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The Steve Laube Agency

The Steve Laube Agency

Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Endorsements

Endorsements

Endorsements: How Important Are They?

By Steve Laubeon July 17, 2023
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How important are endorsements? (Those “blurbs” on the back of a book that exclaim, “A real masterpiece!”)

Let me answer with a question. When browsing a book title, do you look at the endorsements or notice who wrote the foreword or the introduction? I suspect you do without realizing it. And if you are unfamiliar with the author but you know the endorser, then you are more likely to give this new writer a try.

When The Shack by William Young was originally self-published (2007), it gained tremendous benefit from a glowing endorsement by Eugene Peterson, author of The Message. When I saw that accolade, it made me pause and think, If Eugene Peterson makes such a claim, then maybe I should pay attention. So, as a fan of Eugene Peterson, I paid attention. I believe that endorsement is still on the cover of the book.

Is One Endorsement Enough?

How many endorsements should you get? One or two meaningful ones are best. Get them from the folks you know. The more recognizable the name, the better. It can be awkward to ask your agent for access to their “famous” clients since many restrict access. Your publisher may be able to help, too, but don’t feel entitled to access.

Will an Endorsement Help Sell My Proposal?

The earlier in the creative process, the better. Years ago, while an editor for Bethany House, I presented a proposal at a pub board meeting. Unfortunately, I did not get a good initial reception from the team. Then I asked the group members to look at the endorsement page in the proposal. This writer had secured endorsements from James Montgomery Boice, R.C. Sproul, and John MacArthur, each a highly recognized author and speaker respected within the evangelical community. The pub board members exclaimed, “Who is this guy?” They had never heard of the writer of the proposed book, but they knew the endorsers. Those endorsements turned the tide in favor of offering a contract to the author!

Recently, I talked to a well-known author who gets about four or five unsolicited requests for forewords or endorsements weekly. I read somewhere about a Pulitzer Prize-winning author who receives nearly 40 requests for endorsements each week, most of them for books by writers she does not know.

Claiming an Endorsement Before You Get One

Whatever you do, don’t (please don’t) claim in your proposal that you can get endorsements from Rick Warren, Max Lucado, Beth Moore, or Frances Chan unless you already have them in hand. Many visible leaders have tough restrictions from their board of directors regarding their endorsements (especially those who are part of a Christian ministry). They don’t want their name associated with a book that could ultimately negatively affect the author or their organization.

And if you are frustrated by that policy, let’s make it more personal. Imagine you had endorsed a book by Bernie Madoff (later sentenced to 150 years in jail for fraud). What would your endorsement of his book say about you?

We frequently see book proposals with a veritable laundry list of famous people the writers claim they will approach. This is fine if the writer is well-connected to that community; otherwise, it doesn’t present well in the proposal.

What Is the Value of an Endorsement?

Endorsements imply a promise that what is in the book is worth your time. Thus, endorsements that only use initials (“A.E. from St. Louis”) are all but useless. So are endorsements from your dentist unless your book is about dentistry. An endorsement from your minister is fine but doesn’t really “sell the book” unless yours happens to be a well-known author.  (What if your minister doesn’t like your book and refuses to endorse it? Will you still want to attend services?)

Can you sell your proposal without endorsements? Of course. But in today’s market, every little bit helps. This is an uphill challenge for the new writer. If you can’t get endorsements, don’t worry about it. It doesn’t mean the death of your proposal.

I recently bought a book with no endorsements because the title was interesting and the promise of the content was compelling. In addition, I read a couple of pages, and the writer was quite good.

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Category: Book Proposals, Writing CraftTag: Endorsements, Get Published, Proposals

All I Want for Christmas is a Strong Endorsement

By Bob Hostetleron December 13, 2017
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I often tell developing writers that it is never too early to get a strong endorsement for your book project. In fact, I have included endorsements in book proposals—both my own and clients’ proposals.  Every little bit helps, don’t you know. Invariably, when I start talking about endorsements, a flurry of questions comes. In fact, a writer friend (of long and wide experience in publishing) …

Read moreAll I Want for Christmas is a Strong Endorsement
Category: Book Proposals, MarketingTag: book proposals, Endorsements, Marketing

The Why and How of Selecting Endorsers

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 23, 2016
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Some authors find the endorsers section tricky when they write book proposals. If this describes you, or if you would like a refresher, I hope this post will be helpful. The Why: I can’t say I’ve ever sold a book based on an endorsement alone. Content is king. But the endorsers (or you can call it Potential Endorsers) section is important. To wit, here’s a quote from Mallory Ortburg’s May 3 …

Read moreThe Why and How of Selecting Endorsers
Category: Book Proposals, Get Published, MarketingTag: book proposals, Endorsements, Get Published

Authors: Seeking Approval

By Dan Balowon July 28, 2015
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Depending on my current situation or environment, I might see something entirely different than another time when I read a passage of Scripture. The Bible is a like a diamond, with light of different colors shining through various facets depending on how you turn it and look through. I am turning one Scriptural “diamond” today to see something in a little different light. When Jesus walked to the …

Read moreAuthors: Seeking Approval
Category: Awards, Book Proposals, Branding, Get PublishedTag: book proposals, Endorsements, Get Published

Influencers and Etiquette

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 6, 2013
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Recently one of my author friends needed a couple of people to act as influencers. She asked me to give her the names of people who aren't writers, which I think is a fine idea because readers in other professions will reach new audiences. I asked several people. None of them knew what an influencer is until I explained it. So when you are tasked to find influencers, feel free to direct them to …

Read moreInfluencers and Etiquette
Category: Book Business, Book Review, Career, TamelaTag: Endorsements, influencers, reviews

Will You Vouch for Me?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon June 21, 2012
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As part of my continuing series on proposals, today I'll talk about endorsements. This element can cause anxiety, so I hope this post will ease your mind.

When to Ask for Endorsement

Some writers tell me, "I'll get back to you on that list as soon as I talk to the authors." Or even, "I'll let you know as soon as the authors read my manuscript and get back to me." In reality, neither time is …

Read moreWill You Vouch for Me?
Category: Book Proposals, Get Published, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Endorsements, Get Published, Proposals, Writing Craft

Lawsuit over Hyperlink?

By Steve Laubeon December 20, 2010
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In Canada a man is suing another person for linking to allegedly damaging web content on a web site (the suit is currently before the Canadian Supreme Court).  A big "thank you" to Mac Slolcum for writing about this issue last week. In his article Mac asks the pertinent question, "Is a link on your web site equivalent to an endorsement of that content?" Think about it for a second. If you click …

Read moreLawsuit over Hyperlink?
Category: Book Business, Legal IssuesTag: Endorsements, Facebook, Internet Usage, Marketing

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