking lot at Tiny Tot’s Preschool as parents drop off their kids. That might get me a lot of publicity but not exactly the type I need.

Step 1- my target audience:

Moms, Dads, and Grandparents
Little girls with big imaginations
Ages 1-5

Step 2 – where they hang out:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Online publications
Local Libary

Now what?

Y’all have any suggestions?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

Keep reading great links at the bottom of the page!

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

Do You Waste Time Marketing Your Book To The Wrong Readers? by ALEX HEMUS

5 Tips on How to Identify Your Target Audience by Joanna Penn

How To Target an Audience (And Avoid Book Launch Flop) by Kimberley Grabas

What are the steps to a successful new beginning?

Published on May 3, 2016May 2, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell7 Comments

Well, to tell the truth, I’m not sure myself.

But, each new book is a new beginning. A new story to launch. A new child to send into the cold cruel world. Buckle her seat belt and blast her off into the web outer space?

blastoff

I know absolutely nothing about marketing. Nothing. But then, I knew nothing about writing a blog much less a book when I started this crazy idea.

The idea of writing and publishing a children’s book was the last thing on my list of things to do and now I’ve finished two. Even with good reviews, sales aren’t filling my bank account to overflowing. At least not yet.

Yet the more I read about marketing and selling my books the less I understand. I’m on a mission to improve my knowledge about the flip side of being an author, selling what you write.

Now that the launch is almost here for “A Most Reluctant Princess,” I’ve made a list of what I need to do.

Update author bio

Check you bio, I was shocked to realize mine needed a lot of work. Maybe you’re like me and yours just doesn’t work for your current WIP.

Set a launch date

Even if you are unsure of an exact day, as I am, set a general day. For me, I’m shooting for May, 21st. Fingers crossed.

Develop a tagline

Done: “Imagination is fun.”

Develop a good book description for the back cover.

Done and off to the printer.

Secure book reviews

Decide on a target audience

Link you book to trending topics – Google it

Update email signature to include new book release

Book trailer?

I’m not sure about this one.

Half way there and a bit nervous. I’m hoping that you’ll give me a hand and together maybe we can learn the tips and tricks of the trade.

Help me, let’s figure out the next steps together!

Do you have another tip to add to my list?

What else do you think I need to do before launch?

Talk to me, the lights on and comments are now open.

Keep reading great links at the bottom of the page!

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.

How to Create a Rock-Solid Tagline That Truly Works by JAMES CHARTRAND

50 (AND MORE) WAYS TO PROMOTE YOUR BOOK

71 Ways to Promote and Market Your Book by Kimberley Grabas

Do you know how to write like no one cares?

Published on April 30, 2016April 30, 2016 by Jean M. Cogdell12 Comments

Like no one will read what you write?

Continuing on with the A-Z Challenge:

W= Write

I know, I know that is easier said than done. But if you can pretend for just a little while and write whatever the hell you want I think the results might surprise you.

Writing the draft sets the writer free. Later during the editing and rewrite process comes the time to cut and care.

This past year I finished a second children’s book and learned:

Pull up those big girl panties and write whatever the hell you want, because no one cares as much as you do.
Writing is hard if it were easy everyone would write a Best Selling Novel.
So might as well write whatever you want and forget about Best Seller Lists. Odds are not gonna happen.
Don’t worry about word count, not in the beginning.
Write whatever you want because no one will read and reread it as much as you.
Write whatever you want, but hire an editor.
Editors are a writer’s friend. Never publish without one.
Ditto on Beta Readers.
Don’t torture yourself about your writing. Your family’s got that covered.
Write for the love of writing, not for that first royalty check. Of course, dinner at Mickey D’s is a nice way to spend it.

Well the A to Z Challenge is over, sorry I didn’t make it to the finish. XYZ will have to make it another day. Congratulations to those who bravely persevered.

It was wonderful to meet new people and once again learn new writing tips!

Thanks everyone for stopping by and talking.

The lights on and comments are now open.

You can find me on Twitter @jeancogdell, Facebook at jean.cogdelland Amazon.com, stop by and say hey! Please remember to click and share this post with your Twitter peeps and Facebook fans.