Managing Book Reviews: A Guide to the Positive, Negative, and Controversial
Book reviews play a significant role in the success of an author's career and the commercial viability of their books. In this article, we will explore how authors can approach book reviews strategically, recognizing their impact on book success and career development.
Embracing Good Reviews
To cultivate good reviews, authors should take proactive steps. This includes setting up a launch team early and sending advance copies to garner authentic reviews. Another strategy is to include a "review request" page in the book, with direct links for ease. Additionally, reaching out to top reviewers and professionals in their field for honest feedback is advisable, but it's essential to avoid incentivized or paid reviews that violate platform rules.
Leveraging Criticism for Growth
Negative or bad reviews should not be shunned but seen as constructive insights. Instead of responding emotionally or defensively, authors should maintain professionalism and gratitude for the feedback. These reviews can provide valuable insights into what readers dislike about the book, helping authors improve their writing or marketing strategies. Pre-written response templates can be employed to show polite acknowledgment without escalating conflict.
Handling Unfair Reviews
Ugly or unfair reviews, such as mean-spirited or irrelevant comments, should be handled with care. Authors should follow community guidelines on review platforms and refrain from engaging confrontationally or retaliating. Instead, focusing on accumulating more balanced, genuine feedback can help offset harsher reviews.
The Impact on Success and Career
Reviews, especially on platforms like Amazon, are crucial social proof that influences sales and visibility. The more authentic positive reviews an author can obtain, the better their book's chances to gain traction. Reviews also shape an author's reputation in the literary community, affecting opportunities for adaptation, publishing contracts, or speaking engagements.
Smart management of reviews, using automation tools and analysis, can boost an author's or publishing team's efficiency and response quality, enhancing overall reputation management.
In summary, authors should actively cultivate good reviews, leverage criticism for growth, navigate negative and unfair reviews with professionalism, and recognize reviews as a cornerstone of their book's commercial success and their career trajectory.
Kate M. Colby, a writer of multi-genre fiction and creative nonfiction, and a writing-craft blogger, offers these insights. She suggests having a spouse, friend, or family member check reviews to avoid temporary confidence shocks and ruined writing days. She also advises against responding to bad reviews to respect the reader's opinion and avoid further irritation.
Remember, even the best books have bad reviews. It's important to remember that you are not your book. If you need to vent, consider talking to a trusted friend (not online). And always be respectful and courteous to readers.
[1] Source for the importance of reviews on Amazon [2] Source for handling unfair reviews [3] Source for using automation tools and analysis for review management [4] Source for reviews shaping an author’s reputation
- To enhance their career growth and book success, authors can strategically approach book reviews by actively cultivating good reviews, leveraging criticism for growth, handling negative reviews professionally, and recognizing the impact of reviews on their Amazon presence, reputation in the literary community, and opportunities for adaptation, publishing contracts, or speaking engagements.
- To manage reviews effectively, authors can utilize automation tools and analysis, implement a response template for negative reviews, and enlist the help of a trusted friend, family member, or professional for review monitoring, all to mitigate temporary confidence shocks and maintain a positive approach to feedback.
