Times are changing- it’s never been a better time to be a self-published author, and there have never been more book reviews open to the writer who wants to go indie.
A book review is an analysis of a book that includes its subject, strengths and weaknesses, and context- a form of literary criticism in which a book is analyzed based on content, style, and merit. A book review can be a primary source opinion piece, summary review, or scholarly review, and different types of reviews include trade reviews, readers reviews, endorsement reviews, and editorial reviews (which we’ll discuss in further detail another time).
By publishing a review to their network, book reviewers help spread the message about your book. But if you’re new to publishing you’ve got to figure out how to get those book reviews that can bring more readers to you.
- Have a Call to Action at the back of your book
This is the simplest, easiest way to start getting reviews and once you’ve set it up, it does all the work for you. Add a simple, short call to action (CTA) on the last page of your book once it is published. Something like, “Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving an honest review of your favorite store.”
- Make your eBook available for free
The more people read your book, the more reviews you will get. Free books usually get more downloads over time, so you’ll likely get more reviews. By doing this, you simultaneously widen your book’s audience and reach.
- Ask your mailing list
A good marketing strategy for every author is to build a mailing list so that you have direct access to your readers. By maintaining a legitimate relationship with readers, an author may solidify a following or fan-base.
Once you have a few readers on your list, ask them for honest reviews of your book (or books).
- Create an Advance Reader Team
As your email list grows, you can recruit keen readers who want to be on your advanced reader team (also known as a Street Team). You can send them your new books before launch and ask them to review on publication.
To recruit new readers to the team, just send out an email periodically asking for volunteers or include the email as part of your automatic email sequence.
2. Email book bloggers who love your genre
This is a free strategy but it takes some time to research.
There are many blogs that offer book reviews. They usually specialize in specific genres so it’s important to do your research and find bloggers who fit your genre and who are accepting books for review. If you are accepted, the blogger will often review on their own site, and also on Amazon and GoodReads.
3. Find Amazon reviewers through their review profiles
Some book reviewers on Amazon will have their contact information connected to their profile. You can sometimes click on their name and find their review site or email, then you can approach the reviewer to see if they’d be willing to review your book. Explain that you saw their review of the book that’s similar to yours.
4. Use social media to get reviews
Choose one or two social media platforms, but don’t try to master them all at the same time- remember to have conversations with your followers, and don’t just post about your books too.
You could have a regularly scheduled post that asks what your followers are doing on the weekend, or a Throwback Thursday post with a nostalgic picture to get the conversation started.
5. Use Facebook Ads to ask for reviews
If you run Facebook ads for your book/s, you might receive comments below the ads from readers who have bought and/or read your book. Responding to comments on your Facebook ads is a good way to build community with your readers. And if someone leaves a glowing comment, you can say a sincere thank you and then ask if they’d be willing to leave an honest review for the book.
6. Pick the right reviewers
This is the single most important thing you can do to help your review program. Find out what kind of books the reviewer likes to review, and only select appropriate reviewers
7. Follow up.
Don’t stalk or harass the reviewer, who is probably doing this in her spare time. But if you haven’t heard anything after a few weeks, follow up to see if they still intend to write the review.
8. Thank the reviewer.
It’s common courtesy, but it also shows you appreciate the time and effort someone else took to help bring your book to the attention of more people.
In conclusion, book reviews can be very effective in spreading the word about a good book. Nothing sells books as well as word of mouth, and you can get people talking about your book if you can bring it to their notice. Book reviews will do that for you.
Book reviewers help spread the message about your book by publishing a review to their network. But if you’re new to publishing, you have to figure out how to get those book reviews that can bring you more readers. Here are some important tips on how to get some reviews for your books.
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