Asking readers for reviews

[Marian Perera]

I'd like more reviews (wouldn't we all?) but I was wondering something. If someone emails you out of the blue to say hi, I read your book and it was great, would you reply thanking them and then asking or suggesting that they post this as a review on Amazon, B&N, etc?

So far I've been thanking people and letting them know that I've planned a sequel to my book. It didn't occur to me to ask anyone to post a review because I figured, that's up to the reader and they might feel pressured by such a request. But today I read a suggestion to do this (in a polite non-pressuring way, of course) so I was curious as to what other writers thought of this - and of course, how readers would feel.

Marian Perera
Flights of Fantasy

[Michelle-IPBR]

You're right, that would not be kosher. However, if you are self-published and have control over the Editorial Review section of the description then on Amazon you can add a snippet of the review in the product description and give credit to who/where it came from (if the person sending you the review agrees of course.)  If it is already a publicly posted review on a blog then I don't think permission is necessary (fair use act and all that) but I don't think many bloggers would mind as long as you gave proper credit or you can ask them first if it doesn't feel right to you. You can do this at B&N too and they seem to have more leeway in this area.   If you have a publisher than I don't know how much control you have over the description.  The publisher may have to do this. 

 

I know at least one author who did this with one of my reviews.  I actually just stumbled upon it accidentally. PM me if you want a link to see what I mean. 

 

To answer your original question... I don't think there is anything wrong with asking once, politely, and with no pressure.  If they decline then leave it at that.  You could also offer a little incentive like if they decide to leave a review you will send them a free ebook copy of your upcoming release. Nothing like a freebie to get people interested!

 

That reminds me... one of the authors on my goodreads friends list actually did something like this.  She sent a note to everyone on her goodreads list offering a free ebook copy to anyone willing to do a review (via a smashwords coupon so they could download their format of choice).  She seemed to get quite a few reviews from this method.

[Mystee]

I've had quite a few authors ask if they could use my reviews and post them in other places...they leave credit, some link -- I've also done reviews for authors that just snagged what I placed up as my review {and I've stumbles upon them completely by accident}.

[Rebecca Albano]

I think that would be fine. As long as it is polite I do not think that anyone should get mad. Also if the people are contacting you to tell you how much they like your book they will probably be happy to write a review for you. Most readers just get tickled pink when the person who wrote a book they like contacts them. Puts me on Cloud 9.

[Derek Lantin]

I see no harm in asking for comments or a review. I encourage readers of my books to send comments. My current book is 'Come Here and I'll Show You" and I publish lots of readers comments on the the 'Come Here and I'll Show You" blogsite; it seems to work well. Best wishes, Derek Lantinhttp://http://www.amazon.com/Come-Here-Ill-Show-ebook/dp/B00486U7BY/

[Tina Martin]

I ask people to post reviews all the time, but they don't. They love telling me how good my book was, but as for telling the world....nope.

[Leslie Wright]

I have been an avid reader for 40 years and before I started blogging reviews, I did not know that you could review a book on Amazon or any of the other book sites. I would have loved to have had someone ask me, although I may have asked how it was done. One asking would have been amazing and I would have forever posted reviews after. Of course I love to write, but I do often think that readers are also writers.

Leslie

[Carla E]

I have been in this situation several times. When I have emailed an author giving my opinion they have asked me to post my review on Amazon and I have done it. At the same time I have also posted a review when I do not like a book. I will always be honest.