Reviews are the reason Amazon is where it is. The other day I was in a brick and mortar store and I was struck by the lack of info I was getting about the books I was browsing. I needed social reassurance, because I grew up in the 90′s and 2000′s and that’s what I’m used to receiving.
Image courtesy of weheartit.com
Perhaps my parents relied on word of mouth recommendations from friends and family – the current generation depends upon several detailed written reviews. Without book reviews, all we can do is judge a book by it’s cover, and that’s a tough task. We crave something more. We crave the nod from more than a handful of people saying “this is worth spending your hard earned money on”. Or, “don’t waste your time”.
We live in a review-driven society (who doesn’t check out hotels on Trip Advisor or restaurants on Yelp), so having a review or several is going to drive book sales (providing they are positive of course) like nothing else.
Here are some tips on garnering reviews:
- While it’s always best to garner organic reviews, it may take several book sales before you get them. Very few people are motivated enough to leave a review without being asked to do so. To get the ball rolling, give readers a nudge in the right direction. When people tell us that they like a book, we ask if they wouldn’t mind leaving a review. It’s a no pressure request, and many are more than happy to do so.
- Just prior to the books release, I ask several people in our target audience to review ARCs for vital critique and feedback. At the same time, I encourage them to leave a review on Amazon too. Be sure to be explicit about instructions by giving them the direct address to go to – yes include a hyperlink in your email exchange with them – and explain how reviews help sales. Because they do. They really do! And not everyone knows that.
- Another tactic I am seeing lately is to add a paragraph at the end of your book pointing people in the direction of your Amazon page and asking them to leave reviews. This is particularly easy with eBooks since reviews can be written right away without having to open up the computer.
- Never force a review and never, ever pay for a review. Additionally, reviews solicited from friends and family are the least helpful, painfully obvious to other readers and may harm more than they help, especially if that person shares a last name with the author (!), hypes it up too much, or the biggest crime – has never even seen the book and doesn’t mention any details or provide any value other than “best book ever written!”
Totally understand amazon reviews being so important! Some great advice here too, I review for my writing buddies who I’ve met through blogging but only if I like the book. I wouldn’t want to feel obliged to because then it wouldn’t be an honest review.
And thank you for popping over to my blog. I have entered your name into the draw for my ‘Who is Mr Satoshi? contest. I noticed you mentioned living in Japan, I did too. And, I do miss it. Too much.
Happy Writing!
Thanks Talei! Yep, it’s important not to force a review, and natural is always best. I’m advocating honest reviews only, but those need a push in the right direction sometimes too!
Japan will have that effect on people, ne?
Pingback: The Kindle’s ‘Before You Go’ Feature | Laura Pepper Wu
Pingback: The Kindle’s ‘Before You Go’ Feature30 Day Books | 30 Day Books