Why Negative Reviews Are Good
Negative reviews are super controversial -- but why?
No, I know why. Because they're mean, or because they wreck careers, or because they are not based on fact and blah, blah, blah. But that's not really an answer. That's opinion. And speculation.
Why are negative reviews so controversial?
They actually do everyone a huge, heaping favor.
Who Is Really Impacted By a Negative Review?
One of the arguments against negative reviews is that they keep people from buying books.
Really? Since when did negative reviews become the online equivalent of a chain-link fence?
If people want to read a book, a few negative reviews aren't going to change their mind. Bad author behavior might (we'll get to that later), but negative reviews? Unlikely. Especially if the negative reviewer in question doesn't have a whole lot of books in common with them.
At the very least, it will cause them to take your book with a grain of salt.
There are three ways a reader approaches a book:
In the first scenario, the reader does not want the book. At all. Cool. Not all books are for everyone.
In the second scenario, the reader does want the book. Again, cool. New readers are fun!
In the third scenario, the reader is not sure if they want the book. It might be outside their usual genre but they find the summary somewhat intriguing. Or maybe they really like the cover. Or maybe a friend recommended it to them, but the friend isn't one of their go-to reviewers so they aren't sure.
Again, cool.
This third scenario is important. Why? Because these are the people who will be impacted most by a negative review. They were on the fence from the start, and some of them will be persuaded by a negative review. BUT it's likely that they were already swinging towards no from the start.
So really, negative reviews do you a favor; they prevent people who weren't all that keen on reading your book from the start from reading your book and not liking it.
Takeaway Lesson: Negative reviews create a self-selecting pool of readers.
No, I know why. Because they're mean, or because they wreck careers, or because they are not based on fact and blah, blah, blah. But that's not really an answer. That's opinion. And speculation.
Why are negative reviews so controversial?
They actually do everyone a huge, heaping favor.
Who Is Really Impacted By a Negative Review?
One of the arguments against negative reviews is that they keep people from buying books.
Really? Since when did negative reviews become the online equivalent of a chain-link fence?
If people want to read a book, a few negative reviews aren't going to change their mind. Bad author behavior might (we'll get to that later), but negative reviews? Unlikely. Especially if the negative reviewer in question doesn't have a whole lot of books in common with them.
At the very least, it will cause them to take your book with a grain of salt.
There are three ways a reader approaches a book:
In the first scenario, the reader does not want the book. At all. Cool. Not all books are for everyone.
In the second scenario, the reader does want the book. Again, cool. New readers are fun!
In the third scenario, the reader is not sure if they want the book. It might be outside their usual genre but they find the summary somewhat intriguing. Or maybe they really like the cover. Or maybe a friend recommended it to them, but the friend isn't one of their go-to reviewers so they aren't sure.
Again, cool.
This third scenario is important. Why? Because these are the people who will be impacted most by a negative review. They were on the fence from the start, and some of them will be persuaded by a negative review. BUT it's likely that they were already swinging towards no from the start.
So really, negative reviews do you a favor; they prevent people who weren't all that keen on reading your book from the start from reading your book and not liking it.
Takeaway Lesson: Negative reviews create a self-selecting pool of readers.
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Dorcas
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Jan 29, 2014 05:30PM
Ive actually had authors THANK me for a somewhat negative review. One even reworked her manuscript, improving the "weak spots". So I agree that negative reviews can be good, especially if a writer really wants to improve their game.
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Dorcas wrote: "Ive actually had authors THANK me for a somewhat negative review. One even reworked her manuscript, improving the "weak spots". So I agree that negative reviews can be good, especially if a writer ..."Totally! I've had some really great negative/con-crit reviews. One woman actually sent me a list of all the main typos she caught, so I was able to fix and resubmit my story, like you said. It all comes down to personal taste and professionalism, imho. :)
Ashley wrote: "That's the most truthful thing I've read in a while! I know I'm one of those that gets influenced by what others write - but I forget that we're not all the same. Hence, I don't read reviews befor..."I definitely let my opinion be swayed by some of my friends when it comes to books- especially if we have a lot of books in common and rate things very similarly. At the end of the day, my opinion is my own, but I'd be lying if I said I was utterly without influence. :)
I have bought books because of negative reviews. I have had other readers buy books because of my negative reviews.For example, I'm not fond of detective, suspense or crime thrillers. Someone who came across a review of mine saying that while well-written with likable characters it had too much detective/crime stuff to suit me went out and bought the book and 10 books later is still reading the series and buying those books.
If a negative review criticizes something I instead actually like in a book (like too much hardcore SF/military hardware), that negative review actually encourages me to read the book.
Bland gushing or ranting reviews I assume are fake ones and get ignored unless from a reviewer I follow.
Star ratings only are another story; I don't know any goodreads buddies that pay those any attention -- they just don't tell me anything about a book or even what rating scale or purpose the person used the stars for. Exception, if I know someone well enough (or they explained their star ratings on their profile or blog to know how they star rate books), then their ratings I'll pay attention to.
Considering how goodreads suggested ratings scale gives one less star to books than the equivalent suggested ratings scale at amazon -- I wonder how many temper tantrums might be prevented if the average rating on a book page displayed the average on goodreads and put in parentheses after that "equivalent to x-stars on amazon." For example, when a reviewer (who chooses to use the star ratings according to suggested scale) is the only one who rated a book and liked it so gives it a 3-star rating on goodreads--that becomes the average. Maybe if instead of the average rating showing "★★★☆☆" it showed "★★★☆☆ (which = ★★★★☆ on amazon scale)" type of display some bba tantrums might be reduced.
Different rated reviews are pure individualism. If we all would have the same tastes, life would be boring.I always try to be neutral in my ratings, since I don´t know the author behind the books in person.
The rule is "you may judge by its cover, but not a person."
Oh, an people who get money just for writing positive/ negative reviews and not their own opinion, constantly sell bits of their soul :P
A writer who knows how to take criticism and negative reviews are the ones that will suceed.
I posted this elsewhere, but I feel that my opinion suits this thread:In my opinion, if people like/love my books, awesome. If they don't, that's awesome too, just give me good negative feedback so I know for next time (like 'flat characters, weak or cliched plots, plotholes, confusing or lack of worldbuilding, etc). It's funny, I'm actually looking forward to the negative reviews for my stories. xD
Just really there's no such thing as a "bad review"
I mean I've heard of stories where various well-known writers (I forget who it was exactly I'm thinking of, but anyways) actually keep their bad reviews as a reminder that no book is entirely 'perfect' for everyone and they have different tastes. Accepting that and moving on is the best thing you can do.
Just chatting up other customers in a bookstores you can find someone who hates a book another customer absolutely loved.
I agree with everything! And I'm super glad such a great discussion started in the comments because these are all valid reasons why negative reviews are super useful.To everyone.
Including the author!
