Support for Indie Authors discussion

There are a lot of services from people offering to read a new book and provide an INDEPENDENT review in exchange for a fee (paid reviews). I understand that this is not allowed on amazon, but it seems a lot of people are doing it anyway. Is it finally legal or not ? how can amazon find it out?

It's not allowed by Amazon. Don't do it.

It doesn't matter if "a lot of people" are doing it. Amazon could still close your account if they catch you. Telling them that other people are doing it isn't going to work in your defense. Why waste money on a review, anyway?

Paid reviews like Kirkus, Blue Ink, etc are editorial reviews. If you are paying a service for a regular review, that person must have an account, have spent at least $50. If the person is doing tons of reviews and if Amazon discovers that they aren't buying the books, they may pull all of that person's reviews and close thier account and suspend or close your account. So yeah, buying reviews is bad.

Several companies offer a package where you pay them to list your book to readers who will give independent reviews. You aren't paying for the review, but you are paying for the listing. There is no guarentee that you'll get a good review or even get a review sort of like here on Goodreads. It's an option if you don't have a mailing list or the people on your list don't leave reviews. You may end up paying for that listing and not get one review.

Bottom line, don't pay for reviews unless it's an editorial review where you can use it in advertising. (That's the purpose of Kirkus and other big review sites.) You are better off getting your books seen and getting organice reviews from people who read the book. That means spending some money and working hard to get what you need. If you have a list of 1000 people, expect less than 10 to leave a review if everyone reads the book. Of those ten expect at least one to leave a negatvie review.

I agree with the comments above. I'll add my two thoughts to expand on the very very good advice above. Other people doing it will not aid you and won't excuse you and won't mitigate the risk or the impact. Another analogy might be that if a dozen people are driving 70 in a 50 zone and the trooper pulls you over, how likely is that trooper going to be persuaded not to enforce the law if you point out all these other people are doing it? Not likely.

Then there is the personal impact to your own reputation. I know it sucks that other people do it. It sucks that they get away with it. But I'd rather have fewer reviews and sales and keep the integrity.

Thank you very much for your feedbacks, I was not aware that this was such a big no-go and I appreciate your help.
I am finding it challenging to get people to write reviews, but I guess it is also a matter of time since I only published the book a month ago.

Thanks!

Legitimate reviews are very very hard to come by. Good luck.

M.G. wrote: "Thank you very much for your feedbacks, I was not aware that this was such a big no-go and I appreciate your help.
I am finding it challenging to get people to write reviews, but I guess it is also..."
By the way, Amazon will also remove reviews if they think you are friends with the reader. I had over 100 removed from various books because readers and I were friends on Facebook.

P.S. wrote: "M.G. wrote: "Thank you very much for your feedbacks, I was not aware that this was such a big no-go and I appreciate your help.
I am finding it challenging to get people to write reviews, but I gue..."

Hi, how do they know? I have friends who have legitimately bought my book and left me an (unsolicited and honest - one was only 4 stars!) review. In fact I became friends on facebook with someone AFTER they read and reviewed my book. Thanks, Rachel

I tend to look at it this way: Few readers will buy a book without looking inside. So lots of phony five star reviews may get more people to look, but they won't change the number of sales.

In the end, the best way to get sales is to dig your fangs into the reader's throat on page one and don't let go till they come to, "the end."

Rachel, you ask 'how do they know?'

Early computers got rockets to land on the moon. There's currently something heading for the sun. It's easy for them to know far more than we expect.

And, as many are implying or even saying, reviews are not the deciding factor for someone to choose your book. My most popular book which outsells all the others put together has the lowest star rating. And I have never paid for a review, not a penny or a cent. Buy chocolate instead!

Anna Faversham wrote: "Rachel, you ask 'how do they know?'

Early computers got rockets to land on the moon. There's currently something heading for the sun. It's easy for them to know far more than we expect.

And, as m..."

Hi Anna,

Too true I suppose. And don't worry, I have no intention of paying for reviews. I'm hoping for them but I would never cheat the system and pay for them. Don't get me wrong, I'd be lying if I said I didn't like sales, I'd love my book (books - I am working on part 2) to make me money but I also get a buzz knowing people have enjoyed the story that I've spent the last three years creating. I just don't want the reviews left for my by people I know removed when they genuinely are unsolicited and honest!

Anyway, I guess there is nothing I can do either way.

Thanks for responding. Rachel :)

The important thing is not to worry but to focus on things that matter and which you can achieve. Everyone says the best marketing is to write another good book and you are already doing that, so enjoy. I love the time I spend with my characters and the things they get up to.

Anna Faversham wrote: "The important thing is not to worry but to focus on things that matter and which you can achieve. Everyone says the best marketing is to write another good book and you are already doing that, so e..."

Me too! I am keen to see what happens next. While I have a rough idea of the plot for book 2, the detail won't come to me until I put pen to paper (well, fingers to keyboards). Thanks again for your help.

You're very welcome - I've learnt such a lot from Goodreads' posts.