I’m writing the text for the back cover of my book. How does this sound:
Work used to be tough and unpleasant – something we did only to make a living. This is changing.
Today, happiness at work is no longer a luxury – it’s essential. People who love their jobs are more productive, creative and motivated. They’re also happier in life. Happy companies are more efficient, innovative and more profitable than their unhappy competitors.
Anyone can be truly happy at work – whether you are an employee or a manager; a new hire or a grizzled veteran; work in a small startup, a huge corporation or the public sector; this book will give you everything you need to make work fun, inspiring and energizing:
- The theory of happiness at work. What it is, why it matters, and what makes people happy or unhappy at work.
- Simple, effective tools that you can use to create a better worklife for yourself and a happier workplace.
- A massive dose of energy to get you to do something about it right here and right now.
- A specific plan to get you great results.
Only you are responsible for your happiness, so it’s up to you to read Alexander Kjerulf’s “Happy Hour is 9 to 5? and find out what steps you can take to make yourself, your colleagues, and your staff happier at work. The book’s knowledge, tips, and real-life case studies will equip and inspire you to change your working life for the better.
– Angela Beesley, co-founder of WikiaHappy companies will win. Happy companies will grow and happy companies will innovate. The company of the future is—happy.
– Lars Kolind, chairman of the Grundfos Foundation
Hmm. .I like it, but I think it needs a lot more immediate punch. The core, provocative idea that will grab people’s attention is the argument that happy companies will be more successful than unhappy ones. Without that, it’s just a little description about happiness at work – something we all want, but usually just feel is impractical.
That provocative idea gives us a reason to look at happiness at work it in a new light, so if you start with that, people will be interested in reading the rest of the description. As it is right now, I could feel my mind wandering partway through it. So maybe do something like that last quote as your first paragraph, in bold text.
I think Smo is onto something, Alex. All the ingredients are there but Smo’s suggestion starts you off with the thesis of your book as well as the credibility of a testimonial.
In a previous life I was a copywriter. Off the top of my head, here’s another flow using your ideas with a bit more business-focus and I hope, punch. I hope this adds to your back-cover thinking! (I’ll send you an email, too. I see that the italics and bold face type aren’t carrying over).
Happy companies will win. Happy companies will grow and happy companies will innovate. The company of the future is
well, i’m not that qualified as the above posters, but i’ll add my two cents.
It seems a bit long. You need to have a concise statement about why i should ready your book.