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Questionable requests for reviews
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I wouldn’t send this person anything if their goodreads account can’t be found. If someone is deleting their account so soon after giving you their e mail to send your book, it is probably not legit. Where did that person intend to post that review? I’ve had some strange review offers, and some of them have very likely been some kind of scam. My personal rule is not to take any review offers that I feel are strange in some way.
Thanks. It has all the earmarks of a scammer. No last name, a Gmail account with a bunch of numbers after the name. Plus she asked me to email her something that isn't a Kindle as she has a problem downloading them. If she is not on Goodreads and apparently not using Amazon, as you say, where would she review. I'm a long time author and have been on Goodreads for years but never very active. Lately I have decided to do more marketing and am getting more active here.
Kathleen wrote: "Thanks. It has all the earmarks of a scammer. No last name, a Gmail account with a bunch of numbers after the name. Plus she asked me to email her something that isn't a Kindle as she has a problem..."Hi Kathleen,
I got a weird request like that too. They didn’t want a Kindle download and they wanted it sent to a gmail account. Felt strange to me too, I plan to ignore.
When I first joined in 2018 after getting my entire trilogy published, for sale on Amazon etc., day after day I got scam e-mails about reviewing the trilogy (3 books in one book that is) all from gmail accounts, all from folks with no Goodreads page or a page but no activity, and all the emails said pretty much the same thing and poor grammar...and yes, no last name. Best thing to do is first, check to see if they have a legit Goodreads page, two, if it is from gmail (seems they ALL come from gmail!), and three, if the message says what all your other scam messages say. And if they don't use Kindle, that may be the biggest reason not to respond.
Agreed. That was the first thing that triggered me to a scam was the no Kindle request. Then when I checked for her page on Goodreads and there is none. She is supposed to be Andrea_Reviews. Weird thing is she replied to a message I posted her asking for reviews and it came supposedly from Goodreads. And the Gmail account. I have nothing against Gmail and know a lot of legit people use it but I found in the past when I posted something for sale on Craig's List all the scammers used Gmail.
Hi, I received the same request, just today, from an Amy_Reviews providing the same directions and advising to use gmail. There is no Goodreads account for this person. I replied to the email, no links, no attachments, etc., and requested sample reviews from a website or otherwise to gauge her, or the person behind the Email’s, validity. I’ll reach out and advise if I get a response. I’m not expecting any. Giorgio
I doubt you will either. This sounds like the same scammer and using different names. They count on us needing reviews when we have a book coming out and think we are desperate enough to bite on any bait they toss out. Bet the emails are exact too. Here is the one I got:Kathleen,
Andrea_Reviews has sent you a message on Goodreads!
Andrea_Reviews said,
Hello,
I would like to read and review your book. You can send me a copy at [email protected]. Please don’t gift me Kindle copies as I have trouble downloading them. I also do BETA reading. For fast response, please email me as I don't check my messages here actively.
Reply to this message
Enjoy!
Yes. It's the exact same. Just curious what the benefit would be from the scammers perspective. I hope it's not a phishing scam to gain access to personal data if we click on any link. We will see.
All legitimate literary marketing/promotion options classes, lectures, or 'how-to' books stress the fact that sales drive reviews, not the other way around.For whatever reason, the majority of avid readers choose to never post a rating or review. Those that do, are merely expressing their personal, and therefore subjective, opinion. One reader's Best book ever! might very well be another reader's Worst book ever!.
Never provide a free copy of your work in response to someone expressing their desire to review it. Allow them the privilege of purchasing a copy. If they choose to post a review, fine! If they do not, that's okay too.
Very few novice writer's will ever achieve commercial success within this extremely competitive field. That said; some have. Focus upon striving to continuously improve upon your technical writing, promotion, and marketing knowledge and skills, and you may very well become one those success stories. I wish you success!
Perhaps. Still books with lots of good reviews sell better on Amazon. Several webinars I have seen say to garner reviews pre publication. I do know that the ones of my books with reviews have more sales than the similar ones without. But I am far from an expert on PR.I'm guessing what these scammers will do is when they get a book, either say it needs editing or something which they will provide for a hefty fee or they may try blackmail and say unless we pay they will give it a bad review. Just guessing. I have no intention of replying.
I agree that sales drive reviews, but positive reviews can certainly help drive those sales even further. Once upon a time, a review in a highly respected publication (NY Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly, etc.) made all the difference. A good review in Library Journal could mean the difference between getting placed in libraries around the country. These days, with millions more books being published and pushed to the public, it's easier than ever for a book to get lost. So how do people decide which books to purchase?
Here's my guess about how people find books, in no particular order:
-- Media attention (TV, Internet and other exposure)
-- Word of mouth (friends recommend a book)
-- Social media (followed accounts)
-- Blogs
-- Newsletters (BookGorilla, BookLemur, BookReader Magazine, etc.)
My guess, given my latest round of promoting my book, is that review bloggers are deluged with requests directly from authors and publishers and don't need to request books to review in places like this.
Just my 2-cents :)
I have heard that along with Goodreads and Amazon, Booksprout and BookBub are helpful. With my previous books, I didn't do much promotion. For this book I am trying to promote. This scammer responded to my request here on Goodreads for reviews. Thought I would get legitimate readers and hopefully some good reviews.
Occasionally also receive nearly identical GR messages like this, as well as e-mail nearly identical, from several different Gmail accounts. Usually report 'em. I never post requests for reviews and don't publish on Amazon, so they're always illegitimate. LOL.
If you're looking for reviews, try the Indie Book Reviewer list. https://www.theindieview.com/indie-re...
Book bloggers on this list will read and post reviews at your request, given that they accept your submission. You can see the reviews they have already posted, and you're asking them for the review, not the other way around. You have to query, but my experience has been good so far.
I've received legitimate, honest reviews (no guarantees of a 4 or a 5, but hey--sometimes). The reviewers let you know where they will post, and yes. Sometimes you need to provide them with the book format of their preference. But none ask (or have asked) for money to do it, and most warn that their review is their review and you'll have to accept it good or bad.
Also, there's always a timeframe, which is usually longer than we all hope. But there are tons of authors in the world, so...kind of have to accept it.
These people seem to be backlogged with requests, so if someone cold emails you saying they'll read and review without you having contacted them first, there's a good chance it's a scam (imo).
Ellen wrote: "My guess, given my latest round of promoting my book, is that review bloggers are deluged with requests directly from authors and publishers and don't need to request books to review in places like this"Exactly!
Yes I got one like that a few months back as well. I never replied. It could be a phishing scam or someone who would post the copy you sent on an illegal download site which is also not a good thing.
I have gotten many emails talking about they would give me a review. Well I do want reviews but I am a little leery about sending a pdf copy of my book to a person in a foreign country that doesn't have a kindle or a legit email address. Can they publish my book and post it as theirs? I have however exchanged kindle books with two people who are authors. I look up their book and agree to purchase the kindle version if they purchase mine. So far so good. I keep up with them on email back and forth. They mention content and I mention content of their book. I haven't gotten a review yet but I think they are reading my book. We shall see what happens. A side note...I got a really good book to read today from an author exchange.
Rebecca -- Yes they can and yes they do use your file to make money from your book(s), which is why ensuring offers to review your book are legitimate. I've had several of these requests myself, after posting a request for reviews on one of these Goodreads forums. They all came directly to me at my email address, which tells me they're not only scanning these forums for review requests but somehow have access to our email addresses (don't know if this is a hack of my email account or of Goodreads).Be wary of swapping books for reviews. Sometimes the Amazon algorithm picks up on connections between reviewers and won't print reviews they think violate their policy that bars reviews of books by family and friends. It's pretty controversial in this social media world, but they make the rules, right?
Finally, I just learned Amazon only posts reviews by those who've spent $50 or more on the site. So you want reviewers who are active on the site if you want a review there.
Food for thought!
My position is that if anyone wants to review my books, they are on the shelf and don't cost much. Buy one. I'm not going to finance your business of doing book reviews for a website at my own expense. I am in the business of selling books, not promoting reviewers
I've received a dozen requests in the past few weeks from people promising "40+ reviews" and they're usually from someone with an initial for a last name and a dubious, weird e-mail account. They usually are not listed on GR, don't have a traceable website or blog and sound curiously similar in wording, etc. I just assume somebody out there is harvesting e-mails or contact names from NetGalley or GR posts, whatever...and are churning out goofy invitations which seem always to hit my in-box at 3 a.m. Sounds fishy to me, all of it. - Gojan
Ellen wrote: "Rebecca -- Yes they can and yes they do use your file to make money from your book(s), which is why ensuring offers to review your book are legitimate. I've had several of these requests myself, af..."Yes. I saw that $50 buyer rule. Since I frequently buy things as well as books my reviews will post. I just did one on Giving up the Ghost by Cherie Claire and they accepted it. But it is a good point to ask possible reviewers if they post to Amazon and then check some of their reviews.
Kathleen wrote: "I doubt you will either. This sounds like the same scammer and using different names. They count on us needing reviews when we have a book coming out and think we are desperate enough to bite on an..."I got the exact same message just now, but under a different name.
I agree with all the comments above. Has anyone paid for reviews? What's your experience been. I am being contacted all the time but all I want is genuine reader reviews.
This thread has really helped calm my nerves after getting numerous emails from people (all with addresses as described) and where my email address has always been BCC'd, indicating that it's an email mass-mailed to numerous others.How are they getting our emails though, is what I'd like to know. It is to my "writer's email" that is recent and I have never publicly shared.
I got two more this week. Identical. Some of them or maybe the one doing it under different names have "private" Goodreads pages.
Wendy wrote: "I agree with all the comments above. Has anyone paid for reviews? What's your experience been. I am being contacted all the time but all I want is genuine reader reviews."No a paid review will show as that in google and they will ignore it. I might swap with other authors but that even sometimes alerts google. Not fair as often the person is a friend and I enjoy the books.
Wendy wrote: "Has anyone paid for reviews?”Paying for reviews is a violation of most retailers and Goodreads guidelines (as are author review swaps). Unless you are referring to paid editorial reviews such as Kirkus. Even those cannot be posted to sites like Amazon or Goodreads, but only used in blurbs or the “editorial review” section on a book page. The best reviews are organic ones left by people who purchased your book ;)
"Paying for reviews is a violation of most retailers and Goodreads guidelines"Its also a really dumb idea
Christopher wrote: ""Paying for reviews is a violation of most retailers and Goodreads guidelines"Its also a really dumb idea"
Thanks, I nerely wondered, I don't agree with paid reviews but it's hard to accumulate genuine reviews as most readers don't seem to like leaving them. Catch 22 situation I think since Anazon put such a high regard to them.
Wendy wrote: "Catch 22 situation I think since Anazon put such a high regard to them."Amazon doesn't put any weight on reviews - what affects their algorithms and promotional effort is sales.
Yes it takes lots of sales to see 1 organic review, as readers seldom leave them now (as an aside, it is often said that readers are wary of leaving reviews now because of horrid behaviour by some authors). In my opinion, authors should be focusing on selling their books. Personally I have low level advertising ticking away in the background (at just a dollar or two on Facebook) and that is driving sales (even when I have NO reviews) and then reviews are slowly appearing and I don't have to do anything except concentrate on writing the next book! :)
This is all great advice, and I am so glad to know that I am not the only one receiving these offers to review.. Some are pretty aggressive, suggesting that if I don't sign on, too bad for me..Yes, the best reviews are honest ones that come from readers!
Tilly wrote: "Wendy wrote: "Catch 22 situation I think since Anazon put such a high regard to them."Amazon doesn't put any weight on reviews - what affects their algorithms and promotional effort is sales.
Y..."
Not only does 'Amazon' not allow reviews to impact their algorithms, the majority of avid readers do not allow reviews or ratings to influence their purchasing choices one way or the other.
Since a review is merely a subjective opinion, whether a book receives a positive or negative rating or commentary depends entirely upon an individual's personal taste or perception.
A novice author stands a much better chance of eventually achieving commercial success within this extremely competitive field if he/she focuses more upon continuously improving upon their writing, promotional, and marketing knowledge and skills rather than obsessing over a lack of reviews or their content.
Look at some best selling books on Amazon...some have less than 30 reviews, yet they are #1 in their genre. All are trad-published and lots of their reviews are negative, which surprised me. I mean really bad. So, maybe the question isn't how do we get more reviews...it's how we make ourselves known to the public without killing our bank accounts? And is that possible?
Gail Meath, I would love to know the answer to your question!
Gail wrote: "how we make ourselves known to the public without killing our bank accounts? And is that possible?"Facebook, BoobBub and AMS all let you advertise for as little as a dollar a day. You start with $1, test image, copy, targeting. Then you scale up when you are returning a profit. It takes a bit of time and patience, but you can increase sales for very little outlay.
Honestly, Amelia, I wish I knew the answer! Tilly has great suggestions...I also use Pinterest which is inexpensive, too. I have only been self-publishing the past year and I've found that advertising full priced books doesn't work well, $.99 books gathers some sales, Free gathers many 'sales'...but again, money out, none coming in. It does help to have more than one book. I will give away one book thru cheaper advertising and readers who like it do buy others. I've also gone back and forth between Kindle Select vs. Smashwords (which reaches more readers thru different retailers). But on Kindle Select, I always make some 'pages read' money every month that covers a chunk of advertising, so I always go back to them.
From what I've seen with other more successful authors, self-pub and trad-pub? Constant and persistent social media posts everywhere, newsletters, mailing lists, using every venue they can find. I think that's what it's all about now. Admittedly, I am not a social butterfly...or a good sales person, so I'm just plugging away doing what I love, writing and spending time with my grandkids, and every sale, every review makes me smile:)
Gail wrote: "Look at some best selling books on Amazon...some have less than 30 reviews, yet they are #1 in their genre. All are trad-published and lots of their reviews are negative, which surprised me. I mean..."Good point. It's also a case of celebrity sstatus too. They have it easy and can promote in any media whereas the rest of us have a hard time. Any suggestions as to how we overcome this anomaly?
Definition ofcelebrity: 1. the state of being celebrated :RENOWN* 2. a celebrated person.
renown : a state of being widely acclaimed and honored: FAME, CELEBRITY syn honor, glory, reputation, repute.
(Source: 'Merriam-Webster' English Dictionary)
There are exceptions to every rule; however, celebrity is usually well-earned by one's willingness to expend whatever time, energy, effort, and financial resources necessary to develop the skillset and acumen required to produce and promote a product in which a significant number of people will consider worth investing their time, money, and praise.
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."
Winston Churchill (Politician/Writer/Prime Minister of the U.K.) 1874 - 1965
Wendy wrote: "...the rest of us have a hard time. Any suggestions as to how we overcome this anomaly?"As I already said in my previous post... Facebook, AMS, and BookBub ads all let you advertise with as little as $1/day. You start small, you test your targeting, image and copy. It takes some time and effort, but once you have your ads working, you scale up and that grows sales.
Kathleen wrote: "I had posted a request for reviews for my new book. I got a response from someone who may not be a member. She gave me a email to send my book but when I hit the "Reply to this message" I get "Sorr..."I also had the same message from "her."
I've had a couple of this type of thing in the last week. One of them asked to review my book, but didn't say which one (I have 3 out). She said she couldn't accept a Kindle gift download, which would seem to chime with a few of the posts above. When I went to her profile to see who this was, her account is set to private and there's nothing available to look at, which made me even more suspicious. I thought last night that it might be someone aiming to do a bit of piracy. The other person who contacted me sent quite an aggressive note saying that she was only interested in SERIOUS AUTHORS! It seemed to be a review service, but I thought it looked suspicious as well, and I that they were probably going to ask for payment. I'm pretty sure there will be people who've worked out how to scam authors on here as well as all the genuine people using the site honestly.
Kathleen wrote: "I doubt you will either. This sounds like the same scammer and using different names. They count on us needing reviews when we have a book coming out and think we are desperate enough to bite on an..."She probably doesn't write reviews or know what beta reading is! As someone remarked elsewhere in this thread, the best reviews come from genuine readers.
Helen wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "I doubt you will either. This sounds like the same scammer and using different names. They count on us needing reviews when we have a book coming out and think we are desperate eno..."I responded to an email from "her." It's a book review blog trying to build a base according to the response. They give you this link.
http://ezybooktours.com/book-review-t...
I'd be very wary about following the link. But even if it's genuine, you don't build a base by bullying the people whose books you hope to review. The only thing I found when I typed that into Google was a car rental company or airport parking or somesuch... My suspicion antenna is working overtime here! I wonder if Goodreads know that these people operate on their site?
They have no imagination and all use the same script. Not condusivce to believing them.
All the spammers you get on the phone all the time do make you more aware of dodgy practices in other areas of life! They aren't doing themselves any favours - fortunately!
Organic reviews are personal, and therefore subjective, opinions. Since one reader's Best book ever! might very well be another reader's Worst book ever!, most astute readers do not allow a review to influence their purchasing choice.For whatever reason the vast majority of avid readers choose to never post a rating or review. For those who do, there are several methods for them to obtain reading material. They may purchase a book on-line, in a new or used book store, or borrow one from the local public library. They do not have to solicit authors for a free copy of their book, they can purchase one, often at a very reasonable price.
Still the two best ways to gain readers and eventually reviews (which are not as important as gaining readers): word of mouth and patience. If your book is truly worth reading (in other minds' opinion, not yours), then you will eventually please a few readers, who will then tell their friends and relatives about your book, starting a slow chain-reaction. Once that process has started, then show patience and don't flood sites with desperate requests for reviews. You would only piss-off would-be readers. It takes years to build a reputation as a writer, but it takes only a couple of unsolicited, annoying messages to make potential readers flee you.
The person also did not give a last name and is named on the email only as Andrea Reviews. Anybody else have this happen? I don't know whether to send the book or if this is some kind of phishing scam.