Navigating Indieworld Discussing All Things Indie discussion

So...due to a combination of circumstances (having to rewrite 1/3 of my book prior to release, a book tour not having the results I wanted, bad time management, and inflated expectations) I didn't arrange any pre-release reviews for my latest release - Dangerous Victor.

So, I have two lovely ones here on Goodreads (not as many as on my other books, but I'm mostly ok with that since it's a slightly newer release), but what's really killing me is the fact that I have no reviews on Amazon. I think it's really affecting sales, since they aren't nearly as the consistent as my other releases are.

Most reviewers/bloggers only seems to take ARCs, and only then 8 weeks or before the release date. And they are inundating anyway (last time I tried to get pre-release reviews through bloggers I got nada, and I think I'd have even less hope with post-release reviews).

So, what's the answer? Give away my book? I did give away 2 copies but got no reviews from that. How do I find readers that will review (preferably quickly, definitely honestly, but at least fairly guaranteed)? I don't really have much of a platform (yet) so I don't know who to ask. Are there places that review backlists?

Any advice would be appreciated.

My email: (view spoiler)[[email protected] (hide spoiler)]

What you could do is put out a request on social media for the people who read your first books. Then ask if they are interested in an ARC but they have to had read AND reviewed your prior work. If you get any takers, then you require them to read and post a review on AMAZON within three days of release. If this is your very first book you can give the same stipulation but I would require Amazon profile links to see if they give reviews, the types etc before handing over an ARC.

You could create a google form like i did Here and post it on facebook. I did that one for my newest release. I have a list of facebook bloggers that I was going to send a review request for my current release if you want it. It's handwritten at the moment and you will probably have to spend sometime on each site looking at their reviews and such. I spend about an hour on each blog before I decide whether or not I am going to request a review or not. It's a long process and extremely tedious. I do a lot of facebook takeovers and have developed relationships with a few bloggers that way and I am constantly giving away copies of my book. At this point I have probably given away more copies then I have actually sold, but I have gotten some reviews that way. TDC Book Reviews does backlist reviews but you will have to ask them to review the first books in the series as well because they will want the whole story! Hope this helps. Just some things that I have experienced!

Aislinn wrote: "So...due to a combination of circumstances (having to rewrite 1/3 of my book prior to release, a book tour not having the results I wanted, bad time management, and inflated expectations) I didn't ..."

Look at the reviewers on Amazon and write them. Check out other books that are similar to yours and click on reviewer names and see if they list a blog or email address. Don't ask for a review, let them know when the book will be free for a download. Tell them you read a review and it is a similar book. NEVER ask for a review. People on Amazon , especially in the top 1000 will pick and choose books to read. I have combed these lists and developed a huge group that I send new books to. Also, look at my son's books- look in the editorial sections. You will see bloggers that you'll be able to locate who will review the book if you send an ecopy. Here is the flip- which is a romance of sorts. https://www.amazon.com/Flip-Michael-P...

Check out some of the blog names- write them and they will leave reviews. Make sure you read their policies.

I have a question-why would they only want to review books that aren't out yet? (Book Binge got back to me today and are considering mine-might come to nothing, but you never know.)

I know lots of blogs that will review books post-release. Or at least they just don't say it has to be an ARC. Our books are super similar if you want to you can look at the reviews on goodreads and contact some of the bloggers who reviewed for me! A few were pre-release but a few others were more recent. Off the top of my head there is Genre Minx, Whoo Gives a hoot, Bookalicious Babes, Badass Bloggettes and TDC Book Reviews. Hope that helps!

The people who review the earliest and get their reviews up, have the chance of getting the most votes and move up the ratings ladder. I send copies to our books to our most prolific reviewers and they get those reviews up the minute they finish the book. Amy, click on a popular erotic book- look at the reviewers. Then go to another and click. You will see a lot of the same people. Check if they are reachable by clicking on their names.
I have been solicited by two or three traditional publishing houses for historical fiction and non-fiction arc. They want my review so they can take parts out and put it in the book or in the editorial section. I have people who follow my reviews because they like them and may buy a book based on the review. An arc gives the book a head start and makes the reviewer look juiced in- automatic respect.

R.L. wrote: "What you could do is put out a request on social media for the people who read your first books. Then ask if they are interested in an ARC but they have to had read AND reviewed your prior work. If..."

It's against Amazon guidelines to require a review by giving out an ARC. You can only give out ARCs and request a review. Fo every 10 I give out I know I will only get 3-4 reviews. That's just the nature of the beast lol.

I've seen tons of authors requiring that you have had to review their work in the past to get an ARC of the next book in the series. And these are authors selling millions of books so idk

They have changed the rules. Now you have to say that you are not expecting a review. The reviewer has to add they they got the book for free with no expectation.

Erin- I have given out thousands of books and plenty of swag. Two in ten never did anything except that the goodies.

Amazon is pushing the Vine program. That way they control who is getting the books- and somehow it doesn't matter that the review is expected. I guess it's a case of those closest to the pot get to eat.

Ah I see, (or r-i-c as I failed to resist typing) I wish I read faster! In my next book I will be creating a 28 hour day. Then I could read more than one book a year and also be a reviewer. (In a coma-28 hours would be too exhausting)

Then again if a book only has 3 reviews as mine does, anyone that reviews it would be near the top of the list, because there are only 3 on the UK site anyway. So it's like being newly released.

Did I put your review up on the UK- I was just putting up my recent ones and didn't go back that far. I am also on Canada. I just checked!! It's there and I remember I voted down the one star moron.

Carole wrote: "Did I put your review up on the UK- I was just putting up my recent ones and didn't go back that far. I am also on Canada. I just checked!! It's there and I remember I voted down the one star moron."

Yes you did. Thank you. And lol!

Hello I have a read all your comments and find that writing as well as marketing your books is very time consuming but worth it.

I would appreciate a list of bloggers who di do reviews and will give information on written media reviews later on.

Thanks MJ

Check out this great interview/article done by Indie Reader on Carole P. Roman! Check out Indie Reader and BookWorks is a great site as well!

http://indiereader.com/2017/04/carole...

Mary wrote: "Hello I have a read all your comments and find that writing as well as marketing your books is very time consuming but worth it.

I would appreciate a list of bloggers who di do reviews and will gi..."

Mary I'm part way down this list (not getting anywhere fast because I've written erotica)

http://www.theindieview.com/indie-rev...

Check out all the threads, Mary- we have a lot of additional lists to add to Amy's terrific list, as well. We have a number of bloggers who have volunteered to review. You have to look through the threads.

Here's what I recommend:

1. Join Instafreebie, and take the free month of the paid version.
2. Specifically ask for reviews in the backmatter of your book - "if you liked this book, please leave a review!" with a link.
3. Upload your book and create a giveaway. Make opt-in for an email list required, and hook the account to a mail chimp or other emailing service. Mail chimp has a free option and links directly to Instafreebie, so it's nice and easy.
4. Go to the Instafreebie forums and look for a group giveaway in your genre, and join - all that means is that you give your book link to whoever is organizing the giveaway, and you promise to help promote the giveaway much in the way that we just did for Navigating Indieworld's recent giveaway.

I organized a giveaway with 24 other authors and got 500 downloads of my book, which means I also got 500 email addresses.

5. Send them an email after a week or so thanking them for downloading your book and telling them a bit about yourself, the book, or anything that is friendly and not salesy or spammy.
6. Send them an email after three weeks or a month asking them what they thought of the book, and suggesting that they leave you a brief review - then give the review link. You can also give them a link to your other books in the hope that you get some sales.

I haven't emailed and prompted for a review yet but I've gotten two or three reviews at least organically from the original 500 downloads.

Alternatively, you can list do a review alert through Xpresso Book Tours. It's 40 or 50 dollars and I got probably ten or so reviews out of it.