I asked our PR and growth experts: What are your best tips on some of the steps to take to build credibility and depth for a book and/or piece of literature? Are there any specific steps to getting a book reviewed? And how would a first-time author go about it?

Here's your PR advice for authors.

• Identify why you are uniquely qualified to write about your topic
• Join writing groups and get beta readers
• Use industry professionals to conduct peer reviews
• Gather “blurbs,” which are short testimonials
• Make your book an industry conversation
• Use real-life voices early

Identify why you are uniquely qualified to write about your topic

Emily Reynolds-Bergh, Owner at R Public Relations

"My top tip is to make sure your writing is personalized to your own experience. Too often, first-time authors generalize their content to appeal to a wider audience, but instead, it waters down the narrative. Specific anecdotes, personal stories, and defined examples add color and interest to your writing, and they will help build your credibility as well. It’s also important to identify why you are uniquely qualified to write about your topic, whether it’s because of the degrees you hold, your business experience, or beyond. Lay it out up front so there’s no question in your reader’s mind."

Join writing groups and get beta readers

Dr Trenice Brinkley, Publicist at Two Queens Media

"Oh, you want to write a book with depth and credibility? Buckle up, I’m a four-time self-published author and publisher, and I do not play about quality storytelling. Let’s get into it.

Step 1: Do Your Homework (Readers Can Smell the BS)
For non-fiction, research like your reputation depends on it, because it does. Cite credible sources, interview experts, and cross-check facts. Writing fiction? Make your world-building airtight. If your 17th-century noblewoman is sipping Starbucks, we have a problem.

Step 2: Peer Reviews Are Your Bestie (and Worst Nightmare, in a Good Way)
Want credibility? Get professionals to vet your work. First-time authors can: Join writing groups and get beta readers. Submit chapters to experts or professors. Hire developmental editors in your genre. Exchange feedback with other authors, iron sharpens iron.

Step 3: Build Your Authority Before Your Book Drops
You don’t become an expert just because you say you are. Start early: Write articles, blog posts, or op-eds. Speak at events, podcasts, or conferences. Use social media: LinkedIn for business books, X or Bluesky for thought leadership, TikTok if you want to get spicy.

Step 4: Professional Editing is NOT Optional
Typos will murder your credibility, cold."

Use industry professionals to conduct peer reviews

Arvind Rongala, CEO at Edstellar

"Use industry professionals to conduct peer reviews. Get in touch with academics, industry experts, or thought leaders and present them with an early draft. I've witnessed writers enlist the help of their LinkedIn contacts to evaluate chapters in return for recognition or advance copies. For instance, a software entrepreneur who was writing about AI sought academics to proofread important passages to ensure correctness and give his book more credibility.

Before launch, establish credibility through content marketing. Post snippets, relevant articles, or thought pieces to industry blogs or websites such as Medium or LinkedIn. Before the book was released, one author I know engaged an audience by posting summaries of each chapter on social media. By converting each chapter into a blog post, a finance writer gained authority and eventually attracted journalists who referenced his work.

Obtain the support of well-known individuals. An expert or influential person's well-chosen testimonial strengthens your book. Asking instructors, podcast hosts, or specialized influencers for summaries is a good place for first-time writers to start. I've witnessed an author get a blurb from a best-selling author just by showing up to their webinar and politely asking a question.

To improve and confirm your work, use beta readers. To receive early, objective feedback, join writing communities such as Reedsy Discovery, Goodreads groups, or even Reddit forums. A professional networking organization provided beta readers for a business author I know, which resulted in insightful feedback and early word-of-mouth promotion. A business executive who was one of his beta readers went on to order copies for his whole staff."

Gather “blurbs,” which are short testimonials

Dr. Marcia Layton Turner, Bestselling business book ghostwriter

"I always recommend that my clients start raising awareness of their general topic area immediately, before they even start writing their book. They want to try to align themselves or attach their name to their topic area so that whenever anyone hears about it, they think of my client.

To that end, I suggest that they blog regularly, pursue podcast guest opportunities, post on LinkedIn, submit bylined articles to trade journals and business press – ideally with a mention of their forthcoming book woven in.

Once they have some chapters written, they should make a list of prominent people who might be a good fit to write a foreword and who would then receive a mention on the cover. Featuring a big name on the cover of your book provides immediate credibility.

Gathering “blurbs,” which are short testimonials from well-known people in the business or celebrities, is smart and are then used on the outside cover to add credibility.

As they get close to publication, authors can and should explore whether a publication in their field might be interested in excerpting it as well as submitting it for upcoming book announcements. They should submit it for review to places like Kirkus Reviews. Once the book is published, they should submit it to book awards programs."

Make your book an industry conversation

Nathan Mathews, CEO & Founder at Roofer.com

"Get industry experts to vouch for your book before it even launches. Reach out to respected names (professors, executives, journalists) and ask them to write a foreword, blurb, or even a short endorsement. Doesn’t have to be long. A two-sentence quote from someone with a big title adds instant weight. If an AI researcher, for example, backs your book on tech innovation, suddenly, your work isn’t just a book—it’s an industry conversation.

On top of that, offer early drafts to niche communities that care about the topic. Private LinkedIn groups, subreddits, industry Slack channels—these places love exclusive content. Give them a preview, ask for feedback, and boom, you’ve got peer validation before official reviews even come in. All that early buzz makes the book look way bigger when it hits the market."

Use real-life voices early

Bennett Barrier, CEO at DFW Turf Solutions

"One thing I’ve learned is credibility isn’t handed out, it’s built, step by step.

Therefore, one of the best ways a new author can build depth in a book is through using real-life voices early. This means reaching out to experts in your field and asking for a quick interview or quote. People love being cited in books, and their credibility rubs off on yours. If you’re writing about a niche topic, find professionals on LinkedIn who’d be willing to review a chapter or two. It’s like getting a mini peer review without the red tape.

If you require a full peer review process, universities, industry organizations, and even LinkedIn groups can be gold mines. The vast majority of professors and professionals will give feedback if you frame it as "Hey, I'm working on something in your field and would appreciate your feedback." It's a low-requiting that can lead to endorsements or forewords, which lend credibility.

Also, build your credibility before the book launch. Start writing LinkedIn posts, articles, or even tweets on your topic. Readers and publishers believe authors who keep talking about their subject.

And don't forget to document your research process. A properly referenced book with evident sources already gains more authority, even if you're a novice writer. If you can prove that you've done your homework, readers will respect you."

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