A quick Google search suggests that around 4 million books are released annually. At least half of these books are released through traditional publishers or agents; the other half are self-published. Meanwhile, around 1%- 2% of these books are written by new authors, likely selected by editors or publishers from the many manuscripts they review.
Projections predict that the publishing industry will experience steady expansion by 2023. This trend indicates a significant rise in the number of books released and authors debuting annually.
As more aspiring authors publish their works, readers have an ever-increasing variety of new works to explore, both from new and established authors.
With the increasing competition in the literary landscape, creating dynamic and effective marketing strategies has never been more critical for authors and publishers. In recent years, the landscape of book marketing has experienced a notable change, moving predominantly to online platforms. As more people spend considerable time online, authors, publishers, and agencies have recognized the immense potential of digital channels to reach and connect with their target readers. That said, it’s time people use words to promote a book!
Using the right words can make all the difference in attracting potential readers. In this article, we will explore the power of words to promote a book effectively. From advertising words that sell to catchy phrases for social media marketing, let’s delve into the methods and tactics authors and publishers can employ to craft captivating book promotion plans.
Table of Contents
What do you write to promote a book?
In book marketing, knowing the advertising words that sell can make a substantial difference in garnering attention and driving sales. After all, words are among what the readers first see, second to the book cover, and it’s through words that you can gain interest and build trust with your readers.
Whether you’re writing for branded content, an online profile, social media posts, or your website, choosing the right words to promote a book is critical. Hence, anyone working with a book’s marketing strategy should ensure they’re engaging, compelling, and tailored to resonate with the target demographics’ interests and preferences. From captivating taglines to enticing blurbs, let’s delve into some tactics and marketing words for social media, website, or any ad page that can elevate your book promotion efforts:
- Catchy book title and subtitle: A well-crafted title and subtitle can pique potential readers’ curiosity and create a sense of intrigue at first glance.
- Engaging book description: A well-written book description that uses vivid language highlights the book’s key plot points or themes, providing just enough information to capture the interest of potential readers and make them want to uncover the story for themselves.
- A summary of the book’s plot or main themes: Craft a summary that details the central conflict, primary characters, and major plot points while conveying the story’s emotional core to make people eager to uncover your book.
- Author bio: A compelling author bio that showcases your relevant experience or expertise, as well as personal details that offer insight into your background, interests, and inspirations, will help you establish your credibility as a writer and build a personal connection with potential readers.
- Book reviews or endorsements: Although you don’t write them, including positive reviews from reputable sources, influential figures, or early readers in your promotional materials offers valuable social proof and credibility, ultimately prompting potential readers to take an interest in your book.
- Information on where to purchase the book: Adding purchase information to your promotional materials will give potential readers an idea of where they can easily buy a copy of your book with a mere tap or swift trip to a bookshop. It’s best to add all possible retailers or links, especially if you plan to release a digital or physical copy of your book.
- Excerpts or quotes from the book: Best added to teaser photos or videos, intriguing snippets or thought-provoking quotes from the book are effective ways to give readers a taste of the story and the author’s writing style.
- Calls to action: Complete your promotional materials by adding CTAs (call-to-action messages), prompting them to purchase the book, leave a review, recommend it to their friends, or subscribe to your newsletter for updates.
Applying these tactics when writing and picking the right marketing words for social media, web content, or other promotional materials will help you achieve your marketing goals.
What are good words to describe a book?
Effectively describing a book requires choosing words that vividly convey its unique qualities and appeal to potential readers. You can use advertisement word examples to convey a vivid picture of your book’s themes, characters, and plot, attracting potential readers and urging them to discover more about your work.
So, what are good words for a book?
When picking good words to describe a book, it’s essential to focus on descriptors that evoke emotion while piquing the curiosity of potential readers. Let’s explore some impactful language choices and examples of how to describe a book or craft compelling book descriptions for various genres:
- Fiction: gripping, enigmatic, poignant, whimsical, immersive, inventive
- Fantasy: spellbinding, enchanting, epic, imaginative, mythical
- Science fiction: futuristic, speculative, technologically advanced, otherworldly, mind-bending
- Mystery: perplexing, puzzling, thrilling, twisty, atmospheric
- Historical fiction: evocative, detailed, richly depicted, nostalgic, authentic
- Romance: passionate, heartwarming, romantic, tender, steamy
- Horror: chilling, terrifying, spine-tingling, haunting, macabre
- Thriller: pulse-pounding, gripping, fast-paced, breathless, twist-filled
- Contemporary fiction: relatable, relevant, modern, nuanced, realistic
- Literary fiction: introspective, character-driven, lyrical, reflective, profound
- Action fiction: adrenaline-fueled, fast-paced, explosive, intense, high-octane
- Young adult: engaging, coming-of-age, relatable, dynamic, emotional
- Dystopian: bleak, dystopian, oppressive, apocalyptic, grim
- Short story: concise, impactful, varied, thought-provoking, succinct
- Graphic novel: visually stunning, vivid, artistic, compelling, graphic
- Satire: wry, humorous, ironic, sharp-witted, sardonic
- Western fiction: rugged, gritty, wild, adventurous, frontier
- Classics: timeless, influential, enduring, well-crafted, iconic
- Humor: witty, funny, irreverent, light-hearted, comedic
- Paranormal: supernatural, eerie, otherworldly, haunting, chilling
- Folklore: mythical, folkloric, traditional, legendary, cultural
- Non-fiction: informative, factual, educational, enlightening, thought-provoking
- Autobiography: personal, revealing, candid, insightful, honest
- Biography: detailed, insightful, well-researched, informative, comprehensive
- Historical: informative, detailed, educational, well-researched, enlightening
Your promotional materials don’t need to use all of the words that fit your book’s genre in this list. Pick one or two, find a clever way to incorporate it into your writing, and soon enough, you’ll find people eager to dive into your book’s content!
How do you describe a book physically?
A detailed description of the book’s physical attributes and condition is usually necessary for book marketing, book reviews, collectibility, and library cataloging. This description usually involves the size, weight, cover design, and additional tactile enhancements to the book’s overall appearance.
Describing a book by its size involves conveying its physical dimensions. It guides readers to make informed decisions about its suitability for their reading preferences and lifestyle. Measurements under this description are usually in inches or centimeters, specifying the book’s height and width. For example:
- Mass Market Paperback: around 4.25 inches by 7 inches
- Trade Paperback: ranges from 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches to 6 inches by 9 inches
- Hardcover: around 6 inches by 9 inches
- Coffee Table Book: can go from 10 by 10 inches or 12 by 12 inches
- Pocket-sized Book: smaller format, around four by 6 inches or five by 7 inches
- Oversized Book: larger than standard sizes, with dimensions exceeding 8.5 inches by 11 inches
- Graphic Novel: varies in size, often similar to trade paperback dimensions
- Children’s Picture Book: typically larger, such as eight by 10 inches or nine by 11 inches
- Reference Book: varying sizes depending on content and layout, often falling within the trade paperback or hardcover range
- Mini Book: Very small format, usually less than 4 inches in height and width
Regarding cover design descriptions, mentioning the material used for the cover and any dust jacket, embossing, foiling, or debossing is common. Some words often used to describe a book cover’s cover design include:
- Matte: having a smooth, non-shiny finish
- Glossy: having a shiny, reflective surface
- Embossed: having raised designs or patterns
- Foiled: embellished with metallic or colored foil
- Debossed: having pressed or sunken designs
- Textured: having a tactile, surface texture
- Illustrated: adorned with drawings, paintings, or graphic images
- Vibrant: bright, vivid in color
- Minimalist: unadorned and straightforward
- Intricate: detailed and complex design
- Embellished: decorated with ornate features or embellishments
- Dust jacket: removable paper cover protecting the book
- Pictorial: featuring a picture or illustration
- Bold: visually striking and attention-grabbing
- Subtle: understated and restrained in design
Incorporating these physical details into a book’s description helps an author or publisher paint a more vivid picture of the reading experience for potential readers or collectors, so ensure you’re writing everything you and your readers need!
What is a short description promoting a book?
If you’ve bought a book online, you must have seen those paragraphs describing the plot or teasing the book’s themes through engaging language and vivid imagery. While this brief blurb or short book description looks much like the summary, it is written to promote the book to drive interest and sales, making it a sales copy. This brief description usually overviews the book’s premise, main characters, and central conflict while highlighting its compelling aspects through quotes and excerpts to instigate interest and entice potential readers into purchasing the book.
How should you write that short description to promote your book? It all depends on your book’s genre. Of course, descriptions used for nonfiction differ from those used for fiction. To elaborate, let’s dive into how you can write short descriptions for fiction and non-fiction books, including some marketing phrases examples you can also apply.
Fiction: The description of fiction books should reveal little of the plot to maintain intrigue. Begin with a compelling first-sentence hook, keep the paragraphs short, and end with a powerful and unforgettable paragraph and a clear Call to Action to prompt reader engagement. Avoid using bold text or lists, keeping your paragraphs vivid but straightforward for maximum impact. Some examples of marketing phrases for fiction book descriptions are:
- “A gripping tale of love, deceit, and redemption that will keep you turning the pages until the end.”
- “Immerse yourself in a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the ultimate surprising turn.”
- “Journey into the unknown with a captivating sci-fi epic that pushes the boundaries of imagination.”
Non-fiction: The fundamental formula for crafting a nonfiction book blurb is to present the problem and how the book offers practical solutions, using inclusive language like “you” to address the target readers’ specific concerns and needs. Similar to fiction book descriptions, start with a compelling first-sentence hook that conveys the benefits they’ll gain by reading the book, use formatting tools like larger font or bold text for emphasis when highlighting key benefits, incorporate power words for maximum impact, and conclude with a clear Call to Action. Concise paragraphs and bullet points are great ways to write this blurb, making it easier for potential readers to see who the book is for, what problems it solves, and what results they should expect. Some examples of marketing phrases for fiction book descriptions are:
- “Unlock the secrets to success with this empowering guide to personal growth and achievement.”
- “Achieve financial freedom and abundance with proven strategies from leading experts in personal finance.”
- “Take control of your health and well-being with practical tips and evidence-based advice from top wellness experts.”
Aside from the suggestions above, leveraging short quotes to attract customers can add more appeal to your blurb. Hence, when written effectively, a book description can be a powerful promotional tool to promote a book and reach an author’s target demographics, ultimately increasing visibility and boosting sales.
How do you attract customers through words?
Authors—especially self-published authors—can also use their writing skills in marketing. For example, since book descriptions are among the first promotional materials your target readers will see, you can utilize your writing prowess to craft captivating and vivid book blurbs to attract your readers through words.
Using funny words to attract customers online can exude a chuckle from your potential readers! Besides bringing a hearty smile out of the target demographics, humor can grab attention, create a memorable impression, and foster a connection with the audience, making your content more engaging and buzzworthy. Some examples of funny words or phrases that can attract readers online are:
- “Prepare to snort with laughter as you dive into this hilarious rom-com that will have you clutching your sides!”
- “Join the wacky adventures of a reluctant hero and his mischievous sidekick in this laugh-out-loud fantasy comedy.”
- “In this tongue-in-cheek guide to adulting, we’ll show you how to navigate the real world without losing your sanity (or your keys).”
If you’re struggling to add humor to your promotional content, you can always use other catchy words to attract customers online. They’re called “catchy” because they catch potential readers’ attention, spark their curiosity, and lead them to purchase the book and explore its pages further. Some examples of catchy words or phrases that can attract readers online are:
- “Step into a thrilling labyrinth of deceit and danger in this heart-pounding suspense novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final shocking twist.”
- “Explore the depths of human nature in this haunting psychological thriller, which will blur the lines between reality and illusion and keep you guessing until the end.”
- “Revolutionize your finances with this no-nonsense guide to wealth-building strategies that will transform your money mindset and secure your financial future.”
If your book’s compelling plot can attract readers (thanks to your skill as a writer!), it’s time to use these tips and your writing skills in marketing, too!
How do you hype a book?
The hype around your book doesn’t magically happen after you upload it to Amazon or other publishing sites. If so, how do you get readers excited about your novel? The answer is simple. Build the hype through a marketing strategy that starts before your book releases. Use your words to promote your book through the following:
- Set up your website and social media accounts
- Upload teaser graphics weeks and days ahead of your book launch
- Take advantage of the features on Facebook, Twitter, and Tiktok to upload engaging content
- Organize one or multiple book giveaways
- Create a well-written and compelling book description
- Qualify for ad placements on book promotion websites
- Connect with social media groups and book clubs
- Create and update your email list
You can also create hype around a book by using catchy and funny words to engage and entertain your target readers. By leveraging the power of compelling language and creative marketing techniques, you can generate excitement and anticipation for your book launch.
Upgrade Your Promotional Efforts With Adazing
As discussed in this article, the best words to promote a book depend on your marketing strategy. Based on your marketing endeavors, you can utilize catchy words to attract readers, funny phrases to add wit to your social media posts, or insert compelling snippets to your book description, strategically selecting advertising words to drive engagement and encourage a purchase. With Adazing’s selection of software and graphics, you can reach your marketing objectives and make the best out of the words you use to promote your book online and offline.
Endeavor with Adazing’s accessible tools and lucrative software today.
