Indie Author 101 - Leveraging Front and Back Matter: Maximise Your Book’s Real Estate for Success
Learn how to effectively use your book's front and back matter to build audience relationships, improve sales and enhance your indie author brand...
Your book's story is undoubtedly the star of the show, but don't overlook the supporting cast—front and back matter.
These seemingly innocuous pages can play a crucial role in shaping your brand, connecting with readers, and driving sales.
In this post, we'll delve into what to include in your book's front and back matter to make the most out of every page.
Front Matter: Setting the Stage
The front matter lays the groundwork for your book. Here's a brief rundown of what you might include:
Copyright Page: It's not necessary to register a copyright, but it's good to state it clearly.
ISBN: You can skip this for e-books, but it’s advisable to use your own ISBN for print books.
Table of Contents: Most e-book platforms will automatically generate this for you.
Testimonials/Editorial Reviews: Especially useful for non-fiction titles, include reviews or endorsements if you have them.
Quick Tip: Keep it Brief
Your front matter should be concise. Readers want to get to the story, so don't keep them waiting.
Back Matter: Your Second First Impression
If your front matter sets the stage, your back matter offers the encore. Here's how to make it impactful:
Strong Call to Action (CTA): If your book is part of a series, your CTA should be an invitation to buy the next instalment.
Newsletter Link: Include a compelling reason for readers to subscribe. Avoid calling it a 'newsletter'. Brand it and make it an 'exclusive invitation' instead.
Freebies and Exclusives: Offer readers something unique—like a free book or a behind-the-scenes look—to encourage sign-ups. Bonus: Also include this in the front of your book to increase the chances of conversion.
Quick Tip: Prioritise
Put the most crucial action you want readers to take at the very top of your back matter.
Additional Value-Additions
Beyond the essentials, consider these value-adds:
Author's Note: Personal or fun notes can endear you to your readers.
Links to Other Books: If you have a catalogue, this is a great place to showcase it.
Front and back matter might seem like afterthoughts, but they're key opportunities to connect with your audience and further your indie author career.
From inserting a compelling call to action to offering exclusive content, maximise the potential of every page in your book.
It's not just about the story; it's about building a lasting relationship with your readers.
What creative ways have you utilised your book's front and back matter? Share your best tips and tricks!