How to Get Book Reviews: 5 Tips

A book review is a short summary that analyzes a book based on its content, style, and quality. Book reviews range from casual opinions to in-depth scholarly critiques. You can find reviews published on book reviews blogs, in magazines and newspapers, and in academic archives. Sometimes, publishers shorten book reviews into blurbs and print them on the front or back of a book cover. Book reviews are a powerful tool for increasing book sales and piquing the interest of potential readers.

Getting your book reviewed can make a difference; good reviews can land a book on best-seller lists or, at the very least, help a new book find an enthusiastic audience. But if you’re a first-time writer or an indie author who’s self-publishing, it may feel daunting to find people to read and write about your work. However, this is an important part of the marketing strategy of any book release, so it’s important to use multiple channels to reach out, whether it’s to professional reviewers and book bloggers, other writers in your network, or your readers.

Getting reviews can significantly impact the success of a new book. Here are some important factors to consider:

1. 1. Book reviews increase an author’s visibility. Some book review sites give preferential treatment to books with a high number of positive reviews. Online retailers often organize books by ranking, showing books with a high number of five-star reviews first.
2. 2. Book reviews provide value to potential readers. When readers weigh what book to read next, they do not have a dearth of options. A good book review saves the reader time by assuring them that picking up your book won’t waste their time.
3. 3. Book reviews sell books. Getting a positive review in a popular magazine, newspaper, or website lends a book credibility and can increase sales. A good review by a recognized name, such as a well-known author or publication, can also get printed as a blurb on the cover, which can attract readers.

Here are a few ways to get book reviews:

• Leverage customer reviews. Every new reader is a potential reviewer. Encourage customers to leave reviews on book retailer sites. Some authors opt to include a plea for reviews at the end of their book. You can also use social media to ask your followers to leave reviews online.
• Reach out to book bloggers. Book bloggers are professional reviewers who publish book reviews online. Look for blogs that review books similar to yours. Ensure it’s an active blog (with at least one review published within the previous month) that accepts queries. Write a personalized review request and explain why you’d appreciate their honest review. Be polite, direct, and concise. Include your author bio, book description, contact information, and your book’s publication date. Be sure to read the reviewer’s review policy before sending your request, as it may include specific requirements.
• Use your network. If you’re part of a writing group with published authors or have a college professor who’s a writer, reach out to them about reviewers they trust or ask them for an honest review.

Getting reviews involves several factors besides just pitching your book to reviewers. Consider these tips:

1. 1. Avoid review services. Review services offer authors the chance to pay people to write a review of their book. Many top booksellers have cracked down on review services, and some also view the practice as dishonest. Instead, look for a free book review site. You can find plenty of places willing to write a genuine, honest review.
2. 2. Follow up on unrequited pitches. If you’ve pitched your book for review and haven’t heard back from the reviewer, follow up after a week has passed. The reviewer might accept, reject, or ignore your request for a review. Regardless, remain polite and professional—you want to stay on good terms for when your next book needs reviews.
3. 3. Offer reviewers the chance to have a blurb on the cover design. Blurbs help sell your book by providing a catchy, one-sentence review. They also offer publicity to the reviewer. Incorporating blurbs on a book cover is a win-win scenario for the author and reviewer.
   
4. 4. Take negative reviews with a grain of salt. Every author has to accept that they can’t get all positive reviews. Even great books get bad reviews. Ask a peer to read a negative review and have them tell you whether or not it’s worth your time. If the reader has valid concerns, do your best to address them. Try to ignore unnecessarily cruel or unkind reviews.
5. 5. Thoroughly read review policies. You are better off not randomly sending out copies of your book to reviewers. Most book reviewers follow a strict review process that includes a detailed review policy. For example, some reviewers want authors to send them a physical ARC (advanced review copy) while others may prefer a digital manuscript. Accommodate the reviewer’s preferences.

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