By Susan Reichert,
Some people tell you not to ask your family to
put reviews on Amazon…is that called a ringer? Frankly, if my Aunt Harriet told
me she liked my book, that it was riveting and she couldn’t sleep for three
nights after reading it, you bet I would ask her to put her review on there.
Aunt or no aunt that is information people need to know about my book. She
didn’t have to tell me anything after reading my book unless I asked, and then
she could have said, “Yes, I did read it, it was good.” So obviously, she meant
every word.
Being an author and listening to advice is like
trying to decide which piece of ‘chocolate’ to choose out of that box of candy.
When we receive advice, we want to evaluate it and determine if it is to our
benefit or detriment. Also, look at each piece of advice on an individual basis
pertaining to the situation.
So when family, friends or foes read your book,
you can ask them what they thought. Just don’t be afraid of them rejecting your
book or not liking something in general. Not everyone is going to jump up and
down raving about your book. Who knows, there may have been things
they really liked and raved over and yet still had some things they didn’t care
for, and still this would make a good review. You see it gives the person
reading it some valuable information that just make push them into buy that
book, to see what that person was saying.
Be creative. You can do drawings for autographed
books; you can name a character after them in your next book. Your readers who
are fans will be happy to help spread the word about your book.
