For authors, words are important. However, since I published, there’s one word that seems to be very important when it comes to marketing and for your status as an author. However, it also seems to be a taboo word. The “R” word. Nope, not reading…

*Reviews*

It certainly seems like the more reviews your book has, the better it does but what does it all really mean? Do lots of reviews mean your book is any better than one without? And how do you get more?

Just like with any product, if your book has more reviews, people may be more likely to buy a copy. Especially if those reviews aren’t all five stars because it makes it seem a little more realistic. More reviews can lead to your book appearing higher up in the rankings and will probably equate to more people clicking on it than if there are no reviews.

So how do you go about getting these reviews? The main way is to ask, but this doesn’t always work out, especially if people you know tend to forget. Some people pay external reviewers to read their book and leave a review to boost their rating, but I think buying reviews is a bit too far. If it works, then great, but there’s no guarantee you’ll see a rise in organic and natural reviews after. It can become quite an expensive business. Another way is to reach out to your beta readers to leave reviews, but just remember that some sites don’t let reviewers who haven’t visibly purchased the book to leave a review. That’s the other thing to consider – if you ask a family member or friend to leave a review, there’s a chance these may be removed. Not always, but sometimes, as it can be seen as a way to cheat the system.

In my experience, just like with asking people to read your books, leaving a review has to come naturally. However, I think it’s difficult for people to understand why reviews are so important for authors. A lot of authors may be worried to ask for them because it feels like they’re pestering or asking for justification, but it’s not that. It’s just another way to progress as an author. I think if more people spread the word that a review isn’t just for an author’s sake, but for the sake of their wider goal, then maybe more people would understand and leave reviews.

I hope this blog post has made people realise that it’s something all authors want but don’t want to keep pestering about. So, do an author a favour and if you’ve read a book, any book, give your opinion, good or bad, because some stars are better than none! Even if there’s no comment, just a rating, it’s enough. It all counts towards giving indie authors, like myself, the chance to stand up against the big boys of the traditional publishing world.

Atlantic Split and At Liberty To Live, the first and second books in The Luke Bright Series are available to purchase NOW! Please follow me on my blog and social media links below, and use the links on my website to purchase a copy of each if you have not done so. Don’t forget to leave a review! Thank you once again for taking the time to read this blog post.

N.A.K.