Reviews are a good indicator of a book’s quality, meaning, and significance. Book reviews help spread the word and create a buzz about their book. Reviews also get the word out about the author, thus encouraging readers to read more of their works.
As most of us, who are indulged in the literary field on a regular basis often gets to see that the Authors goes overwhelmed when it comes of their ‘Book Reviews’ and why shouldn’t they? After all, anyone would love to hear a few words of praises or even some amount of critics as well for the work, which they had done by spending so much of their time and effort. Moreover, writing involves a lot of heart too so yes; completing a manuscript is a very emotional journey for the Authors, most of the times!
Platforms for book reviews
The two popular platforms available for reviews are:
Amazon
Goodreads
Well, now I guess you can imagine why the Authors gets so much overwhelmed when it comes to the reviews for their books. Being an Author myself, I too feel that the readers and the dear friends, professors, and the family members to whom I had given my books to read, should go ahead review my work after reading. Since every Author would like to hear the readers’ perspective!
Moreover, why an Author wouldn’t like to know about the things, which the readers had loved in the book as well as the areas of improvement in the writing, in order to make them a better a Writer, before their next release! Trust me, making the Authors aware of their plus points and their minus points are the least, what the readers can do, after reading the books.
Importance of book reviews on Amazon
A critical mass of say 20-25 reviews on Amazon will do the trick, to make the algorithm work in your favor. A larger number of reviews (good as well as not-so-good) works better than a much smaller number of 5-star reviews. The rule of thumb here is that you need to pitch at least 100 reviewers, to get to the magic number of 25 who will write those make-or-break reviews. So go ahead and ask away!
(Source: himalayanwritingretreat)
So, why not understand the major importance of the book reviews and have a better understanding of this matter before anyone of us puts down the book after reading, that too without reviewing that piece of writing. Importance of Book Reviews –
1) Decreases Risks to the Readers: Book reviews make books a known quantity. They decrease the risk to readers that a particular book will be not what they had in mind at all. In fact, book reviews help potential readers become familiar with what a book is about, give them an idea of how they themselves might react to it, and determine whether this particular book will be the right book for them right now. Book reviews save readers time, prepare them for what they will find, and offer them a greater chance of connecting with a particular book, even before they read the first page!
Importance of book reviews on Goodreads
Goodreads makes life a little bit easier for a writer because Goodreads by itself does not have a Click-to-Buy option. Less commercial, more community. So, pitching your new book to readers and reviewers is not as nerve-wracking a process as at Amazon.
(SOURCE: HIMALAYANWRITINGRETREAT)
2) Greater Visibility: Book reviews give books greater visibility and a greater chance of getting found by more readers. On some websites, books that have more book reviews are more likely to be shown to prospective readers and buyers as compared to books with few or no book reviews. Book reviews also help amplify your book’s reach among book clubs, bookstores, blogging communities and other opportunities to gain attention from new readers. For an author, book reviews can open doors to new and bigger audiences.
3) More Sales: Have you ever heard the phrase “Success begets success?” Or the term “social proof?” Books that have a lot of book reviews appear to be popular books. It’s human nature for people to be curious about what looks popular and want to check it out for themselves. As a result, a good number of book reviews can help lead to a snowball effect of book sales. In other words, the presence of book reviews can help validate the worthiness of a book and establish who the book’s audience is. Then once validated, other similar people are much more likely to want to join their peers and buy that same book.
when your submit your manuscript to a publishing house, ensure it has gone through a round of developmental editing and copy editing carried out by a professional editor such as one of the following 10 top book editors in India.
Knowing this, some authors try to game the system by outright buying or inventing book reviews. But that’s not a good approach at all. Don’t do it. It’s not right and you’re better than that. Soliciting real reviews from real people can help you as an Author achieve more sales in a completely ethical way.
4) Helps in Understanding Readers’ Tastes: Reading through the reviews written about your books can really help you better understand what it is your readers are looking for. Answering questions like, what are your readers enjoying about your work? What do they think is missing? In addition, what do they connect with? Can do a lot for helping you understand your audience.
How to choose a reviewer for a book review?
Before you start sending out ARCs to book reviewers, do a little research on the reviewer(s). A good review should appear a little distanced from the writer (no gushing “bestie” feels!), whilst quoting compelling extracts from the book. It should aim to personalize the experience for the reader and offer a glimpse into the “mood” of the book.
(SOURCE: HIMALAYANWRITINGRETREAT)
This kind of insight into your work can help if you are stuck in your writing, work on weaknesses, and motivate you. Reviews can also show you where there might be miscommunications between you and the reader, such as an aspect of the book that is too subtle or confusing and therefore not getting through to the readers. ‘Reviews enable the author to have direct communication with their readers and help ensure that they are writing the best books for themselves and their audience!’
5) Helps Authors to improve their Craft: Getting feedback on your writing is an incredibly beneficial and integral part of the writing process. It enables you to continue to grow as an author while getting feedback specifically from your target audience. Getting good feedback on your work is wonderful and can help you see what you are doing well and keep you inspired and motivated, but constructive feedback is just as helpful, if not more so, in improving your craft and pushing you to grow as a writer.
Must Read!
https://criticspace.com/how-to-budget-your-best-seller/
As long as you can remember not to take any of the comments personally and read them with the earnest desire to work on your writing. Look at 2-4-star reviews in particular. These reviews are more likely, to be honest, and helpful. 1-star reviews especially are more likely to be less insightful, a troll or someone who isn’t your target audience.
When writing a book, you always want to get feedback from the readers; book reviews can offer a broader range perspectives than just your friends. Reviews offer feedback that is insightful and points out things that are hard to see on your own. Edging you ever closer to writing that next bestseller.
Written By NEEL PREET – Author of the Books, Voice From The East (2016); Journey With Time Place And Circumstances (2018) & Indian Defence Files (2021).