In the good old days, readers bought books in bookstores. They traveled to the store and unless they were shopping for a specific title, readers then wandered the aisles in general or headed straight for the section with their favorite genre. After browsing, they made a decision to buy based on three things: an enticing cover, an intriguing back cover description, and a captivating first page.

Today’s online shopping experience relies on those same elements: traffic to get to the virtual store, an eye-catching cover image, a reader-hooking book blurb on the sales page, and perhaps a glimpse inside for a few sample pages along with the number of reviews.

Last week L.A. Sartor gave a few tips on how to write a stellar blurb, so now it’s time to make that sales copy do even more for you by using phrases from your book blurb in your social media, email, and website images. By combining the cover with parts of your blurb, the resulting image becomes a mini-sales page to start enticing readers to buy before they even get to the store.

Let me show you what I mean using 8 examples

Here’s the blurb from a Scottish medieval romance:

Sometimes the most heroic live in plain sight.

Tragedy stalks Gunn Castle, most recently when the heir to the Gunn chiefdom died, leaving the land vulnerable to attack. But security has come in the promise of a marriage alliance with the Clan Sinclair, the Gunns’ powerful northern neighbors.

The search is on to gather the eligible maidens…except mysterious accidents befall all who join the laird’s widow at the castle. Meanwhile, messengers have been spotted along the southern border, and Clan Sinclair may be walking into a trap.

With war looming and a madwoman in their midst, the only hope for a peaceful future may lie in the hands of a disfigured Gunn recluse and the overlooked second son of Clan Sinclair.

If you like clean medieval romance, the Scottish Highlands, and cheering for the underdog, then you’ll love the first installment of this new series from Candee Fick.

And now for the images… I deliberately chose backgrounds that reflected the setting and tone of the book, especially that of the blurb quote. For the text style, I chose one that hinted at the medieval/historical time period.

Created with Book Brush

Created with Book Brush

Created with Book Brush

Created with Book Brush

Let’s look at another blurb, this time from a contemporary sweet romance:

The pampered diva is about to meet her match.

Songbird Gloria Houghton has always needed to be the center of attention, but the spotlight has shifted. Seeking fame and a fresh start, she finds a new stage in Branson, Missouri…only to risk being replaced by a manipulative rival.

If Gloria can’t be the star, who is she?

Jack-of-all-trades Nick Sherwood is just one leaf on a vast family tree that includes a restaurant chef, hotel owners, and even the headline act at a family-owned theater. He’s seen how fame can blind a person with jealousy and is more than content to stay in the background thank you very much. If only he wasn’t so fascinated—and irritated—by the newest addition to the staff.

After a disaster of a first impression and financial difficulties land Gloria in the humblest of jobs—with Nick as her boss—it might be time for her to learn to sing a new song.

If you like strong families, country music, and redeemed villains, then you’ll love this next chapter in The Wardrobe series by Candee Fick. Pick up Sing a New Song and step into the spotlight for yourself.

For these images, I looked for backgrounds in Book Brush to reflect the country music setting along with more modern fonts.

Created with Book Brush

Created with Book Brush

Created with Book Brush

Created with Book Brush

So, now it’s your turn.

Print out your book blurb and start circling or highlighting the most enticing or intriguing phrases. Then use those phrases as text in your images inside Book Brush’s Custom Creator.  When paired with your cover, you now have a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal.

Article by Candee Fick

Candee is a multipublished, award-winning author. She is also the wife of a high school football coach and the mother of three children, including a daughter with a rare genetic syndrome.

When not busy writing, editing, or coaching other authors, she can be found cheering on the home team at sporting events, exploring the great Colorado outdoors, indulging in dark chocolate, and savoring happily-ever-after endings through a good book. Find her here.