Looking For Feedback on a Review Site Idea

[Anne]

Good afternoon!

I've been talking with my marketing partner about potential ways to boost the number of honest reviews for indie authors, and I'd love to get some feedback from some fellow authors.

We are considering launching an incentives-based reader panel where readers can earn free books and prizes for writing honest reviews/participating on panels/focus groups to evaluate an author's online presence/branding. We would insist that the readers provide honest reviews (even if they hate they book) in order to provide the author with invaluable feedback.

Authors would get free feedback (beta reads, book reviews, cover reviews, etc.), and they could advertise on the site to get exposure to potential readers.

I would really love any feedback anyone has on this idea--what we are looking to do is find a way to help indie authors get the honest feedback they need pre-launch on all facets of their book and marketing campaigns in order to increase their selling potential upon their book's release.

What do you guys think?

[Mike]

sounds like a great idea to me! let me know if and when it is up and i'll submit some short stories of mine and or reviews for others.

[R.A.]

Seems like it could help a lot of people.

[Deborah]

Sounds like a fantastic idea - would love to know when you have it up and running :)

[Gordon]

I like the concept and reviews would be great but is the panel to be part of Goodreads website?

If not, it will be doubly difficult as most of those websites with reviews, outside of the retail side (Amazon, B&N, Kobo, etc.) don't have a huge client base built in at the start. If part of Goodreads, I think it would have a good idea.

Not trying to be a downer on the idea just unsure where it would reside.

[Justin]

I think it sounds like a great idea. Id be interested in something like this.

[Carmen]

Hi Anne, would this be a "pre-launch" or post-publication site? I've been thinking myself of how to put together a mentoring service of sorts to help indie authors--and really, any creative type with a product--get ready for prime time. Yours sounds like a great idea, especially if indie authors use it to get feedback in order to polish their work before launch.