How to get great blurbs for your book

Marketing matters: sharing some of my experiences in seeking out reviews and blurbs

Marketing matters: blurbs on my book, My Father’s Kampung. Source: Shawn Seah and World Scientific.

Many people think of a blurb as a summary at the back of a book. But blurbs also refer to testimonials, endorsements, and praises (which may also end up at the back of a book). They are an important part of marketing: they help attract attention, signal credibility, and convince readers.

Some people think blurbs are “good to have”, but I respectfully differ. Today, with millions of books published each year, leading to incredibly stiff competition, authors must ensure their books stand out. Having great blurbs is one way of doing so.

To help authors (especially new ones, but even experienced authors might need reminders), I have written some pointers that I think will be useful and helpful:

• Tap into your contacts. Who do you know writes about similar topics or themes? They would be your first port of call. If you need more help reaching out, ask your contacts to make introductions for you to reach out. Having said that, I am thankful to have made many friends over the years and built up connections and friendships with people. Usually, if you have built up a fairly strong connection, people would be more willing to help you.