7 best ways to get Amazon reviews
the solution for the achilles heel of every Amazon book seller
You’ve done the hard part. You wrote, illustrated or had it illustrated, and published your book. Now is the fun part - marketing. For marketing and advertising to work though, you need reviews. How do you get them? That’s what I’m going to demystify for you today.
For some, the task can seem insurmountable. Amazon doesn’t make it easy either, as some reviews count as verified and others — unverified. What?!! Don’t worry. I’m going to explain that today.
If an Amazon purchase was not made, the review will be ‘unverified’. For example, if a friend bought your book on your website and then tried to review on amazon, if it is even accepted by Amazon, that review will be marked ‘unverified’. If a customer reads your book with their Kindle Unlimited membership and then chooses to review, that review will be ‘unverified’.
The only sure way to make sure your reviews are verified is when an Amazon purchase is made. Even if the purchase costs $0.00 during a free book promotion. The customer must select “Buy For Free for $0.00”, not “read for free” which is kindle unlimited. This part must be explained when running a free promotion with those not familiar with Amazon’s lingo.
It’s important to note that once signed up for KDP select, you receive 5 free days every 90 days. You may schedule it any way you like. I do NOT schedule all mine at once. I always save at least one day, in case, I receive a BookBub deal.
Now, I’ll show you the 7 BEST ways to get verified reviews:
1.) Setup a beta-reader group (Ninja Life Hacks Beta Reader Group) prior to launch for the sole purpose of feedback prior to release. Provide the free promo link on day of launch. Many will review your book since they already know the story. You just have to kindly ask.
2.) Start a Book Launch Team (Ninja Life Hacks Book Launch Team). Share the journey by giving them glimpses of book, have them vote in design polls, etc. The important thing here is to let your book family experience the joy of creating something wonderful from ground zero. Treat them like VIP and really listen to their opinions. Then, make a BIG celebration the day of the Free Promo for LAUNCH and specifically ask for reviews.
The fact that we already had a community in place to help support the book from the start made it more powerful. This allowed us to engage an existing audience and come together as a family to support the book. By treating them like family, you may just create SuperFans.
3.) Give reviews to other indie books which are on free promo. Part of my research while selecting a theme for my book includes research and that means I read a bunch of books! So while you’re reading, you may as well give some reviews yourself to see how it works and feels. You may just get some reviews come your way from the indie world, as well! Please note, Amazon has a strict policy of not swapping reviews.
4.) Send out advanced reader copies to professionals in the field of your book subject and ask for reviews to use in publicity and within the book. You can later ask them to make their review official by reviewing on Amazon by sending them your free promo link.
5.) Join interest groups on facebook but try not to spam. Post your excitement and a video with the free promo link. It is very important that you don’t spam. You must be an active member of the group and post selectively, in no more than 2 groups that you DON’T admin. If you’re unsure, you can start your post with — “If this post is not allowed, admin please delete.”
6.) Email your subscribers on the day of your big launch. Make sure your book is on a free promotion offered by KDP so others can buy the ebook for free. Don’t have an email list? Read A.-E. for ideas on building your email list. If you already do, go straight to #7.
a.) Create a landing page on your website to collect emails with free product offerings like free ebooks! Then, prior to your launch send out Advanced Reader Copies. (I run a free KDP promo day for this. You only get 5 free promo days every 90 days, so be selective!)
b.)Build your email list by curating a giveaway with products your target audience would like. Choose a giveaway platform. I used SumoKing a few times and liked their platform. You can also collaborate with others and offer a bog product give-away to split the costs. I’ve been involved in about four giveaway collaborations and have gained over 12,000+ targeted emails within my audience.
c.) Write articles and post one or two on medium.com, link your giveaway at the end as a content upgrade. If you have already launched your book, place your landing page link within the article. Direct a lot of traffic to your article upon release on medium and to get syndicated.
d.) Write a press release to be ready when you launch for news outlets. And you can ask them kindly to include your landing page link from your website.
e.) Use a passive email signature, link your landing page. This is easy to setup. Mine looks like this:
Thank you,
Mary Nhin
405.971.0000
P.S. Ever wonder how you can to help your kid overcome obstacles and achieve success? Here’s a proven framework to help!
Facebook | Instagram | YouTUBE
7.) Since it’s a no-no to receive reviews from those you know personally, I have found an even better way to still ask for their help! Reach out to personal network through text/messages and ask them to share your free book promo link via email to their ENTIRE list AND on their social media. If you have 5 close friends and family that will do this for you, you’ve just quadrupled your exposure.
Getting reviews for your book or Amazon product is like anything else. You have to work for it, but it is possible! If you don’t know something, do your research. Follow those who have gone before you that have succeeded in a way you’d like to. Finally, ask others who have done it and succeeded. If you’re looking for Public Relations and Marketing help, I offer coaching and PR services and would be happy to talk about partnering up.
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