Getting readers to leave reviews can feel tough—many people just don’t have the spare time or simply don’t know what to write. You’re not alone if you’ve ever felt frustrated that your reader review campaign isn’t giving you enough reviews.
But don’t worry: by making the review process easy, fun, and rewarding, you’ll get way more reader reviews that help boost your business. Keep reading, and I’ll share super simple tips that’ll turn silent readers into review-writing champions.
Below, I’ll walk you through 8 easy steps—for real results!
Key Takeaways
- Make leaving reviews quick and simple; provide direct links and clear instructions.
- Gently guide readers with easy prompts, encouraging helpful, detailed reviews.
- Always reply promptly and politely to reviews—positive or negative—to show appreciation and professionalism.
- Highlight great reviews in your marketing, newsletters, and social media to build trust and attract new readers.
- Customize review requests for different readers to boost their engagement and response rates.
- Consider rewarding honest reviews with small incentives like discounts or bonus content.
- Use tools to automate collecting and sharing reviews, keeping feedback fresh and visible.
- Regularly share standout reviews to remind readers why your books are worth their attention.
Step 1: Make it Easy for Readers to Submit Reviews
The single easiest way to get more reviews from readers is to remove as many barriers as possible. Remember, everyone is busy—nobody wants to waste time figuring out how to leave a review or battling through endless forms and complicated processes. Ideally, readers should be able to complete the review process in just a few clicks.
If you’re sending emails to request reviews, make sure each one contains a straightforward link directly to where the review should be submitted—no hunting necessary. Using platforms like Amazon or Goodreads is usually best because readers are familiar with these and know exactly how they work. That familiarity reduces friction, making it quicker for them to share feedback.
Additionally, try including direct review submission instructions right inside your books. For example, placing a short request at the end of the e-book with clear, clickable links can substantially increase the number of reviews received. Authors who’ve used this method report significantly higher engagement compared to those who only rely on external messages.
Step 2: Provide Clear Instructions to Get Helpful Reviews
Not all reviews are created equal—what you really want are valuable, detailed reviews that help convince future readers to choose your book. To make sure you get useful feedback, it helps to gently coach readers on how they can leave a meaningful review without telling them exactly what to write.
Provide brief but specific prompts, such as: “Feel free to mention your favorite character,” or “What scene did you find most memorable or surprising?” This guides their reviews by sparking specific thoughts and examples rather than vague impressions. Clear guidelines like these produce richer, more compelling reviews.
You could also create a short, informal FAQ page on your author website with simple tips on how to leave an effective book review. Keep language casual, friendly, and inviting. A helpful resource like this encourages hesitant reviewers to finally put their thoughts into words, leading to more substantial, thought-provoking feedback.
Step 3: Respond Quickly and Thoughtfully to Every Review
Writing reviews takes readers’ effort and time, so whenever they share feedback, show your appreciation by responding promptly and thoughtfully. This simple habit can transform readers into loyal fans who eagerly anticipate your next book release.
Recent studies indicate that 64% of consumers prefer to buy from companies that actively respond, and the same logic applies to authors. Whether review feedback is overwhelmingly positive or points out areas for improvement, acknowledging it and actively replying demonstrates that you genuinely care about your readers’ experiences. A reader who feels heard often becomes an enthusiastic supporter who will happily spread the word about your books.
When the review is negative, address it calmly, respectfully, and briefly—defensive reactions rarely help your cause. Instead, thank the reviewer for their honesty, and politely acknowledge their perspective. Demonstrating that you respond maturely to criticism helps future readers see your professionalism and confidence in your own work, making them feel more comfortable investing in your writing.
Step 4: Showcase Positive Reviews in Your Marketing Materials
A great review can do wonders for your book marketing, so don’t keep it hidden away in the depths of the internet.
Instead, actively feature those glowing testimonials on your website, social media pages, newsletters, and even on your book covers or promotional images.
Research shows an impressive 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, so highlighting positive ones can really incentivize potential readers to pick up your book.
Create visually appealing graphics featuring snippets of your favorite reviews using simple tools like Canva, and then share them regularly across various platforms.
Consider dedicating part of your author newsletter to sharing reviews from readers—it’s both a shoutout to those who took their time to write reviews and a valuable trust-builder for others contemplating your book.
Step 5: Personalize Review Requests for Different Audiences
Sending the same generic review request to every reader might feel easier, but taking a more tailored approach often yields significantly better results.
If you have a reader list or mailing list segmented by genre interest or previous interaction, craft more personalized messaging—this can boost response rates while ensuring the feedback remains relevant and detailed.
For instance, someone who previously enjoyed your horror novels would appreciate a targeted review request after they’ve read your latest creepy thriller—in contrast with a reader that typically favors cozy romances.
Adjust your language slightly based on readers’ familiarity with leaving reviews; first-time reviewers may benefit from clear step-by-step guidance, whereas regular reviewers just need a simple reminder.
You can even personalize your strategy further by including links to resources or guides like how to become a beta reader, since readers invested in early stages of book production are usually more enthusiastic and detailed in reviews.
Step 6: Offer Incentives or Rewards to Encourage More Reviews
Of course readers will appreciate your thanks, but adding a small incentive to the deal will often significantly boost the number of reviews you receive.
This doesn’t mean you’re paying for good reviews (which is unethical and against most platforms’ policies), but rather providing a little extra motivation for readers to invest their time.
Think discounted future book releases, free bonus chapters, unique short stories, or exclusive access to Q&A webinar sessions.
These incentives have the added benefit of strengthening your relationship with your readers and turning casual fans into a dedicated community.
Just remember transparency is key—clearly state that rewards are for honest, genuine feedback rather than positive ones to stay compliant with guidelines for platforms like Amazon KDP.
Step 7: Use Tools to Automatically Collect and Display Reviews
If manually asking readers for reviews seems exhausting, don’t worry—several useful tools can make the collection and showcasing process smooth and automated.
Platforms like ReviewsMaker or BookFunnel can automate review request emails following customer purchases and neatly display featured testimonials directly on your author website.
Keeping an organized, regularly updated bank of fresh reviews is especially important, considering statistics show that 91% of consumers regularly read and rely on online reviews.
Automation platforms save you precious writing time and make your review strategy consistent—ensuring your latest and greatest feedback continually reaches potential new book buyers.
You can even integrate reviews directly on your sales pages or use customizable widgets to embed social proof where it matters most.
Step 8: Regularly Highlight Customer Reviews to Generate Interest
If your reviews are just sitting quietly on your Goodreads page or Amazon Author Central, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to leverage powerful social proof.
Sharing reader reviews regularly on your social media feeds not only engages your existing fan base but also catches the eyes of potential new readers scrolling through their feeds.
Considering roughly 58% of consumers willingly go out of their way for books and brands with good reviews, regularly highlighting such feedback helps readers choose you amidst countless other options.
Try screenshotting standout reviews and sharing them alongside catchy quotes or snippets that capture the essence of your book.
Another effective strategy is creating a weekly or monthly “review roundup,” presenting multiple customer testimonials in a single, digestible post or story, gently reminding readers why your books are worth their time.
FAQs
You can simplify your review submission process by offering direct links through emails and texts, providing user-friendly forms online, or using automated messaging after purchases. Ensure these methods require minimal effort and clearly guide your customers through the steps.
Incentives, like discounts or small gifts, can encourage customers to leave reviews. Be transparent, though—clearly mention that compensation was provided, and avoid offering rewards specifically for positive feedback to maintain your brand’s trust and integrity.
You should respond promptly and consistently to all reviews, ideally within one or two days. This proactive approach shows customers their feedback is appreciated and can strengthen your relationship with both satisfied customers and those who have concerns.
Highlight positive customer reviews creatively on your website, social media channels, emails, and online advertising. Incorporate testimonials, short customer quote snippets, or star ratings prominently into your promotional materials to clearly illustrate customer satisfaction and build credibility.
