Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Tips on Using Your Book Reviews by Jo Huddleston


Oh, how we love those four- and five-star book reviews readers give us on Amazon! On the other hand, how deflated we feel when we read those other, less complimentary reviews.

Upon reading discouraging book reviews, many authors determine they’ll never read a review again. But the lure remains, and occasionally writers will sneak another peek at their reviews if just to learn the average stars their books are garnering.

But instead of allowing good reviews to puff up our egos or bad reviews to devastate us, here are tips how you can use them all beneficially:

Favorable Reviews

  • Look for words or phrases readers use in their reviews. Use these words and phrases to help you give your readers what they love to read.
  • Use those words and phrases in your book descriptions—back cover blurbs and Amazon sales page description, as well as in your marketing.
  • Place a few of your good reader reviews in the Editorial Reviews section on your books’ Amazon sales page. If you self-publish, you can add them yourself. You can also request your traditional publisher to add them.
  • Sprinkle quotes from your good book reviews prominently throughout your website. Such written testimonials are nearly as effective as word of mouth to spread the word about your books. You can also put these quotes in your other published books.

Unfavorable Reviews
  • Readers will inevitably find errors in your published work, mainly if you write historical fiction. And they will mention them in their review. If a reader points out a glaring mistake, and your publisher agrees it needs correcting, rewrite to omit that error. Of course, if you self-publish, you can make the correction yourself.
  • I don’t recommend contacting the writer of an unfavorable review to discuss or defend your writing. Develop a thick skin toward criticism, take a deep breath (or two), put a smile on your face, and go write another book!


Tips for using reader reviews beneficially. #SeriouslyWrite


~~~~~



Jo Huddleston is a multi-published author who writes novels inspired by her fascination with the 1950s and her love of her native American South. Novels in her endearing Caney Creek series, her West Virginia Mountains series, as well as her stand-alone release, Tidewater Summer, are sweet Southern historical romance novels. Visit Jo at her website (www.johuddleston.com), where you can sign up for her mailing list and read for free the first chapters of her novels and novellas.


A Christmas romance sprinkled with suspense!


In this sweet romance set in north Georgia, all Marilyn dreams of for Christmas is a relationship with someone who cares for her. Someone who really knows her. A stranger volunteers at the rescue shelter where Marilyn and her best friend George volunteer. George has concerns about Marilyn’s safety if she dates the stranger. When George becomes overprotective of her, will Marilyn choose the bad-boy-stranger or her best friend to spend Christmas with this year?

Read this 20th-century story to find out which one Marilyn chooses.

My links:
Website: http://www.johuddleston.com
Amazon author page: http://amzn.to/1TY4uDI
Facebook personal page: https://bit.ly/30V6rdh
Facebook author page: https://bit.ly/336Nabg
Christmas Dreamhttps://amzn.to/2YGpKXs

6 comments:

  1. Reviews are very important to an author. I appreciate those people who take the time to read my writing and post reviews. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melissa, I totally agree! Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  2. Welcome, Jo!
    These are helpful suggestions about reviews - - thank you for sharing.
    Blessings, Patti Jo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CatMom, you're very welcome. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  3. Hi Jo! You've given us some very helpful suggestions, and I'll need to incorporate them in my future marketing. Thank you, and best wishes as you continue your writing journey! My mother's name was Marilyn, and I'll check out your Christmas book. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoAnn, thanks for your best wishes. Glad you enjoyed the article. And your mother's name was Marilyn--hope you enjoy reading my Christmas book as I've enjoyed yours!

      Delete

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