I, Shelley, have been mentoring authors for almost a decade now and there’s one thing I’ve noticed over and over again regarding getting book reviews.
An author will tell me that they have trouble getting people to post reviews for them.
And I get it. Not everyone who says they will post a review for you will.
However, I ask them one key question, “Did you follow-up with your reviewers?”
And most of the time they tell me they did not.
It seems obvious right?
The Key is to Follow-Up
But so many authors don’t do it.
This simple strategy of follow-up is the foundation of any good sales training.
And yet we often resist it.
We don’t want to bother people or appear like a nag. We don’t want to be too pushy.
Or we might get lazy and assume that since they agreed to post a review they will.
I’ve noticed I get the very best results when I follow-up 1-2 times. If they don’t post the review after two follow-up emails, I let it go.
But, when I do send 1-2 follow-up emails it makes all the difference.
Set a Deadline
The other thing that can help is to set a deadline.
I often let my reviewers know that I have a book launch or a special promotion on a certain date and request that they post their review before that date.
Having a deadline gives the person a reason to read and review your book now. Otherwise, it’s too easy to put it off.
We’re all so busy. 
The Winning Formula?
Here is the simple, but winning formula:
How to get more reviews posted = 1-2 follow-up emails + set a deadline
Action Steps:
If you have asked for reviews for your book, I encourage you to take these action steps this week:
- Create a list of everyone who agreed to read and review your book.
- Check your Amazon sales page and confirm who posted a review and who did not.
- Choose a date that you want to do a special promotion in 2-4 weeks. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. It can be a few posts on social media or it can be your book launch. You just need to have a legitimate reason to ask your reviewers to post their reviews now.
- For those who haven’t posted reviews for you yet, send them a follow-up email and give them a deadline. Let them know you plan to host a special promotion on XXXX date and it would really help you out to have their review posted before that time. If they could do that it would mean the world to you.
- After a week, check your list of reviewers and your Amazon sales page again to see who posted reviews. Send one more follow-up email to those who still haven’t posted a review reminding them of your deadline.
I know that for many of you this will feel uncomfortable. However, as I talked about in a recent podcast, we are responsible for stewarding what God has given us well.
Do it afraid! Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s feeling afraid and doing it anyway.
You can do this!
If you are committed to taking these action steps let me know in the comments below.
And if you want more help getting reviews for your book, I encourage you to get a copy of my book, “How to Get Honest Reviews.”
When you purchase a copy on June 16 – 18th, 2020 you’ll also get my Amazon for Authors course for free ($97 value). Get your copy and claim your bonus here: https://www.trainingauthors.com/books/honest-reviews/
Such a good post !!! Love to read it.