Get people talking about your book, because nothing sells books better than word of mouth. Most authors do not have a marketing background and often take the wrong approach when it comes to marketing, falsely assuming that any review is a good review. Embark on getting quality book reviews.

While the author is looking for publicity the reader must also be considered. Readers buy a book for the enjoyment of experience, to read a book, not to be forced to analyze the creation then wrack their brains trying to come up with a suitable review. And major newspapers rarely review a self published book. Getting quality book reviews is an uphill battle.

5 Tips for Getting Book Reviews

  1. Start with local papers and magazines:  use the ‘home-town’ angle. Approach magazines that focus on the same special-interest subject area as your book.
  2. Develop a press release to accompany your book: name of your publishing house, the book’s ISBN, number of pages, price, additional ordering information such as website
  3. Pick the right reviewers. You need a reviewer who likes to review your type of books
  4. Query the reviewers: find out the requirements, a paperback or an e-book.
  5. Hardcopy: offer both versions, the PDF and the print copy.
  6. Follow up. Don’t harass the reviewer, gently follow up, after a few weeks, to see if they have written the review.
  7. Thank the reviewer:  a simple, common courtesy shows that you appreciate the time and effort someone else took to help you.
  8. Be willing to give away books.

“Linda has published fifteen books. She blogs about the publishing world, posts useful tips on the challenges a writer faces, including marketing and promoting your work, how to build your online platform, how to get reviews and how to self-publish.”