Asking for reviews in your book.

[Belle]

I read an indie book recently and at the end the author asked in a polite way if the reader would leave a review. I am trying to figure out how I feel about it. I never thought about reviewing a book until I wrote one and I realized how important it is. I think most people just don't think about it. I also don't want a reader to feel pressured but there are times when readers seek me out to tell me how much they like my book and I am just dying to say "copy and paste what you just wrote into a review!" So what do you think? Should that request be in a book or not?

[Jim]

Belle,

There is nothing wrong with soliciting a review at the end of a book. However, it is not a common or recommended practice. It is entirely up to the author. It is important to remember that a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulation requires that solictied, purchased, or swapped reviews include a disclaimer stating so.

Very few readers post reviews. Those that do, merely wish to share their personal opinion of a book with other readers, not the author.

Whatever decision you make will be the right decision for you. I wish you success in your writing.

[Philip]

David Gaughran, the author of books on self publishing, like Let's Get Digital and Let's Get Visible, advises self published authors to request readers at the end of their books to leave a review of their books on Amazon and elsewhere, if they wish. On the last pages of his books, he requests readers to review his books, if they wish. I would not do so, but he is an expert on self publishing marketing, so what he says is worth attending to.

[Loretta]

I just say,
If you have enjoyed this book, please consider writing a review on Amazon. It really does make a difference.

[Dwayne]

Belle wrote: "I read an indie book recently and at the end the author asked in a polite way if the reader would leave a review. I am trying to figure out how I feel about it. I never thought about reviewing a..."

I usually include a short request at the end of my stories. Any review, positive or negative, could help other readers determine if my work is worth their attention and dollar or not.

[Groovy]

I find that readers are very eager to leave a review or a rating, positive or negative. I've really had no trouble in that area.

But I see no harm in it, you're still leaving the decision up to them.

[[deleted user]]

At least with Amazon, they prod you leave a review at the end of the ebook. It's probably not necessary for the author to do it, unless you want to leave a personal message.

[Abigail]

I don't like the "if you enjoyed this book" phrasing. I'd want a review regardless of the enjoyment.

[Mike]

I prefer not to do this; I don't think a major publisher would. If a reader wants to review a book, they will.

That said, as an independent writer I entirely understand why people do put this sort of message in the backs of their books; you need every review you can get. I don't think the FTC needs you to put in a disclaimer if you respond to a request of this sort. I think they just ask that you disclose if the book, or ebook, was given to you as a review copy.

[Victoria]

I have a short request at the end of my books asking for people to consider leaving a review; it's literally right at the end... After the bit about me, and links where me and my books can be found if people want to read others. So, unless people are interested enough to read the "about the author" section, they'll miss seeing it anyway.

As much as I love getting reviews, I'm not going to complain if people buy my book and don't review it. I just make my polite request, then leave it up to them to decide whether to bother writing a review or not.

Even if there's a request for a review at the end of the book, a reader is still under no obligation to leave one, unless a copy was given with the understanding a review would be written.

[Tonii]

Antonio's Glove:

I wonder about that too. I have ended up begging for reviews, and that feels a little cheesy. Good idea to include a place for it at the end of a book, I hadn't thought of that!

[M.K.]

Victoria wrote: "I have a short request at the end of my books asking for people to consider leaving a review; it's literally right at the end... After the bit about me, and links where me and my books can be found..."

I do that too in my newer self-published stories. Reason I added it? Read a couple of marketing gurus who said authors should ask for reviews. -- Of course, that doesn't mean your readers will do it.

[Justin]

Usually if I do a giveaway or someone wins a copy of my book I'll usually congratulate them and kindly say a review would be appreciated but is optional. They usually respond with a thank you and that they'll most definitely leave a review and they have.

So basically when needed ask in a polite way for them to leave a review, don't push it or come off as needy or demanding, follow the three S's: short, sweet and simple.

[Victoria]

M.K. wrote: "Victoria wrote: "I have a short request at the end of my books asking for people to consider leaving a review; it's literally right at the end... After the bit about me, and links where me and my b..."

Oh, absolutely... Just because you asked, doesn't mean they will. Which is fine. I mean, I'd love it if everyone left a review, but whether they do or not is totally up to them. I appreciate every review I do get, but I also understand that a lot of people don't bother to write reviews.

The only time I've ever been frustrated - and, I admit, a bit annoyed - about people not leaving reviews, is when they had copies of my books from read and review programs and still didn't do reviews; the whole point of signing up for those is that you get a copy of the book in exchange for writing a review, so I think authors who give their books away in those have a right to not be too happy if they don't get a review in return.

[Martyn]

I have this message at the end of every publication:

“Thank you for reading the Amsterdam Assassin Series. Gaining exposure as an independent author relies mostly on word-of-mouth, so if you have the time and inclination, please consider leaving a short review wherever you can.”

That clearly states why I'd like them to review, without obligation. And I avoid the 'if you enjoy this book' because any review is better than no review.

In the 'About the author' section I also include an email address if readers want to give me feedback, which they do quite often.

[Abigail]

I like that phrasing, Martyn.

[Tonii]

yes, that sounds very promising.

[Groovy]

I like the way Martyn phrased that, also. I'm going to add something like that at the end of my books from now on.

[Gisela]

Of course, this request should be in the back of the book, at many online stores one is required to give one's email address before one can even peek at the offerings. If they can ask for your email address just to look, you can certainly ask for a review.

But there is more to it. Here is an excerpt out of one of my books.

"...Naturally every author wants all his friends to read his book(s), but savvy authors handpick the people who they ask to review their books first right when their books come out. When a book is published, its book page at Internet bookstores is a clean slate. There are no reviews – yet. Obviously, once a book receives its first review, everybody who visits the page will read that review. Ideally, that review should be a reader’s honest, personal, and authentic voice telling why he liked or disliked the book. Reviews which only retell the blurb are, most often, not considered to be helpful.

Therefore, even before your book is released, approach friends who a) will really read your book and b) have the skills to write a great review. Just as publishers have always handed out ARCs (Advanced Reader Copies), make copies available for your friends and acquaintances with writer’s talent. Please note that reviewers who receive a free copy in exchange for an honest review need to disclose this fact in their review.

Especially in the beginning, right when the book is being released, it is crucial that you resist the temptation to ask all your friends to review your book. Please do not fall into the trap thinking that the faster you accumulate as many reviews as possible, the better it will be for your book.

This type of strategic thinking is about influencing the quality of future reviews. If your book’s first reviews sound like half-baked platitudes or rephrased copies of your blurb, they remain open invitations for other reviewers to write something similar, whereas two or three well-written, insightful, and personal reviews will raise the bar for others. ….

….

In a way, handing out ARCs is like the US jury selection process. Even though lawyers can never know what the jury will decide, they try to get the best jury they can get. Big publishers do it the same way. Would a big publisher give an ARC of a democratic politician’s biography to a known conservative newspaper book editor and vice versa? Indie authors need to learn from big publishing houses’ strategies and wisely select the people to whom they give their books first..."

Hope this helps :))

[Justin]

I also like Martyn's approach. It's short and simple and your not grilling the reader or putting pressure on them, just a simple thank you and please leave a review if you can. Love it.

[Shirley]

I received an email today from someone on goodreads that said she would like to review a book of mine, and to email her back instead of going on here to speak to her. I also saw that she solicited another author, and that her profile is set to 'private'.
It seems fishy...or am I just being paranoid?

[Layla]

Shirley wrote: "I received an email today from someone on goodreads that said she would like to review a book of mine, and to email her back instead of going on here to speak to her. I also saw that she solicited ..."

I received the same exact email. I didn't act on the email. Probably a scam.

[Jim]

Shirley wrote: "I received an email today from someone on goodreads that said she would like to review a book of mine, and to email her back instead of going on here to speak to her. I also saw that she solicited ..."

Shirley,

If someone truly wishes to review an author's book, they will purchase a copy. Most self-published works are priced at just $3.00 or less, with 99 cents being the prevailing price. There is no reason to ever contact the author.

Keep in mind that, for whatever reason, the majority of avid readers choose to never post a rating or review. Those that do are merely expressing their personal, and therefore subjective opinion. One reader's Best book ever! may very well be another reader's Worst book ever! Which is why most astute readers do not allow a review to influence their purchase decisions one way or the other.

Contrary to what many believe, sales drive reviews, not the other way around.

Very few authors ever achieve commercial success within this extremely competitive field. That said, some have. There is no reason why you might not eventually become one of them. I wish you success.

[Shirley]

Layla wrote: "Shirley wrote: "I received an email today from someone on goodreads that said she would like to review a book of mine, and to email her back instead of going on here to speak to her. I also saw tha..."

Thanks Layla, I'll keep my wip to myself then ;)

[Shirley]

Jim wrote: "Shirley wrote: "I received an email today from someone on goodreads that said she would like to review a book of mine, and to email her back instead of going on here to speak to her. I also saw tha..."

Thanks Jim, I appreciate it & hope that I'll be finished with my first book soon. I thought the email didn't sound right, and she didn't seem to know that I don't have a published book out yet...hmmm...

[Richard]

Shirley, my book was released last week and I received a similar email, which from the non-specific content, the formatting and the no-reply email address, I took to be a scam. If someone wants to review my book I'm honored, but this didn't seem legitimate and, in light of your similar experience, I'm glad I chose not to reply.

[Shirley]

Richard wrote: "Shirley, my book was released last week and I received a similar email, which from the non-specific content, the formatting and the no-reply email address, I took to be a scam. If someone wants to ..."

It didn't seem to make much sense to me, either Richard, but I thought maybe it's something new I don't know about, since I'm so green to writing...the nonsense of it still bugged me though, especially the part, "...don't reply to me on goodreads, instead click on my email link..." Big red flag...

[Shirley]

Yes I do the same as a reader, but I don't go out of my way to ask to review or beta read a book...I just like to read & post reviews for other readers & authors, too. But the person who emailed me didn't know that my work isn't even published yet.

The initials of the person are J.B.; are they the same for others who got the email?

[Shannon]

Cphe wrote: "I'm just a reader and I do write a review for all the novels I read. I do it for other readers who read similar novels to myself.

I have to admit I don't review for the author the review is for ot..."

Hi! I am a newbie here (author), and I think that's totally fair. I have been a reader for a very long time, but I've only just started (maybe two years) considering reviews when selecting my reading material. Like you, before I started writing, my reviews were for other readers, and if the authors benefited from my comments, then that was a plus. Personally, I don't like to leave bad reviews. But as a writer, even though I know everyone has different tastes, I know constructive criticism is a way to help an author grow. Thanks for your comment. And happy reading!