Why Authors Need Book Reviews

Book reviews are important, and they help attract new readers. You will want book reviews for three reasons:

 

No. #1 - Spread the word about your book and get your name known as an author. The most important part of getting reviewed beyond even sales is to establish your name as an author. The more recognizable your name bodes well for future sales of more books. You have to think of overall momentum. Your first book may not be a best seller, but the more people who at least read it or see your name may have an important reaction for your second book: "Hey! Don't I know this name already? Didn't she/he write..." Of course, the desired second response is  curiosity to see what the current book is about and the third result, he/she buys it. Name recognition is like star power. Just having a recognizable name on your book is more likely to provoke future sales of other books.

 

No. #2 - Earn credibility - this one is important, especially for independent authors who don't have the prestige of major publishing houses behind their works. The first problem (especially with so many self-published eBooks coming out) is independent publishing often fights against credibility issues. Self-publishers in particular must fight that battle. Those readers who truly don't understand the business environment of traditional publishing will question independently published books. Are they any good? Book reviews, and especially lots of 5 star reviews will give your book credibility as being well written and worth the purchase. It's also beneficial to be able to place nice reviewer quotes on the second edition of your book.

 

No. #3 - Sales - now many of you might protest and say, "Shouldn't sales be no. #1?" Sales are naturally the point of everything we do to promote books. However, book reviews do more than produce sales. Look at book reviews as an overall investment in your future as an author. Sales are a priority without question, but reviews may or may not produce sales. Lack of sales doesn't render professional reviews useless (as noted by no. #1 and #2 above). So, as you approach the promotion of your book, make sure you spend time promoting to book reviewers as much as general media to gain overall exposure.