Adrian Stephens's Blog - Posts Tagged "good-books"
#7 - Power of the People
It seems that everywhere you go these days, there are reviews available to tell you about the product or service you are getting ready to buy. Some people are great about leaving reviews on their favorite websites for every product or service they buy. For those who do, some are actually sought out and specifically asked to comment on a company's product or service.
For most of us, I think, we just aren't really in the habit of leaving reviews. They take time, after all, and plenty of other people already do it, right?
I admit, that I have many times had that outlook on leaving reviews. When I'm buying a product, I will take the time to read many reviews, both good and bad, to try and gauge if someone is trying to be unbiased in their review, or if they may be looking at things from a slightly skewed viewpoint.
Think back, though. If you are not one who usually takes the time to leave reviews, what was the reason for doing it in those times where you did? Was the product exceptionally bad, or maybe not even bad, but just didn't meet your expectations? Maybe it was just SO good, you really thought you should share. It seems that more people are willing to get on and leave reviews when they are dissatisfied with a product or service than if they just thought it was good.
As an author/publisher, I have become increasingly aware of how important it is to leave reviews. Maybe not on EVERY item you ever buy, but at least the big purchases, or the things that are important to you. Chances are, if you belong to the Goodreads community, you truly care about reading books. I would also guess that you have taken the time to read many of the reviews left on this website. But, do you leave reviews when you have finished a book, good or bad? Maybe not? It's certainly not a requirement. I'm certainly not going to hold it against you (I know you were worried), but I would ask you to think about it.
Books like Harry Potter, Twilight and Hunger Games are not starving for reviews. Those books have done so well, chances are someone has told you to read them, and you either will or won't based on their recommendation. You aren't going to read through 200,000 reviews.
Other books really do need those reviews, good, bad and even in between. Really, even just giving it a star rating, or writing a very short blurb gives others the opportunity to see what you thought and make their own opinion on whether to buy it.
If you think a book is great, I would ask you to please let people know…for the author's sake who worked so hard on it. If you think a book is terrible, please let people know...for the readers' sake, so maybe they can decide to skip it. Either way, a thoughtful opinion is important, and really can make a difference! For small time authors, it may be the difference in whether the even continue writing. Something to think about. Thanks for reading!
For most of us, I think, we just aren't really in the habit of leaving reviews. They take time, after all, and plenty of other people already do it, right?
I admit, that I have many times had that outlook on leaving reviews. When I'm buying a product, I will take the time to read many reviews, both good and bad, to try and gauge if someone is trying to be unbiased in their review, or if they may be looking at things from a slightly skewed viewpoint.
Think back, though. If you are not one who usually takes the time to leave reviews, what was the reason for doing it in those times where you did? Was the product exceptionally bad, or maybe not even bad, but just didn't meet your expectations? Maybe it was just SO good, you really thought you should share. It seems that more people are willing to get on and leave reviews when they are dissatisfied with a product or service than if they just thought it was good.
As an author/publisher, I have become increasingly aware of how important it is to leave reviews. Maybe not on EVERY item you ever buy, but at least the big purchases, or the things that are important to you. Chances are, if you belong to the Goodreads community, you truly care about reading books. I would also guess that you have taken the time to read many of the reviews left on this website. But, do you leave reviews when you have finished a book, good or bad? Maybe not? It's certainly not a requirement. I'm certainly not going to hold it against you (I know you were worried), but I would ask you to think about it.
Books like Harry Potter, Twilight and Hunger Games are not starving for reviews. Those books have done so well, chances are someone has told you to read them, and you either will or won't based on their recommendation. You aren't going to read through 200,000 reviews.
Other books really do need those reviews, good, bad and even in between. Really, even just giving it a star rating, or writing a very short blurb gives others the opportunity to see what you thought and make their own opinion on whether to buy it.
If you think a book is great, I would ask you to please let people know…for the author's sake who worked so hard on it. If you think a book is terrible, please let people know...for the readers' sake, so maybe they can decide to skip it. Either way, a thoughtful opinion is important, and really can make a difference! For small time authors, it may be the difference in whether the even continue writing. Something to think about. Thanks for reading!
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