Speaking conservatively, there are about a billion different ways to market a book. From reader-focused social media, to industry-focused trade shows, there are countless areas where your efforts can make an impact on the success of your book. And while there’s little replacement for someone handing your book to someone else and saying “read this,” a book review could come pretty close.
Reaching Consumers
A positive book review can be its own piece of marketing material, repackaged and usable on your book jacket, social medial, Amazon author page, website, and anywhere else you can think of. Book reviews, including reader reviews that bolster your Amazon star rating, act as endorsements for your book. And there’s no better way to convince someone that something is good, than having people publicly declare how much they like your book.
Reaching Professionals
Self-published books oftentimes face an uphill battle when trying to get eyes from bookstores, agencies and publishers. Reviews from reputable sources help these professionals target books that might otherwise not be on their radar. Many libraries in the US are unable to acquire titles that don’t have positive reviews attached to them, making a review the first step towards getting picked up by some of the country’s largest library systems.
How To Get Reviews
While many review outlets take payment for review of self-published books, other sources can’t guarantee a book will be reviewed at all. However, there are some pitfalls to avoid when sending your book for review. First, check the source’s requirements for review and make sure you meet them. Some requirements might include lead-time before publication, a specific route for submitting your book, specific formats, etc. Secondly, understand that they’re probably inundated with loads of review requests, so you might not hear from the reviewer until your review is made public. Third, don’t expect a positive review, even if you paid. Remember that the best way to get a “good” review for your book, is to have a really good book!
