Create a book with impact. Be specific in the introduction. Incorporate item number 1.
Just like the first two minutes of a TED talk or speech, the book introduction instantly engages the heart. If it does not, you risk losing a buyer.
I often tell our authors, celebrities, and speakers that crafting a book introduction is one of the most critical parts of the book.
We coach our clients (and interview them, pull out their truths, and add it to the manuscript) to answer three important questions in the introduction.
1. What is this book about?
2. Who am I?
3. Why should I be reading it?
Question three must be answered in a subtle yet forceful way. You must be willing to create a specific clear call to action that tells the potential book by her and read her exactly what they will get it when they read your book. We live in an instant google able society. People want answers.
When we write an introduction we always find the most compelling thing about an author, whether it’s that he’s a father who works with underprivileged kids on the side, or that he is the leader of the company who loves mentoring his employees.
We find out one tipping point emotional trigger for the reader and we add it to the introduction. We must simply be able to say who you are without saying it to you directly. And that takes skill. Many great authors have missed the mark because they missed the reader standing at the checkout line previewing the book introduction.
