As a newbie writer making a good first impression on readers is a must. Making a good first impression on readers is the equivalent of getting your foot in the door.
Making a good impression on readers will also show readers your true abilities as a writer and convince them that your book is worth reading. It can also be a part of your book marketing strategies in the long run.
Which is why it is imperative that you create a great book introduction. The better your introduction, the easier it will be to compel readers to read your book. Here are some great tips on how to write a truly captivating book introduction.
- Make your intent clear and concise
One of the biggest mistakes in making a book introduction is not making your intent evident as early as possible. This is because the clearer your intent the more effective and efficient your book introduction will be. So before you make your book introduction, you should ask yourself these questions.
- What do I want to convey with this book introduction?
- What can I offer readers?
- Why should they read my book?
- Why did I write this book in the first place?
- What is the book all about?
By making your intent as clear and concise as possible, you are making it easier for readers to know your motives and be more supportive of your work.
- Point out a problem, and make your book the solution
Aside from making your intentions clear, it is also a good idea to point out a problem or an inconsistency in your chosen genre and make your book the solution.
For example, you are writing a book about the contributions of women in the Second World War. So in your book introduction, you could mention that the contributions of women are not as widely recognized as that of men. Which is why you decided to write a book that will help spread word of their many contributions.
This is a sound book marketing strategy because it will allow you to paint your book in a very positive light and compel readers to buy it at the same time.
- Show readers your credibility as a writer
Aside from making your book introduction as clear and concise as possible, it is also a good idea to show readers your credibility. Readers are very particular about the credibility of the writers they follow. And no reader would waste their time with an author who lacks credibility and knowledge on the topic he or she is writing about. Here are some ways you can show readers your credibility.
- Mention your past experiences in your chosen genre. For example, if you are writing a book on Ancient Roman history, then you should mention any article you wrote or a study that you conducted on the ancient Roman Empire. This will not only show readers that you have in-depth knowledge in the subject you are writing, but it will also assuage any doubts they had in your credibility as a writer.
- State the reason why you are interested in your chosen topic. Mention a past experience that made you interested in your chosen genre.
- You can also mention a past experience that compelled you to write your book.
- Show readers the advantages of reading your book
The main reason why readers pick up a book is because they want to get knowledge or enjoyment from it. No one reads just for the sake of reading.
So it is advisable that you mention the advantages of reading your book. Show them that reading your book is not only a great way to enhance their knowledge, but it will also help enrich their lives. Of course you should not lie about the advantages of reading your book. Just be honest and just state them out efficiently.
- Anticipate objections and doubts
Being an author is sometimes like being a salesman. Like a salesman, you need to sell your product (which is your book). And like a salesman, you are expected to face a lot of objections and doubts in the many instances of selling your book. One such instance is your book introduction.
This is because, not all readers who pick up your book are wholly convinced of your credibility or are sure in buying your book. So it is up to you to assuage their fears. Anticipate any objections and doubts they may have and address them in your book introduction.
Show them that their objections and doubts are needless. Show them that they will benefit from reading your book. And most of all show them that your book is the one they need.
- Be polite and engaging
A book introduction is like a love letter to fans. That’s because it’s addressed to them and is designed to compel them to read your book.
Thus, it is very important that you write in a polite and engaging manner. Be polite in a way that it shows readers that you are a decent person and be engaging enough to compel them to read your book. But not too engaging that it comes out as cloying or too aggressive. All in all, writing a book introduction is like walking a tight rope. It’s all about balance.
