You’re a new author with your first book. Everyone has told you that you need as many reviews as possible but it is so difficult to get them. Are they really so important and if so, how do you get them?
Why are reviews so important?
Reviews are social proof for a book. If a book has three reviews and another book has two thousand, which book will we tend to read? There is something in us that if everyone is reading something that we want to find out what they’re going on about.
Interestingly, having a few 1 or 2-star reviews doesn’t usually harm an author unless they are telling us that the editing is poor, or the writing terrible. In fact, if a book has three hundred reviews and they’re all 4 or 5-star, people become suspicious. So try to smile when your book receives a few low-star reviews.
Reviews also alert readers to whether a book is for them. If a review says, “Not enough romance,” and we don’t like romance, we’ll be more likely to read it because of that review.
One of our difficulties as authors is that many readers see a few reviews and think, “They have plenty, I don’t have to write one.” How do we help people understand the importance of writing reviews?
Some things we need to communicate to our readers
* Every review is important – the more the better.
* Reviews – even of one sentence or a word, are better than ratings.
* How to actually write an online review and where to post them.
* It’s better to write one immediately you’ve finished the book because if people wait, they forget.
* Lots of readers believe, “I’m no good at this.”
Here are some of the things I’ve done:
1. Formed an early review team
One way that authors get early reviews is to form a team of early readers.
The way I do it is to prepare an online google form (free to use) where people can sign up to be part of my team. I have a series of questions to see which of my books they’ve read and reviewed and which channels they can review on (Goodreads, BookBub, Amazon …). As I am a ‘wide’ author and not exclusive to Amazon, I want people to also review on channels like Kobo, Apple, B and N, and Google Play.
I do not select everyone who volunteers and I send out instructions. If the person hasn’t reviewed in about a month, I send a reminder. If they don’t review that person won’t be given another chance (unless they’ve written with a reasonable explanation).
I aim for twenty early reviews but still struggle, even after eight self-published books to find twenty. I also ask my beta readers (who read early drafts and commented) to put up a review.
2. Requested reviews in the back matter of all of my books
At the back of each book, I have a short explanation as to why reviews are important and ask the reader to leave one. I am still working out the best wording for this request and tend to look at how other authors request the review and copy wording that I like.
3. Requested reviews in my automated newsletter sequence
I did this for a while, but I may have cut it out. The trick is giving new subscribers something to read and then leaving a long enough gap before requesting the review.
4. Used a review service
Two free places I’ve found for Christian books are the Facebook groups, Christian Readers and Reviewers
For the first, you simply post your book cover and blurb and then request reviews with a date/place. I can usually find a few reviews from there. For the second, you fill in a submission form.
I have not used paid review sites like Netgalley, but this is an option too.
5. Written a blog post to explain the why, how, and where of reviews
Recently, I wrote a blog post to guide people through the process. This included an explanation of the different sites and direct links to some of my books. This has saved me time, as I can now link to that post rather than having to explain the same thing over and over again.
6. Sat next to people and guided them through the technological aspects.
I’ve found I’ve had to do this with older folk. They want to help but the technology baffles them. Even ‘copying’ and ‘pasting’ a review they’ve written can be a challenge.
As a reader I do try to review most books. If I don’t finish I normally don’t put a review expect when the reason was language or something that I know may affect other people who read like me. One example is a book where in America the word used is fine but here its swearing. I put a review just to alert people.
I also agree with the if a book only has mostly 5 stars and a few 4 stars I do question it. Especially when you then read most of the reviews were free books for an honest review. Having a few 3 stars and lower give a product or book more credibility. As you said it could be cos it has to much or not enough romance or the reason I gave a 3 star once was a women’s fiction was marketed as Inspirational romance and there was no romance. The main characters were a couple of women. Had I known I would have gone into the book in a different mindset. Yes the book was good but I kept waiting for the romance.
I am on a couple of street teams but make sure I don’t over commit.
I always read the lowest star ratings first and that usually helps me see if the book is for me.
Yes, I have to be careful not to overcommit on early reading projects /reviews. Just reading one now and probably have another to do this month too.
Me too! I read the lower ones first as they are generally more honest/helpful.