Did you know there is a right and wrong time to ask your readers for reviews? Reviews play a crucial role in an author’s success, providing social proof and influencing potential readers. However, knowing when and how to ask for reviews is key to getting the most reviews you can when it matters the most for your book sales.
After running thousands of review campaigns for self-published authors, at Booksprout we know a thing or two about the right timing for review campaigns. We’ve simplified the review process for you, with built-in notifications to your reviewers telling them when their reviews are due. We also provide all the links where you want your reviews posted, eliminating the guesswork, and making it super easy to get their support.
Despite how easy Booksprout makes the review process, you might still have some questions, like…
How should you approach reviewers to join your review team? Should you create the review campaign before your book launch? If so, how many weeks in advance should you start? Can you create a review campaign after the book has already been launched? When is the best time to recruit readers into your Booksprout Review Team?
Get ready because we’re here to provide answers to all these questions and more. Keep reading!
1. Building Relationships with Reviewers
To establish a connection with reviewers, you must first remember that reviewers are readers, after all. Readers of books in your genre are potential reviewers. So, get to know your readers better. Go out and find readers of books like yours anywhere that they hang out online. For instance, you can find your readers in genre-specific Facebook groups, on Goodreads, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and anywhere else that people talk about books. Don’t be shy… engage with them on social media platforms and take part in author-reader communities. Interacting with readers will help you get to know their interests and can even help you shape your books in a way that lands with them. Engagement with readers not only helps build relationships but also increases the likelihood of receiving honest and constructive feedback during the review process.
So, when should you start interacting with readers?
It’s never too soon! Get to know your potential readers as soon as possible, meaning even before you’ve written your book. As soon as you know what your book is about, the genre, and the direction you want to take your story, you can build relationships with potential readers.
2. When to Ask for Reviews
Now, before we answer your questions about the best time to ask readers for reviews, you’ve got to answer some questions of your own. Is this a new book release you need to get reviews for? Or has your book already been released? Either way, Booksprout is by your side to help you get those reviews. But there are certain steps you should take depending on whether your book has launched, that will help you maximize your results.
So, let’s get into it!
Pre-Launch Phase: Before Release
The launch of a new book is a very exciting time, and the perfect time to leverage the excitement and anticipation of your new book by providing Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) to your review team before the book’s release. This allows reviewers to read your book before publication and provides them with an exclusive opportunity to provide early feedback.
If this is the case for your book, then you can create a Launch Team (a.k.a. Review Team) anywhere between two and six months before the book’s launch. It’s simple! Set up your Review Team in Booksprout and share the link anywhere you engage with readers. Invite readers to join early so they’ll be the first to know when your ARCs are available to download. Be sure to give your readers enough time to read the book before reviews are due.
So, you may wonder, how much time should you give your readers to review your book?
And the answer depends on how long your book is. Readers need enough time to read the book, but not too much time so that they forget to leave a review. Much of the conventional wisdom is that a minimum of two weeks allows for the right time. For a book 40,000 words or under, then two weeks should be enough time. However, consider adding a week of time to your readers for every 20,000 words over the 40,000 threshold.
Launch Phase: Around Launch Period
So, your book has launched, now what? Maybe you’ve created a review campaign in Booksprout and set it to end when your book is live on retail sites, like Amazon and Kobo. And maybe you did that to make sure you’d get reviews posted by your launch team in those precious early days of your release. If you did that, you’re certainly on the right track.
Now a few weeks have passed, those early launch reviews have come in and you want some more. The good news is that in the weeks after the launch period, when enthusiasm is high, you can create a new review campaign with Booksprout!
Pro Tip #1: Use your email newsletter list to encourage readers who have purchased or received your book to leave reviews. Post an update about your launch on social media and tell your readers that they can still help you make the book a success by leaving reviews. Leverage the initial excitement and capitalize on the buzz surrounding your book to generate a wave of reviews.
Post-Launch Phase: During Promotional Periods
Reviews are the gift that keeps on giving! Even after the launch of your book, you can take advantage of book launch events, promotions, and marketing campaigns to keep requesting reviews. Incorporate review requests in your promotional materials and highlight the importance of reviews in supporting your book’s success.
With Booksprout, you can create a review campaign even after your book has been released. It’s a great way to keep those reviews coming in.
Pro Tip #2: Include a page in the back matter of your book that specifically asks your readers to leave a review. Be sure to include a helpful note about how important reviews are to the success of your book. That’s also a great place to include a link to your newsletter so that they can sign up.
3. Best Practices for Requesting Reviews
Mastering the art of asking for reviews is not just about timing. It’s also about how you talk to your readers. Treat reviewers the same way you would like to be treated by your favorite authors. When you write to your readers on social media or in your newsletter, be sure to tailor your messages and posts to their specific interests and highlight why their perspective is valuable. Remember to be polite and craft a personalized message.
For instance, if you’ve just engaged with someone in a social media reader group, you can write something like this: “I love books by Nora Roberts, too! I’m releasing a new Romantic Suspense novel in the next few months that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. Would you like to join my review team? It would mean a lot to me.”
Be sure to send thank-you notes to your reviewers! Expressing genuine gratitude and appreciation for their time and support can go a long way in fostering a positive reviewer-author relationship. You can send thank you notes after they agree to join your review team and after they post reviews.
Timing Considerations
Pro Tip #3: Establish a healthy balance between requesting reviews and engaging with readers. Avoid overwhelming them with constant requests, ensuring they have ample time to read and provide thoughtful feedback.
Provide Clear Instructions and Guidance
This is what Booksprout is great at! We’ve made the review process as seamless as possible for reviewers by offering clear instructions and guidelines. On our platform, we provide simple steps where reviewers can easily share their feedback. This is key to ensuring a streamlined submission process.
Follow Up with Gentle Reminders
Sometimes, reviewers may need a gentle nudge to complete their reviews. We’ve got your back in that department! Our platform shares a series of scheduled email notifications that go out to your reviewers, letting them know when to review and reminding them about the due date. We even send a notification after the reviews are due if the reviewer hasn’t posted their reviews.
These polite follow-ups keep your review team aware and engaged with the upcoming deadline. Our approach enables you to maintain professionalism and respect throughout the follow-up process.
Mastering the art of reviews is easy with Booksprout!
In the journey of building a successful author career, reviews are essential. Mastering the art of asking for reviews involves strategic timing and personalized requests. By building relationships with reviewers, knowing when to ask for reviews, and implementing best practices, self-published authors can increase the likelihood of receiving valuable feedback and cultivating a loyal reader base.
Reviews have the power to shape the success of your book. Embrace the art of requesting reviews, and watch your book thrive with the support of engaged readers.
Remember, reviews are not just about promoting your book but also about building meaningful connections with your audience. So, go ahead, embrace the art of asking for reviews, and make a lasting impression on readers and reviewers alike.
