So if you’re like me and looking for a way to increase reviews, here are a few tips I’ve found that work:
1. Trade Reviews with fellow writers
You probably personally know quite a few writers from local critique groups, writing conferences, book fairs and social media. See who would be willing to trade reviews. It’s a time investment, but will be a good way to start building some numbers. However — and I can’t stress this enough – don’t trade 5 stars for 5 stars. You must still provide honest, thoughtful reviews.
2. Join Review Groups in GoodReads
GoodReads has several review groups. You’ll find readers looking for a free copy in trade for an honest review. You’ll also find round robin groups that will provide four people to read and review your book while you read and review four other books. There’s also a great benefit in networking with other authors.
3. Jump on the Blog Tour circuit
Blog tours are great way to get reviews, especially from bloggers that are specific to your genre. Through this tour, a set number of book review bloggers will read and post reviews on their website (and generally Amazon & Good Reads). There are blog tour services that will organize everything for you, but they generally cost between $100 to $500, depending on the company. However, you can contact book review blogs on your own and submit your book to them at no cost.
4. Participate in Facebook Groups
Run a search on Facebook for “book groups” and you’ll find an entire author/reader network out there. Like GoodReads, there are groups that exchange reads & reviews. There are also book clubs and book marketing clubs. You’ll even come across the occasional post from someone saying, “Hey… I just finished the book I was reading. Anyone got any suggestions?”
5. Ask for help from email and/or blog followers
If you’re serious about your writing career, you should have a website and blog that’s collecting followers and email addresses. Send the word out that you’re trying to get to X number of reviews and need their help. Offer to provide your book for free for an honest review. You’ll get some takers.
6. Search Reviewer profiles for similar books on Amazon
When you look at reviews for similar books to yours, pay attention to the actual reviewer. Some reviewers leave contact information such as a website and/or email address in their profile. Just click on the reviewer profile to find it. Then, email the reviewer and tell him you read his review for “X” book and ask if he would mind reading and reviewing your book as well.
This can be a long and laborious effort, and you can search hundreds of profiles before finding even one reviewer who provides this info. But it can be worth the effort. There is software that can do the research for you. Author Marketing Group (AMC) provides an online software that can be used with a monthly subscription and Book Review Targeter is a software that you can purchase and download.
Author Bio
Coming from a large family with five brothers, JC Gatlin grew up in Grapevine, Texas, a small town outside of Dallas. In 1999 he moved to Tampa, Florida, where he now resides. JC’s fishing trips help him breathe authenticity into his stories, which feature the rich landscapes of Texas and Florida as backdrops.
He has written a monthly column in New Tampa Style magazine and penned several mystery-suspense stories. His first, The Designated Survivor, was published in 2013. JC invites you to visit his mystery writing blog at jcgatlin.com.
Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/JC-Gatlin/e/B00ENPSDU2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJcGatlin
Shelfari at: http://www.shelfari.com/jcgatlin
GoodReads at: http://www.goodreads.com/JC_Gatlin
Book Trailer at: https://youtu.be/mCKFIdWlZUE