Have you just indie published your book and are now wondering how to go about getting reviews that might drive sales? After reading my last post on the Beginner writers’ biggest mistake: failure to consider the audience, are you now kicking yourself for not having cultivated an audience from the get-go that would be “clamoring” to read and review your book.? Don’t be too harsh on yourself; I made the same mistakes.
Mistake number one: not correctly identifying my audience. Even though I wrote the book with a specific audience–people who have hiked or are preparing to hike the Camino de Santiago—I fail to identify and address other potential audiences, thereby limiting my readership. Had I widened my scope just a bit more, I could now have a more diverse following, attracting readers from various other genres. Though the book is about women, it is not a “chic” book, appealing equally to both sexes. This was intentional because my ideal reader was both male and female. With a little more forethought about my ideal reader, I could have written the book for a wider allure.
Mistake number two: Having identified my ideal reader, I failed to start cultivating fans before the book was completed. Had I been more communicative with potential readers via social media while I was writing the book, the outcome might have more widespread appeal; it might have released with more flourish; and it might have had more early reviews to excite potential readers.
Enough with the regrets!
What went right: I was fortunate to get six reviews within the first month of publishing, mostly from family, friends, and acquaintances. Within the next six months, I got another fourteen reviews—all from people with whom I had no contact. Not every review was stellar and I had to learn how to deal with a negative review. In addition to book reviews, I have received emails from readers telling me how the book affected them. I find this personal contact so touching: that someone took the time to look up my address and contact me personally is more moving to me than getting that five-star review.
Busting the almighty book review myth
Lately there has been chatter on various forums about reviews. Many believe that there is a correlation between reviews and book sales. I believe it is the other way around. To get more reviews, you need to sell more books. Reviews do not drive sales, though they may persuade a reader to buy your book once you get the reader’s attention. Be honest, why do you start to look at a particular book? Was the cover appealing? Did you hear about it through word of mouth or get an e-mail from Amazon or Goodreads promoting books in the genre you read? Did you like a book by an author and searched to see what else she wrote? Unless you read a review in the NY Times or other major publication, when did a review get you interested in a book. Would you not agree that you first learn about the book and then read the reviews to see if you want to read it?
How to get book reviews
- Ask for them and for blurbs that you can use on your cover or in your book’s front matter. Don’t be afraid to ask “the big names” in your field.
- Ask websites, e-zines, and newspaper, magazines, and writers of newsletters to review your book
- Contact everyone you know that is an “expert” on your topic and ask them for an honest review.
- Ask Amazon’s top customer reviews to review your book.
- Place your book on Shelfari, where members recommend and/review books
- Giveaway books on Amazon, Librarything, Goodreads, etc. This is not a sure-fire way to get reviews, but many authors believe that they have received reviews as a result of the giveaways; others, on the other hand, complain that they get few results from this promo. Try it to see if this sort of promo works for your book.
- Become a book reviewer. Offer to exchange reviews…always provide honest reviews. If the book does not merit a good review, you might want to contact the author to explain your reasons and ask them it they want you to publish or not. Remember, bad reviews are still publicity—not the end of the world. Some writers even claim to have more sales following a negative review.
How to use reviews to promote your book
- First, get people to your online bookstores, webpage, etc. They can’t read the reviews until you get them there.
- Use the Permalink (permanent URL link) to the review in your Tweets, on your Facebook status, on the Facebook Book Connection, on your webpage.
- Include quotes from reviews on your book literature, press releases, emails.
- Get reviews on sites that promote books such as Ask David, Rain’y Book Realm, and My Life. One Story at a Time.
Resources
- How To Get Book Reviews
- The Secrets to Getting More Book Reviews (Even if Your Book Is Already Out)
- Locating Your Amazon Kindle Product Review Permalink
Do you have a unique way of getting or using book reviews? Please let us know in the comments below.
