Episode 139: Book Blurbs 101 for Business Owners Writing Books
Welcome to Episode 139 of the Write Publish Market podcast! In today's episode, we have a special guest, Jessie Cunniffe, a professional blurb writer and book blurb coach. Jessie is here to guide us through the world of book blurbs. Jodi and Jessie start with Book Blurb 101, covering what exactly a book blurb is and the different meanings it can have. Jessie then walks us through a proven formula for crafting effective book blurbs, including the essential elements and tips for hooking readers. She also shares how to revise and experiment with your blurb to maximize its impact. And, as always, we wrap up with a reading recommendation from Jessie. Stay tuned for an informative and inspiring episode that will help you master the art of book blurbs to boost your book's visibility and sales. Let's dive in!
The full episode raw transcript can be found here.
Time Stamps:
00:00:05: Introduction to the Write Publish Market podcast and the host, Jodi Brandon
00:00:39: Introduction of guest, Jessie Cunniffe, a professional blurb writer and book blurb coach
00:01:28: Discussion on book blurbs and their different meanings in the publishing world
00:03:26: Explanation of the essential elements of a book blurb and the importance of a good hook
00:04:48: Overview of the paragraph sections in a nonfiction blurb: setup, qualifier, and bullet points
00:09:28: Importance of using bullet points to highlight the main benefits of the book
00:11:59: Summing up the blurb with a strong concluding sentence and a call to action
00:13:32: Using the same copy on Amazon and the back cover of the book
00:14:28: Utilizing the blurb in other marketing materials and platforms
00:16:30: The possibility of revising the blurb based on sales performance and changing trends
00:18:29: Importance of testing and experimentation with the blurb for better results
00:21:27: Details on the discount code provided by Jessie for her services
00:23:35: Appreciation for the clever names of Jessie's services and her quick delivery of "book blurb"
00:24:47: Book recommendation
00:25:59: Conclusion and gratitude for listening to the podcast
Keywords:
Jessie Cunniffe, Jodi Brandon, Publish Market podcast, entrepreneur, book, business, writing, publishing, marketing, author community, blurb writer, book blurb coach, Sydney, Australia, indie author, blurb writing, custom blurb services, Book Blurb Magic, Spicy Blurb Playbook, journaling, ocean pools, guitar, arts pages, highly respected newspaper, book description, book endorsement, traditional publishing, sales copy, Amazon, book publishing industry, fiction, nonfiction, hook, setup, qualifier, bullet points, call to action, marketing copy, testing, experimentation, business owners writing books, entrepreneurs writing books
Resources Mentioned:
AnatomyofABookBlurb.com: Jessie's free cheat sheet for book blurbs (link below)
A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World by Harry Browne
About Our Guest:
Jessie Cunniffe is a professional blurb writer and book blurb coach from Sydney, Australia. A passionate advocate of the indie author community, Jessie has dedicated herself to taking the pain out of blurb-writing with her custom blurb services and two signature courses: Book Blurb Magic and The Spicy Blurb Playbook. When she’s not writing or dreaming up the next BBM product, Jessie can be found journaling, exploring new ocean pools, and playing her guitar. She has been a contributor to the arts pages of one of Australia’s most highly respected newspapers for the past decade. On the occasion that Jessie manages to snatch some reading time, she’s probably buried in P. G. Wodehouse or Agatha Christie.
Website: www.bookblurbmagic.com
Instagram: @bookblurbmagic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bookblurbmagic
FREE blurb cheatsheet: anatomyofabookblurb.com
Jessie’s Services:
1:1 Blurb AuditCODE FOR 10% OFF: JODI