Now that you’ve finished writing your book and ready to put it out into the world, the importance of book reviews cannot be underestimated. It’s no secret that some authors spend countless hours crafting their books, only for them to disappear into the abyss of the internet. However, there is a secret to keep the same thing from happening to you: book reviews. Reviews are the backbone of book promotion. They are like a virtual pat on the back, telling the world your book is worth reading. But getting book reviews can be as tricky as catching a squirrel in a park. In this post, we explore why reviews are so important and how to get them (without resorting to bribery or blackmail).
The Importance of Book Reviews
Gleaning book reviews is a crucial tactic in your book marketing strategy. Why are they important? Book reviews…
Help build buzz – The more people talk about your book, the more likely others will take notice. Word-of-mouth is one of the best marketing tactics for authors, and book reviews is possibly the highest form of word-of-mouth advertising because one review can be seen by dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of potential readers. Think of reviews as the free advertising that keeps on giving.
Create social proof – When people are deciding whether to invest in something, whether it be their money, time, or other resources, they want to know they’re making a smart decision. They often look to what others are saying to support their decision. In the case of books, they want to know that other people like them are reading the book and receiving value from it, whether it’s entertainment and enjoyment for fiction or information and inspiration from non-fiction. This is social proof – evidence from their peers that the book is worth their time and money.
Boost your book’s visibility – Book reviews on Amazon and Goodreads can boost your book’s visibility on those platforms and make it easier for potential readers to find you. For example, Amazon is more likely to bring a book with a high number of reviews into its marketing ecosystem – in other words, they do marketing for you. Other retailers also use the number and quality of reviews to consider your book for promotional opportunities.
Gain clout and credibility – You can also submit your book to be reviewed in industry and national publications. These editorial reviews add prestige and credibility and may be picked up by other publications and news sources, expanding your visibility further.
Can be used in other marketing efforts – Once you have even a few reviews, you can use them in your other marketing endeavors. Include them on the back cover, in your book’s description, on your website, in press releases, in your About the Author, on bookmarks and other marketing materials. You can also share them on social media.
So now that you know the importance of book reviews, how do you get them?
How to Get Book Reviews
Here are a few ways to get you started.
Offer Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) – ARCs are pre-publication copies of your book that are given to book reviewers, friends, and colleagues in exchange for an honest review. Consider offering ARCs to book bloggers or members of your target audience. Assuming you plan to write more than one book, consider forming an ARC team that you can tap into for each new book release rather than starting from scratch each time.
Host a Book Review Party – Invite friends and family, virtually or in person, to come together and read the first chapter of your book. Afterward, you can all discuss the book together and leave a review. This is a great way to build a community around your book.
Encourage Library Visits – Not everyone will be able to purchase your book, and that’s okay. Encourage them to borrow it from the library. If the library does not carry your book, they often have a quick and easy request form that any library patron can fill out requesting the purchase of a book.
Offer Book Swag – Readers love book swag, like a signed bookplate or a free bookmark. Giving out free stuff is a sure way to encourage readers to leave a review. Just be careful that you don’t cross the line of retailers’ Terms of Service, which prohibit reviews that have been paid for (a free book is fine, but anything more in exchange for a review is sketchy). The best way to avoid this violation and risk your account is to ensure readers know a review is not required to receive the goodies. You want to encourage your readers to leave book reviews, not bribe them.
Utilize Social Media – Share a quote or an illustration from your book and ask readers to share their thoughts in the comments. Consider creating a dedicated hashtag for your book promotion and asking readers to use it when posting their reviews. This helps create buzz around your book and encourages more readers to leave reviews.
Now, before you go flooding the internet with review requests, remember to be courteous and respectful. Craft a polite email introducing yourself and your book, and make sure to thank the reviewer for their time. Keep in mind that reviewers have lives too, and it may take a while for them to get to your book.
Remember that book reviews can come in many forms. Encourage video, audio, and illustrated reviews. And if you receive a negative review, don’t take it to heart. If there’s information in there to help you improve your craft, take it, but leave any bad feelings behind. Just remember: not everyone loves every book out there. Check out your own extremely popular favorites and notice there are bad reviews for them, too.
In conclusion, getting book reviews is the lifeblood of any book promotion strategy. They can help you build buzz, gain visibility, and ultimately sell more books. Without them, your book might as well be a tree falling in an empty forest. So, take a deep breath, put yourself out there, and ask for those reviews.
