These common book description mistakes usually happen due to a misunderstanding of the purpose of a book description (also known as back cover copy, and mistakenly called a blurb). It’s one of those things that those new to the world of self-publishing often learn along the way. Plus, writing books and writing copy are two very different things. Luckily, self-published authors can either hire a copywriter if needed, or get help from guides like this one.
So, What is the Purpose of a Book Description?
The purpose of a book description, or ‘blurb’, is not to describe the book’s plot or summarize the details. That’s a synopsis. A book description is an ad for your book. It is marketing copy. Its entire purpose is to sell your book, so you need to think like a copywriter when writing yours.
Below I’ll be covering the biggest book cover description mistakes to avoid. Because many new self-published authors either misunderstand the purpose of a book description, aren’t familiar with the conventions, or treat it as an afterthought. But this guide will start you off on the right foot.
I’ll also include links to other blogs on the topic of writing a good book description so you’ll have a solid foundation before you begin writing yours.
1. Not Understanding the Purpose of a Book Description (or Back Cover Copy)
The first of the most common book description mistakes, and the root of the bad book description problem, is not understanding the purpose of them. Again, a book description is not a synopsis. It’s not a pitch. And it’s definitely not a plot summary.
Book descriptions, also known as back cover copy and often referred to (wrongly) as a blurb, have a singular and specific purpose. They are meant to sell the book. This doesn’t mean you don’t give hints or provide overviews of what is waiting for the reader inside the cover. It means that your book description needs to be captivating. A book description needs to entice the reader. It needs to be written in the right tone and language for the genre, and it needs to be concise. There should also be a call to action (CTA), or something that compels them to buy!
You can read all about how to craft a winning book description here. But first, continue reading about these easily avoidable mistakes.
2. Using the Wrong Tone and Language is a Subtle Book Description Mistake that Turns Readers Away
There is nothing that will make a reader take note more than using the wrong tone or language for the genre. And not in a good way. So, it’s always best to get familiar with your genre’s conventions before you start writing that first draft. Look into your comparable titles to see how other authors in your genre use tone and language in their book marketing copy.
It should also be noted that the tone and language of your book description won’t necessarily match that of your book. For instance, if you write historical fiction and use dense prose, period specific language, or a regional dialect in your writing, it’s a mistake to transfer that style to your back cover copy.
I’ve encountered this before, and edited author-written book descriptions like this. But this book description mistake almost always comes down to both not understanding the purpose of a book description and being unfamiliar with the conventions.
So, use genre specific tone and structure and plain and standard language.
3. Including Too Many Details Bogs Down Your Book Description and Kills Curiosity
This is by far one of the most common and detrimental book description mistakes I’ve witnessed. Authors tend to get carried away with the details because, in their minds, there is so much to say and all of it is so interesting. They mistakenly believe more details mean immersing the reader in the story. Either that, or they simply struggle with being concise.
Giving too many details is actually a deterrent to taking the leap to read the book. A book description needs to grab your readers attention, keep it there, and leave them wanting more. When reading book descriptions, we scan and skim. Readers want to get the information they need quickly and easily. They make decisions in mere seconds.
You can, however, add more details to your long book marketing copy. For instance, on your Amazon book page.
I use this analogy often, but think of your book description as a movie trailer. Have you ever seen a trailer that gave so much away you felt like you no longer needed to see the movie?
On the opposite end, have you ever seen a brief but intriguing trailer that showed just enough to pique your interest? Did you want to know more? That’s what you want from your book description.
Basically, don’t bog the reader down with unnecessary details or give anything away.
4. A Boring Book Description (or Not Understanding Copywriting Frameworks)
Remember, a book description is marketing copy. It has a purpose, and that purpose is to convert.
So, each word needs to be impactful. Your back cover copy is limited by space, word count, and even attention spans. A boring book description does nothing for you or your book. Readers will simply stop reading. This particular book description mistake also comes from a misunderstanding of their purpose. It also happens because of a lack of familiarity with copywriting frameworks. Once you understand this, you’ll be able to avoid writing boring book descriptions.
What are these copywriting frameworks that grab attention, speak to the reader, and persuade them to buy?
- AIDA: Attention, Interest, Desire, Action
- PAS: Problem, Agitation, Solution
- FAB: Features, Advantages, Benefits
AIDA is useful and necessary for fiction books. You must grab the reader’s attention. Then pique their interest. Then make them want to read the book (desire). Finally, you want to compel them to action. This is the CTA (call to action).
The other two, PAS and FAB, work well for nonfiction books. Of course you’ll also need to grab their attention, keep their interest, make them want to buy and compel them to take action. A business book description needs to address a specific problem and offer a solution. That’s why you’d use those particular frameworks.
Understanding copywriting frameworks will help you avoid this book description mistake by ensuring your copy isn’t boring.
5. Please, Please, Do NOT Let AI Compose Your Book Description!
It disappoints me to even have to mention this one. But using AI is a huge book description mistake that borders on the unforgivable. I’m using the term AI because that is the marketing catch-all term for the technology, but I’m referring specifically to LLMs (Large Language Models) such as ChatGPT, Claude and those like them.
You can believe it’s only a matter of opinion that using AI to compose your book description is a mistake, but I’d like to provide you with some facts to consider.
- First, I’ll concede that AI as a whole has some useful applications. But none of them apply to creative endeavors and none of them apply to anything that requires a human element. AI is not good at this. Remember, your book description is more than an afterthought. It has a purpose. It requires elements of emotion and connection that AI simply cannot replicate because it does not understand human psychology. LLMs don’t get context or excel at subtlety. They can put together strings of words (from rehashed existing content) which may even seem like they present something meaningful, but a close read reveals they are just spitting out nonsense. They are especially terrible at understanding fiction cpnventions.
- Let’s also consider that people in general do not like AI. They especially dislike AI generated writing and AI generated art. And that sentiment is growing daily. You may have seen the recent coverage of students booing commencement speakers trying to push AI. Did you also catch the cheers that came from other speakers decrying it? This is a reflection of the general attitude towards AI. Readers, especially, hate it. Other authors hate it. Many see it as something only the old and out of touch or lazy rely on. Don’t believe me? Go online and search social platforms and forums. Look for opinion pieces and blogs on the topic.
- Creatives view AI as a threat and an insult to true art. They see it as theft because these LLMs simply steal from existing content and there are no real copyright protections as of yet. AI is not creating ideas whole cloth. It does not think or feel. It is just gleaning existing content from the internet and spitting it back out in a different form. You will lose the respect of your fellow authors and readers. Even the Pope is against it. What more do you need?
Remember, a book description needs to use few words and those words need to be persuasive and purposeful. AI doesn’t know how to persuade because it doesn’t understand human psychology.
Avoiding these Book Description Mistakes is Easy When You Know What to Look for
All of these book description mistakes are easily avoidable. Hopefully it’s clear now why adding too many details, using the wrong tone or language, or using AI will turn readers away from your book. Now you can catch yourself before you make them.
Next, learn about all the elements that make up an attention-grabbing book description and start brainstorming!
Still feeling overwhelmed? Need a second pair of eyes and some editing help? Don’t hesitate to reach out.
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