How to Write an Introduction for a Nonfiction Book

I’ve had more than one nonfiction author question the need for an introduction. Sometimes it’s because they don’t like to read introductions and assume other readers don’t either. Sometimes it’s because they believe that their book blurb is enough of a hook to draw readers in. Sometimes it’s because they’re so excited to jump into chapter one, that they forget to write an introduction at all. 

So why include an introduction? What purpose does it serve? 

Who are You?

Consider this: would you ask the teen taking your burger order how to raise children? If you were job searching, would you ask a random person on the street for resume advice? If your marriage was struggling, maybe you’d consider a particular therapist who came highly recommended—but wouldn’t you want to verify that they’d received some sort of license or certification? 

This is the first reason why you need to include an introduction. Your audience needs to know why they should listen to you.  

They don’t need your life story or your resume, but they do need to know that you know what you’re talking about. The introduction is where you can include all the information about you as it pertains to your topic. 

If you’re writing a book about forgiveness, readers want to know that you’ve walked the road they’re on. If you’re a counselor, they’ll want to hear how you’ve successfully helped your clients overcome resentment and anger. 

If you’re writing a book about cybersecurity, readers want to know why you’re qualified to give them advice. Do you have a degree? Are you a newly-reformed hacker? Have you helped others successfully tighten up their security?

If you’re sharing seven tips for starting a successful business, tell readers about your successful business. Did you use those tips to start your own business? How many others have you helped start a business? 

The introduction shouldn’t give away the ending; it should tell readers why they should listen to you, as opposed to any number of books on a similar topic. (Don’t let Imposter’s Syndrome sneak in here. You are absolutely worth listening to! Your story/experiences/lessons need to be shared.)

Who is Your Audience?

Unfortunately, you can’t say, “Everyone!” It’s too broad, and in an effort to be all-inclusive, you miss those who would most benefit from your book. While it may feel counterintuitive, narrowing your focus and choosing a specific audience can actually result in more people wanting to read your book than if you tried appealing to everyone. Focus on those who you most hope will read and glean from your book.

Sticking with the previous examples, if your book is on forgiveness, target those harboring resentment, or those who pride themselves on long-held grudges. While it can feel cheesy, addressing your audience directly can be effective:

“If you’re a whole year into using the silent treatment on your mom, or you struggle with even hearing your ex’s name, this book is for you.” 

In the cybersecurity example, is your book for large or small businesses? Is it targeted at other cybersecurity specialists, or those who are just learning what a secure password entails? 

“This book is for:

• Businesses that are just starting out.
• Businesses that can’t yet afford cybersecurity personnel.
• Business owners who have little to no cybersecurity understanding.”

While you may not directly say who your audience is in this genre, keep them in mind throughout your writing. Let their faces and names color what and how you write so that they might benefit from it as much as possible.

If you cast your net toward a particular audience and they resonate with your book, they are more likely to share it with others in their circle. This could expand your audience and allow your book to reach further than it ever would have otherwise! 

Why Does This Topic Matter?

It’s very obvious to you why your book matters—you just spent months, or even years, writing it! It’s a subject or story that is so important that you want as many people as possible to benefit from it. 

If you jump right into chapter one, the first thing the reader sees is something like:

• “Who You Should Forgive”
• “Where Your Security is Failing”
• “Tip #1: Know Your Values”

If you skip an introduction and jump right in, you skip over the reader’s make or break question: why does this book matter? 

Why should they forgive their mom if the anger fuels them? Why tighten up their cybersecurity if they’ve never faced a threat before? Why follow your tips if they’re new business is doing well?

You know your “why.” You’ve written a whole book about it—you just need to condense it into a few sentences or paragraphs (without giving the key points away). You need to convince your readers to keep reading, even when they’re busy, even when they think they’ve gotten the gist of your book. Convince them to buy it, and to finish it. Tell them why reading the first few chapters isn’t enough. 

Bonus: Give Them A Road Map

Not all books need a roadmap. If your topic goes from A to B to C, your readers will be able to follow along pretty easily. But if you’re taking readers on sidequests or your book is especially extensive, a roadmap can be helpful. 

You don’t want readers to get halfway through your book and think, “Wait, how do my thought patterns relate to forgiveness?” Or, “Where did all of this software jargon come from?” They need to be able to find themselves on your “map” at all times. 

You may have your book broken up into a few distinct parts. Explaining those parts to readers, or how the chapters are broken up topically, will help them stay focused. For example:

“My seven tips for starting a business are broken up into two parts. Part one covers the first three tips, which focus entirely on steps to take before officially launching your business. If your business is already up and running, feel free to jump to part two, which covers the four tips and adjustments to make to keep your business running smoothly.”

A good way to know if your book needs a roadmap is to ask your editor. They’re used to delving into all sorts of topics, but may not be an expert on your particular topic. They can let you know if they got turned around or lost at any point. If they had to constantly review the table of contents, then a brief roadmap may be the way to go. (Speaking of which, if you’re ready to start really editing your book, we’d love to help you! Find the editing service that’s right for you: https://wanderingwordsmedia.com/) 

If you aren’t ready for an editor yet, ask a family member or friend to read through your book and then see if they can explain the outline. If they struggle or get confused, add a roadmap.

Introduction Conclusion

In nonfiction writing, introductions matter. They draw your readers in by telling them who you are, who your book is for, and why your book matters. If you try to skip this part, you may end up with readers who don’t trust you (because they don’t know you), can’t relate to your topic (because your book wasn’t written for them), or quit before they’ve really even started (because they don’t see why your book matters). 

Your book is important and can impact so many people. Get it into the right hands by writing the best possible introduction!