how to write a book proposal

How to Choose Sample Chapters for a Book Proposal

June 15, 2020 by Lisa Tener

book proposal coach lisa reading from right — Your Book Proposal Coach

This is an updated version of my earlier post on how to choose your book proposal sample chapters. I’ve updated it to share some excellent new questions that came in from a book proposal client today.

How Many Sample Chapters?

If you’re interested in being published by a traditional publisher, you probably know you need a book proposal to interest literary agents and publishers in your book. That includes enclosing 1-2 sample chapters. How do you choose and how many?

Many agents are happy with one chapter to start but they often request the second (or more) before you actually sign the deal. You may want to give them two to start with. On the other hand, if you’re in a hurry, one will usually suffice–you can always e-mail the agent and ask their preference.

[bctt tweet=”But how to choose which chapter or chapters to include in your book proposal?” username=”LisaTener”]

A case can be made for sending your first chapter–after all, it makes the case for your book and should entice readers to buy it, devour it in one sitting and put your wisdom and tips into action in their lives. At the same time, if your first chapter sounds too similar to your book proposal, pass on it and go with a later chapter that provides more depth.

You want everything agents and publishers read in your proposal to sound fresh (a good reason to ensure differences in your query letter and the opening of your proposal as well). You also want to be sure that if you submit a chapter than can stand on its own. If your chapter includes medical jargon that is addressed in an earlier chapter, you’ll–at the very least–need to include a note that tells us what information readers will already have.

[bctt tweet=”Questions to Ask Yourself in Choosing Sample Chapter(s) for Your Book Proposal ” username=”LisaTener”]

Given the above caveats, I’d use these questions for deciding on your book proposal sample chapters for a how-to or self-help book:

Which chapters offer the most ground-breaking information?
Which chapters have particularly compelling anecdotes, examples, statistics or stories?
How about the best written chapter(s)? (if you’ve already written the book)
What chapter(s) will be easiest to write? (if you haven’t written any yet)
Which chapters answer my audience’s most pressing and common questions and help them the most?

Choosing Sample Chapters for a Memoir

If you’re writing a memoir, find the chapters that are most compelling, dramatic or suspenseful. What makes your memoir different? Any quirkiness or unique hooks? Definitely include chapters that capitalize on this. Note: with a memoir, you’ll need 50 pages as a sample and many agents/editors will want to see the whole book after that–so make sure you are ready.

In How to Write a Book Proposal (4th edition), Michael Larsen answers the question of which chapter(s) with “send one that best blends freshness and excitement.” He also suggests asking yourself, “how you want editors to feel about your writing and your book when they finish reading your chapter: Use the chapter that will most effectively make them feel that way.”

I also advise authors to use sample chapters that explore the range of the book. If there’s a how to portion of the book that follows a specific structure which follows another section of the book that is more about the problem the book will solve, you may want to showcase both aspects, rather than have the book appear more repetitive with two how-to chapters.

[bctt tweet=”Does the Book Proposal Sample Chapter Need to be Completely Polished?” username=”LisaTener”]

Today, a client asked:

“Are they called sample chapters because they are not necessarily perfect at this stage but well beyond the draft stage?
I’m not talking about typos of misspelled words, of course that would not be in a sample chapter.
But are they called samples chapters because the agent might want to make changes before going forward to a publisher?
Or are they to be perfectly written, organized, and compete?
The reason I’m asking is I have been aiming for perfection which is why it’s taking so long.
But now I’m wondering if I’m making this a grand piano and maybe it doesn’t need to be, at least not right now.”

I’m so glad he asked. Now, this author is an excellent writer and a perfectionist. However, here’s a case where perfectionism is a good thing!

Here’s what I told him:

“The book proposal sample chapters should be super polished – your best writing. They are called “sample chapters” because they are representative of the book. Strive for perfectly written, organized, and complete, but yes, your agent or acquisitions editor (publisher) may want to change some things. Everyone likes to have input and they may have some good ideas we didn’t think of.”

Of course, one can overdo perfectionism. Send your sample chapter to an editor, get feedback, incorporate it, and when your editor says it’s ready, go for it!

Looking for more tips for writing a successful book proposal? This article details step-by-step how to write a book proposal as well as links to articles on writing various book proposal sections.

8 Top Nonfiction Book Proposal Mistakes (& How to Fix Them)

September 18, 2019 by Lisa Tener

Look what recently arrived in the mail! Congrats Carla Naumburg

Nonfiction book proposal mistakes can get your proposal tossed into the circular file before the agent or publisher even gets past page one. Agents and acquisitions editors are some of the busiest people I know. They’re looking for reasons to move on, as much as they are looking for the next book they want to represent or publish.

Your job in writing a book proposal is twofold: a) hook agents and publishers with exactly what they want to see and b) avoid the red flags that would make them move on.

8 Top Nonfiction Book Proposal Mistakes I See

miracle of writing a book — The opposite of a tired title! This title makes a promise!

A Tired Title

Nonfiction Book Proposal Mistake 1: Your title doesn’t sell the book. Granted, your publisher may well change your title. Still, you can’t afford to lead with a tired, confusing, misleading or otherwise not-amazing title. Your title should be catchy. It should sound fresh and relevant. For prescriptive nonfiction, your title needs to make it clear what problem you’re solving, who the book’s for and what results or benefits readers can expect. Generally, negative doesn’t sell. While there are exceptions, it’s almost always best to lead with an inspiring title when it comes to prescriptive nonfiction.

Blah Blah Blah

Nonfiction Book Proposal Mistake 2: Starting with generalities: “People are so stressed nowadays”: Begin with something captivating: a shocking statistic that demonstrates market size and desperation for what your book offers, a counterintuitive statement that makes the reader curious and attentive, an especially powerful story, or something that indicates the huge numbers of people (in your target market) you reach in a year.

Here’s what I told one author who had begun his Overview with a series of questions: “Given the power of your case studies, maybe the most compelling way to start the Overview would be with a story.” Do you have a good story to tell? Groundbreaking research to share? A fresh voice? Start with your strongest suit(s).

A to Z (Don’t Teach in a Nonfiction Book Proposal)

book cover become your childs sleep coach — This author kept her system simple in the proposal. She didn’t try to teach all the details in the proposal.

Nonfiction Book Proposal Mistake 3: Trying to teach your system to the agent/acquisitions editor/acquisitions board member who is reading your proposal. Yes, agents and acquisitions editors need to understand you have a system, but don’t lose them in the details.

Here’s what I told that same author in example 2: “Trying to explain the techniques in such detail and give so much information about the book’s format has us too much in the details and not enough with the big picture experience of the power of the tools/system and the emotional connection to what’s possible, and the sense of what makes the work fresh. A powerful story draws us in and demonstrates the dramatic promise of this book, what it can do for readers.”

Buried Treasure (Don’t Hide Your Platform)

Nonfiction Book Proposal Mistake 4: Minimizing the importance of platform: I once heard an agent say that if the author’s platform wasn’t highlighted in the first paragraph, she lost interest! While this may sound extreme, for a prescriptive (self-help, how-to or business) book, platform is almost always key to getting a book deal; often even more important than the content of the book.

Get your platform in place before querying agents or publishers. Are there shortcuts? There are some strategies that can help you build a case for selling large numbers of books, yes. I’ll be sharing them in my upcoming book proposal class that starts in October.

Format Fumbles

Nonfiction Book Proposal Mistake 5: Make yourself familiar with the format that publishers want to see. Double space your book proposal in twelve point font. Use normal margins. Indent the first line of each paragraph by 5. Do not add extra spacing between paragraphs. Using the correct format shows publishers that you will be easy to work with. You follow directions. You’re looking to make their job easy. It’s one of the very first things publishers will notice.

Have you made any of these 8 mistakes in your nonfiction book proposal? Here’s how to fix them! [bctt tweet=”Have you made any of these 8 mistakes in your nonfiction book proposal? Here’s how to fix them!” username=”LisaTener”]

Number Anemia

While this author had a very short, one page, markets section, his markets were to the point and included research data and census data to back up claims and prove market size.

Nonfiction Book Proposal Mistake 6: Omitting sizes of primary and secondary markets. It’s not enough to include your primary and secondary markets. Be sure to include their size. How do you find those numbers? This is another area we’ll explore in my upcoming book proposal course.

A Focus on Pedigree

Nonfiction Book Proposal Mistake 7: Sure, mention you graduated from MIT and got your MD at Yale. But don’t go crazy listing every place you studied, interned, etc. Start out with what you’re known for and is related to the book’s subject. You’re an internationally recognized expert on x. Quickly back that up with your creds as a thought leader: where do you get invited to speak? Where have you been interviewed? Focus on platform because platform sells books; credentials does not, on its own, sell books. You can circle back to more about your credentials but keep them focused on those that relate to the book (or to marketing and selling a book).

Old Comps

Nonfiction Book Proposal Mistake 8: Old books as comps. I made this mistake myself. Publishers want you to compare your book to books that are on the market now. Not a classic from 20 years ago!

What to focus on in your Nonfiction Book Proposal, to Avoid Additional Mistakes

Your turn to write a successful nonfiction book proposal!

Your goal of the proposal is for the agent/publisher/acquisitions editor and acquisitions board to represent/publish the book. You want them to read the proposal and be convinced:

a) This is compelling and powerful, something people will buy. It fills a need in the marketplace.

b) This is fresh.

c) You have the platform to sell tens of thousands of books (for a large publisher) or at least quite a few thousand for a small, niche publisher.

How to Write a Book Proposal

Interested in writing the best book you possibly can? Consider joining Fast Track Your Book Proposal. I offer this program once a year.

You will learn how to write a book proposal, receive the accountability and support needed to get it done, and get my input on your book concept and other aspects of your book. In addition, the silver and gold plans include my feedback and editing on your entire book proposal.

Email me to explore whether your book idea is a good fit for this book proposal course before signing up, or fill out an application here.

What Makes a Book Proposal Compelling to Agents and Publishers?

September 10, 2019 by Lisa Tener

I’d already started writing this post on what makes a book proposal compelling to agents and publishers when this email hit my inbox:

“Friday I signed my book contract! Thank you Lisa for helping me to get to this place. I still can’t believe this is happening. I have a feeling this will open so many doors for me, things I never even thought possible. Thank you so much Lisa for all your thoughtful guidance!”

Lisa Tener on Book Lover's Day — Your Book Proposal Coach in “Summer Mode”

This is “Jane’s” first book and she received a healthy advance on the high end of the five figure spectrum with a dream publisher.

Yay.

And also “Whew.”

It took a lot of hard work on her part to get to this point.

It took “platform building” as well as brainstorming, writing, editing, rewriting, coming up with a marketing plan and more. It took learning to become a stronger writer. It took experimenting and trying new things.

The Analysis

Let’s break down our analysis of what Jane did right into these categories:

The strategies Jane employed to build her platform
The actions “Jane” took when it came to the writing
The qualities she possessed or nurtured in herself
Jane had done original research and extensive personal interviews to bring new information to the market.
Jane demonstrated the need for her book, with a particular market

Actions “Jane” Took to Make her Book Proposal Compelling to Agents and Publishers

The Strategies Jane Employed to Grow Her Platform

While Jane was in the enviable place of being contacted by journalists and documentary producers about her research, she still had a modest platform. So we went to work:

1. Agents and Publishers Like to See Strong PR in a Book Proposal

On my website, I include logos from press that has interviewed or quoted me. You can do the same.

I suggested that as a university researcher, Jane let the PR department of the university know she was interested in speaking to journalists about her research and in brainstorming ideas for pitches to the press, without necessarily giving away all the juice that was in her book.

This is usually important–to leave some of the exciting research or information for when the book launches, yet get some publicity for tangential work now and develop relationships with journalists before sending a proposal out.

2. Agents and Publishers Love to See a Healthy Speaking Schedule in a Book Proposal

One of the best ways to sell books is in person at a speaking or training gig. Jane had spoken at a couple of conferences to very large audiences in the past. I encouraged her to contact the conference organizer to discuss being a keynote speaker in 2021, mentioning the topic of her book. I also suggested she line up additional speaking gigs. She did!

3. Innovative Research Grants Can Get Media Attention and Lead to Greater Visibility in Your Field

During our discussion, Jane mentioned some grants she planned to apply for, including one to be a national model for cities. Seeing how this could help her platform, she moved this up in priority and has already been approved for one of the two new grants, and is eagerly awaiting to hear from the second.

The Actions Jane Took to Improve Her Writing

As an academic, Jane needed to learn how to write for a trade audience in a conversational style. Early on, she had told me two very funny stories about herself that painted a picture in my mind. I added these two stories to her introductory sample chapter and helped her tell the stories in a humorous way. Here are the elements that helped make these stories so entertaining that publishers and agents could envision a very popular book:

Paint a funny picture! Photo by Dan Cook on Unsplash

They painted a very funny picture. The descriptions helped readers see the scene unfold.
The stories were personal and showed a vulnerable side of her, her foibles as a parent, being challenged to take her own advice, advice that she provides other parents on a daily basis. This vulnerability and authenticity serves multiple purposes. It helps readers relate to the author and provides a connection. It makes the author believable–that she too felt challenged by the subject. It makes her trustworthy. They also added some self-deprecating humor, without eroding the author’s professional creds. It also helps readers feel that everyone struggles with this issue but they can overcome that.

The Value of Fresh in a Book Proposal

Jane’s original research included extensive interviews. Being a researcher with very fresh information definitely added to the cachet of her proposal. If you don’t have your own fresh research, perhaps you can identify new research by others and highlight several scientists or medical researchers. Or you can have a researcher contribute to each chapter.

There are other ways to be fresh though:

a new perspective on an evergreen topic
addressing an audience that had not been addressed specifically in previous books
a fresh voice
unusual stories
exciting features that help readers integrate the material, such as exercises, journal prompts, videos or audios that can be accessed by QR code, cartoons or some other ways to engage readers and help them experience your material more deeply

Demonstrating the Market Need

Look what just came in the mail! a few days ago! Congrats Carla Naumburg.

Originally, Jane targeted a more general market. After I introduced Jane to the woman who became her literary agent, the agent suggested she address some general market publishers with one proposal and tweak the proposal slightly for the Christian market, a natural fit for Jane’s book. Jane did so and ended up signing with a Christian publisher.

When addressing markets for the book or audience in your book proposal, be sure to include the size of each primary and secondary market. I often use census data for this section.

If an acquisitions editor wants to acquire your book for his or her list, they will bring your proposal to an acquisitions board meeting. The board will attempt to estimate the number of copies they expect to sell and the expected income from your book sales. If

You Have to Sing Your Own Praises

This is not a time to be modest. Jane struggled a bit with “bragging” but she learned the importance of it quickly enough.

Another client I worked with this summer during a VIP Day with me had a similar struggle. It came up in our conversation that she’d won a prestigious award, yet nowhere in her proposal or her “About the Author” section did she mention this. “I didn’t even think of it,” she told me.

This is your time to brag. Include awards, honors, achievements (even those that are tangential but impressive), famous people you’ve shared the speaking stage with, original research you’ve done, anything you can think of.

Share your book proposal and book writing questions as a comment below.

And please join me for an absolutely free, information-rich, enlightening and fun teleseminar “Fast Track Your Book Proposal” on September 18 at 8:30 pm ET, 5:30 pm PT.

Sign up here! (it’s free!)

On the free teleseminar call, you will learn to…

Increase Your Chances of a Book Deal.
Start Your Proposal for Maximum Impact.
Avoid the Dreaded Slush Pile!
Include 3 Must-Haves Every Publisher Wants.

I’ll also share the strategies that just helped my client sign a high 5-figure book deal.

PLUS: Learn 2 top platform-building tips!

Sign up here!

Can You Still Get a Book Deal as a New Author?

August 27, 2019 by Lisa Tener

I’m often asked, “Can you still get a book deal as a new author?”

Yes. You can.

The proof?

One of my clients just signed a book contract on Friday, a first time author, and will be getting a high five figure advance with her dream publisher. She’s one of several new authors who signed traditional book contracts this year (which come with an advance payment).

Was it easy?

No.

Will you need to do some work? Yes, likely.

If you’re writing a prescriptive book—self-help, how-to, business—rather than a narrative book, then platform is especially important. That is, publishers and agents want to see from your book proposal that you reach a good sized part of your target market already.

[bctt tweet=”If you don’t have much of a platform, part of the work of developing a book proposal is growing your platform.” username=”LisaTener”]

Did I say book proposal? Yes. You may already know that to get a book deal, you’ll need a compelling book proposal, including a list of chapters, one or two sample chapters, outlines or summaries of all the chapters and what is essentially a business plan for your book. This business plan aspect includes an analysis of your market or audience, an analysis of where your book fits in the market as compared to other books currently on the market and information about your current platform and a plan for how you will leverage that platform to promote the book. You’ll also need a rousing query letter.

Invitation to learn what agents and publishers are looking for today, get some hot tips and hear what my clients are doing to get book deals

Carla Naumburg’s *How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids* has just been published by Workman Publishing and came out this week!

If you are just about ready to write a book proposal, I have exciting news for you. On September 18, I’m offering a free training on writing a successful book proposal. In it, we’ll cover:

How You Can Increase Your Chances to Get a Book Deal as a New Author
Ways to Start Your Book Proposal for Maximum Impact.
Avoid the Dreaded Slush Pile!
3 Must-Haves Every Publisher Wants to See.
Tips that recently helped one of my clients sign a high 5-figure book deal.

PLUS: Learn 2 top platform-building tips!

SIGN UP HERE.

[bctt tweet=”How to Get My Guidance and My Detailed Editing and Feedback on Your Book Proposal” username=”LisaTener”]

In addition, starting October 2, I’m teaching a 4 week course to “Fast Track Your Book Proposal” where I will give away my biggest secrets and strategies that helped these authors interest agents and publishers and get their book deals. I’ll also help each author with brainstorming the platform building and promotion plan, as well as other aspects that can make the difference between the slush pile and the publishing route.

You don’t need to wait until October. In fact, those who sign up now will get an early bird discount and can immediately have access to the course website, with all the guiding materials, bonus items and more. Plus you can get started on your book concept and book your book concept consultation, so we can focus on some of the burning questions you may have, like:

“Which book do I write, x or y or z?”
“Is my target audience doctors or patients?”
“What tone should I take?”
“How do I organize the material into a structure that will resonate with my readers?”
“Where do I start?”
“How do I make the time and stick with it?”

Would you like to be part of this exciting course? I’m limiting the course to 12 participants, and because I can edit the work of a limited number of people at one time, I can only take three to work with me in the gold plan (so anyone after number four would work with my colleague) and another four in the silver plan, leaving five spots for bronze.

If you want to explore, feel free to schedule a time to chat with me here.

And before our call, please fill out this application. While the application does not imply any commitment on your part, it will help me prepare for our exploratory call and to evaluate whether the course is a good fit for you.

Already started your proposal? That’s okay. The course will still help you to punch up sections, polish and tweak.

Read more about the book proposal course here. Note: at times when the course isn’t offered, you can sign up for one-on-one book proposal coaching and editing plans. Email me for details. Need a ghostwriter for your book proposal? I can find you an excellent book proposal writer as well.

Benefits of Exploring and Signing Up Early

After working together on his book proposal, I introduced Dr. Symington to his dream book publisher, an acquisitions editor at New Harbinger. The book is now out and making a difference in people’s lives!

BONUS! One big benefit of signing up early is that the first two people to sign up for the gold program will receive a FREE seat in my Stevie-award winning 8-Week Bring Your Book to Life® Program, in February and March. That could be perfect timing for writing additional chapters of your book, perhaps even a full first draft. And should you sign a book contract before that, you’ll be especially happy to have the structure and support to write the remaining chapters in time for your manuscript due date and pub date. Did I mention that this free bonus normally costs $4497 – $5997?
MORE TIME TO CLARIFY YOUR BOOK CONCEPT BEFORE CLASS BEGINS. You may not be sure of all the details of your book concept: vision, goals, audience, tone, features, structure, what goes in and what to leave out. By signing up early, you’ll get to work on that with me from the get go, so that by the time class starts you are more likely to be clear on the foundation of your book.
GETTING THE SPOT YOU WANT: Sign up early to be sure to get in the program that fits your needs best. As mentioned, I am limiting my individual work to:
1. 3 Gold Plan Spots
2. 4 Silver Plan Spots
3. 5 Bronze (or more if we have fewer in Gold and Silver)
SURPRISE BONUS: I will be adding another special bonus for early birds as soon as I confirm (hint: with a literary agent)
DID I MENTION THE EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT? Save $900 – $1500 when you register before September 22!

If this sounds of interest to you sign up here for an exploratory call or email me with suggested times if the times in the scheduler don’t work for you.

How to Get Published

What Makes a Book Proposal Compelling to Agents and Publishers?

Stay tuned for our author interview with Lynelle Schneeberg, PsyD, about writing and publishing Become Your Child’s Sleep Coach (published by Hachette). And the week after, in my next blog post. I’ll take you through some of the important steps and strategies employed by my most recent client to sign a book deal, the one receiving a high 5-figure advance with her dream publisher.

8 Tips to Get Great Amazon Book Reviews

March 13, 2018 by Lisa Tener

One strategy that can help catapult your book to page one on Amazon results are your Amazon book reviews. Of course, your book needs to be categorized well on Amazon (with the right keywords and categories). It needs to be well-written, too! But after these “givens” reviews rock.

Why are Amazon Book Reviews Important?

#1: Amazon Takes Reviews Seriously. The Amazon Algorithm looks at book purchases but also at reviews. A large number of 5 star reviews (and 4 star as well) shows Amazon that the book has merit among readers. Amazon will, however, discount reviews if they are from people who did not purchase on Amazon or, so I have heard, if it looks to their algorithm as if you are closely related to the reviewer.

#2: Readers Take Amazon Reviews Seriously. Many potential book buyers read reviews. First, almost everyone looks at the average number of stars before buying a book. A 4 or 5 star book is helpful! Most potential buyers tend to read a few reviews in detail as well. When it comes to self-help, how-to or business books, people are searching for a book to solve a problem. The more specifically the reviews address how the book helped them with a particular goal, challenge or problem, the more motivating it is for potential book buyers.

[bctt tweet=”Before You Do Anything, Write Amazon Book Reviews! ” username=”LisaTener”]

Don’t wait until your book comes out—or is even written, for that matter. Start your work today. First off, you want to be a contributor to your greater community—other authors in your field, book buyers and readers. The Amazon book reviews you post help other authors and they help buyers make the buying decision. Only review books you can authentically rate a 4 or 5 star book.

I once reviewed a book lower than a 4 when I was disappointed in it. I’d planned to give it as a gift and it just wasn’t the right gift for this person. The author contacted me personally and told me how much work she put into the book. Perhaps I just wasn’t the right audience for it: I took off my review. I haven’t reviewed a book under 4 since then. Focus on the books you love (or at least super-like!).

If you start reviewing related books (and others) now, it will be much easier to ask colleagues to write Amazon book reviews for your book later. So, don’t wait!

[bctt tweet=”How to Get Great Amazon Book Reviews ” username=”LisaTener”]

1. Ask your colleagues. Before the book comes out, encourage your colleagues to pre-order the book. Mention how grateful you would be for their review, if they like the book. It’s always a good idea to include those last 5 words! You may want to draft an email you can send to colleagues and personalize it for each person.
2. Ask your fans and wider community. If you send out a newsletter, send a special emailing sharing why you’re so excited about the book. Share what it can do for the reader and your hopes for the difference the book will make for readers and those they love! Include a request for Amazon book reviews (and book reviews in general), again, if they love the book.
3. Give out bookmarks or postcards. If you do any public speaking, teaching or just meet lots of people, print up bookmarks or postcards that invite people to buy your book. You can include a QR code on the bookmark for easy purchase with a phone, plus a request that, “If you love TITLE, please review it on Amazon and elsewhere.”
4. 47 Amazon Book Reviews in Just a Few Weeks!
  
  Find Readers Who Are Passionate About Your Work. Stephen Snyder, MD, author of Love Worth Making, has 47 Amazon book reviews in the few weeks since the book came out—and a 5 star average! He suggests, “Reviews are a book’s life-blood these days—just as they are for any product sold online. But a book is more personal, so readers are less eager to go public with their opinions. An author needs readers who are passionate enough about the book to want to share their opinion online. To get consistently great reviews, you’ll first need to write a great book—then encourage people who love it to say so!”
5. 122 Amazon book reviews and counting!
  
  Ask admirers to take the next step. Dr. Craig Malkin, author of Rethinking Narcissism, which has 122 Amazon book reviews and an impressive 4.3 star average suggests, “When people rave about your work on your Facebook page or Twitter, make a simple request: ‘Thanks you so much! I welcome reviews on goodreads and amazon. If you feel so moved, just cut and paste this wonderful comment into either. It’s terrific as is!’ and link to amazon reviews to make their job easier. 100% of the time, they’ll do it. People have alway been willing to take this tiny extra step to share their enthusiasm over Rethinking Narcissism.” This tip is especially helpful because Amazon does prefer reviews from people who don’t know the author personally.
  
  117 Amazon book reviews
  
  117 Amazon book reviews

6. “Make a video and include it in your book via QR code. Tamara Monosoff, author of The Mom Inventor’s Handbook has 117 Amazon book reviews for that book, with a 4.8 star average. Tamara teaches authors strategies to get their book noticed, as well as how to monetize their books. One of her favorite strategies involves using video (via a QR codes that readers can scan with a phone). Her book review suggestion, not surprisingly, utilizes this fresh and proven method as well. “I suggest authors include a 30-second THANK YOU video message at the beginning and end of their book. In the video say something like, ‘Thank you for purchasing my book! If you love what you learn, I would greatly appreciate a review on Amazon. Your review matters and I greatly appreciate your time.’ Include a link to your Amazon review page to make easy for your readers to click and review.”

724 book reviews and an average of 4.5 stars! Wow!

7. Encourage and Engage Your Tribe Step by Step: Jeff Goins’ books on writing have between 240 to over 700 reviews each with You Are a Writer topping the list at 724 and an average review of 4.5! Jeff offers this, “My simplest tip is quite simple for getting more book reviews: Ask for them. I recommend creating a Facebook group and email list for your book and encouraging people to read the book. When they do, ask them what they thought about it. When they respond, ask them to copy and paste that into a review. Offering incentives and rewards are great, but the best way to get an honest review from a reader is simply to ask.”

8. Create a Discount Code for Purchases Accompanied by a Request for Reviews. Jody Rein, literary agent and co-author with Michael Larsen of the 5th edition of How to Write a Book Proposal, says, “Although, in support of independent bookstores, I often send people to www.Indiebound.com, there’s no denying the power of Amazon reviews! We all have come to rely on the strong opinions of strangers, whether we’re buying books or blouses. I have to admit that for our book launch I was much more focused on asking publishing industry pals to recommend How to Write a Book Proposal, Fifth Edition than I was about creating a review campaign. It’s never too late! Thanks to Lisa’s advice, I’ve started asking anyone who sends a complimentary letter to write a review. I also recently asked our publisher to provide a discount code that we could connect to an ‘ask’ for purchases and reviews. It’s a great dual-purpose promo, because we’re creating positive work of mouth on the book even if the campaign doesn’t get a ton of reviews. We put the discount code on our new Facebook page for the book, and promote the discount code a little through social media. Please like the page and use the code (and, of course, write a review!)”

And Another Tip to Add to Your Promotion Plan

Jody adds, “Ours is a little bit of a “carpenter’s shoes” situation. At least our inside-industry promo paid off—we just learned today that our book earned out its advance before its first royalty statement was issued! That NEVER happens! But now we need to sustain those sales, and reviews are permanent, free ads, so that’s our next focus. Self-publishers, you can create your own discount code based review campaign!”

Jody’s point about focusing on asking for recommendations is well taken. Asking for recommendations from people who influence your target market is one of the best ways to sell books, as evidenced by the success of How to Write a Book Proposal. So, add that to your book launch plan, in addition to asking for Amazon book reviews.

2020 Update to the Post

It’s March 2020 and I was recently contacted by a reader recommending this excellent post by author C.S. Lakin. You’ll learn the latest tips and also can download a copy of her free guide: 8 Simple Secrets to Big Book Sales on Amazon.

Have a tip for getting Amazon Book Reviews? Please add yours below. Feel free to ask questions as a comment as well!

Book Writing Tips: 9 Keys to Clarifying Target Market

July 31, 2017 by Lisa Tener

book proposal coach lisa tener — Here to answer your questions about tarket market, clarifying your book concept and how to write a winning book proposal!

Clarifying target market will help you write a book that resonates for your readers—from the title and subtitle to the tone, content, features and structure. With this clarity, your readers can realize, “This book is for me! It’s just what I’m looking for.”

Without such clarity, your book is more likely to get lost in the general noise of publishing, or just not resonate for book buyers (think, too general and not targeted).

Clarifying a target market also makes it much easier to market your book. Without a clear market (or markets) it’s hard to know where to reach your readers—what social media platforms, what radio or TV shows to target, what blogs, etc.

5 Questions to Help You in Clarifying Target Market

To clarify target market, ask yourself:

1) Who am I most drawn to help or work with?

2) Who is most drawn to me (if you have a business) or who would most likely benefit from what I want to write about?

3) What are my goals and vision for this project?

4) Is there a niche group that is under-served by the books currently out on my topic?

5) Is there a demographic or sub-group that is particularly in need—or desperate—for the information I have to offer?

These questions will start to help you determine target market.

4 Additional Tips for Clarifying a Book’s Tarket Market

6) Blogging can help you get clearer on target market, especially if you invite comments from readers and get to know more about them.

7) Researching market size will help you determine the potential for book sales—numbers that are especially important to agents and publishers. Try census data, professional associations and internet searches as a starting point.

8) Solid demographic and psychographic research will also help you better clarify and understand your market(s).

9) Send out a survey to the people on your mailing list or blog. Ask them more about themselves and what they are looking for in a book on your topic. I use Survey Monkey (it’s free!) but there are lots of good options out there.

Get More Info and Support to Write a Stand Out Book or Book Proposal

For additional information on clarifying target market, read this post where I share whether to target a niche market or a broad market for a book.

Get Clear On Your Book Concept: If you are looking for guidance on clarifying your book concept—vision, goals, markets, features, tone and structure for your book—I highly recommend my $97 self-study program, Quick Start to Kick Start Your Book, as an excellent starting place. I continue to hear from authors who felt they ended up with a much better book—and easier, quicker process, because of this course.

Write a Winning Book Proposal: If you’re working on a book proposal, email me for access to the course materials and recordings from Fast Track Your Book Proposal at a substantially reduced rate from the once-a-year course. My insider tips can make your book proposal stand out and much more convincing to busy—and picky—agents and publishers.

Get Answers to Your Questions! Have a question on target markets, book proposals, book concepts or anything publishing and writing related? Ask below and I’ll answer!