As most of us, who are indulged in the literary field on a regular basis often gets to see that the Authors goes overwhelmed when it comes of their ‘Book Reviews’ and why shouldn’t they? After all, anyone would love to hear a few words of praises or even some amount of critics as well for the work, which they had done by spending so much of their time and effort. Moreover, writing involves a lot of heart too so yes; completing a manuscript is a very emotional journey for the Authors, most of the times!
Well, now I guess you can imagine why the Authors gets so much overwhelmed when it comes to the reviews for their books. Being an Author myself, I too feel that the readers and the dear friends, professors and the family members to whom I had given my books to read, should go ahead review my work after reading. Since, every Author would like to hear the readers’ perspective!
Moreover, why an Author would not like to know about the things, which the readers had loved in the book as well as the areas of improvement in the writing, in order to make them a better a Writer, before their next release! Trust me, making the Authors aware of their plus points and their minus points are the least, what the readers can do, after reading the books.
So, why not understand the major benefits of the book reviews and have a better understanding of this matter before anyone of us puts down the book after reading, that too without reviewing that piece of writing. Advantages of Book Reviews –
1) Decreases Risks to the Readers: Book reviews make books a known quantity. They decrease the risk to readers that a particular book will be not what they had in mind at all. In fact, book reviews help potential readers become familiar with what a book is about, give them an idea of how they themselves might react to it and determine whether this particular book will be the right book for them right now. Book reviews save readers time, prepare them for what they will find and offer them a greater chance of connecting with a particular book, even before they read the first page!
2) Greater Visibility: Book reviews give books greater visibility and a greater chance of getting found by more readers. On some websites, books that have more book reviews are more likely to be shown to prospective readers and buyers as compared to books with few or no book reviews. Book reviews also help amplify your book’s reach among book clubs, bookstores, blogging communities and other opportunities to gain attention from new readers. For an author, book reviews can open doors to new and bigger audiences.
3) More Sales: Have you ever heard the phrase “Success begets success?” Or the term “social proof?” Books that have a lot of book reviews appear to be popular books. It’s human nature for people to be curious about what looks popular and want to check it out for themselves. As a result, a good number of book reviews can help lead to a snowball effect of book sales. In other words, the presence of book reviews can help validate the worthiness of a book and establish who the book’s audience is. Then once validated, other similar people are much more likely to want to join their peers and buy that same book.
Knowing this, some authors try to game the system by outright buying or inventing book reviews. However, that is not a good approach at all. Do not do it. It is not right and you are better than that. Soliciting real reviews from real people can help you as an Author achieve more sales in a completely ethical way.
4) Helps in Understanding Readers’ Tastes: Reading through the reviews written about your books can really help you better understand what it is your readers are looking for. Answering questions like, what are your readers enjoying about your work? What do they think is missing? In addition, what do they connect with? Can do a lot for helping you understand your audience.
This kind of insight into your work can help if you are stuck in your writing, work on weaknesses, and motivate you. Reviews can also show you where there might be miscommunications between you and the reader, such as an aspect of the book that is too subtle or confusing and therefore not getting through to the readers. ‘Reviews enable the author to have direct communication with their readers and help ensure that they are writing the best books for themselves and their audience!’
5) Helps Authors to improve their Craft: Getting feedback on your writing is incredibly beneficial and integral part of the writing process. It enables you to continue to grow as an author while getting feedback specifically from your target audience. Getting good feedback on your work is wonderful and can help you see what you are doing well and keep you inspired and motivated, but constructive feedback is just as helpful, if not more so, in improving your craft and pushing you to grow as a writer.
As long as you can remember not to take any of the comments personally and read them with the earnest desire to work on your writing. Look at 2-4-star reviews in particular. These reviews are more likely, to be honest, and helpful. 1-star reviews especially are more likely to be less insightful, a troll or someone who is not your target audience.
When writing a book, you always want to get feedback from the readers; book reviews can offer a broader range perspective than just your friends. Reviews offer feedback that is insightful and points out things that are hard to see on your own. Edging you ever closer to writing that next best seller.
Written By NEEL PREET – Author of the Books, Voice From The East (2016); Journey With Time Place And Circumstances (2018) & Indian Defence Files (2021).
