I’ve written about why I write reviews before but let’s flip the switch and concentrate on how to get great book reviews. Exciting, right!?
How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically: The ins and outs of using free reviews to build and sustain a writing career
First of all, I know what you’re thinking. Is reviewing a book on how to get reviews too meta? I don’t care. If you’re an author you need this book.
This isn’t the type of book you read once and memorize. It’s the text book of getting reviews. Covering the gambit in six sections plus appendices, this book addresses everything from Your Review—Getting Arsenal to You Have Your Review. Now What?
But perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself. Why do you need reviews? If you’ve gone through the trouble of doing all the writing isn’t your work done?
Nope. Sorry. Now you get to do MARKETING! (My favourite part.)
Why you need reviews
I’m borrowing from the book’s argument here, but I hold it as well.
- Reviews are platform builders
Regardless of negative or positive, stars or lattes, reviews give you the chance to be a better writer, learn more about your genre, and know your target reader better.
- Reviews are resources for endorsements
Blurbs, praise, bullets, whatever. Need some nice quotes? You can get them with book reviews!
- Reviews can be networking tools
Both getting and giving reviews gives you contacts with editors of review journals, contacts with other reviewers who are potential reviewers of your books, contacts with other authors who need quotations for their books or referrals.
Once you’re convinced you should get book reviews, then you’re ready for the rest of the book. It walks you through alllllllllllllll the things you need to think through and plan for. It’s a lot, but they payoff is worth it. Not only that, but once you have the reviews the fun is not over! You can reap the benefits of past reviews for years to come.
If it’s time to do marketing, get this book.
How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically: The ins and outs of using free reviews to build and sustain a writing career (HowToDoItFrugally Series for Writers) (Volume 3) synopsis
How To Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically is the culmination of a nearly two decades Carolyn Howard-Johnson spent helping writers avoid pitfalls, misconceptions, and out-and-out scams perpetrated on unsuspecting authors…and helping them reach their dreams of great reviews, great book tours, and great launches. It turns out it is the essence for a successful marketing campaign that includes all those things and—more importantly—for building the readership necessary for a prosperous writing career.
One more thing. You may be interested in my free resource library. This is where I keep my files, downloads, ebooks, worksheets and whatever else I manage to create. I love sharing what I learn and want to keep adding to this library so it becomes a wealth of helpful goodness.
This is a free resource but I do require a password to access the library itself. You can get access by popping your email address into the form below.