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Getting a high-profile endorsement for your book can be a game-changer.
Imagine a potential reader browsing the shelves and coming across your work. If they see glowing praise from a respected celebrity or industry expert, they’ll be far more likely to give it a closer look.
Testimonials, forewords, and quotations from influential figures are powerful marketing tools to set your book apart.
In today’s oversaturated book market, standing out is crucial. With over 400 new titles published daily, readers are inundated with choices. They rely heavily on reviews and endorsements to help them navigate the sea of options. Anything you say about your book may be self-serving, but an endorsement from a trusted third party carries far more weight.
Consider the runaway success of books like Harvey Mackay’s “Swim with the Sharks,” which featured 44 testimonials from luminaries like Billy Graham and Robert Redford. These high-profile endorsements didn’t happen by accident – Mackay actively solicited them. Many authors now follow his lead, gathering endorsements to include on their manuscripts, grabbing the attention of agents, publishers, and booksellers.
The irony is that many established authors who now refuse endorsement requests likely benefited from them when they started. As literary agent Richard S. Pine noted in The Wall Street Journal, “The irony is that I’ll bet every author no longer giving blurbs got them when they started.”
So, how can you harness the power of celebrity endorsements for your book?
Follow this proven 5-step process:
Step 1: Choose Your Endorsers Strategically
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The key is to target people who genuinely connect to your book’s subject matter. If your work concerns animal welfare, go after celebrities known for their advocacy. If it concerns a specific health condition, look for experts and patient advocates in that field.
Use resources like our Celebrity Causes Database to identify potential endorsers based on their interests and causes quickly. You want to find individuals whose names and expertise resonate with your target readers.
It’s also important to avoid asking endorsers unrelated to your book’s content. As author and skydiving expert Dan Poynter noted, “Please do not ask Dan Poynter to endorse your book unless it is on book publishing or skydiving. His endorsement of other subjects would not be appropriate or valuable.”
Step 2: Flatter & Engage Your Targets
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Don’t just ask for an endorsement outright. Instead, ask your targets to write the book’s introduction or foreword. This flatters them and gets them invested in the project.
Emphasize that their expertise would be invaluable in setting the stage for your work. Mention the exposure they’ll gain when their name is featured prominently. This approach is often more successful than a direct request for a blurb.
As author Ken Blanchard, co-author of “The One Minute Manager,” says, “I don’t write my books; my friends write them for me.” He explains that he jots down ideas and sends them to friends for comment, who then provide valuable feedback that he incorporates into the manuscript. This “peer review” process can yield powerful endorsements.
Step 3: Make it Easy for Them to Help
Provide your potential endorsers with everything they need–a full manuscript, a pre-paid return envelope, and a simple testimonial form. The less work required, the more likely they are to follow by.
You can also offer to send them a confidentiality agreement if they hesitate to share the full manuscript. This can help put their mind at ease and increase the chances of them providing a ringing endorsement.
“It is easier to edit than create,” advises Poynter. “Give your testimonial prospect something to alter.” Providing a draft testimonial allows them to tweak and personalize it rather than starting from scratch.
Step 4: Emphasize the Benefits
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Most celebrities and experts are happy to provide an endorsement, as it gives them additional publicity and credibility. Ensure that to highlight this upside, their name, and title will be featured, bringing them more exposure and recognition.
You can even mention that the better the testimonial, the more prominently it will be displayed, whether on the book’s cover or within the pages. This can incentivize them to craft a truly compelling endorsement.
Step 5: Follow Up & Be Persistent
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Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back right away. Celebrities are busy, and your request may get lost in the shuffle. Follow up politely after a few weeks, and keep trying. With patience and politeness, you can often get that coveted endorsement.
As Poynter advises, “Know that getting a good endorsement or testimonial can take time. Celebrities and VIPs are busy, and their mail is often screened by an assistant or representative, which can delay your request getting to them.” Stick with it, and you’ll eventually break by.
Remember, the magic of celebrity endorsements lies in their power to build trust and credibility. By following these steps, you can unlock that power and give your book the boost it needs to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Sample Book Endorsement Request Form
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Thank you for considering endorsing [Book Title] by [Author Name]. Your expertise and influence in this area would be invaluable in helping readers discover this important work.
Please review the suggested endorsement below and make any edits or additions. Once you are satisfied, sign the form and return it in the enclosed pre-paid envelope.
Suggested Endorsement:
Customize the endorsement below for each person.
Insider Tip: Write your endorsement! This makes it easy for them to reply by just signing off. Of course, they can also write their own. Be sure to tell them they can plug their own book in their endorsement!
“[Author Name]’s new book, [Book Title], is a must-read for anyone interested in [subject area]. As an expert in [relevant expertise], I was impressed by the depth of research and practical insights presented byout. This book is a game-changer for [target audience].”
– [Endorser Name], [Endorser Title]
[ ] I approve the endorsement as written above.
[ ] I would like to modify the endorsement as follows:
Signed: _________________________________ Date: ____________
[Endorser Name], [Endorser Title]
[Endorser Organization]
Please return this form in the enclosed pre-paid envelope to:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
Thank you again for your time and consideration.
I look forward to featuring your endorsement in this important book!
Sincerely,
[Author Name]
Book Endorsement Examples
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Here are a few examples of powerful book endorsements:
“This is the first book I recommend to new publishers.” – Jan Nathan, Executive Director, Independent Book Publishers Association
“One essential ingredient to our ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ success was consulting with Dan Poynter in the early stages.” – Jack Canfield, Co-author, ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ series
“Dan Poynter has generously guided thousands to authorship. Their books make this a better world.” – Dr. Robert Muller, Past Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and author of ‘2000 Ideas & Dreams for a Better World’
“If you want to write a book that sells, this is the blueprint. Highly recommended!” – Lisa Nichols, #1 New York Times bestselling author of ‘Abundance Now’
“This book is an essential roadmap for any aspiring author looking to get their work noticed and into the hands of readers.” – Patrick Lencioni, Bestselling author of ‘The Five Dysfunctions of a Team’
These examples show how to structure an effective endorsement. They’re concise, highlight the endorser’s credibility and relevant expertise, and convey a clear, compelling message about the book’s quality and value. The specific, vivid language also makes the endorsements more impactful.
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About The Author
Jordan began his career as a public relations intern at CNN Center in Atlanta. He also worked at a talent agency in Miami Beach, a film production company in Hollywood, and at a top-tier talent agency in Beverly Hills. He is the author of “Celebrity Leverage: Insider Secrets to Getting Celebrity Endorsements, Instant Credibility & Star-Powered Publicity,” “Secrets to Contacting Celebrities: 101 Ways to Reach the Rich & Famous,” & “The Celebrity Black Book: Over 56,000+ Verified Celebrity Addresses.”
Jordan and Contact Any Celebrity have been featured by ABC News, AOL, AMEX, BBC, CNN, E! News, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Forbes, Fox News, The Guardian, The Mirror (UK), New York Daily News, New York Post, Newsweek, Tim Ferriss’ “The 4-Hour Workweek,” USA Today, Voyage LA, The Wrap, and more.
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