Best Time to Ask for Book Reviews (and how to get more of them)

When Is the Best Time to Ask Readers for Reviews?

Reviews are one of the most powerful tools in a self-published author’s marketing toolkit. They create social proof, help readers feel confident clicking “Buy Now,” and can improve your book’s performance on major retailers. But here’s the catch: timing matters.

After running thousands of review campaigns for indie authors, Booksprout has seen a clear pattern: authors who ask for reviews at the right moments—and in the right way—get more reviews when they matter most.

Booksprout simplifies the entire process with built-in reviewer notifications, clear due dates, and retailer-ready review links—so your review team knows exactly what to do and when to do it.

Booksprout offers native discoverability when you opt to make your review public. Readers browsing the site can find your ARC and download. This is a great way to leverage the thousands of reviewers on the site who might not know you. Additionally, look beyond Booksprout’s existing pool of readers.

Let’s break down the best time to recruit reviewers, when to run a review campaign, and how to keep your review momentum going long after launch.

1) Build Relationships with Reviewers First

Before anyone becomes a reviewer, they’re a reader—and readers are already gathering in communities built around the books they love.

To grow a strong review team, focus on meeting readers where they already hang out, such as:

• Genre-specific Facebook groups
• Goodreads communities
• TikTok (BookTok)
• Instagram (Reels + Stories)
• Reader Discords, forums, newsletters, and bookish hashtags

Don’t just show up to post links. Engage like a real human: comment on tropes, talk about favorite authors, share behind-the-scenes posts, and participate in conversations. When readers recognize you as part of the community, they’re far more likely to join your ARC team and follow through with reviews.

So when should you start interacting with potential reviewers?

Right now.

It’s never too soon to build relationships—even if your book isn’t finished yet. As soon as you know your genre, tropes, and vibe, you can start connecting with the readers most likely to love your story.

2) The Right Time to Ask for Reviews

Before you set your review timeline, ask yourself one key question:

Is your book launching soon—or is it already published?

Both situations can work beautifully with Booksprout. You’ll just take slightly different steps depending on where you are in your publishing schedule. If your book will be enrolled in Kindle Unlimited, your campaign giveaway end date must end before your KU enrollment begins. Pause the book’s KU renewal before running post-release campaigns to ensure you’re not violating the KDP Terms of Service.

Pre-Launch Phase: Before Release (Best for ARC Reviews)

The pre-launch window is ideal because it’s when anticipation is building—and your review team is most excited to help.

Best time to create your Booksprout Review Team:
✅ 2–6 months before release

That gives you time to:

• Recruit and warm up reviewers
• Share your Review Team link everywhere you engage with readers
• Let readers join early so they’re first in line when ARCs drop
• Build momentum before the book hits retailers

How long should you give readers to review your book?

Give readers enough time to finish—without giving so much time that they forget.

A solid rule of thumb:

• 40,000 words or under: 2 weeks
• Over 40,000 words: add 1 extra week per 20,000 words

This keeps your due date realistic while still creating a gentle sense of urgency. However, many authors find 2-3 weeks to be a sweet spot even for longer novels. In genres with voracious readers who binge read, this gives them ample time to read your book without moving on to several more and forgetting to post their reviews.

Launch Phase: Around Release Week (Best for “early momentum” reviews)

Launch week reviews are special because they can influence:

• Reader confidence
• Sales conversion
• Visibility during your most important marketing push

Many authors run a Booksprout review campaign designed to end right as the book goes live on retailers (like Amazon or Kobo) so reviews can land during those crucial early days.

And once those first reviews come in?

Good news: if your book isn’t enrolled in Kindle Unlimited, you can run another review campaign in the weeks immediately after launch while excitement is still high.

Pro Tip #1 (fastest way to add reviews post-launch):
Use your email newsletter to invite readers who already bought or downloaded the book to leave an honest review. Pair that with a social post saying, “If you enjoyed it, reviews help more than you know.”

That combo often creates a second wave of reviews right after release.

Post-Launch Phase: During Promotions (Best for ongoing review growth)

Reviews aren’t a “one and done” kind of marketing asset. They can keep supporting your book for months (and years), especially when you’re running:

• Price promos
• BookBub Featured Deal (BBFD) pushes
• Ads (Meta, BookBub, Amazon)
• Convention/event promotions
• Series relaunches or new installments

With Booksprout, you can create a review campaign even after your book is published, which is perfect for keeping review velocity healthy over time.

Pro Tip #2 (set-it-and-forget-it review growth):
Add a simple review request to your back matter that includes:

• A polite ask (“Reviews help readers find this book…”)
• A direct link to leave a review
• A newsletter signup link to keep readers connected

3) Best Practices for Requesting Reviews

Timing helps—but your results also depend on how you ask.

Keep it personal and reader-first

Talk to reviewers like people, not marketing tools. Let them know their opinion matters.

Example message:

“I saw you love Nora Roberts too—same. I’ve got a new Romantic Suspense coming soon, and I’d love to invite you to my review team if you’re interested.”

Say thank you (a lot, but sincerely)

Gratitude goes a long way in creating loyal reviewers. Consider sending a thank-you:

• When they join your review team
• After they post a review

You can use the message feature in Booksprout to easily contact your reviewers.

Don’t overwhelm your audience

Pro Tip #3: Keep a healthy balance between engagement and requests. If every post is “please review,” readers will tune out. If you’re consistently showing up with value and connection, your review asks won’t feel transactional.

Make it easy and clear

This is where Booksprout shines: campaigns include clear instructions, due dates, and direct review links—so reviewers don’t have to guess what to do next.

Follow up with gentle reminders

Even enthusiastic reviewers can forget. Booksprout helps by sending scheduled email notifications:

• When reviews are due
• As deadlines approach
• After the due date (if needed)

That means you can stay professional and organized without feeling like you’re personally nagging anyone.

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Final Takeaway: Reviews Are Strategy + Relationships

Reviews can shape how your book performs, especially in the days and weeks around launch. But the real secret to getting more reviews isn’t pressure—it’s planning and connection.

Build relationships early, recruit reviewers in advance, set realistic deadlines, and keep review requests tied to meaningful moments like launches and promos. Do that, and you’ll grow a review team that supports not just one release—but your entire author career.

Ready to time your review campaign like a pro? Booksprout makes it simple to recruit, deliver ARCs, and collect reviews without the chaos.