Many people prefer to purchase books online, and many of these shoppers are keen on reading reviews. This trend has made reviews a crucial focus for authors and book marketing companies as they enhance a book’s credibility and visibility comparable to the impact of media coverage. Traditional publishers typically have dedicated marketing teams that handle review solicitation for their titles, whereas self-published authors either manage this process themselves or hire agencies for assistance. Regardless, it’s essential to remember the importance of securing reviews.

Book PR professionals often encourage authors and publishers to build their email lists and social media followings well before their book launches to establish a ready-made network. To gather reviews, authors should reach out to their fans and followers who read their book shortly after its release, asking them to write reviews. Such reviews help potential buyers and are favored by algorithms on bookselling platforms. When a book receives online engagement like reviews, it can boost its visibility in recommendation lists, driving sales. Sales and views influence algorithms.

The rise of virtual promotions during the coronavirus pandemic has brought blog tours into the spotlight as a popular promotional strategy. These tours can effectively help authors gain reviews by running contests with book giveaways, where participants are encouraged to write reviews after reading their copies. Rather than relying on a single method to gather reviews, a series of smaller initiatives cumulatively generating a more significant number is often the most effective approach. Readers who feel a connection to the author are generally more inclined to leave reviews, hopefully favorable ones.

Another engaging and increasingly popular strategy for soliciting reviews is to include a request at the end of your book. For those reading digitally, you could add a clickable link that directs them straight to a review site. Having just finished the book, readers will likely have it fresh in their minds, making them more inclined to share their thoughts. People appreciate being asked for their opinions, and they understand how vital reviews are for promoting book sales. With many buying decisions made online—far removed from the guidance of store clerks or librarians—reviews effectively bridge that gap.