Let's pretend that you're looking for something to read. While browsing the bookstore, you discover two books whose synopses look interesting. One book has seven reviews, averaging to about three and a half stars; the other has none. Which would you pick?
Some would be automatically suspicious of the three and a half stars and opt to try the other book. But I, and many others, would be more willing to read a book that several people have read and reviewed, even though the overall average of the ratings was a bit low, than a book which no one's ever reviewed.
Because of this methodology, indie authors highly value book reviews. There are many different ways to obtain the book reviews these authors need to give their book that push of credibility. The first is to wait for their readers to write reviews. However, this is a bit of a catch-22; if you don't reviews, people won't be as eager to buy your book, and when people don't want to read your book, you won't get any reviews. People will eventually come around to read your book, but it won't be nearly at the speed that a blossoming author hopes for.
This results in the second way to obtain reviews: Asking friends and family for reviews. Since your family and friends probably thought highly of your book and would be willing to help you out in any way possible, this would be a nice way to guarantee reviews. However, often times their reviews are a little too glowing, which can make other readers suspicious. This source, while not one to be ignored, should not be the only way you try to obtain reviews.
Another way to obtain reviews is to ask book review bloggers to read your book and review it on their blog. Because book bloggers-especially prolific ones-have a lot of credibility, having one write about your book may bring a lot more traffic to it. However, there's no guarantee that the book review blogger will like it-or that they'll even get around to reading it. You see, book review bloggers, especially popular ones, are inundated with both free books from publishers and books from authors like you. Because of this, many overwhelmed book review bloggers may reject you, or might not even respond to your request. But don't be discouraged. Be sure to request reviews from multiple bloggers, so, even in your worst case scenario, you'll get at least one or two reviews out of it.
The final way to obtain reviews is to get express reviews. Express reviews are reviews that authors pay for. Some people are completely opposed to this, saying it's dishonest-and they've got a point. But some authors feel as if it's what they need to get a boost, especially when everything else they've tried hasn't worked out. There are many sources online where you can purchase bundles of reviews.
Some would be automatically suspicious of the three and a half stars and opt to try the other book. But I, and many others, would be more willing to read a book that several people have read and reviewed, even though the overall average of the ratings was a bit low, than a book which no one's ever reviewed.
Because of this methodology, indie authors highly value book reviews. There are many different ways to obtain the book reviews these authors need to give their book that push of credibility. The first is to wait for their readers to write reviews. However, this is a bit of a catch-22; if you don't reviews, people won't be as eager to buy your book, and when people don't want to read your book, you won't get any reviews. People will eventually come around to read your book, but it won't be nearly at the speed that a blossoming author hopes for.
This results in the second way to obtain reviews: Asking friends and family for reviews. Since your family and friends probably thought highly of your book and would be willing to help you out in any way possible, this would be a nice way to guarantee reviews. However, often times their reviews are a little too glowing, which can make other readers suspicious. This source, while not one to be ignored, should not be the only way you try to obtain reviews.
Another way to obtain reviews is to ask book review bloggers to read your book and review it on their blog. Because book bloggers-especially prolific ones-have a lot of credibility, having one write about your book may bring a lot more traffic to it. However, there's no guarantee that the book review blogger will like it-or that they'll even get around to reading it. You see, book review bloggers, especially popular ones, are inundated with both free books from publishers and books from authors like you. Because of this, many overwhelmed book review bloggers may reject you, or might not even respond to your request. But don't be discouraged. Be sure to request reviews from multiple bloggers, so, even in your worst case scenario, you'll get at least one or two reviews out of it.
The final way to obtain reviews is to get express reviews. Express reviews are reviews that authors pay for. Some people are completely opposed to this, saying it's dishonest-and they've got a point. But some authors feel as if it's what they need to get a boost, especially when everything else they've tried hasn't worked out. There are many sources online where you can purchase bundles of reviews.