THE Group for Authors! discussion
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How to select reviewers on Amazon.com
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I have had both please send me a copy in pdf form, and one who just went and bought it on amazon, or they could have been a prime member and got it that way too.
Very new here, and just wanted to say thank you to Stephen for this very useful post (and the point raised by H.R.)
*ouch* does amazon display your email if you are a top reviewer? Even if you marked it as private? That's horrifying. I'm going to have my friends doublecheck and if so, I am yanking my reviews and never writing another review at amazon.
I've tried this and it really does work! Thanks for sharing it with everyone!
I waited almost six months and I got no response.
Cherlina wrote: "I waited almost six months and I got no response."I give it about two weeks if no response then I move on to other reviewers.
Debbie as far as I know if your email is set to private then no it doesn't show.
H.R. wrote: "I tried this once and one of the few responses back was along the lines, "By the way, it's usually best to include a link so your reviewer has a visual." I guess to each reviewer, his/her own prefe..."Yes you definately want to put the link to your book on amazon for them too.
Debbie wrote: "*ouch* does amazon display your email if you are a top reviewer? Even if you marked it as private? That's horrifying. I'm going to have my friends doublecheck and if so, I am yanking my reviews ..."Goodness, perhaps this explains why, out of the blue, someone I don't know referred to my Amazon reviews and demanded that I review their book.
I was utterly baffled as to why this person thought I might be interested in reviewing.
I distaste demanding people...although I do not run into them often.
I review debut authors on my blog. I really think you are being a bit impatient when you move on to other reviewers in two weeks time. I always let the author know that I have an extensive queue and it will be several months before I can get to it. Most still send their pdf or mobi copies to me with this understanding. Keep in mind that most reviewers have a lot of books to read. Some pass books to others to help them read and some only read a few chapters and the ending and review it. I read from cover to cover and rely on no one's opinion except for my own. I don't think you can give a fair assessment of any book without reading the entire book. I know everyone says that they do, but I know for a fact that isn't true. It depends on if you want someone to rush through your book or read it fully and make notes.
Like Rebecca, a lot of reviewers that accept books for review (versus just reviewing what they personally select for reading) have blogs, websites or goodreads profiles that explain how they review, submission guidelines, waiting list, how to contact, etc.Just pulling an email from a reviewer on amazon or other sites to me is the equivalent of a telemarketer cold call.
This is a really helpful group. Thank you so much for all the information. I was wondering about the review process and didn't know how to find reviewers. My book for children (8-12) was published in October 2012 and I've had two reviews – both nice – and don't recognize the names of the reviewers. I'll use your suggestions and try to find others. Also, I review every book I buy on Amazon and use my name even though I'm not a reviewer – I'm just a writer who can't shut up.
Thanks Stephen,I really appreciate you doing this for us.
Rebecca wrote: "I really think you are being a bit impatient when you move on to other reviewers in two weeks time."I mean that I move on to others if I haven't gotten a reply back from them with in two weeks. If they have a backlog and will take a month or two to do it i'm fine with that.
I never demand a review either. I always state that I have a book that is similar to other books they have read and reviewed and ask if they would consider reviewing mine. Always give them the opportunity to say no thank you.
Stephen wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I really think you are being a bit impatient when you move on to other reviewers in two weeks time."I mean that I move on to others if I haven't gotten a reply back from them with..."
Sorry Stephen, it appears that I misunderstood you. What you say is completely true. I receive a lot of email and I go through it every single day and respond back either that same day or the next. If I get a request for an area that I don't review, i.e. non-fiction, (or anything other than mystery/suspense right now), I write back politely declining and if possible make suggestions to them. A suggestion that I would also make in selecting a reviewer, if they do a review blog, go to their blog and check it out. I have on my About page on my blog my submission requirements, what I accept. It is amazing the requests I still get for non-fiction and other genres that I'm not accepting.
I agree Rebecca, That was why I stated you need to research who you are selecting. I certainly don't suggest that you spam every top reviewer and those that do make a lot of us that don't look bad. "IMO" Beside this all takes time and if you invest half an hour for instance in doing it. Make that half an hour count. I would rather spend a half an hour of my limited time going for something that is likely to work out then throwing it away on long shots. Personally I look at my time as being valuable cause if I take away time from my writing it has to be worth the cost.
Stephen wrote: "I agree Rebecca, That was why I stated you need to research who you are selecting. I certainly don't suggest that you spam every top reviewer and those that do make a lot of us that don't look bad...."Absolutely! I am quite new at all this, myself. I am learning as I go along. I am working on a debut novel now, so I am trying to learn all I can while I am working on it so I will be prepared when it is my turn at bat. :)
Stephen wrote: "Cherlina wrote: "I waited almost six months and I got no response."I give it about two weeks if no response then I move on to other reviewers.
Debbie as far as I know if your email is set to pri..."
1. Log into Amazon.com and go to your account. towards the bottom is a link "Product Reviews Written by You"
click and that takes you to your product review page. On the left hand side is "Top Reviewers" click on this and it takes you to the list of Amazon top reviewers.
2. Go down the list and you can hover your mouse over the user name and it will display their tags (what they are most interested in reviewing, etc.) Clicking on their name will bring up their profile page. On the left hand side you will see their email and a "In My Own Words" section. read this as it will often tell you if they are accepting review requests and other useful info.
3. Formulate your Email professionally, Include your name, book title, a brief synopsis (preferably include more than they will read on the Amazon.com page) Indicate that you want a honest review (that you don't expect them to give you 5 stars if in their opinion you don't deserve it). If it is going to be a available for free tell them the date it will be free. I end the email with I can also provide you a free copy in a format you prefer just contact me with details.
4. Wait, wait, and wait some more. You will get a reply.
The quick method
1. Look for your book on amazon.com. Scroll down to "Look For Similar Items by Category" section. Click on a category that should be in line with the book you are selling. Choose a book that has a lot of reviews (more than 25) and then read the reviews. the Reviewers title will state if they are a top reviewer.
2. Look at all of a reviewers reviews to see their reviewer rank and their "Helpful Votes" percentage (higher is better).
3. Repeat steps 2 & 3 above.
Yes this takes time and for some it will be easier then others. Fiction authors tend to have an easier time finding reviewers than to Non-fiction writers. The last final tip Do not use the same form email for every reviewer. you will just look like a spammer. And don't go with the more is better mentality, choose 4 or 5 and then sit back and wait to see who reply, if no one does choose 4 or 5 more.
Remember that a lot of these reviewers get tons of requests daily so you want to make yours stand out and be as descriptive as possible.
These reviewers generate a lot of followers and their followers will buy your book if you get a 3,4, or 5 Star review. Don't be upset if you get a bad review either, most will have honest critiques for you to learn from.
Best of luck...