Getting reviews (hopefully good ones!) is a crucial part of any book’s success—particularly for self-published authors who often rely on word-of-mouth and online visibility. Reviews serve as social proof to potential buyers, help with Amazon’s recommendation algorithms, and even influence where your book ranks in search. But, where are you supposed to get them, especially if you’re a first-time author with no fan base and no email list? Here are some tried-and-true methods for gathering honest reviews that can boost your self-published book’s credibility and readership.
Let’s talk about something that keeps many of us up at night: getting reviews for our books. We all know they’re important – they help readers discover our books, make Amazon’s algorithms happy, and give potential buyers confidence in their purchase. But how do you get them when you’re just starting out? It’s a challenge that every new author faces, and sometimes it can feel like you’re trying to solve a puzzle where half the pieces are missing. Don’t worry, though – I’ve been there, and I’m here to share what actually works.
First Things First: Get Your House in Order
Before you start chasing reviews, let’s make sure you’re set up for success. You know how they say you should clean your house before having guests over? Same principle applies here. Think of it as preparing for company – you want to make a good impression and make it easy for people to stick around. The last thing you want is to finally get someone interested in your book, only to have them disappear because there’s no way to stay connected.
You need a home base – a simple website where readers can learn more about you and your books. Nothing fancy required! Just make sure you have a way for readers to join your email list (trust me, this will be crucial later). Offer them something special as a reader magnet– maybe a free short story or a bonus chapter – in exchange for their email address. This is your chance to show potential reviewers that you’re serious about your writing career and that you value their time and interest. Remember, professionalism doesn’t mean being stuffy – it means being prepared.
And please, please set up a proper way to distribute review copies of your book. Use something like BookFunnel that protects your work from being copied. I’ve seen too many authors learn this lesson the hard way. Not only does a professional distribution system protect your work, but it also makes the whole process smoother for your reviewers. When people have a good experience getting your book, they’re more likely to follow through with reading and reviewing it.
Your Secret Weapon: Advance Review Copies (ARCs)
Here’s where having an email list becomes gold. Before your book launches, you can offer advance copies to your subscribers. These folks already like you enough to be on your list, so they’re perfect candidates for early reviews. They’re also more likely to be genuinely interested in your genre and writing style, which means their reviews will resonate with your target audience. Plus, early reviewers often become some of your biggest supporters for future books.
No email list yet? No problem! Put your reader magnet and email signup in place (no, I am never going to stop saying that!), then go over and do the “Follower Funnel” method. You can still find potential reviewers in author and reader communities. Just be genuine about it – nobody likes feeling like they’re being used for reviews. Take time to participate in these communities, share your knowledge, and build real connections. The relationships you build now could lead to not just reviews, but long-term support for your writing career.
Finding Reviewers in the Wild
Let’s talk about book bloggers and social media reviewers. There are tons of wonderful people out there who love reviewing books in your genre. But here’s the honest truth: if you’re just starting out, the big-name reviewers probably won’t have time for you. That’s okay! Focus on connecting with smaller, engaged communities instead. These reviewers often have more passionate, dedicated followers who actually buy and read the books they recommend. Plus, they’re usually more accessible and eager to discover new authors.
Look for reviewers who specifically mention your genre. If you’ve written a cozy mystery about a knitting detective, find bloggers who love cozy mysteries. Keep a spreadsheet of potential reviewers, noting what types of books they prefer and their submission guidelines. Send them a friendly, personal message (not a mass email!) introducing your book. And remember – they’re doing you a favor, so be patient and gracious. Many successful author-reviewer relationships start with genuine appreciation for each other’s work and grow into lasting partnerships. The follower funnel method is the way to do this organically (although, it does take a long time).
Make It Easy for Readers to Review
Ever finish a book and think “I loved this!” but then never got around to reviewing it? Your readers are the same way. Give them a gentle nudge by adding a friendly note at the end of your book. Something simple like: “If you enjoyed this story, I’d love to hear what you thought! Your review helps other readers find books they might enjoy too.” Consider including direct links to your book’s review pages on various platforms – the easier you make it, the more likely readers are to follow through.
Think about timing too. The best moment to ask for a review is right when someone finishes your book, while they’re still caught up in the emotions of the story. That’s why including your request in the back matter is so effective. You might even want to mention what kinds of things readers could include in their review, like their favorite character or most memorable scene. Just be careful not to be too prescriptive – authentic reviews are always the most valuable.
The Power of Your Network (Without Being That Person)
We all have that friend who’s constantly pushing their business on Facebook, right? Don’t be that person. But do let your network know about your book! The key is being genuine about it. Share your excitement about your book release, and if people offer to help spread the word, take them up on it! Your authentic enthusiasm can be contagious, and people are often happy to support someone who’s pursuing their dreams.
Consider creating shareable content that your network can easily pass along – maybe some interesting facts about your research process, or funny stories about writing the book. When people feel like they’re sharing something interesting rather than just promoting a product, they’re more likely to help spread the word. And don’t forget to support other authors in your network too – what goes around comes around in the writing community.
What About Review Sites?
Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room: paid review services. Some are legitimate, many are not. Here’s the golden rule: if they guarantee positive reviews, run away. Fast. Amazon doesn’t allow paid reviews, and getting caught using them can cause serious problems for your author account. This isn’t just about following rules – it’s about building genuine trust with your readers.
There are legitimate services that connect authors with honest reviewers, but they should never guarantee specific ratings or results. Do your research, ask other authors for recommendations, and always read the fine print. Remember that a few genuine reviews from real readers who love your book are worth far more than dozens of paid reviews that might get removed anyway. Focus on building authentic connections with readers who genuinely enjoy your work. Oh, and always always offer your manuscript in a watermarked ePub form (rather than a downloadable pdf). Bookfunnel has this exact service!
Goodreads is the heavyweight champion here. Picture a massive virtual book club with 80 million members. Being Amazon-owned gives it some nice perks, especially if you’re publishing through KDP. The real magic happens when readers add your book to their shelves – it’s like digital word-of-mouth on steroids. Plus, their giveaway feature can really get things moving. Think of it as the social media platform for book lovers.
NetGalley is where you go when you want to play in the big leagues. They connect you with the pros – we’re talking reviewers, journalists, librarians, the whole nine yards. It’s pricier, sure, but it’s like having a VIP pass to the industry insider club. Your book gets three months in their spotlight, which can be gold for visibility.
Now, BookSirens is pretty clever with their approach. They’ve got this pool of serious reviewers – we’re talking people who’ve proven themselves with at least 20 Goodreads ratings. Their one-book-at-a-time policy is brilliant – reviewers can’t ghost you and move on to the next book. With a 75% review rate, those are pretty solid odds.
Booksprout takes a different angle. They’ve got more users (40,000+) and a slightly higher review rate at 79%. They’re all about deadlines and getting reviews by specific dates. Plus, they’ll spread your reviews across up to eight different platforms, which is pretty handy for maximum exposure.
Choosing between these services really depends on your game plan. If you’re gunning for widespread visibility, Goodreads is your best bet. Need professional industry exposure? NetGalley’s your friend. Want guaranteed reviews from serious readers? BookSirens has your back. Looking for deadline-driven reviews across multiple platforms? That’s Booksprout’s specialty.
You might even want to mix and match – many authors do. Think of it like diversifying your investment portfolio, but for book reviews. Just remember to consider your budget, timeline, and what kind of readers you’re trying to reach.
The key is understanding that each platform serves a different purpose in your book marketing journey. It’s not about finding the “best” one – it’s about finding the right fit for your specific needs and goals.
Want my opinion? Start with one that best matches your immediate needs, then expand to others as you get a feel for what works. And don’t forget – whichever platform you choose, make sure your book is as polished as possible. Even the best review platform can’t make up for a book that’s not ready for prime time.
The Long Game
Getting reviews isn’t a sprint – it’s definitely a marathon. Keep writing great books, keep connecting with readers, and keep making it easy for satisfied readers to share their thoughts. Over time, the reviews will come. Think of it as building a foundation for your entire writing career, not just promoting one book. Each positive review is a brick in that foundation, and strong foundations take time to build properly.
Some practical tips for the long haul:
- Run occasional promotions to get your book into more hands, but make sure to space them out so they remain special
- Stay active in reader communities (without being spammy) by contributing valuable insights and genuine engagement
- Thank reviewers when appropriate (but don’t stalk them!) and consider featuring thoughtful reviews in your newsletter
- Keep building your email list for future launches, treating each subscriber as a potential long-term supporter
- Consider each review an opportunity to learn about your audience and what resonates with them
The Most Important Thing
Remember this: while reviews are important, they’re not everything. Focus on writing the best books you can and connecting genuinely with readers. The reviews will follow naturally. Don’t let the pursuit of reviews distract you from your primary job – telling great stories that people want to read and talk about.
And whatever you do, don’t let the pursuit of reviews drive you crazy. Some amazing books start slow and build momentum over time. Keep writing, keep connecting with readers, and keep believing in your work. Success in publishing often looks like a steady climb rather than a sudden spike, and that’s okay. Every review, every reader connection, and every book you write adds to your momentum.
Your turn! What methods have you tried for getting reviews? What’s worked? What hasn’t? Share your experiences – we’re all in this together! Building a supportive community of fellow authors can make the journey so much more enjoyable and successful. After all, who better to understand the challenges and celebrations of this wild publishing journey than other writers who are living it too?
Remember, every successful author started exactly where you are now – with a book they believed in and a determination to find their readers. Stay patient, stay authentic, and keep moving forward. Your reviews will come, and they’ll be worth the wait.
