Tag: book reviews

Book Reviews, Kelly Speaks

Why are book reviews important for self-publishing authors?

Customers searching online for books will often glance at book reviews when deciding whether or not to purchase a book.  They may compare the review information for one book with a similar book to decide between the two which they want to purchase.  Doing a quick search on Amazon for “book marketing,” for example, brings up 201,642 results.  A customer has to narrow it down somehow, so they may glance through some of the books and look at things like the cover, publish date and reviews among other things.  Comparing the two following books from this category, which would you be more likely to purchase?

#1 – A total of 3 reviews (in 5 years) with an average rating of about 3.5 stars.

#2 – A total of 187 reviews with an average rating of about 5 stars.

There may be other factors involved for a customer comparing these two.  For instance, #1 is priced much lower.  Sure, pricing is important, and the lower the better to encourage sales, but is a lower price more important than really great feedback from other readers?  Customers probably won’t think so.

I wrote a few weeks ago about paying for book reviews.  If it isn’t in your marketing budget to pay for reviews or you simply want to pursue free review services, here are a few places to start:

http://www.bookpleasures.com
http://www.bookreviewsrus.com
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/
http://readersfavorite.com/
http://readerviews.com

* To read my review of Plug Your Book! by Steve Weber, visit: http://goo.gl/EkTYv 

DISCUSSION: Do you know of other great FREE book review services our readers should know about?  Post them in the comments below.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT:
Kelly Schuknecht works as the Director of Author Support for Outskirts Press.  In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Book Reviews, Service Spotlight

Service Spotlight: Video Reviews for Self-Publishing Authors

Because we enjoy informing self-publishing authors about new and exciting services, we have created a periodic segment called Service Spotlight. In it, we feature a new service that we feel would be helpful to authors at any stage (writing, editing, printing, distributing,  marketing) in the publishing process. This week, we are featuring Limelight Book Review.

The Limelight Book Review is a weekly, video book review produced by and presented through the Ink Slinger’s Whimsey author promotions blog.

Audiences will be introduced to new authors, learn additional and interesting facts about authors they have met before, and enjoy insightful reviews about the latest books on the market.

The show is being promoted with a monthly online media release, in our newsletter, to our mailing list and through our blogs.

The focus of the show is to bring positive attention to up and coming or established authors by . . .
• Sharing author bios and Internet URLs
• Featuring video book reviews with 4 and 5 star ratings
• Placement of video book reviews at http://inkslingerswhimsey.blogspot.com/, Amazon.com, YouTube, on Videojug.com and other video related social media outlets
• Announcing author promotional and virtual tour campaigns
• Providing authors with video book reviews that can be used for online self promotion through social media.
Authors interested being featured through this promotional opportunity please contact

Vonnie Faroqui
Ink Slinger’s Whimsey
http://www.ink-slingers-whimsey.com/
http://www.ink-slingers-whimsey.com/contact-us.php

 

Do you provide services to that self-publishing authors would be interested in? Email us at: selfpublishingadvice@gmail.com .