Trading Reviews: Good or Bad Idea?

[Joel]

I've come to the conclusion that trading book reviews with other authors is probably less than desirable. At least one may base their review/rating on what the other says about them; and both are likely to review with that possibility in mind. It's probably better to be reviewed by those you haven't or aren't reviewing yourself.

[Emma]

Joining a non-reciprocal review group such as https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
solves that problem.

[Joel]

A good tip, Emma. Thanks

[Natalie]

Emma wrote: "Joining a non-reciprocal review group such as https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
solves that problem."

Thanks Emma I saw this and just signed up!

[Emma]

Thanks Natalie, it usually works very well for all concerned.

[Jim]

Trading, purchasing, and/or soliciting reviews is not necessary. Traditional promotion and marketing activities will eventually generate sales. Readers' reviews will gradually follow.

[AEA]

Jim wrote: "Trading, purchasing, and/or soliciting reviews is not necessary. Traditional promotion and marketing activities will eventually generate sales. Readers' reviews will gradually follow."

Thanks for the reminder, Jim!

[Feliks]

Bad.

[Martyn]

Feliks wrote: "Bad."
Bad. Bad.

[Marie]

I have to agree with Jamie. I've been promoting my ebooks all over Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, blogs, etc. and it hasn't generated reviews at all. Or sales. I don't have the kind of cash needed to slap ads all over the net.

On the other hand, reviews swaps are a 50/50 in my experience. I've had some people give me excellent reviews and some that I reviewed for and still haven't heard back from, many months later.
You just never know.