An endorsement is a statement from someone who likes a book, attesting to its quality. Endorsements are often found on the back cover or inside jacket of a book. Testimonials from famous or popular people can help a book sell, but endorsements from everyday readers can be just as useful in convincing others to read a book.
An endorsement might praise the book’s writing style, characters, plot, or theme. It might simply say that the reader enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others. Often, an endorsement will mention how the book made the reader feel.
Some endorsements are more like mini-reviews, providing a brief summary of the book and explaining what the reader liked about it. Others are just a few words, such as “I loved it!” or “A must-read.”
When writing an endorsement, it’s helpful to think about why you liked the book and what you would say to convince someone else to read it. Be specific, and don’t be afraid to mention anything you didn’t like about the book. An honest endorsement is more convincing than a glowing review that doesn’t mention any flaws.
If you’re asked to endorse a book, make sure you’ve read it first! It’s not honest (or helpful) to endorse a book you haven’t read, and you might end up saying something you didn’t mean.
Endorsements can be written by anyone, but they’re most useful coming from people who are familiar with the author’s other work or the genre of the book. If you’re a fan of the author’s previous books, mention that in your endorsement. If you don’t usually read the type of book being endorsed, explain why you made an exception in this case.
Endorsements are a form of word-of-mouth marketing, and they’re often more effective than traditional advertising. When people see that their friends and favorite authors like a book, they’re more likely to check it out themselves.
If you’re an author, you can ask your friends, family, and fans to write endorsements for your book. Include endorsements in your book marketing materials, such as your website and book trailer. Post endorsements on social media, and include them in your press kit.
When you receive an endorsement for your book, be sure to thank the person who wrote it. And if you really love an endorsement, you can ask the person if you can use it on your book’s cover!