Book Reviews Are Essential To Your Marketing Strategy
Congratulations! You’ve put in the time, energy and research into writing and publishing your very first book! But now what? Well, getting a few book reviews is a good start.
When the time rolls around to start marketing your book, you may feel like there’s too much to do that may be outside your experience or comfort zone—like getting book reviews, for example. But that’s why I’ve written this handy guide for you, dear Authors. Whether your goal is establishing credibility, creating a passive income stream, or just getting your work out there in the world, you’ll need to do quite a bit of marketing for your book to land in the hands of your intended audience. And book reviews are a great way to do that! You should be putting as much, if not more, time, energy, and dedication into marketing your book as you did writing and publishing it. After all, what’s the point of writing a book if no one ever reads it?
A Good Book Review is a Boon for Indie Authors!
One of the best ways to market your book is by getting reviews. In fact, good reviews are essential. They increase your visibility and establish trust with your potential audience. Places like Amazon and Good Reads are excellent platforms for receiving reviews from your audience, your followers, and readers—which translates to more visibility and possibly more book sales. Readers trust the opinions of other readers! But when it comes to industry clout and exposure, you’ll want to submit your book to dedicated book review journals and organizations. Many of these book review platforms offer your book exposure to distributors, libraries, and book stores, as well as readers.
Here Are Nine of the Best Places to Submit Your Book for Review
The Foreword Indie offers free reviews, but those are somewhat limited(to 150 per issue) and depend on the quality of the book. They also offer a few paid options, if your book doesn’t make the cut. This is a prestigious and trusted publication, and a favorable review here can really do a lot to boost your book!
A review from Readers’ Favorite offers authors a lot of value. And they’re free! Your review will not only be published on their website, their social media along with trade sites, but will be indexed by search engines. I definitely suggest you check out this review platform and see the other benefits and resources Readers’ Favorite has to offer.
Reader Views publishes reviews by readers with a variety of interests and backgrounds, which means a good cross section of people that are like your potential audience will be reviewing your book. Reviews are posted on their site and you have rights to use the reviews as part of your book promotion. Reviews are totally free and they also offer affordable publicity packages!
Book List is a biweekly publication put out by the American Library Association. This is an invaluable source if you want to get your book into the hands of librarians, and into libraries, so it can reach library patrons and students.
Book Reporter is a bi-monthly online publication that offers reviews as well as author profiles, book excerpts, and contests. They do not review every book, though they consider every pitch. They usually publish reviews within three months. Pssst…It’s a great space to check out what your peers and competitors are up to as well. It’s worth noting that they don’t review Self Help, Health, Religion, or Travel Guides.
Blue Ink Review not only publishes daily, but it’s a user-friendly online resource aimed at increasing distribution. This review was founded by a literary agent and a book review editor. These ladies are in the business and know their stuff, so I say if it’s in your budget, give Blue Ink a shot!
Rain Taxi is published online and in print quarterly. Its aim is to support writers in all stages of their careers and to give attention to books outside the mainstream. It stands out because it reviews art books and graphic novels as well. So if that’s your thing, then this a good place for you!
Book Life is the website from Publishers Weekly dedicated to indie and self-published authors. It’s a fabulous resource for writers and offers author profiles, and interviews which can increase exposure as well. I highly recommend you check this out and submit your book for review here.
LibraryThing offers an online community for book lovers. They offer a space for readers to catalog their books in one easy spot. Plus, its a social space where other readers can check out your collection and read your reviews (similar to Goodreads). Plus, you’ll find like-readers and get recommendations on what to read next. A review from a LibraryThing member can go along way to getting more visibility for your book. (Thanks to John Tuteur for recommending that I add this great resource to my list).
Well, there you have it!
So follow the links, and submit your book for review! I’ve already done the searching for you, so all you have to do is take a few minutes to fill out their submission forms. It will be minutes well spent, trust me! Oh, and if you’re wanting to submit your book for an award, go to my updated book award submission list.
What about Kirkus and Readers Favorite?
Hi Robert! Thanks for the suggestion of Reader’s Favorite! Kirkus wasn’t included simply because it isn’t a free source. I guess I should have added, “For Free” in my title! I appreciate your feedback.