How to write a blurb or Amazon sales page copy (book description generator)

If you’re not selling books, it’s almost always because of your cover, blurbs or # of reviews.

I’ve made tons of videos (and a free course) on cover design, and I recently posted a video on how to get 1000 reviews (I was at 923 when I made it, I think I’m past that now).

But I haven’t talked much about the sales copy or book description, even though it’s one of the most critical pieces of your conversion. IF you have a good enough book cover that attracts readers (and most authors don’t), the next step is a description that hooks their attention and makes them desire the book enough to buy it.

The more they want it, the less the price or number of reviews is a factor.

But it’s really hard to write your own, and I don’t feel like I’m an expert at it by any means.

I rewrite my book descriptions every month until they’re selling as well as I want them to.

I’ve hired people to write them for me, to edit, for feedback – I think the takeaway is that you need to rigorously test. That said, there are some easy things that most people get wrong, and some simple things that will almost always boost conversion.

I talk about them in this video, and then I critique 10 actual books on Amazon.

If you like this video, make sure to follow me on YouTube.

Update: book description generator

Real quick, I’ve been using chatGPT to redo my book blurbs and it’s so powerful and effective. But Kindlepreneur also put together a free book description generator you can play around with. Basically you just add your blurb and get a better one… but you really should scroll down and see the different blurb-writing formulas to get a hang of things, so you can recognize which blurbs will perform best and why.

Writing book blurbs is about sales copy, so don’t get too fancy or creative. Tell them what the book is about, who it’s for, which genre it’s in. Don’t summarize the whole plot, just communicate the premise or genre with a strong hook. Also make sure to research your keywords and categories!

What goes on the back cover of your book?

I should mention a few more things, since we’re on the subject…

The Kindle book description needs to have keywords that people are actively using and searching for (for visibility). If you don’t have a visibility problem – some authors don’t – focus on the story only.

Keywords are good for visibility but might be bad for conversion.

For your actual print book, it’s less important. Reviews are often better than sales copy; you can’t say “this is the best book ever” and have it be believable, but if it’s in a review it’s fine. However you only want reviews that add new and specific information.

On the back of your book cover, you’ll want an author bio and website – usually – but just one or two short sentences. You have another author bio in the back of the book that’s for connecting with readers and making your optin offer. The first is sales copy, the second is relationship building and to get them to take the next step.

If you need feedback on your blurb, you can join the free Guerrilla Publishing Facebook group.

Book description formulas for writing a killer blurb that converts

Crap, I thought this was the massive post with all the book blurb formulas, but it isn’t… I’ll probably combine them but for now, here’s the other article with the different blurb blurb strategies and templates you can use to boost conversion on your Amazon page.

The 3 secrets to book marketing, and a haunted castle tour.

Totally free. Get it here.

Derek Murphy

I’m a philosophy dropout with a PhD in Literature. I covet a cabin full of cats, where I can write fantasy novels to pay for my cake addiction. Sometimes I live in castles.