HOW TO GET MORE REVIEWS AND SELL MORE BOOKS

Book reviews can be a powerful reality check for authors, especially in the self-publishing world where there may be less oversight or professional feedback.

That said, reviews can provide a valuable perspective from readers and help authors understand how their work is being received. While positive reviews can boost an author's ego and confidence, negative reviews can be a humbling experience.

Let’s look at just why reviews are essential, especially after you’ve published.

The Importance of Book Reviews For Self-published Authors

Positive or negative, reviews are an incredibly powerful tool for self-published authors. Here’s why:

Social Proof

Reviews from other readers serve as social proof that your book is worth reading. Potential readers are likelier to take a chance on your book when they see that others have enjoyed it.

Increased Exposure

Many online retailers and book promotion sites use the number and quality of reviews to factor their algorithms for recommending books. The more reviews your book has, the more visible it will be to potential readers.

Valuable Feedback

Reviews can provide valuable feedback on your book, both positive and negative. This feedback can help you improve your writing, understand your audience better, and make changes to your marketing strategy. They can help authors avoid the trap of thinking that their work is perfect or beyond critique and instead encourage them to keep growing and evolving as writers.

Marketing Leverage

Reviews can be used as marketing material in book descriptions, promotional materials, and on your author's website. Positive reviews can persuade potential readers to buy your book.

How to Get More Reviews For Your Book

Getting reviews can be challenging, especially for first-time authors. Here are some tips to get more reviews:

Utilize Your Author Platform

Use your social media channels and author websites to encourage readers to leave a review. Include a call-to-action in the back of your book, asking readers to leave a review if they enjoyed it.

Offer Free Copies

Consider offering a free copy of your book in exchange for an honest review. You can run a giveaway on Goodreads or social media.

Reach Out to Book Bloggers and Reviewers

Research book bloggers and reviewers in your genre and reach out to them to request a review. Read their review policies and follow their submission guidelines carefully.

Utilize Book Promotion Sites

Many book promotion sites offer paid and free services to promote your book and help you get reviews. Research and choose the ones that are most effective in your genre and budget.

Follow Up With Readers

If you have an email list, consider sending a follow-up email to readers who have purchased your book, thanking them for their support and asking them to leave a review.

Make it Easy

Make leaving a review as easy as possible for readers. Provide links to review sites, including instructions on how to leave a review. After you’ve received a review, don’t forget to express your gratitude for their time and effort.

How to Respond to Negative Reviews

Negative reviews are inevitable. Even the most successful and acclaimed books receive negative reviews. Different readers have different tastes, and it's impossible to please everyone.

On the bright side, negative reviews are not all that bad. In addition to providing constructive feedback and highlighting areas where an author can improve, negative reviews lend credibility to positive reviews, as readers may be skeptical of a book with only glowing reviews. They can help authors avoid the trap of thinking that their work is perfect or beyond critique and encourage them to keep growing and evolving as writers.

That said, responding to negative reviews is seldom easy. Here are how you can respond to negative reviews:

• Avoid responding to negative reviews with defensiveness, arguments, or personal attacks. This can further escalate the situation and turn off potential readers.

• Thank the reviewer for taking the time to read your book. This shows that you value their opinion and respect their feedback.

• If the reviewer raises specific concerns or criticisms about your book, address them directly and respectfully. This could even be a promise to address the issue in future editions.

• Sometimes, it's best not to respond to negative reviews at all. If a review is particularly harsh or unfair, it may be best to simply let it go and move on.

In effect, authors need to approach negative reviews with an open mind and use them as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than going gaga over them.

How to Leverage Positive Reviews to Sell More Books

Don’t take positive reviews for granted. And you don’t have to be too humble to stay appreciatively idle after receiving any positive review. Make the most out of your positive review to build your author brand, increase credibility, and ultimately, sell more books. Call it your book review strategy.

Promote the positive review you get in every way possible. Flaunt them as status updates, print them into your book in the next edition, and imprint them in any and all marketing materials. This helps potential readers see the value in the book and build trust in the author. And it is among the best book marketing tactics.

Sometimes, the positive reviewers see what you don’t. For instance, you notice a lot of positive reviews on your book highlighting, say, character development. You could perhaps use it as a ‘strength’ of your story (book) in your marketing material. This is among the lesser-known book review best practices.

Responding to the reviewer with a thank you and appreciation takes a long way in building a loyal reader base. Besides, it shows that you value your readers and their feedback and can help develop strong author-reader relationships. They could even be your unofficial ambassadors and advocates. Last of all, acknowledging and appreciating book reviews helps increase book reviews.

Getting book reviews is an integral part of promoting a self-published book, as it helps build credibility, attract new readers, and increase sales.

If you’re an aspiring author looking to self-publish, consider partnering with BMcTALKS for a well-guided publishing experience that’d garner worthy positive reviews.

Credit: K. Dinkin