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Anonymous
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 02:26 pm: | 
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Hi everybody. I am a soon to be self published author. I was wondering how helpful are reviews for book sales. So far the only reviewers I have gotten to agree to review my book are small newspapers in mostly rural areas? I was wondering would this be to my benefit to send copies of my title to these papers. Most have a circulation under 70000. Your thoughts? |
Linda
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 03:34 pm: |
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It is beneficial to get as many reviews as you can from wherever you can. People in rural areas read too and can help spread the word about your book, thereby increasing your sales. Of course, you shouldn't expect all reviews to be positive or expect for all the copies you send out to be read. As a reviewer for this site (and I"m sure Thumper will agree) we can not and would not try to read every book that crosses our desk. It's impossible and unfortuanately because some authors don't take the time to produce edited, tight, concise stories, some don't deserve a review one way or the other. It is nothing worst than reading 100 pages of dribble and if you can't get my interest by then you go in the "suck pile" without a review. Especially, if you have hounded me and from the goodness of my heart I do it for free. And unlike some others who claim to be reviewers or just want their name on the back cover - we read the entire book we choose for review and expect to be entertained for spending our time. So make sure the book you are presenting appears interesting. It's a crap shoot like everything else, you take a chance. Some will like your work - some will not. But at least they will know you exist if they decide to write a review to help boost your sales. |
Anonymous
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 03:29 pm: |
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thanks for the insight Linda much appreciated. |
Thumper
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 04:44 pm: |
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Hello All,
Anonymous: I have to agree with the points Linda made. As to whether any review will increase your book sales or not, I can't say. It's all a guess. The ultimate reviewers are your audience. Good, bad or indifferent its the audience who will, by word of mouth, have the most impact. The best I can tell you is to take your time, write the best you can, study and master your craft, find an editor that is talented and truthful. |
Michael T. Owens
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2004 - 11:53 pm: |
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Send out as many copies as you can afford. Whether a newspaper's circulation is 7,000, 70,000, or 700,000 exposure is priceless! It builds word of mouth advertising--the best form of promotion/advertising for your book. Think of reviews NOT as a sales tool but as a marketing tool. If sales are gained, consider it a bonus! GOOD LUCK!
Michael T. Owens
http://www.michaeltowens.com |
Cydney
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 07:29 am: |
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I agree. Don't worry about the size of the newspaper. Take advantage of every opportunity you are given to promote and market your book. Don't be afraid to give interviews to small organizations, websites, newspapers, etc. In the beginning, you should focus on the smaller venues so that you will be able to move to the bigger ones.
I think all publicity helps to get your name out there so go for it. Even those cable access channels - they can help get your feet wet in dealing with TV (eeck), if that's what you eventually want to do.
Wishing you much literary success.
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Chris Hayden
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2004 - 10:45 am: |
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Which Anonymous are you? I think, Thumper they should have to number themselves.
Good reviews can be helpful. Bad reviews can be not helpful. If you get good reviews from small newspapers you can always clip them and send them to larger ones or magazines or bookstores for promotion. |
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