Book reviews are crucial for the success of any book, whether traditionally published or self-published. Reviews provide social proof, increase your book’s visibility, and help potential readers decide whether to purchase your book. However, getting reviews, especially when you’re just starting out, can be challenging. In this blog post, we’ll explore strategies for encouraging readers and influencers to review your book, from engaging your audience to reaching out to bloggers and using professional services.
1. Understand the Importance of Book Reviews
Before diving into the strategies for getting reviews, it’s essential to understand why reviews are so important. Reviews can significantly impact your book’s success in several ways:
Building Credibility: Reviews act as social proof, showing potential readers that others have read and enjoyed your book. A book with many positive reviews is more likely to be perceived as credible and worth reading.
Increasing Visibility: Many online retailers, like Amazon, use reviews as part of their algorithms to determine which books to promote. Books with more reviews, especially positive ones, are more likely to be featured in recommendation lists, email newsletters, and search results.
Driving Sales: Positive reviews can persuade potential buyers to purchase your book. Reviews provide insights into what readers can expect, helping them make informed purchasing decisions.
Reader Engagement: Reviews allow readers to engage with your work, share their thoughts, and feel a part of the book’s journey. Engaged readers are more likely to become loyal fans and recommend your book to others.
2. Start with Your Inner Circle
When you’re just starting out, your first reviews are likely to come from people who already know you—friends, family, and close acquaintances. While these reviews can provide a helpful boost, it’s important to approach them strategically.
Ask Directly: Don’t be afraid to ask friends, family, and colleagues to review your book. Be clear about what you’re asking for and why their review is important. You might say something like, “I’ve just published my book, and I would really appreciate it if you could read it and leave an honest review on Amazon.”
Be Transparent: Encourage your inner circle to be honest in their reviews. Readers can often spot insincere reviews, so it’s better to have genuine feedback, even if it includes constructive criticism.
Offer Copies: Provide free copies of your book, either digital or physical, to those you ask for reviews. This removes any barriers and makes it easier for them to follow through.
Set Expectations: Let your inner circle know where to post their reviews (e.g., Amazon, Goodreads, or your website) and provide simple instructions on how to do it.
3. Encourage Your Existing Readers
If you already have a reader base, whether through previous books, a blog, or social media, you can encourage them to leave reviews for your new release.
Use Your Newsletter: If you have an email newsletter, use it to ask your subscribers for reviews. Offer a direct link to your book’s review page, and explain how their feedback helps you as an author. You might say, “If you enjoyed my book, I’d be grateful if you could leave a review on Amazon. Your reviews help other readers discover my work.”
Offer an Incentive: Consider offering a small incentive for leaving a review, such as a free short story, a discount on your next book, or entry into a giveaway. Make sure the incentive is in line with the platform’s policies to avoid any issues.
Create a Call to Action: At the end of your book, include a call to action asking readers to leave a review. A simple request like, “If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review. Your feedback helps other readers discover this story,” can be effective.
Engage on Social Media: Use your social media platforms to engage with readers and ask for reviews. Share posts about the importance of reviews and how they help authors. You can also create posts that highlight positive reviews you’ve received, encouraging others to contribute their own.
4. Leverage Goodreads
Goodreads is one of the most popular platforms for book lovers, making it an excellent place to gather reviews. Here’s how you can leverage Goodreads to get more reviews:
Create an Author Profile: If you haven’t already, create a Goodreads Author Profile. This allows you to connect with readers, participate in discussions, and promote your books.
Engage with the Community: Join Goodreads groups related to your genre and participate in discussions. Engaging with the community can help build relationships with readers who might be interested in reviewing your book.
Use Goodreads Giveaways: Goodreads offers a giveaway program that allows authors to offer free copies of their books to readers. Readers who receive a copy are encouraged (though not required) to leave a review.
Ask for Reviews: After readers mark your book as “read” on Goodreads, consider reaching out with a polite message thanking them for reading and asking if they would consider leaving a review.
5. Reach Out to Book Bloggers and Influencers
Book bloggers and social media influencers can have a significant impact on your book’s visibility and reputation. Here’s how to approach them for reviews:
Research and Target: Start by researching book bloggers and influencers who cover your genre. Look for those with active blogs or social media profiles and a readership that aligns with your target audience. Websites like The Book Blogger List or social media platforms can help you find potential reviewers.
Personalize Your Request: When reaching out to bloggers or influencers, personalize your message. Mention why you think they’d enjoy your book, reference their previous reviews or posts, and explain what makes your book a good fit for their audience.
Provide a Review Copy: Offer a free review copy, either digital or physical, and give them the option to choose their preferred format. Make it easy for them to access your book, and provide any additional materials they might need, such as a press kit or author bio.
Be Professional and Polite: Understand that bloggers and influencers receive many review requests, so be respectful of their time. If they decline, thank them for their consideration and move on. If they accept, follow up with a thank-you note after they post their review.
Share Their Reviews: Once a blogger or influencer posts a review, share it on your social media channels and website. Acknowledge their work and express your gratitude, which helps build a positive relationship and encourages others to review your book.
6. Utilize NetGalley and Other Review Platforms
NetGalley is a platform that connects authors with professional reviewers, bloggers, librarians, and booksellers who can help generate buzz for your book. It’s particularly useful for gathering early reviews before your book’s official release.
How NetGalley Works:
- Submit Your Book: Authors or publishers can submit their book to NetGalley, where it’s made available to a community of professional readers. These readers can request to read and review your book.
- Set Expectations: When using NetGalley, make it clear that you’re seeking honest reviews. You can also specify the type of feedback you’re looking for, such as detailed reviews, ratings, or both.
- Follow Up: After your book has been available on NetGalley for a while, consider following up with those who downloaded it to remind them to leave a review if they haven’t already.
Other Review Platforms:
- BookSprout: BookSprout is another platform that allows authors to distribute review copies and collect reviews. It’s particularly popular with indie authors and offers both free and paid options.
- Edelweiss+: Similar to NetGalley, Edelweiss+ connects authors and publishers with professional reviewers, librarians, and booksellers. It’s widely used in the publishing industry and can help you reach a broad audience of influencers.
- LibraryThing Early Reviewers: LibraryThing offers an Early Reviewers program that connects authors with readers interested in receiving advance copies in exchange for reviews. It’s a good option for indie authors looking to generate early buzz.
7. Encourage Reviews Through Paid Promotions
In addition to organic efforts, you can use paid promotions to encourage more reviews. While it’s important to approach this strategy carefully to avoid violating any platform policies, paid promotions can be effective when done correctly.
Amazon Advertising: Use Amazon’s advertising platform to promote your book to potential readers. While the primary goal of ads is to drive sales, you can also encourage buyers to leave a review after they’ve purchased and read your book.
BookBub Featured Deals: BookBub’s Featured Deals are highly competitive but can generate a significant number of sales and reviews. When your book is featured, it’s sent to thousands of readers who are likely to leave reviews if they enjoy the book.
Paid Review Services: Some services offer paid reviews, where professional reviewers are compensated for their time. However, it’s crucial to ensure that these reviews are honest and unbiased, as fake or overly positive reviews can damage your reputation. Reputable services, such as Kirkus Reviews, offer professional reviews that can be used for marketing purposes.
Discounted Promotions: Offering your book at a discounted price or for free (during a limited-time promotion) can encourage more downloads, which in turn can lead to more reviews. Promote the discount through paid ads on social media, BookBub, or other platforms, and remind readers to leave a review if they enjoyed the book.
8. Follow Up and Show Appreciation
Once you’ve started gathering reviews, it’s important to follow up with readers and show your appreciation. This helps build a positive relationship and encourages more readers to leave reviews in the future.
Send Thank-You Notes: After a reader leaves a review, consider sending a thank-you note. This could be a simple message on social media or a more personalized email if you have their contact information. Expressing gratitude goes a long way in building a loyal readership.
Engage with Reviewers: Engage with reviewers by responding to their reviews or commenting on their blog posts or social media. Even if the review isn’t entirely positive, a polite and professional response shows that you value their feedback.
Feature Reviews: Highlight positive reviews on your website, social media, or in your newsletter. Featuring reviews not only shows your appreciation but also encourages other readers to leave their own feedback.
Keep the Momentum Going: Continue to ask for reviews over time, not just during your book launch. Regularly remind your readers that their reviews are valuable and appreciated. This ongoing effort helps maintain a steady flow of reviews, which is important for long-term success.
Conclusion
Getting book reviews is an essential part of your book’s marketing strategy, and while it can be challenging, it’s achievable with the right approach. By starting with your inner circle, engaging your existing readers, leveraging platforms like Goodreads and NetGalley, and reaching out to influencers and bloggers, you can gather the reviews you need to build credibility, increase visibility, and drive sales. Remember to be polite, professional, and persistent in your efforts, and always show appreciation for those who take the time to review your book. With consistent effort and a strategic approach, you can successfully encourage readers and influencers to review your book, helping you achieve your goals as an author.