Oh, how we love
those four- and five-star book reviews readers give us on Amazon! On the other
hand, how deflated we feel when we read those other, less complimentary
reviews.
Upon reading
discouraging book reviews, many authors determine they’ll never read a review
again. But the lure remains, and occasionally writers will sneak another peek
at their reviews if just to learn the average stars their books are garnering.
But instead of
allowing good reviews to puff up our egos or bad reviews to devastate us, here
are tips how you can use them all beneficially:
Favorable
Reviews
- Look for words or phrases readers use in their reviews. Use these words and phrases to help you give your readers what they love to read.
- Use those words and phrases in your book descriptions—back cover blurbs and Amazon sales page description, as well as in your marketing.
- Place a few of your good reader reviews in the Editorial Reviews section on your books’ Amazon sales page. If you self-publish, you can add them yourself. You can also request your traditional publisher to add them.
- Sprinkle quotes from your good book reviews prominently throughout your website. Such written testimonials are nearly as effective as word of mouth to spread the word about your books. You can also put these quotes in your other published books.
Unfavorable Reviews
- Readers will inevitably find errors in your published work, mainly if you write historical fiction. And they will mention them in their review. If a reader points out a glaring mistake, and your publisher agrees it needs correcting, rewrite to omit that error. Of course, if you self-publish, you can make the correction yourself.
- I don’t recommend contacting the writer of an unfavorable review to discuss or defend your writing. Develop a thick skin toward criticism, take a deep breath (or two), put a smile on your face, and go write another book!
Tips for using reader reviews beneficially. #SeriouslyWrite
~~~~~
A Christmas romance sprinkled with suspense!
In this sweet romance set in north Georgia, all Marilyn dreams of for Christmas is a relationship with someone who cares for her. Someone who really knows her. A stranger volunteers at the rescue shelter where Marilyn and her best friend George volunteer. George has concerns about Marilyn’s safety if she dates the stranger. When George becomes overprotective of her, will Marilyn choose the bad-boy-stranger or her best friend to spend Christmas with this year?
Read this 20th-century story to find out which one Marilyn chooses.
My links:
Website: http://www.johuddleston.com
Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/1TY4uDI
Facebook personal page: https://bit.ly/30V6rdh
Facebook author page: https://bit.ly/336Nabg
Christmas Dream: https://amzn.to/2YGpKXs
