I think the acknowledgements
are an important part of a book.
It's the author's opportunity to thank the many people
who have helped them create the book
and even help them in their life or career
that got them to the point of writing that book.
Gratitude is important and I am totally good
with you writing your acknowledgements for your book,
but I don't want you to make the mistake I made
with my books and the acknowledgement section.
Stick around.
If you're publishing a non-fiction book anytime soon,
and you're gonna write an acknowledgement section,
this video is for you.
(upbeat rock music)
Hey, I'm Julie the Book Broad,
an award-winning author and the founder
of a fantastic company called Book Launchers.
We are your fabulous professional self-publishing team
helping you write, publish and sell non-fiction books
that grow your business and make you money.
Let's get right to this one.
The acknowledgement section of your book
is a cool part of the book for you, the author.
For the reader, it's brutally boring.
It's like those Oscar speeches that thank everyone
that was on set and made this film possible,
you just can't wait until someone else
comes on stage and talks.
Think about it.
The best Oscar speeches tell a story.
They make you laugh.
Sometimes they have a call to action,
but universally,
the speeches that nobody talks about the day after,
they were the ones that listed everybody they had to thank
because they were as boring as dry toast.
So besides the fact that your acknowledgements
where you thank the hundred people
who made your book possible is boring,
you know who really doesn't care that much?
Your potential reader.
So if your potential reader doesn't care
and your actual reader doesn't really care,
why would you put it at the beginning of your book?
Remember, we're all about No Boring Books at Book Launchers
and that translates into always be thinking book marketing.
That might be something for new swag.
Always be thinking book marketing.
Every detail of your book matters
when it comes to book marketing
and the most important details
are in the first five to 7% of your book
and if you throw in two pages that are like
the most dull Oscar acceptance speech you've ever watched,
do you think you're doing a good job of selling your book?
Hint.
The answer is no.
If a reader loved your book,
they might browse or skim your acknowledgement section,
but that's after they've read your book.
Before they read it, they don't care
and that part of your book certainly doesn't
get anyone excited about reading your book,
so put it at the back, put it after everything else
unless there's a very strategic reason for including
the acknowledgements at the front of your book,
and I actually can't think of one right now,
put it at the back.
Even though it's at the back,
I still recommend you bring a little personality to it.
Imagine it's your Oscar speech.
What do you want to say?
By the way, you don't have to thank the Academy
or your publisher because you're Indie baby (chuckles).
I made the mistake of putting it at the front of my book
in both of my books because I didn't know any better,
but now, you won't have the excuse.
Like this tip?
Smash that thumbs up button.
(soft ding) Go ahead, try it.
It feels so good,
and then, go on down to the comments and say hello.
I love it when you tell me what's up in your world
and if you've got an idea for a future video,
and when you comment the day a video is released,
you're entered to win some fabulous
hashtag no boring books swag
and we just might become YouTube besties
and you'll join the ranks with some of
the most super cool supportive and fun folks
like Stonecastle Publications, Gene Hobbs, Joslyn Carter,
Studio 38 and Poetry from the Heart.
Thank you for your shares, your comments and your thumbs up,
you are awesome, big virtual hugs to you.
Did you know there are at least 15 ways
you could repurposing your book once you're done?
Write one book and use it for so many different things.
Check out that video right here,
but if you've watched that one already,
have you seen this one?
All about book dedications?
Unlike acknowledgements,
dedications do go at the front of your book,
but they're still a part of your book marketing.
Check that out, go ahead, I'm waiting,
I can't wait to hang out with you some more.
See you there.
(upbeat rock music)