Getting a celebrity, notable VIP, or leader in your field to present your book a small testimonial or endorsement (sometimes called a “blurb”) is a terrific way to boost sales and get extra publicity. Remember that this is a trade-off. You get a testimonial to your book, and the endorser gets additional exposure and/or reliability. Below is the five-step practice I teach authors and also writers:
1) Choose potential endorsers dependant on your book’s subject.
If your book is about animals, for example, target celebrities and/or notable VIPs who have a vested personal curiosity about animals. If it’s about a disease, target people who have suffered personally as a result or who contribute to the disease’s cause. If it’s about water-skiing, target people who want to kayak.
2) Ask potential endorsers to publish your book’s introduction as well as foreword.
This technique can work really well providing you remember the following: flattery is key. Don’t ask for an endorsement at this time. Instead, flatter the person simply by saying that because of their expertise on your book’s issue, you’d like to ask him or her to write the advantages or foreword. You may want to indicate that this is a fantastic opportunity for the endorser to obtain some additional exposure. When the book is actually published, you can mention “Introduction by simply (Expert’s Name)” or maybe “Foreword by (Expert’s Name)” for the cover.
3) Gather a summary of names and contact information.
The reference area of your local public library is a good start, but you can discover more accurate information on the net. Search Google for “celebrity contacts” or “celebrity addresses” for a summary of resources. If the celebrity posseses an official Web site, you can usually find his or her contact information there as well. Don’t forget personal as well as professional connections. Take some time to sit down and brainstorm all the folks you know who could put in a good word to suit your needs or at least pass along your book and ask.
4) Make the idea as easy as possible to obtain a response.
Your request should include the draft of your publication, a self-addressed, pre-paid FedEx or Concern Mail envelope, an easy-to-fill out testimonial form, and a personalized notice from you. If you’re nervous concerning sending a draft from the book, you can also incorporate a Confidentiality Letter. You may even would like to mention that the superior the testimonial, the more likely it’s going to appear in your book (and maybe on the cover), resulting in additional exposure with the endorser.
5) Point out some great benefits of giving an endorsement.
Potential endorsers usually won’t mind (and may probably appreciate) the excess free publicity, additional exposure, and added credibility their blurb will supply when it’s featured in (and maybe on the cover regarding) your book. Let the endorser know you’ll mention his / her name, company name, and city under the testimonial as an added benefit of giving you an endorsement.
BONUS STEP: Follow Up!
If you still never have heard anything, send a follow-up letter or email towards the celebrities you asked a great endorsement from after 2-3 weeks have gone. Know that getting a fantastic endorsement or testimonial might take time. Celebrities and VIPs are generally busy, and their mail is normally screened by an assistant or representative which could delay your request dealing with them.
Always remember the “Three Ps” getting celebrity testimonial and endorsements for ones books: Be Polite, Be Persistent, and Be Patient!
Jordan McAuley is mcdougal of “The Celebrity Black Book” and also the Founder of Contact Any Celebrity located in West Hollywood, California. His exclusive online databases located at http://www.contactanycelebrity.com delivers accurate celebrity contact information like the best mailing address, agent, manager, publicist, production company, and charitable cause pertaining to over 54, 000 public figures worldwide to fans, businesses, authors, nonprofits, and the media.
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