The Early Bird Gets the Worm

How to Secure Early Reader Reviews

One of the questions I am asked most frequently from authors is this: “How do I start off strong?” Many plans are made for the first few months a book is available, but what can authors do to give their book a boost in the first few days? My response: Arrange for a plethora—yes, I said plethora—of reader reviews to go live during launch week.

 

Wait. What? It takes weeks to collect reader reviews on Amazon and other retail sites. How do you get reviews posted before the book is even available to review?  

 

I’m glad you asked! Here are some great options:

 

1. NetGalley.com

Simply put, I’m a fan. NetGalley is one of the best services I’ve found for finding early reviewers and safely distributing e-galleys (books in pre-release digital format) to those reviewers. NetGalley is essentially a large searchable catalog, where readers can find the latest and greatest. It works with all digital devices and provides distribution protection so your e-galley doesn’t “leak” to other readers. All you have to do is have your publisher list your book in the NetGalley catalog and then the service goes to work, offering your book to the reviewers whose preferences match keywords from your book’s metadata and your publisher’s profile. If a reader requests your e-book, your publisher can approve or deny that request, based on the reviewers profile and visibility. With a simple incentive offer and a quick follow-up, you and your publisher can collect dozens of reviews before the book is printed. (Note: I do recommend you work with your publisher, because working directly with NetGalley requires a minimum expense of $399.00).

 

2. GoodReads First Reads Giveaway

If your publisher doesn’t have a NetGalley account and/or you don’t want to choke up the $400 to list your book yourself, GoodReads.com is the next best option. Since it’s a free service, you might ask why it’s not the first best option. Two reasons: a)the First Reads programs requires a physical copy of the book to be mailed (no e-books allowed), which necessarily requires printing and mailing costs that can easily surpass the $400 you could invest in NetGalley, and b)GoodReads is not as friendly for direct follow-up (you have to go through GoodReads to find and contact your reviewers, rather than email them directly). Still, if your publisher can print a few extra advanced reader copies (ARCs) and if you don’t mind covering mailing expenses, GoodReads provides a good opportunity to collect early reviews.

 

3. LibraryThing.com

Though not as popular as NetGalley or GoodReads, LibraryThing.com (LT) offers another way to get your book to readers before publication. Your publisher can list a giveaway with the LT Early Reviewers program and then the service works much like the others by matching your book to the best reviewers. E-books ARE allowed, so printing and mailing costs are not an issue, however the LT Early Reviewers program only works with publishers and only offers giveaways on a monthly “batch” schedule (the giveaway lasts for an entire month; you can’t narrow the timeframe).

 

We live in a time where the number one convincing factor for buying a product is RECOMMENDATION. Yes, acquiring reader reviewers can be a time consuming process. But imagine the potential benefit if, on the day your book releases to the world,those reviews are already there. NetGalley, GoodReads, and LibraryThing can help you do that.

 

Your turn: what other methods have you used to collect EARLY reader reviews? Sound off in the comments!

 

Cat Hoort is Marketing and Publicity Manager at Abingdon Fiction in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

 

Comments

[Lynette Sowell]

What about having a prize drawing for your private "book squad" (as I call my merry band) for those who leave their review during the first week? :)

[Cat Hoort]

Offering an incentive is a great tactic, Lynette! (As is having a "book squad" of people who are equally as passionate about your books as they are about promoting your books!) NetGalley, GoodReads, and LibraryThing are great sources to help find those squad members!