The internet has the power to connect almost anyone with, well, almost anything. As an ebook author, you undoubtedly see the potential to link your written words with a wider audience. This is precisely why independent ebook sales are flourishing: Authors have more power than ever before over how their ebooks are marketed and sold.
The challenging aspect of navigating today’s ebook market is the fact other authors are doing the same thing. Growth in publishing is good, but it means you’ll have to work harder—or smarter—to get your book noticed. Further, to make a name for yourself, you’ll need to find a way to gain readers’ trust.
Getting critics to review your ebook can establish legitimacy and pique reader curiosity. Here’s more on how clinching the right reviews can drive ebook sales and audience loyalty.
The Power of Social Proof and Authority
What is “social proof” and how can it help you sell ebooks? Well, it’s no secret human beings, the social creatures we are, find a degree of security and comfort in following the crowd. Our species has survived in part because there’s safety in numbers. Social proof is an extension of this: People tend to believe the actions of others are correct.
They will give weight to the fact others are reading and enjoying an ebook.
Reviews are one way to generate this social proof.
As Practical Ecommerce notes, expert proof is particularly influential: “Integrating quotes from prominent influencers often results in a conversion boost.” People perceive critics as having good taste in books; seeing a favorable blurb or review can convince them to give it a read themselves. Reviews from critics act as a stamp of authority, which in turn ramps up the social proof that helps convince potential readers to download your book.
Strategies for Getting Critics to Review Your Ebook
It’s entirely possible to increase the chances your ebook will receive quality reviews from critics, but far from guaranteed. This means you’ll have to do everything you can on you end to make it happen. There are a few approaches authors can employ in terms of getting critics and respected industry professionals to read and review their books.
The first option is submitting your ebook to paid review sites. The upside is this course of action can elicit the desired outcome of getting your ebook reviewed and having this assessment posted across various marketplaces. However, it will cost you a chunk of your marketing budget. Some authors feel the payoff is paltry compared to the price tag, so they advise pursuing more cost-effective means of garnering reviews.
Independent authors can also submit ebooks to websites and blogs that publish reviews—many of which do so for free. Here’s what Publishers Weekly recommends authors do before submitting an ebook for review:
The more suited your ebook is to a certain blog or website, the greater the likelihood it will earn a review. Quality reviews can drive potential readers to visit your online store selling ebooks, hosted on Shopify or another ecommerce platform.
The Most Important Critics Are Readers
At the end of the day, the most important critics are always readers. One report found 70 percent of adults in the U.S. trust recommendations from each other more than statements from brands. Make sure your content is resonating with its target audience and politely solicit readers from time to time to leave an honest review.
You can pay in the hopes of getting critics to review your ebook or pursue an unpaid strategy. No matter which you choose, make sure you’re also receiving and posting reviews from your readership.