HOW TO WRITE BLURBS FOR APPROVAL There is not a formula to write blurbs, but there are a few rules: • They cannot be too long, or no one will read them. • They can’t be too pitchy or over the top, or they lose credibility. The most important thing is that the blurb focuses on the benefit for the reader—why should the reader care about the book? For this, the best advice is for you to go find the 5-10 books on Amazon that you think are good comparisons to your book (or in similar niches), read the blurbs for them, and imitate their style. Dif- ferent niches have different blurb styles, and the best thing you can do with a blurb is not violate any norms the readers are expecting. EXAMPLE OF A GREAT, DIRECTED BLURB LIST Remember, the more focused the blurb list is on your audience, the better it will be for you. Here is an excellent example of the appropriate use of blurbs, from the book Common Financial Sense, by Harris Nydick and Greg Makowski: “This guide delivers the most practical and straightforward tutorial I have ever read.” —haZel o’leary, forMer united StateS SeCretary of energy “I wish I had access to this book earlier in my career! I promise to pay it forward by sending a copy of Common Financial Sense to each of my three twenty-something kids.” —Skip SChweiSS, preSident, td aMeritrade truSt CoMpany “Common Financial Sense is an insightful new guide that simplifies and demystifies retirement plan investing. Read this book! It will help you make smart decisions to successfully pursue your financial goals.” —JoShua paCe, preSident and Ceo, e*trade hOW TO gET iNCrEDiBlE BlUrBS fOr yOUr BOOk · 231