Support for Indie Authors discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
Archived
>
How to get more reviews for books?
date
newest »
newest »
Being new to all this - first novel recently published - I wonder if reviews for a book encourage other potential reviewers or put them off bothering. Also, does a listing of good reviews just beg for someone to write a stinker?!
Hmmm, good question Iain. Hadn't considered someone wanting to write a bad review because they see good ones. Seems awfully petty, but considering the human animal...Speaking personally, I look at reviews as a testament to the book's quality/engagement. It's one factor on whether I read it, but not the most prominent (those are the genre, author, and premise).
When I opt to leave a review, it's either to add my voice to the others praising the work, or to identify an issue that might disrupt/spoil others' reading. It has to be a big issue; nitpicks won't help.
I am a children's author, having self published 4 books so far with my 5th book due to launch 1st July, my target market is children. How would I go about gaining reviews from them or their parents?
Christopher: I can tell you from experience. A while ago, sales for three of my novels were going reasonably well, and each had several favorable reviews. But then, I offended a troll on a writing site and he posted revenge revues for all and sales dropped to zero. Although I contacted Amazon and pointed out that a) They were all posted on the same day. b) No one would buy and hate a book, then buy another, and another from the same author after reading the first. c) None of the reviews carried, Verified buyer status. Still, Amazon left them up.So bad reviews do hurt. And ask yourself: If you went to a page and found 150 5-star reviews, wouldn't you be more likely to read the excerpt expecting to like it?
My personal view on how to get more reviews is to write so well that on finishing the story the reader says, "Damn...I have to tell other people about this book." Getting people to look at the book's page is one thing. Making them want to buy is a matter of the writing giving them no choice but to buy it to see what happens next.
Getting reviews for children's books is extremely difficult. The parents forget to leave a review and unless they or teachers or librarians leave one, you are pretty much stuck. I sort of think that many will leave a review if they totally love the story (like the hungry catapillar that all my pre-K kids loved) from the preview. So, with that said, don't worry about the reviews, go a great blurb on the story (For the parents and kids) and market to schools, libraries and other places where children's books sell well (like Books a-Million and B&N and Scholastic books) I'd still have it up on Amazon and maybe do a few ads, but look for promo sites for children's book. Ask parents where they get the books for their children, etc.
Hope that helps some. I know that I looked at places like Walmart who had a children's book area and they are publishing books so check them out too.
Iain, Like government secrets, no one will ever know.
Christopher, I really like your comments in reference to Iain's questions concerning reviews. Very thoughtful, and from them it seems you are someone an author can count on to receive a thoughtful review.
Wish I could get more reviews for my books though. And I would like to review some books - Kindle version. That way, I get to review more books....
Lyvita wrote: "William wrote: "What has given me the most reviews (I borrowed this advice from other authors) is to have a page at the end of my ebooks that thanks the reader for reading, says I hoped they enjoye..."It depends on how you published the book or where you published it, but I know Amazon KDP allows you to edit your book even after you published it. That should hold true if you published through another distributor/aggregator (e.g. D2D). You can add an extra page to your manuscript with links to where readers can leave reviews as another commenter recommended and then re-upload your manuscript. However, be careful if you are publishing through an aggregator/distributor where your book is sent to multiple retailers. For example, if you are posting links asking for reviewers to post their review on Amazon and the book is being sent to B&N they can refuse to publish your book. In that scenario, the best way to get around it is if you could post a version just for Amazon where you include links to your book's sale page on Amazon and then a revised manuscript where you remove any mention of posting reviews on Amazon if publishing with another retailer.
William wrote: "What has given me the most reviews (I borrowed this advice from other authors) is to have a page at the end of my ebooks that thanks the reader for reading, says I hoped they enjoyed it, and asks i..."OMG. It was that simple for you. Holy Wow! I should do that, Thank you so much. I didn't think that making it just a little more convenient would change things that much.
These days, people DEMAND convenience, and handing it to them will pay, even if it is eventually.
I thought everyone knew to put a simple sentence after "The End' that says something to the effect of "If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review so others may find it." You do that before you add the 'Also by" with a list of your other books if you have any. You can do that on print and e-reader editions. Most of the vendors do have a place to leave reviews. Goodreads is a good place to leave a review also since there are tons of readers here who don't always buy on Amazon.
Personally, I have no idea of how many reviews I've gotten simply because I don't check them but once every few months after the book is published. I don't engage with those who review my books. That is their opinion and it is subjective. What I look for when looking at reviews is how to improve my books from the comments from the readers, so I will read those that give what they didn't like about the book.
The thing to remember is that even on the best written books, there will be whole contingent of people who will not like it. You can't please everyone, so look at those a people who shouldn't have been reading the book to begin with and were unhappy because it didn't fit their expectations. (Where the Crawdads Sing is a excellent book but out of the thousands of reviews, there are a lot of negative reviews because of people who didn't understand what the book was about before they began to read it.)
With that said, make sure you have your book in the correct category. Target those readers who would enjoy it. DO NOT put is in a category where it doesn't fit. It may make your book more noticeable but that doesn't mean you'll get good reviews. (things like placing a romance book in gardening because the book has gardens in it isn't a good idea.) The better targeting you to, the better your reviews if you have a book that fits what the readers want.
I'd like people to review my book as well. It's fantasy, and I know fantasy isn't everyone's cup of tea. Does anyone know the best place on Goodreads to ask? Iv'e had a couple of reviews, but not many.I quite liked the post someone put on here about asking readers "If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review so others may find it."
Search for fantasy groups here on Goodreads. Participate in the group before mentioning you are a writer and have a book out if anyone is interested in reading it. This goes for the same on social media sites. Get to know the group and be a good member. You don't want to barge in with read my book and leave a review. Not good and it will make you a lot of enemies. Wait until you get to know the people and what types of fantasy they like, etc.
Spend an hour or so a week going through what groups you are in and comment, and interact. Only when you know the other members and the know you, do you mention your book. I'm actually in a group were another member mentioned I was a writer since I hadn't brought it up because I was learning so much from these readers as to what they like, hated and enjoyed.
Hope that helps some.
A way around the individual links to various sites for reviews is to set up a landing page with all the links listed there that take the person to the vendor of their choice to leave a review. It's not that difficult to set up and keeps you from going to Amazon or B&N jail for putting in links to other vendors in the books on their website.
Mod
Deleting your comment.
1. You're way off topic.
2. You posted a link.
3. You're self-promoting.
4. Review swapping is frowned upon by Amazon and others and asking other authors to review swap is forbidden by our rules.
PLEASE! When you join a group in Goodreads, understand that you need to find out what the group is about and read the rules before you start posting willy-nilly. We're not here for this kind of crap. Take it elsewhere.
B.A. wrote: "Search for fantasy groups here on Goodreads. Participate in the group before mentioning you are a writer and have a book out if anyone is interested in reading it. This goes for the same on socia..."
Thanks B.A - I'll bear that in mind. I usually come here to update the status of whatever book I'm reading at the time, and to join in the games. I occasionally comment on forums and I'll keep an eye out for the fantasy forums as well.
Thanks
Has anyone had any luck getting reviews via Freebooksy promotions?
I tried Freebooksy last year, Haru. Got a few downloads, but no reviews from it. I did get a (good) review from a Bargainbooksy promo though.
Voracious Readers was pretty good for me.
Viola wrote: "Voracious Readers was pretty good for me."I can second these guys. I've only advertised through them once so far and I did get two pretty good reviews from it. My second promotion window is coming up with them later this month, so we'll see how it goes.
I am doing my second promotion with Voracious Readers. It hurts a little to just give books away, but I have had several really great reviews from the readers there. And Larry, who runs it, is very personable and accommodating.
William wrote: "What has given me the most reviews (I borrowed this advice from other authors) is to have a page at the end of my ebooks that thanks the reader for reading, says I hoped they enjoyed it, and asks i..."William wrote: "What has given me the most reviews (I borrowed this advice from other authors) is to have a page at the end of my ebooks that thanks the reader for reading, says I hoped they enjoyed it, and asks i..."
Viola wrote: "Another writer has suggested Story Origins. I am trying them. It is a way to connect with other authors."
Debra wrote: Well heck, that's a great piece of advice that I plan on doing as soon as I hop off here. Thank you!
I've bit the bullet and joined Voracious Readers
Andrea wrote: "I've bit the bullet and joined Voracious Readers"I signed up a few weeks ago and my book was emailed to their readers today and I got over 20 opt-ins to get copies of my book (free or course) - Let's see how it goes and what type of engagements I get back from this. It cost me nothing so whatever happens is fine with me ;) I'll let you know how it goes.
:)
How does one get listed in New Releases?
Mod
Please, mind the 'no links' and 'no self-promotion' rules. Removed your post.
Tomas wrote: "Dashing Bling Read wrote: "..."Please, mind the 'no links' and 'no self-promotion' rules. Removed your post."
I wish I could find my post then I can. Thank you
Mod
Chikodinaka wrote: "Wish I could get more reviews for my books though. And I would like to review some books - Kindle version. That way, I get to review more books...."I checked your book(s) on Amazon and I didn't see any. Also checked your website/blog. It surprised me that on home page the first Text is WordPress instead of your name and what you do.
Andrea wrote: "I've bit the bullet and joined Voracious Readers"I gave out 25 kindle downloads and I got one review only. Hope you receive more.
Wanjiru wrote: "Andrea wrote: "I've bit the bullet and joined Voracious Readers"I gave out 25 kindle downloads and I got one review only. Hope you receive more."
I've had three I believe. Sometimes they don't come through Voracious readers they sometimes appear on Goodreads or Amazon.
Mod
Links aren't allowed in this group. Remove it, or your post will be removed completely.
EDIT: link was still present after a day, post removed.
After reviewing all of this, my question is: how much did you make off this book after spending over $1500 promoting it? My guess is not much. Reviews don't help is you don't have sales to go along with them. I'll take my measly 200 sales and only a couple of reviews for $50 over you $1500 price tag and no reported sales.
Different book clubs can be very helpful. They won't guarantee reviews, but they get your book into the hands of more people and some sites estimate 80% of their readers will post a review. Be warned, some have quite a backlog. Here are some I've found but haven't tested yet.Netgalley, I think, is the one that claimed an average of 80% reviews. Their backlog goes all the way to June 2021, though, so you won't see results for a while.
Riveted, which is specifically aimed at YA books
Bookish
Edelweiss
Book Gorilla
Bargain Booksy
Hidden Gems
BookSends
Notice that for some of these you need to pay 50$ or so to get your book read, and there's no guarantee of a review if you do. That's the only legal way to do it. Your call.
Wow, you are all so knowledgeable and helpful. I'm glad to be wading my way into such a helpful community.
Good advice and discussion, thanks very much. All I can add is that the Kindle Book Review offer FREE reviews but they do have a backlog and you are not guaranteed a review.
One idea that got me a few reviews is to send promotional copies to friends, family members, and other interested parties. The caveat is that you request they read it and post a review afterwards.
Mod
The problem with that is, most readers, like myself, don't really care if your Great Aunt Martha is proud of you and loves your book. I want to know what your organic readers think. I expect your friends and relatives to say they like your book, whether they do or not. Amazon's not real fond of friends and relatives of writers padding their reviews, either, and will take the reviews down if they know that's what you're doing. The upside is, savvy readers can tell when your favorite uncle is padding your reviews, because the reviews often come across as trite and full of fluff.
William wrote: "What has given me the most reviews (I borrowed this advice from other authors) is to have a page at the end of my ebooks that thanks the reader for reading, says I hoped they enjoyed it, and asks i..."Hi William. I did that but haven't seen much out of it. What frustration!
:-(
Gail wrote: "Hi Melissa and Rose, on the chance of sounding stup...uh...uninformed, what are bookmarks? Gail"If you have Office or WORD, you can create a bookmark to hand out when people buy your book, or giveaway at events. You can design them yourself and take them to a box printer to print and cut, or to a regular printer who will print and cut for you. I design my own on Publisher and email it to the printer. Some authors have bookmarks designed for each book. One said using a different size for each books makes it easier to find them when in a rush. Many authors hand them out at conferences or meetings. Good luck with the design. Make sure you put your webside URLs, and your addresses on social media so they can follow you. I put my PO Box and cell phone too. Some will not put the phone on it, but I'm not a best seller yet! :-)
Mod
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
I like that Idea. So how can you attach this to a book you already have posted.