Review: A must-read for authors and reviewers alike
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 20, 2014
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest reviewI read this book from the perspective of both an author and a reviewer and I appreciated it more than I can say on both levels.At only 72 pages long, this is a relatively short read. The style is also conversational and simple, although topics are gone into thoroughly and the book covers several important aspects of the review process from beginning to end.Whilst I was reading it, the reviewer in me was constantly nodding my head and internally applauding several points made. As stated in the synopsis, this guide aims to convey five key lessons.The first lesson is a simple, four-part formula for writing emails requesting for your product to be reviewed. This might seem like basic stuff, but as a reviewer each of these four points I entirely agreed with! Reviewers receive A LOT of emails asking for reviews. And a lot of them are very much the same. By following Rogers steps, you'll be able to craft an original email that will appeal to any reviewer.The second lesson Rogers imparts is three things never to say to reviewers - 1. ask for a positive review, 2. complain about a bad review and 3. offer money for a positive review. Each of these things is never wise to do, particularly if you don't know the reviewer. Each of these things will more likely receive a negative reaction from a reviewer rather than a positive one - particularly the second one. You're going to get a bad review eventually. Rather than flaring up and responding to it, perhaps take on board what the reviewer has said. Responding to bad reviews never ends well.The third lesson is how to pick reviewers who are more likely to give you a good review. As Rogers points out, going for the top reviewers on Amazon isn't likely to work as they get so many review requests. Further, targeting a reviewer who only reads romance when your book is an action thriller isn't going to work. Reviewers aren't all the same. Its important to consider them as people (revolutionary concept) with different tastes.The fourth lesson is how to reduce the chance that a reviewer you contact will give your work a bad review. Obviously asking someone who is interested in your product is key here. But further than avoiding bad reviews is also how you respond to them. Just to reiterate, bad reviews are inevitable, everybody will get one at some stage. But responding to them is almost never wise.And the fifth and final lesson is how people get caught out when receiving reviews from friends and family. I cannot stress how important this final lesson is! As a reviewer, whenever I see a book with all five star reviews along the lines of 'OMG I loved this book it was soooo good!' and little substance, I instantly go on red alert. These reviews, more often than not are 'one-hit-wonders' from friends and family or even from fake accounts set up by the author themselves. A string of five star reviews of this flavour is never a good sign. As such, reviews from friends and family are always a good idea to avoid - don't go asking for them, indeed, its best to ask your friends and family not to write reviews!As a whole, this guide shows authors an accurate and clear way of requesting reviews and responding to reviews that will appeal to reviewers. He allows authors a look at reviews from the other side of the table and his advice is invaluable. This guide is a must-read. For authors and reviewers alike.