Introduction
It is very easy to get someone to write your book's foreword. The difficult part is finding the best person for the job. You need someone with a proven a track record, like being published author, or a successful person in their industry, or that has a huge social media following. Plus, they need to understand what a foreword is about, why a book has a foreword, and what role it plays in the success of your book. Here are the basic steps in finding the right person to write your book's foreword.
1. Make A List Of Names
This list should be a very easy task for you to accomplish. You must have certainly come across all of the "big names" while doing the research for your book. Also, doing a search on Amazon will help you find the names of authors whose books are actually selling. And an Amazon search will help you find the authors of newly published books. Also look at their websites. Ideally you want a person to write your foreword that has a large social media following, or substantial coverage in the press.
2. Start Making Contact
Find their email address on the internet - typically at their website or job. If you can't find their website, you can email their publisher directly. Many authors will give provide their email address somewhere in their book. (1) Send them your first email with a compliment about a book of theirs that you have read and referred to in your writing. Or, in place of that email, you can try to connect with them on LinkedIn, and give them a compliment about their writing or book. (2) Send them a second email within a few weeks asking them to write your book's foreword.
3. Make It Easy For Them
(1) In that second email, attach a PDF of the book. (2) Make sure that your book is very polished. No typos, no spelling errors, no mistakes. You must include a very professional looking book cover in your PDF. All of this will help you look like a professional. Like someone they can trust, and won't mind attaching their name to. (3) And finally, keep your request simple and short. Your request must be very honest and sincere. If there is any hint of dishonesty or lack of sincerity in your request, they will never deal with you again.
4. Explain The Benefits
(1) The main benefit that they will get from writing your book's foreword is exposure, or publicity. Make sure you tell them that you will be including their name on the cover of your book. Celebrities, industry "big shots", and "big name" authors are just as interested in publicity as the rest of us. We all want to attach our name to someone we believe has a good chance of getting us that exposure. (2) Explain to them that you value their opinion and that it is very important to you that you have their opinion included in your book. (3) A PDF of your book will show them how well designed and professional looking your book's cover is, plus see how well written your book is, plus read the great testimonials that you have already received for your book. Also, your website, blog, and LinkedIn page, all must look amazing. You website and blog must have great content on it, and look very professional. All of this will show that you are serious about your subject.
5. Follow Up
Wait about a week. Send them a third email asking them if they received your last email that was requesting that they consider writing your book's foreword. Tell them that if they have any questions, or need any more information about you or your book, to please email you anytime. Keep it shore and simple. If they are really interested, they will usually let you know within a week. If they don't, move on to your next choice on your list.
Conclusion
Asking someone to write your foreword is a simple process. Be nice to them, show them you are serious about your subject, and then ask them. But remember, you must first have everything on your end complete and looking great. And never forget, you need them more than they need you - so don't be a pest, and don't sound desperate. The worst that can happen is that they say no.
It is very easy to get someone to write your book's foreword. The difficult part is finding the best person for the job. You need someone with a proven a track record, like being published author, or a successful person in their industry, or that has a huge social media following. Plus, they need to understand what a foreword is about, why a book has a foreword, and what role it plays in the success of your book. Here are the basic steps in finding the right person to write your book's foreword.
1. Make A List Of Names
This list should be a very easy task for you to accomplish. You must have certainly come across all of the "big names" while doing the research for your book. Also, doing a search on Amazon will help you find the names of authors whose books are actually selling. And an Amazon search will help you find the authors of newly published books. Also look at their websites. Ideally you want a person to write your foreword that has a large social media following, or substantial coverage in the press.
2. Start Making Contact
Find their email address on the internet - typically at their website or job. If you can't find their website, you can email their publisher directly. Many authors will give provide their email address somewhere in their book. (1) Send them your first email with a compliment about a book of theirs that you have read and referred to in your writing. Or, in place of that email, you can try to connect with them on LinkedIn, and give them a compliment about their writing or book. (2) Send them a second email within a few weeks asking them to write your book's foreword.
3. Make It Easy For Them
(1) In that second email, attach a PDF of the book. (2) Make sure that your book is very polished. No typos, no spelling errors, no mistakes. You must include a very professional looking book cover in your PDF. All of this will help you look like a professional. Like someone they can trust, and won't mind attaching their name to. (3) And finally, keep your request simple and short. Your request must be very honest and sincere. If there is any hint of dishonesty or lack of sincerity in your request, they will never deal with you again.
4. Explain The Benefits
(1) The main benefit that they will get from writing your book's foreword is exposure, or publicity. Make sure you tell them that you will be including their name on the cover of your book. Celebrities, industry "big shots", and "big name" authors are just as interested in publicity as the rest of us. We all want to attach our name to someone we believe has a good chance of getting us that exposure. (2) Explain to them that you value their opinion and that it is very important to you that you have their opinion included in your book. (3) A PDF of your book will show them how well designed and professional looking your book's cover is, plus see how well written your book is, plus read the great testimonials that you have already received for your book. Also, your website, blog, and LinkedIn page, all must look amazing. You website and blog must have great content on it, and look very professional. All of this will show that you are serious about your subject.
5. Follow Up
Wait about a week. Send them a third email asking them if they received your last email that was requesting that they consider writing your book's foreword. Tell them that if they have any questions, or need any more information about you or your book, to please email you anytime. Keep it shore and simple. If they are really interested, they will usually let you know within a week. If they don't, move on to your next choice on your list.
Conclusion
Asking someone to write your foreword is a simple process. Be nice to them, show them you are serious about your subject, and then ask them. But remember, you must first have everything on your end complete and looking great. And never forget, you need them more than they need you - so don't be a pest, and don't sound desperate. The worst that can happen is that they say no.
