As a self-published author, you’ve poured your heart and soul into writing your book. But once it’s out in the world, you face a new challenge: getting reviews. Book reviews serve as social proof that boosts your book’s credibility and helps potential readers decide whether to buy your book.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 strategies to help you get book reviews and sell more books.
1. Build a Strong Foundation
Before you start actively seeking reviews, make sure your book is in the best possible shape. This foundation will not only make book reviewers more likely to give positive feedback but will also increase the likelihood of them finishing and reviewing your book in the first place.
Ensure Your Book is Well-Edited and Formatted
Investing in professional editing services is crucial for your book’s success, and a polished manuscript will make a better impression on reviewers and readers alike. Pay close attention to formatting for both ebook and print versions. Inconsistent formatting can be distracting and may negatively impact the reading experience. Even after professional editing, give your manuscript one final read-through to catch any lingering typos or grammatical errors.
Create an Eye-Catching Cover
Your book’s cover is its first impression, and a striking, genre-appropriate cover can entice potential reviewers to pick up your book. Many people will first see your book as a small image online, so make sure it’s still appealing and readable at thumbnail size.
2. Leverage Your Existing Network
One of the most effective ways to jumpstart your review collection is by tapping into your existing network. These people already know and support you, making them more likely to read your book and leave a review.
Reach Out to Friends, Family, and Colleagues
When approaching your personal network, it’s important to balance being proactive and avoiding pushiness. Start by simply letting them know about your book’s publication and explain how important reviews are for your book’s success. You might say something like, “I’d be incredibly grateful if you could read my book and leave an honest review. Your support means the world to me.” Remember, the key is to make it a genuine request, not a demand.
Make the review process as easy as possible for your network. Give them direct links to where they can leave reviews, such as your book’s page on Amazon or Goodreads. Offer a brief guide on how to write a book review—you might even provide a simple template they can use as a starting point.
Engage with Your Social Media Followers
Your social media followers are another valuable resource for gathering reviews. Develop content that followers will want to share, such as attractive quote images from your book, short video teasers, or infographics related to your book’s theme. The more your book is shared, the more potential book reviewers you’ll reach. Remember always to include information on how interested readers can purchase your book and where they can leave reviews.
3. Engage with Book Bloggers and Reviewers
Book bloggers and professional reviewers can be powerful allies in your quest for reviews. They often have dedicated followings and can get your book in front of a wider audience.
Evaluate Blogger Reach and Influence
When considering which bloggers to approach, look beyond just the number of followers at engagement. A blogger with a smaller but highly engaged audience can be more valuable than one with many followers but little interaction.
Your pitch should show that you’re familiar with their blog and explain why your book is a good fit for their readers. Include a brief synopsis of your book, its genre, page count, and publication date.
Do’s and Don’ts of Approaching Reviewers
Do:
- Follow each blogger’s specific submission guidelines
- Be polite and professional in all your communications
- Offer a free copy of your book in their preferred format (e-book, paperback, etc.)
- Be patient—many bloggers have long queues of books to review
Don’t:
- Send mass emails to multiple bloggers at once
- Pressure bloggers for immediate responses or reviews
- Argue with or criticize negative reviews
- Expect all bloggers you contact to review your book
4. Use Book Review Services
Book review services can be helpful, but it’s important to approach them with a clear understanding of their benefits and limitations.
Explore Paid and Free Book Review Services
There are many book review services, ranging from well-established names to newer platforms and paid services to free options. Kirkus Reviews is well respected and offers in-depth, professional book reviews, but can be expensive. BookSirens connects authors with readers interested in reviewing books in specific genres. NetGalley distributes digital review copies to bloggers, librarians, and other industry professionals. OnlineBookClub offers free reviews but also has paid options.
Weigh the Pros and Cons of Each Option
When considering review services, evaluate their credibility and return on investment. Consider the following:
- Credibility: Research the reputation of the service. Are their reviews respected by readers and within the publishing industry?
- Reach: How widely will the review be distributed? Some services post reviews on their own platforms, while others may share them on retail sites or social media.
- Cost vs. Benefit: For paid services, consider whether the potential boost in visibility and credibility justifies the cost.
- Review Quality: Look at sample reviews to ensure they provide thoughtful, detailed feedback that will be helpful to potential readers.
5. Offer Advance Reader Copies (ARCs)
Advance Reader Copies, or ARCs, are copies of your book distributed before the official release date, primarily to generate early reviews.
Best Practices for Distributing ARCs
ARCs may not have undergone final proofreading, but they give readers a chance to preview your work. Start by deciding how many ARCs you want to distribute. This could range from a small group of 10-20 dedicated readers to a larger pool of 50-100.
To find potential ARC readers, consider your mailing list subscribers, active members of your social media community, previous reviewers of your books, and readers who have expressed interest in your genre. When reaching out to potential ARC readers, specify the timeframe for reading and reviewing, and emphasize that you’re looking for honest reviews, not just positive ones.
Following Up with ARC Readers
Once you’ve distributed your ARCs, send gentle reminders as the review deadline approaches, but be understanding if some readers need more time. After the deadline, thank those who submitted reviews and consider offering them first access to future ARCs.
6. Participate in Online Communities
Online communities can be goldmines for finding potential reviewers and building your author platform. The key is to engage authentically and build relationships, rather than simply promoting your book.
Goodreads is a great place to connect with potential reviewers. Search for groups that align with your book’s genre or themes, and understand the group’s culture and rules before mentioning your book. Participate in discussions, offering thoughtful comments and recommendations (not just your own book).
Find Genre-Specific Forums and Social Media Groups
Beyond Goodreads, find forums and social media groups dedicated to specific genres or book discussions, such as Reddit or Facebook. The key to success in these communities is to be a genuine, contributing member, not just someone there to promote their book. Here are some strategies:
- Answer questions and offer advice in your areas of expertise
- Share interesting articles or resources related to your genre or writing in general
- Participate in book discussions about other authors’ works
- If you host a blog, share relevant posts that provide value to the community
- When appropriate and allowed, mention your book in the context of larger discussions, rather than creating posts solely to promote it
7. Run Giveaways and Promotions
Giveaways and promotions create a sense of excitement and can reach readers who might not have discovered your book otherwise. Goodreads Giveaways now require a fee for authors, and they can reach a large audience of dedicated readers by giving away either print or ebook copies. LibraryThing offers free ebook giveaways, and BookFunnel is mainly for ebook promotions and giveaways.
How to Set Up Giveaways
When setting up a giveaway:
- Decide on the number of copies you’re willing to give away
- Choose the duration of the giveaway (typically 1-4 weeks)
- Specify eligible countries (consider postage costs for print books)
- Write an enticing book description to attract entrants
- Consider requiring entrants to add your book to their “Want to Read” list, if the platform allows it
Timing can significantly affect the success of your giveaway. Run a giveaway 1-2 months before your book launch to build early buzz.
Offer Incentives for Honest Reviews
While you can’t require reviews in exchange for free books as this goes against many platforms’ guidelines, you can encourage them by including a note with the book thanking the reader. Follow up with winners after a reasonable reading period, gently reminding them about leaving a review
8. Collaborate with Other Authors
Working with other authors can open you to new audiences and build valuable relationships within the writing community.
Organize Review Swaps
Review swaps involve agreeing with another author to read and review each other’s books. When organizing review swaps:
- Look for authors in your genre or with similar target audiences
- Ensure there’s a good fit in terms of writing style and content
- Be clear about expectations and timeframes, and that reviews should be honest
Participate in Multi-Author Promotions
Multi-author promotions can significantly increase your visibility and lead to more reviews. These might include box sets, group giveaways, joint newsletter promotions, and social media takeovers. When participating in these promotions, agree on how costs and responsibilities will be shared, and create a coordinated book marketing plan to maximize reach.
9. Follow Up with Readers
Once your book is out in the world, following up with readers can be a gentle yet effective way to encourage reviews.
Encourage Reviews in Your Book’s Back Matter
Your book’s back matter is prime real estate for encouraging reviews. Include a friendly note at the end of your book that thanks the reader for their time and includes direct links to your book’s review pages on major platforms.
For example: “Thank you for reading [Book Title]! If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a review on your favorite book platform. Your feedback helps other readers discover this book and is incredibly valuable to me as an author. Here are quick links to leave a review: [Amazon link] [Goodreads link]”
Send Gentle Reminders to Those Who’ve Purchased Your Book
For readers who have purchased your book directly or through platforms that provide author access to buyer information:
- Timing: Wait at least 2-3 weeks after purchase before sending a reminder. This gives the reader time to finish the book.
- Personalization: Customize your message based on any information you have about the reader. If you know they’ve interacted with you on social media or attended a book event, mention it.
- Tone: Keep your message friendly and appreciative, and express genuine interest in their thoughts on the book.
Here’s a sample message: “Hi [Reader’s Name], I hope you’ve been enjoying [Book Title]. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it! If you have a moment, would you consider leaving a quick review on [Platform]? Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps other readers discover the book. Thank you for your support! Best wishes, [Your Name]”
10. Be Patient and Persistent
Building a substantial number of reviews takes time and consistent effort. Set realistic expectations for gathering reviews. New authors often start slow, with reviews trickling in over weeks or months. It’s normal to see a surge of reviews around your launch if you’ve done pre-release promotion, followed by a slower, steady increase. Aim for consistent growth rather than overnight success.
Track your progress, and set up a spreadsheet to monitor your review count across different platforms. Note any promotional activities and their impact on review numbers. Celebrate milestones, no matter how small, like your first review and reaching 10 reviews.
Maintain a Consistent Effort in Seeking Reviews
Consistency is key in building your review base. Create a review-gathering schedule—for example, engage in online communities weekly, run a small promotion monthly, and reach out to book bloggers quarterly. Regularly assess what’s working and what isn’t. Be prepared to adjust your strategies based on results.
As you implement these strategies, remember that authenticity should always be at the forefront of your efforts. It’s important to approach gathering reviews as a marathon, not a sprint. Some strategies may yield quick results, while others may take time to bear fruit.
OUTLINE
Introduction
- Importance of book reviews for self-published authors
- Brief overview of the 10 tips
1. Build a strong foundation
- Ensure your book is well-edited and professionally formatted
- Create an eye-catching cover
2. Leverage your existing network
- Reach out to friends, family, and colleagues: how to ask without being pushy
- Providing clear instructions for leaving reviews
- Engage with your social media followers
- Creating shareable content about your book
3. Engage with book bloggers and reviewers
- Research relevant book blogs in your genre
- Evaluating blogger reach and influence
- Learn how to craft a compelling pitch
- Do’s and don’ts of approaching reviewers
4. Use book review services
- Explore paid and free review services
- Overview of popular services (e.g., Kirkus, BookSirens)
- Weigh the pros and cons of each option: credibility and ROI
5. Offer advance reader copies (ARCs)
- Explain the concept of ARCs
- Best practices for distributing ARCs: building an ARC team and following up
6. Participate in online communities
- Join relevant Goodreads groups: find and engage
- Engage in genre-specific forums and social media groups
- Contribution strategies that don’t feel like self-promotion
7. Run giveaways and promotions
- Use platforms like Goodreads, LibraryThing, or BookFunnel
- How to set up giveaways
- Timing giveaways for maximum impact
- Offer incentives for honest reviews: stay within platform guidelines
8. Collaborate with other authors
- Organize review swaps: find suitable partners and establish clear guidelines
- Participate in multi-author promotions
9. Follow up with readers
- Encourage reviews in your book’s back matter: an effective call-to-action and direct links to review pages
- Send gentle reminders to those who’ve purchased your book, including timing and personalization
10. Be patient and persistent
- Understand that building reviews takes time: set realistic timelines and track progress over time
- Maintain a consistent effort in seeking reviews: create a review schedule and adopt new strategies based on results
Conclusion
- Recap the importance of reviews
- Encourage authors to implement these tips strategically
- Final thoughts on maintaining authenticity and ethical practices