3 things you can do today to get amazing book blurbs tomorrow

Amazing book blurbs and endorsements don't happen on their own. You have to establish the connections you need early. Here's how to do that.

I’m connected to thousands of authors as subscribers to my free Build Book Buzz book marketing newsletter or through social media.

While most are strangers, many are not. They respond to my newsletter emails, comment on or share my blog posts on social media, and contribute to discussions in my Facebook book marketing group.

We might not have ever spoken before, but I know their faces, their personalities, and often, their goals.

And if one of them said, “Would you write a book blurb for me?,” I’d be happy to oblige.

They support my efforts to help more authors, so I’m happy to return the favor when I can, and when my endorsement might be helpful.

Early bird gets the amazing book blurbs

They demonstrate daily that securing amazing book blurbs becomes easier when potential endorsers at least vaguely recognize your name.

While you can completely cold call the rock stars of your genre or industry and get book cover blurbs that will make your mother proud, you’ll have a greater success rate – and work half as hard at it – if you lay the groundwork for your request early and often.

While you can completely cold call the rock stars of your genre or industry and get book cover blurbs that will make your mother proud, you’ll have a greater success rate – and work half as hard at it – if you lay the groundwork for your request early and often.Click to tweet

Why? Because you’re more likely to get a positive response from someone who knows your name than from someone who has never heard of you.

Here are three things you can do now that will pay off when you’re ready to make that important request.

1. Socialize online.

Connect on social media, but make sure you’re using the right social networks.

Going after high-profile foodies or chefs? Find them on Pinterest and Instagram.

Are the people who will blurb your book in the business world? Check out LinkedIn.

Young? Look for them on TikTok.

Are they bloggers or podcasters? Subscribe to, comment on, and share their content.

Do they publish a newsletter? Subscribe. Reply to newsletter emails with thoughtful comments or questions on occasion; comment on online newsletters when you have something to say that adds to the conversation.

Become known.

2. Socialize in person.

Is your dream blurber making a presentation near you? Attend and introduce yourself before or after. Compliment the speaker and presentation in a follow-up e-mail, mentioning something specific that resonated with you.

Attend networking events where you might meet someone who will be an ideal endorser.

Register for key conferences, seminars, and trade shows where you will meet the right people while you learn even more about your topic and audience.

3. Ask for introductions.

Do you know somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody? Ask for an in-person or virtual introduction. (This is a particularly good approach when you want blurbs from celebrities and other high-profile people.)

Don’t even think of leveraging an introduction to request a favor immediately, though. Build a relationship first. Be generous with your time and information before ever expecting anything in return.

And … don’t presume you’ll get that introduction, either.

Sometimes we’re just not comfortable connecting people when we know that Person A wants something from Person B, and we don’t know enough about Person A to feel confident they will manage the situation in a way that protects relationships.

If your mutual connection declines to make an introduction, accept that decision with grace.

How do you start?

Start early and often to get amazing book blurbs.

Beginning with your publication date and working backward, put the steps you need to take on the calendar. Ideally, you’ll be building relationships while you’re writing your book.

Then spend the time required to research who influences your audience. If you write the books you’d like to read, that probably includes people who influence you. If you’re a subject matter expert, you’ll know the other experts in your niche.

Then take one, two, or all three of the steps outlined above.

Need help? My multi-media training program, “Blurbs, Endorsements, and Testimonials: How to Get Experts, Authorities, Celebrities, and Others to Endorse Your Book,” takes the guesswork, uncertainty, and mystery out of this important process.

Step-by-step instructions, an insider interview about snagging celebrity endorsements, tracking files, and sample queries give you everything you need to get amazing book blurbs — all for just $39. You’ll be surprised at all that the program offers for such a low fee.

What’s holding you back from going after your dream endorsement? What’s your biggest obstacle?

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(Editor’s note: This article was first published several years ago. It has been updated and expanded.)