Review Exchange a Good Idea?

[David]

I'd sooner have ten genuine reviews, than a hundred manufactured ones. One look at the reviews of my books and you can tell they are genuine, hopefully other potential readers can tell the difference too. The thing with a disingenuous review, though, is that is all it will ever be. A genuine reviewer, however, one who has truly enjoyed the book as mine have, will tell other readers. Word of mouth in this way is better than a static review.

[[deleted user]]

A review exchange is, in essence, just an other way to pay for the reviews. I think it is a disingenuous way to do business. Amazon cracked down on this and may still be doing it. The Amazon method may not always be fair to every reviewer, but it's a good policy most of the time.

[Greg]

If I can't give someone my book and ask for a review in exchange for getting their book and giving a review, then what's this world coming to?

Isn't that what people on this site are doing day in and day out? Reviewing other people's books?

I say to people all the time, 'hey, check out this book,' and I'm sure many do. Sometimes they might even write a review.

Instead of being so apologetic about it I think authors should show some more teeth and demand more reviews. It's a social media world we're living in where everything's likes and tweets and adds. 'Oh, you read my book? Well then write a review, gosh darn it, and don't make me drag you to Amazon myself!'

[Andrew]

I have not come across the review exchange idea before.
I guess it can work, but can also be fraught with danger.
What if author A gives an awful one star review of author B’s book. Will author B then give a glowing five star review of author A’s book, whatever they thought of the book..?

[David]

Andrew wrote: "I have not come across the review exchange idea before.
I guess it can work, but can also be fraught with danger.
What if author A gives an awful one star review of author B’s book. Will author B t..."

Linked to this, does A feel inclined to give a more generous review than they may have done, due to the fact that B is reading their book?

[Chad]

Greg wrote: "I think authors should show some more teeth and demand more reviews. It's a social media world we're living in where everything's likes and tweets and adds. 'Oh, you read my book? Well then write a review, gosh darn it, and don't make me drag you to Amazon myself!'

As a reader, I find this ridiculous. If I pay you to read your book, this does not include some implied or obligatory social contract where I then must review your work (which you want done for marketing purposes).. I didn't pay to read your book to also be forced to be your unpaid marketing department as well.

The author is not paying the reader, remember...

Only in the world of Amazon indie authors does this idea that readers should be reviewers exist. The vast majority of readers have never left a review of a book on Amazon.

[Sabrina]

Chad wrote: The vast majority of readers have never left a review of a book on Amazon.


I was one of those for years. Then I found out how important reviews are to authors and made a point to leave them for my favorite ones.

Greg, I have come across little blurbs at the end of the book, saying in a very nice and polite way something along these lines: If you enjoyed this book (or even if you didn't) and feel inclined, please take a few minutes to leave a review. Feedback helps to keep your favorite writers writing.

Demanding something of someone never works, but there's nothing wrong with asking politely.

And I agree with Andrew on review exchanges having the potential to work, but I think you'd have to be highly selective on who you did exchanges with and be very clear that you are going to give an honest review and expect one in return.

I'm set to publish a book in the fall and I'm struggling with Blake's question. If an exchange is done honestly, then I don't see much difference in an author giving their book to a book blog to review. Personally, I would only review a book that caught my attention.

[Greg]

Derrick wrote: "Greg wrote: "Isn't that what people on this site are doing day in and day out? Reviewing other people's books? ."

Yep. But there isn't some sort of turn around for it. Author reviewing author for ..."

I could really care less what most people think; the majority are fat, dumb, and stupid anyways. They don't read, perhaps 7 books a year which is the average in America, and that's usually drivel.

[Greg]

Sabrina wrote: "Chad wrote: The vast majority of readers have never left a review of a book on Amazon.


I was one of those for years. Then I found out how important reviews are to authors and made a point to le..."

All 12 of my books have those little blurbs in the back. On one I recently put something on the title page suggesting authors leave reviews.

[David]

I agree Chad that you shouldn't feel obliged to review a book.

I publish my own books,and a good percentage of my readers have chosen to review. I'm also a reader, and,though I appreciate the reviews of my books, I will only give a review my self if the book in question has moved me to do so.

[Sabrina]

Good comments on the labeling of Indie authors, Blake. Especially in the changing business of publishing. Many established authors are breaking away from traditional publishing. And many more are realizing that they must do a combination of both.

Some authors turn down deals from agents and publishing houses because they realize they do better on their own.

The big publishing houses are not supporting authors like they used to, even best-selling ones. Just read any blog regarding the publishing scene a decade or two ago.

[Sabrina]

Greg wrote:I could really care less what most people think; the majority are fat, dumb, and stupid anyways. They don't read, perhaps 7 books a year which is the average in America, and that's usually drivel.

Greg, I'm not sure that viewing your potential fan base as 'fat, dumb, and stupid' is wise as an author.

[Greg]

It certainly won't be the first time I've let wisdom go to the wind.

[Sabrina]

Greg wrote: "It certainly won't be the first time I've let wisdom go to the wind."

Well good luck to you then.

[Greg]

Thanks; remember, there's no such thing as bad publicity when it comes to books, just look at Paula Dean.

[Charles]

For any of us who have worked in situations where you had to worry about conflicts of interest, one of the things you learn (if you ever actually get any training in the subject, mind you) is that the appearance of a conflict of interest is nearly as important as an actual conflict of interest.

Whether or not a few, some, or most of the indie authors out there would truly give unbiased, truthful exchange reviews -- maybe even giving a rating less than 4 or 5? -- the fact is that when I, as a reader, see an author give a glowing review (or cover blurb, for that matter) of another author's work, I'll give it very little credence. I'm not saying that's fair of me, but the appearance of a conflict of interest means that I must assume that possibility -- possibly even probability.

[Greg]

Charles wrote: "For any of us who have worked in situations where you had to worry about conflicts of interest, one of the things you learn (if you ever actually get any training in the subject, mind you) is that ..."

In my line of work I run into a lot of people looking to pay for reviews. I always try to tell them they want to pay for 4-star reviews, perhaps even a 3-star review from time to time. Few listen.