How to Generate Reviews
Every book, article, literary course, and lecture authored or conducted by well-established, commercially successful authors on the subject agree that sales drive reviews, not the other way around.
Soliciting and/or offering some type of compensation or reciprocation will not generate honest, objective reviews. Sales will.
Focus upon striving to continuously improve upon your technical writing, promotional, and marketing knowledge and skills, then sales will improve. Reviews will follow.
Keep in mind that generic reviews are merely personal, and therefore subjective, opinions. One reader's Best book ever! may very well be another reader's Worst book ever! which is why most astute readers do not allow a review to influence their purchasing choice one way or the other.
Soliciting and/or offering some type of compensation or reciprocation will not generate honest, objective reviews. Sales will.
Focus upon striving to continuously improve upon your technical writing, promotional, and marketing knowledge and skills, then sales will improve. Reviews will follow.
Keep in mind that generic reviews are merely personal, and therefore subjective, opinions. One reader's Best book ever! may very well be another reader's Worst book ever! which is why most astute readers do not allow a review to influence their purchasing choice one way or the other.
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Charles wrote: "NIcely put, Jim. I particularly like your pointing out that sales drive reviews, not the other way around. You point about honing your writing skills is well taken. IMO, there is no "quick and easy..."Charles,
Thank you for taking the time to read the blog and post a comment. Input, suggestions, and an honest opinion are always welcome and appreciated. Some of my best ideas have come from others.
Jim Vuksic
Sales drive reviews is correct Jim. I have to touch on the quality of the book and its importance. Writing a well-written interesting book gains sales over the long term and the honest reviews that go with those sales. Successful prolific authors understand writing good books is the key to sales. Just one poorly-written or uneditied book will kill an author's career, regardless of reviews.
Writing is a business and to succeed you need a quality product and a solid marketing plan. Reviews are the by product not the driving factor.
Christine wrote: "Sales drive reviews is correct Jim. I have to touch on the quality of the book and its importance. Writing a well-written interesting book gains sales over the long term and the honest reviews that..."Christine,
Thank you for, once again, taking the time to post a comment on the blog. You were one of the first, and remain one of the most loyal, followers. Your opinions and suggestions are always helpful and appreciated..
Jim Vuksic
And perhaps this is a good time to add in my personal experience, and that of others, putting your books on "sale" for Zero does not generate reviews. I have stopped jumping on the "get my book for free" wagon Which is not to say that I don't give books away for free--I just give them to specific individuals who have shown an interest in my work, rather than shotgunning them out in the hope of drawing readers and reviews.