Are you having trouble boosting your sales? Are you struggling to get your self-published book in front of the right readers? If so, building a review team might be just what you need! There’s no question that self-publishing has taken the world by storm, with millions of books being self-published each year. However, with such a vast number of books available, it can be challenging for authors to stand out and reach their target audience.
This is where the power of a review team comes into play. By building a team of dedicated readers who provide social proof and valuable feedback, indie authors have the opportunity to gain visibility, attract more readers, and ultimately boost their book sales.
What is a Review Team?
So, what is a book review team and how can one help? A review team, also known as a launch team, a street team, or an ARC team, is a group of people who read your book and provide honest feedback by publicly posting the review. These people can be friends, family, or even strangers who sign up to be a part of your review team. Reviewers will exchange an honest review for a free copy of your book, which is common industry practice in the indie book industry.
At Booksprout, we know a thing or two about building review teams. We’ve helped thousands of authors create loyal and reliable review teams that truly propel their books forward.
Why do you need a Review Team?
There are several reasons why every self-published author should have a review team. In this article, we’ll discuss four of them.
1. Reviews help improve book discoverability
Reviews can have a tremendous impact on a book’s success. With the significant rise of self-published books hitting virtual and physical bookshelves over the years, it’s become harder for authors to gain visibility and attract readers. When a reader is evaluating a book, they are considering whether the story will be engaging and if it aligns with the type of content they are looking for.
Reviews help potential readers understand if a book is right for them. A reader will start by looking at the book cover, then they read the blurb, and the very next thing they look at is the reviews. Reviews give readers that extra level of insight into the book, while also serving as social proof which provides readers with a glimpse of what to expect.
2. Reviews increase book exposure
In a marketplace flooded with new books daily, gaining visibility can be an uphill battle. Reviews provide an avenue for authors to make their books known.
Reviews generate buzz and word of mouth, which can lead to more exposure for your book. People are more likely to read books that other people are reading and enjoying. Just by having reviews, readers know that others have read it. And there’s always the bonus of being able to share the positive reviews you receive on your social media accounts, newsletter, and/or websites.
In addition, most major book retailers like Kobo, Google Play, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble use the data from ratings and reviews, along with the reader’s previous purchases, author, genre, and the actual content of the books to recommend them to readers.
3. Reviews help to improve the quality of work
Even if you’ve had your book professionally edited, it’s still very common for typos and inconsistencies to slip through. A quality review team will often help you catch small errors that have slipped through during the editing process, which can save you from getting negative reviews on launch day since you’ll have time to fix them before you hit “publish.”
Reviews can also provide authors with valuable feedback and insight into their readers. By paying attention to reviews, authors can gain a deeper understanding of what readers enjoy about their writing and what they might want to see more of. This knowledge can inform future writing projects and build a deeper connection with readers.
Reviewers’ feedback help authors understand how readers are reacting to their writing while identifying areas for improvement. And if you happen to get a bad review, don’t count them out entirely as a helpful critical reviewer will take the time to explain why they left the critical review. Many of the greatest authors in history have received critical reviews of their books; in fact, many take them as a badge of honor. Constructive criticism helps authors identify areas that require attention, such as plot inconsistencies, character development, pacing, or editing errors. Reviews help authors to fine-tune their work and produce better-quality books.
Reviews can help self-published authors build a loyal following, especially early in their careers. This is because review teams foster a sense of community and connection between authors and readers. When people take the time to read and review your book, they’re investing in your success as an author. By engaging with them and showing your appreciation, you can build relationships with them that can turn into a loyal following of readers that will support your future writing projects.
Using Booksprout to manage your review team allows you to privately respond to reviewers. By communicating directly with a reviewer through Booksprout, you can send them clarifications, a thank-you note, and answer questions. This positive engagement with reviewers will help you create a loyal fan base that is more likely to recommend your books to others and purchase future books.
In short, reviews are more than just a tool to increase book sales and visibility. They can be a game-changer early in an author’s career, helping to build a community of fans and improve the quality of their work.
Start your Review Team today!
In summary, a review team can be an invaluable asset for authors looking to boost their book sales and visibility. By getting a boost in social proof, increasing your book’s visibility, providing constructive feedback, and building personal connections with readers, a review team will help your books stand out in a crowded market and ultimately achieve your book marketing goals.
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