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Searching for Indie/Self-Published authors who struggle to find reviewers
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Honeysuckle - I like your replies. My father used to say, particularly when something didn't go right for him, "What is the worst sin of all?" And we kids knew to reply, "Feeling sorry for yourself." Of course I remind myself of the worst sin quite often and if that doesn't help, I have a little song, "Oh I feel so sorry for myself, I feel so sorry for myself, I'd go home and end it all, but 14 stories is an awful fall, I feel so sorry for myself." The tune comes natural if you start to sing it. I don't think (hope) anyone could sing it without laughing. hugs and blessing to all, Mariam Cheshire
Try the latest podcast from Self Publishing Formula, number 114. The podcast is about Ian Sutherland's "Author Platform Sidekick" which proposes a method that should work.The primary focus of the podcast is getting the best use out of Twitter, but his sidekick platform is aimed at authors looking for reviews. The SPF podcasts can also be found on iTunes. I get mine by email.
See https://selfpublishingformula.com/
Erato wrote: "The thing is it's hard to get sales without reviews."I've not found that to be the case. I had a title that sold 10k copies in one month without any reviews. None. Nada. What sold all those copies was word of mouth and Amazon's algorithms kicking in like crazy because of the sales trajectory. Readers are more than willing to buy a book with no reviews if the cover/blurb/look inside are doing their job.
Erato wrote: "There are also a lot of advertising channels that won't accept books without a certain number of reviews (using it as a way to vet low quality books.)
Actually review minimums don't vet low quality books, what it does is encourage authors with book problems to trade/swap/chase reviews to meet the minimum and it disguises issues with the book. Those lists then deliver the worst ROI of any advertisers because they are pushing low quality books and I don't touch those advertisers.
Personally I only use advertisers who individually vet all submissions (as in they look at the book, cover, title, editing, author catalogue) and who disregard review minimums, like Bookbub. Those advertisers have the best ROI because they examine each title and ignore review minimums.
I struggle to get a lot of reviews, but I try not to worry about it. The most important thing that I have to worry about are sales and getting my stories published. I think if you write more books, the more readers can have a lot of options. For now, you need patience. :)
Hi everyone there!My 16 years old son published his first poetry collection in August 2017. Only 2 copies sold till February 2018. He added me why there was no sales or KENP?
My reply was "because of non-visibility of the book."
My suggestion was to make a list of friends and connections from his social media who can review the book on Amazon and/or GR. Next, to inform them when his book will be available for free download on Amazon. He did the same and the book reached No. 1 in the category on several Amazon platforms. This free KDP brought one unit sales and now he is getting KENP too.
So, we may help each other by adding fellow authors books on our GR tbr.
My self-publishing guide "W to M of self-publishing: Why do Indie Authors Fail?" is set to release on 26th May 2018.
W to M of Self Publishing
A.W. wrote: "I've not found that to be the case. I had a title that sold 10k copies in one month without any reviews...."You do understand that your experience isn't typical, right? With two ongoing series in genres that tend to encourage rabid fan loyalty, you've got your own self-licking ice cream cone going. Congratulations to you.
If you were an unknown launching your first book today, I think you'd find the environment quite different.
A.W. wrote: "What sold all those copies was word of mouth...."
What exactly do you think reviews are, if not word of mouth writ large?
Well now I find myself craving ice cream, Lance. I hope we don't forget the young lady that started all this. I just had a look at her books. And I am a little jealous. She's written four. I find myself feeling a bit inadequate, with my one. I think I'm going see if maybe Nicole has some advice, about how to be more prolific.
I thought that writing my book was hard work, but marketing it is proving to be far more stressful!My book isn't out yet - I've set 17th June as its release day (my daughters b'day), but I've been working to garner some early interest and some pre-release reviews.
Must be about 20 ARCs I've sent out, only three of those readers have read and reviewed so far. But they've given me some excellent feedback.
I'm also releasing it chapter by chapter on wattpad in the hope of spreading the word. My readership there is low right now, but I'm just happy it's getting some attention and attracting some votes. I'll be deleting it from wattpad on June 1st, in preparation for its official kindle release.
I've approached bloggers, but no luck there. Though one has promised me an interview to coincide with the release.
I've also been in talks with a local book group, and they've shown a promising interest in purchasing my book once it's released for group discussion.
I'm under no illusion that, once released on the world, my book's going to fly, but I'm damned well intent on doing everything in my power to give it the best chance I can :)
Struggle is a part of the writers journey, and that's where inspiration comes from, in my opinion. So stop being troubled by struggle.
Also, a writer needs to write to be a voice to his/her soul, not to be dependent on reviews. Never quit. Keep going, and you will eventually get there.
As for reviews, search on goodreads and you will find forums and threads with the links to websites and blogs of reviewers. Approach them.
I checked up on your book on amazon, and though I would like to review your poetry, I don't think I would be able to do it any time soon. However, I wish you luck in everything that you do.