If you’re an author, you know all about the importance of book reviews. They play a huge role in Amazon’s ranking formula and can make the difference between someone buying your book or just scrolling right past it. But how do you get those precious reviews?
Sure, you could try begging your friends and family (we’ve all been there) or joining Facebook groups and online communities to find potential reviewers. But if you want to really boost your fan base and future book sales, the best approach is to get reviews from readers and fans of your niche. They can not only write reviews, but also spread the word about your book to their own networks, leading to more sales and visibility.
In this article, we’re going to go over several strategies to help authors stand out when contacting reviewers to get book reviews.
But first, let’s examine exactly why you should focus (and put effort into) getting your book more reviews.
Positive reviews can play a crucial role in helping authors sell their books. Now, you may think I’m overexaggerating, which is I have the information to support my claim.
What More Book Reviews Will Do For You
Boost credibility: Positive reviews from readers can help boost the credibility of a book and its author, as it demonstrates that other people have found value in the book.
Increase discoverability: Reviews can help increase the discoverability of a book on platforms like Amazon, as books with higher ratings and more reviews are often more prominently featured.
Drive sales: Positive reviews can help drive sales of a book, as readers are more likely to purchase a book that has been recommended by others.
Build a fan base: Positive reviews can help build a fan base for an author, as readers who enjoy their book are more likely to seek out their other works.
Provide feedback: Reviews can provide valuable feedback for authors, helping them understand what readers liked and didn’t like about their book.
Boost rankings: Positive reviews can help boost a book’s ranking on platforms like Amazon, as they are often factored into algorithms that determine how prominently a book is featured.
Generate buzz: Positive reviews can help generate buzz around a book, as readers may share their positive experiences with others.
Overall, positive reviews will absolutely increase your sales!
Still not convinced? How about a few real-world examples where independent authors skyrocketed their success through positive reviews:
“The Martian” by Andy Weir – After self-publishing his book on Amazon, Weir started to receive positive reviews from readers. Word of mouth spread, and eventually, “The Martian” became a bestseller, and Weir landed a publishing deal with a major publisher. The book was later adapted into a successful film.
Jane Harper’s debut novel, “The Dry,” was initially rejected by multiple publishers. But after it was finally published and received positive reviews from readers and critics, it became an international bestseller, selling over 1.5 million copies worldwide.
Celeste Ng’s second novel, “Little Fires Everywhere,” received critical acclaim and was a New York Times bestseller. Its success was attributed in part to positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations from readers.
“The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein received mixed reviews when it was first published. However, positive reviews from readers helped the book gain popularity, and it eventually became a bestseller, selling over 4 million copies.
“The House at Riverton” by Kate Morton was published in 2006 and received positive reviews from readers and critics. The book’s success led to Morton becoming a bestselling author, with her subsequent novels also receiving critical acclaim and commercial success.
Overall, positive reviews can help an author’s book gain momentum and increase its visibility, leading to more sales and potentially launching the author’s career to new heights.
The reality is that many reviewers receive multiple requests from authors and publishers, so it’s important to differentiate yourself from the rest of the crowd.
The 3 Strategies For More Book Reviews
The first strategy is to write a review of the reviewer’s book and post it on Amazon or any other review site. It’s essential to ensure that the review shows up under your author’s pen name so that the reviewer can identify you as an author.
You can also share the review on social media to increase visibility. This is a great way to start a relationship with the reviewer, which could lead to them reviewing your book in the future.
The second strategy is to create a video testimonial for the reviewer’s book. It’s a more effective method than a written review because it stands out more and can have a strong impact on the author.
You can do this in two ways: on-camera or with a screencast.
If you’re not comfortable being on camera, you can use a program like Jing to create a screencast where the reviewer can hear your voice and see your screen. Jing is free and easy to use, and the video can be shared on social media like the previous strategy.
The third and final strategy is the most time-consuming, but it can be the most effective. You can research the reviewer’s interests and find a way to provide value to them. This could include sending them an article that you think they would find interesting, offering to collaborate with them on a project, or introducing them to someone in your network who could benefit them.
This strategy is all about building a relationship with the reviewer and showing them that you’re interested in helping them in some way. It may not guarantee a review of your book, but it can help you stand out and create a positive connection that could lead to future collaborations.
In conclusion, these three strategies are simple but effective ways to stand out when contacting reviewers for book reviews. By writing a review, creating a video testimonial, or providing value to the reviewer, you can increase your chances of getting noticed and building a relationship that could benefit you in the long run.
Remember, it’s not just about getting a book review; it’s about building relationships with other authors, reviewers, and writers that can help you in your career.
