Are you proud of your book? Of course you are. If you weren’t why would you publish it?
How To Ask for Reviews
Are you proud of your book? If you weren’t why would you publish it? If you were traditionally published by one of the Big Four, your publicist may find some reviewers for you. They have ins that others may not.
Do you have friends who read? Of course you do. Ask people in your book group and your writing book. Ask the local bookstore (anywhere within 60 miles of you) if you could ask for reviewers in their newsletter. Or ask if they know local reviewers.
Do you have a local paper that runs either book or movie reviews? Get in touch with the author.
If you’re willing to send PDFs, you’ll find more reviewers, but if your e-book costs less than a gallon of gas or a frozen dinner, some people might buy it to help a struggling yet entrepreneurial author.
Are you in any groups filled with writers? If not, why don’t you join them. From Facebook to Instagram to Substack to Medium to MeetUps, you’ll find lots of places where writers connect.
Start with one. The next week add another one. Keep going. Ask friends and colleagues if they’re in a book group or if they know of a book group. Then ask for contact information.
Contact book bloggers and offer them a free book in exchange for a review on their blog. Not sure who to ask? Google Book Bloggers. Visit the sites. Invite those whose content shows they might be interested.
Tell potential reviewers their review can be as short as 2-3 sentences telling why they recommend the book and who should read it. Most people will write more as soon as they get going.
Once you get some reviews posted, share the link so potential reviewers can read samples. At least half of them will say, “I’ll bet I can do better.” And maybe they’re right.
Of course, you always ask with confidence, not arrogance. And offer free PDFs to the first 15 responders if you put the request in a newsletter or on your website.
If you’d like to review Disrupted, Talent, or Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62, please send me a note through the contact box below. I’ll send you a couple of links as well as a PDF. I’d be delighted to do it, and if you like reviewing, you might also review for our Hooked on Books page.
Got another idea? Send it to me in the message box at the bottom of the page and I’ll add it to the article. Please include your name, your website, and a link to your most recent book or article — or not if you haven’t put up a website or published anything.
