Marketing – Chas Cann Publishers

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GETTING FREE AND PAID BOOK REVIEWS

Graham Cann — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 10:55:30 +0000

Hey there, fellow authors!

So, you’ve just hit that glorious “Publish” button and your book is live for the world to read. Congrats! Now comes the not-so-easy part: getting reviews. Book reviews are like a stamp of approval for readers. They show that your book has been read, critiqued, and is worth investing time (and money) in.

But how do you get those reviews rolling in? Do you pay for them? Are there ethical ways to get free reviews? Should you be sending out mass emails to strangers? (Spoiler: Probably not!) Let’s break it all down, step-by-step.

Why Are Reviews So Important Anyway?

Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Reviews aren’t just about vanity or ego (though, hey, those 5 stars do feel amazing!). They have a massive impact on your book’s discoverability, credibility, and sales. Here’s why reviews are critical:

Social Proof: Potential readers want to know what others think before buying. Reviews build trust, especially for new or lesser-known authors.
Algorithm Boosting: Platforms like Amazon use reviews as part of their algorithm. The more reviews your book has, the more likely it’ll show up in “Recommended for You” sections.
Enhanced Visibility: Books with more reviews get featured in newsletters and lists on sites like BookBub, Goodreads, and Amazon.
Credibility for Future Opportunities: Positive reviews can lead to interviews, podcast features, or being stocked in bookstores.

Now that we’re clear on the “why,” let’s get into the nitty-gritty of getting those reviews—whether you’re looking to go the free or paid route.

Free Ways to Get Book Reviews

Let’s start with free options. They’re budget-friendly, and some can be time-consuming and may require some strategic planning.

1. Tap into Your Existing Network

You’d be surprised how many people in your immediate circle would be happy to read and review your book—if only you asked. Your email list, social media followers, friends, family, and colleagues can be a goldmine for initial reviews. Here’s how you can approach them without sounding pushy:

Create a Personal Request Email or Message: Address each person individually. Explain why their review matters and how it helps you. Don’t just ask for a 5-star review; ask for an honest review.
Offer a Free Copy in Exchange: This could be a PDF, epub, or even a paperback (signed, if you’re feeling generous!). Make it easy for them to get the book in the format they prefer.
Provide a Cheat Sheet: Include a brief guide on how to leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or wherever you want their feedback. Sometimes, people are willing but unsure of how to go about it.

Pro Tip: Don’t just aim for friends and family. Consider reaching out to past colleagues, book club members, or even that friendly barista who knows you’re an author!

2. Ask for a Review

In your book’s back matter, ask your readers for a book review. Simple as that!

To make it easier for the reader, supply links to the review pages of, say, Amazon in your two biggest markets. For example, for the US, use this URL: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review?&asin=ADD YOUR BOOK ASIN HERE. Use a clickable link and QR code for ease of use.

Whenever a reader clicks this link, they will go straight to the review page.

3. Start an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) Group as Soon as You Can

Again, in your back matter, insert a page asking for readers to join your group, explaining they will receive a free copy of your e-book and all you require is an honest review from them. Saying that you’re giving them a free book in exchange for their review, will get you into deep water with Amazon.

Once you’ve built this list, as soon as you produce a new book, send it to them to review. Not everyone will! That’s a fact of life. But the more people on your list, the greater the number of reviews.

4. Join Reader and Reviewer Communities

There are several communities online specifically for connecting readers with authors. Here are some of the top options:

Goodreads: Search for groups dedicated to your genre and look for “Read to Review” threads where authors can offer free copies in exchange for honest feedback.
LibraryThing Early Reviewers: Similar to Goodreads but often with a smaller, more niche community. Their Early Reviewers program allows authors to give away copies to reviewers.

Facebook Groups for Book Reviews: Search for groups like “Authors Seeking Reviewers” or “Book Review Requests.” Make sure you read the group’s rules carefully before posting!

When reaching out, be clear about your book’s genre, provide a brief synopsis, and include information on where you’re willing to send copies (eBook, paperback, etc.).

5. Reach Out to Book Bloggers

Book bloggers are always looking for new reads to feature. Here’s a structured way to approach them for a book review:

Research & Personalisation: Find bloggers who review your genre. A personalised email shows you’ve read their blog and respect their preferences. Mention a specific post or review they did that you found insightful.
Craft a Solid Pitch: Keep your pitch concise but engaging. Include your book’s blurb, cover image, and why you think it’s a good fit for their audience.
Respect Their Time: Many bloggers are swamped with requests. Be prepared for rejections or no replies at all. Don’t follow up aggressively; a gentle nudge after a couple of weeks is fine.

Pro Tip: Compile a list of target bloggers and track your communication. Google Sheets works great for this, or try using tools like Trello for better visual tracking.

6. Use Review Platforms like StoryOrigin, BookFunnel, and Prolific Works

These platforms are fantastic for authors looking to build their review base while also growing their mailing list. Here’s how they work:

StoryOrigin/ BookFunnel: Offer review copies of your book to readers in exchange for a review. You can vet readers before approving their request to ensure they’re the right fit.
Prolific Works: You can set up a giveaway to attract readers, but be clear in your giveaway description that you’d love a review once they’ve finished reading.

You can also team up with other authors in your genre to do group giveaways or promotions, which can exponentially increase your reach.

7. Utilise Social Media Platforms

Leverage your existing followers and friends on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Post a review request along with a call-to-action, like:

“Hey bookish friends! 📚 I’m looking for a few people to read and review my latest book. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment or DM me if you’re interested in a free copy!”

You can even create a specific hashtag for your book and encourage your followers to use it when they post their reviews.

Paid Options for Getting Reviews

If you have a little cash to invest, paid book review services can give you access to wider audiences and more established reviewers. Here’s a deep dive into the best options available:

1. Kirkus, Clarion, and BlueInk Reviews

These are editorial review services that are highly respected in the industry. Here’s a quick rundown:

Kirkus: Known for their stringent standards, a positive Kirkus review can elevate your book’s credibility. Reviews can range from $425 (digital) to $575 (print). The downside? You don’t get to choose the reviewer, and the review is often brutally honest.
Clarion/ BlueInk: These services are more tailored to indie authors and offer detailed reviews. They’re a little more affordable than Kirkus, usually ranging from $250 to $400.

Once you get a positive review, you can use excerpts in your book’s marketing materials and blurb!

2. Hidden Gems, BookSirens, and Other Paid Review Services

These services connect you directly with reviewers who are eager to read new books. You pay a fee to list your book, and in return, you get access to readers willing to provide honest feedback. Here’s a closer look:

Hidden Gems: One of the more popular paid review services for indie authors. For around $50-$100, your book is sent to a list of vetted reviewers.
BookSirens: Charges a fee based on your book’s length and how many reviewers you want it sent to. You can even see the profiles of potential reviewers before choosing to work with them.
Reedsy Discovery: A platform where you can pay a small fee to have your book featured. Reviewers who like your book will leave reviews on Reedsy and possibly on other platforms.

Pro Tip: When using these services, always be clear that you’re looking for honest reviews. Never ask for a guaranteed positive review, as this can damage your credibility.

3. Social Media Influencer Reviews

Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have massive communities of book reviewers (aka #Bookstagram, #BookTube, and #BookTok). Influencer reviews can introduce your book to thousands of potential readers overnight.

Here’s how to approach influencers:

Research and Connect: Find influencers who regularly review books in your genre. Follow them, engage with their content, and get a sense of their style.
Send a Professional Request: Once you’ve built a bit of rapport, send a direct message or email offering a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Be prepared to offer a compensation fee if they require it—after all, this is their job!

4. NetGalley Co-Ops

While NetGalley itself is a paid service, you can reduce costs by joining an author co-op. Co-ops are groups of authors who split the cost of a NetGalley subscription, allowing you to post your book for review at a fraction of the price.

Some popular co-ops include:

You can typically list your book for $50-$100 instead of the usual $400+ for a solo listing.

Final Thoughts and Strategies

Getting book reviews takes time, patience, and perseverance. It’s not about getting hundreds of reviews overnight but about building a community of readers who genuinely connect with your work.

For a complete guide to self-publishing, check out ‘How to Self-Publish on Amazon: The Essential Guide to Self-Publishing Success’ (2024 version).

Graham Cann is a #1 international best-selling author and CEO of Chas Cann Publishers

Affiliate Disclosure

I earn a small commission on some product links on my blog pages at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use now, have used in the past or would use if there was a personal need. The extra pennies help with the coffee fund.

FREE MARKETING WITH BOOK PROMOTION SITES

Graham Cann — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 09:53:26 +0000

This is the second blog in our series looking at Free Book Marketing where we’re suggesting ways to market your books on a budget.

Today, it’s the turn of Book Promotion Sites.

So, in a nutshell, you can opt for a ‘KDP Select’ Countdown Deal or 5-Day Free Promotion (see https://chascannco.com/free-marketing-with-kdp-select/). You can set up one of these every 90 days on your KDP dashboard. An alternative to ‘KDP Select’ is to simply change your price manually to 99c. This won’t be possible for a book that you want to market for free unless you’re published elsewhere like Kobo and you’re able to drop the price to zero and then email Amazon asking them to price-match which they’ll do.

Whichever one you choose, it’s time to find some book promotion sites to set up your FREE or 99c deals.

“Not all marketing people are writers, but all writers must learn to be marketers.”

Joanne Kraft

How Do Book Promotion Sites Work

There are quite a number of websites for authors and publishers that offer to promote books either for free or they will charge. Just like anyone offering services, some are better than others.

Find the right ones and your book will be thrust into the e-book devices of a whole new set of readers.

As I’ve already alluded to, with these sites, you have a choice to pay for advertising your book to large numbers of people on social media, email lists or whatever is being offered. These sites make their money by adding Amazon Affiliate links so when someone clicks and downloads a book, they’ll receive a commission on anything that person purchases on Amazon within a space of 24 hours.

With paid ads, you’re guaranteed a spot on a particular site. Unfortunately, with free ads, it’s a bit hit-and-miss. When I’ve used book promotion sites, if I’ve signed up for 10, I’ll be lucky to be featured on 2 of them. What this means is that you’re not in full control of your marketing strategy but it’s still worth doing. The effect of being shown, even on just one site, is that your book will be downloaded en masse and help your Amazon rankings.

List of Top Free Promotion Sites

For a comprehensive list of Book Promotion sites – paid and unpaid – head to two of the most trusted websites in the self-publishing world – https://kindlepreneur.com/list-sites-promote-free-amazon-books/ and Reedsy: https://blog.reedsy.com/book-promotion-services/.

Here you’ll find sites that will accept your book at a discounted price (99c) or free or both. Some will charge a fee; some will be free.

Planning Your Push

The best time to begin one of these promotions is around 4 weeks before you plan to run it.

Why?

Some of these sites (and the ones below) need you to sign up first and it may take some days to be accepted. I’ve found with the book promotion websites, the majority need 7 days’ notice prior to your promotion going live. Occasionally, you may come across one or two that require 14 days’ notice so be prepared for this.

Just so you’re aware, KDP Select promotions begin and end at 00:00 Pacific Time which is around 8 hours prior to GMT (what’s the PT time now!) so a promotion that’s due to commence on 14th March will actually begin at 08:00 in the UK.

If you’re manually changing prices of your books, be sure you give Amazon enough time for the change to take place – allow 48 hours to be sure.

Don’t forget to plan out your promotions marketing strategy because with everything else on your plate, there are things here than can be overlooked unless you write them down in a logical order with dates.

If you have an email list, author Facebook page, Twitter account or whatever social media outlets you have, no matter how small, ensure they know about your deal a few weeks before it goes live. This will engender a sense of expectation. Let them know again when it’s live.

Facebook and Twitter Book Promotion Groups

Whilst contacting and placing ads on book promotion websites require forward planning, Facebook and Twitter promos can be set up during the promotion dates themselves. So, for the sake of argument, let’s say you’ve decided on a ‘KDP Select’ 5-day Free Promotion from 14th March till 18th March. I would contact all these groups on the 14th, 16th and 18th.

You can post your book details on one day only if you like but Facebook has a habit of showing your post only to a handful of group members each time so you’re maximising your effectiveness doing this three times during the whole promotion period.

It doesn’t take long once you get in the swing of it.

@ibdbookoftheday
@Booksontheknob
@bookbub
@kindle_free
@freeebooksdaily
@zilchebooks
@freedailybooks
@digitalinktoday
@fkbt
@kindlestuff
@Bookyrnextread
@CheapKindleDly
@DigitalBkToday
@4FreeKindleBook
@IndAuthorSuccess

Two Paid Sites You Might Like to Explore

We’ve looked at book promotion sites and also checked out Facebook and Twitter groups where you can market your books for free.

In conclusion, I’d like to add two sites that you may want to look at – BKnights on Fiverr and James H Mayfield. I use these guys every time I have a promotion simply because they do the business!

BKnights‘ email list for his site now has 50,000 active readers and the site averages 5,500 unique visits a day. The fee is around $8 for free and discounted books.

James Mayfield will post your e-book deal to 10+ highly active Facebook groups with a member count of 500,000+ with added postings to unique, niche specific groups and pages if possible. In addition, your book deal will be posted to his personal Facebook Page and Group. James charges $14 and only deals with free books.

If you can invest in some of the book promotion websites or the guys mentioned above, it will make a difference to your overall promotion performance and may be something you will want to consider going forward.

Graham Cann is a #1 best-selling non-fiction author and CEO of Chas Cann Publishers

Affiliate Disclosure

FREE MARKETING WITH KDP SELECT

Graham Cann — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 13:39:03 +0000

Thumbs up for free marketing which is what this blog is all about.

When you upload your book on to the Amazon platform, you can choose whether to sign up for KDP Select or not. By opting for it, your e-book becomes bound to Amazon for 90 days. In other words, you’re not permitted to sell your book on any other platform like Kobo or Apple and that includes selling direct from your website. It’s an exclusivity deal and this will continue until you opt out. If you did plan to end the agreement after 90 days, ensure the auto-renew is turned off!

OK, if you sign up for KDP Select, what do you get?

One of the biggest pluses for your e-book is Kindle Unlimited, a digital subscription service.

Subscribers pay $9.99 monthly for an ‘all-you-can-read’ service. They can choose any book on any topic. When you opt for KDP Select, your book is automatically enrolled in this programme. Such is its popularity that it’s widely believed that not having your book in the programme may well affect your rankings.

The author is paid on a per-page-read royalty, which means the more pages people read, the more money you make.

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be looking at marketing your book on a budget. When writers first start out they, generally speaking, don’t have large wads of cash to throw at promoting their books so free marketing is definitely appealing. Yes! I did say ‘free’!

Today, KDP Select is in the spotlight. What is it? How can it help you make an impact with your sales?

Free Marketing with Kindle Countdown Deals

For the purposes of this article, we’re more interested in the marketing opportunities and these are available only for writers who sign up for KDP Select.

The minimum discount is $1 in the US or £1 in the UK
Your title needs to have been in KDP Select for at least 30 days.
The price before you select a Countdown Deal must be between $2.99 and $24.99 (£1.99 and £15.99)
If your KDP Select enrolment is 14 days away or less, you won’t be able to set up a campaign. For full details of Countdown Deals, click HERE.

The first one to take a peek at is Kindle Countdown which is available in the US and UK.

It can be used for one week in a 90-day period and allows you to discount your book at a fixed rate that rises incrementally over a 7 day period. Customers actually see the usual price, the discounted price and a countdown clock, which will show how much time is left at the promotional price.

A perk of using Countdown Deals is that you will receive a royalty of 70% even if your price falls below $2.99.

Free Marketing with Kindle Free Promotions

This promotion can be used for any 5-day period within your 90-day enrollment and your Kindle book is offered for free to Amazon readers.

You can run all 5 days one after the other or one or two at a time
Only available once in a 90-day period
Can be scheduled just one day before the date you require your promotion to start
It will begin at 00:00 Pacific Time (what’s PT time now) which is usually 8 hours behind UK time so bear this in mind with your planning

‘Why would I want to offer my book for free?’ I hear you say.

The second book that I ever published on Amazon was ‘1001 One-Liners and Short Jokes’ and my marketing strategy at that stage was to use this free promotion method, which I still use. By the end of the 5 days, I had amassed 10,000 downloads. What you’ll find and what happened to me was that there was a spike in orders. On this occasion, my book raced up the Top 100 Free rankings on Kindle. However, no book since has reached these heights on a free promotion but, on saying that, they have all seen a positive effect on their Amazon rankings.

Ideally, because the Amazon algorithms prefer to see momentum in your sales, Countdown Deals and Free Promotions are best used in conjunction with other marketing strategies to ensure that orders are consistent over this period and not spiking on one day! Next time we’ll look at Free Book Promotion websites along with ones on Facebook and Twitter.

Further down the road, when you have Reader Magnets (free offers in exchange for email addresses) available and you have your other titles featured in the back matter, these elements will be getting in front of your readers too. Reader Magnets will be building your email list and getting you organic sales (sales you haven’t paid for). So, it’s a freebie for your readers and it can start to get things moving for you too – a win-win situation.

To access KDP Select from your dashboard:

First choose the book you want to select
Then click on the three dots to the right of ‘Promote and Advertise’
Choose ‘KDP Select’
Enrol (if you haven’t already done so)
‘Run a Price Promotion’ – opt for the Countdown Deal or Free Promotion

Graham Cann is a #1 best selling non-fiction author and CEO of Chas Cann Publishers where we help authors publish and profit from their work

Affiliate Disclosure

Marketing – Chas Cann Publishers

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GETTING FREE AND PAID BOOK REVIEWS

Hey there, fellow authors!

But how do you get those reviews rolling in? Do you pay for them? Are there ethical ways to get free reviews? Should you be sending out mass emails to strangers? (Spoiler: Probably not!) Let’s break it all down, step-by-step.

Why Are Reviews So Important Anyway?

Before we get into the “how,” let’s talk about the “why.” Reviews aren’t just about vanity or ego (though, hey, those 5 stars do feel amazing!). They have a massive impact on your book’s discoverability, credibility, and sales. Here’s why reviews are critical:

Social Proof: Potential readers want to know what others think before buying. Reviews build trust, especially for new or lesser-known authors.

Algorithm Boosting: Platforms like Amazon use reviews as part of their algorithm. The more reviews your book has, the more likely it’ll show up in “Recommended for You” sections.

Enhanced Visibility: Books with more reviews get featured in newsletters and lists on sites like BookBub, Goodreads, and Amazon.

Credibility for Future Opportunities: Positive reviews can lead to interviews, podcast features, or being stocked in bookstores.

Now that we’re clear on the “why,” let’s get into the nitty-gritty of getting those reviews—whether you’re looking to go the free or paid route.

Free Ways to Get Book Reviews

Let’s start with free options. They’re budget-friendly, and some can be time-consuming and may require some strategic planning.

1. Tap into Your Existing Network

You’d be surprised how many people in your immediate circle would be happy to read and review your book—if only you asked. Your email list, social media followers, friends, family, and colleagues can be a goldmine for initial reviews. Here’s how you can approach them without sounding pushy:

Create a Personal Request Email or Message: Address each person individually. Explain why their review matters and how it helps you. Don’t just ask for a 5-star review; ask for an honest review.

Offer a Free Copy in Exchange: This could be a PDF, epub, or even a paperback (signed, if you’re feeling generous!). Make it easy for them to get the book in the format they prefer.

Provide a Cheat Sheet: Include a brief guide on how to leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or wherever you want their feedback. Sometimes, people are willing but unsure of how to go about it.

Pro Tip: Don’t just aim for friends and family. Consider reaching out to past colleagues, book club members, or even that friendly barista who knows you’re an author!

2. Ask for a Review

In your book’s back matter, ask your readers for a book review. Simple as that!

To make it easier for the reader, supply links to the review pages of, say, Amazon in your two biggest markets. For example, for the US, use this URL: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review?&asin=ADD YOUR BOOK ASIN HERE. Use a clickable link and QR code for ease of use.

Whenever a reader clicks this link, they will go straight to the review page.

3. Start an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) Group as Soon as You Can

Once you’ve built this list, as soon as you produce a new book, send it to them to review. Not everyone will! That’s a fact of life. But the more people on your list, the greater the number of reviews.

4. Join Reader and Reviewer Communities

There are several communities online specifically for connecting readers with authors. Here are some of the top options:

Goodreads: Search for groups dedicated to your genre and look for “Read to Review” threads where authors can offer free copies in exchange for honest feedback.

LibraryThing Early Reviewers: Similar to Goodreads but often with a smaller, more niche community. Their Early Reviewers program allows authors to give away copies to reviewers.

Facebook Groups for Book Reviews: Search for groups like “Authors Seeking Reviewers” or “Book Review Requests.” Make sure you read the group’s rules carefully before posting!

When reaching out, be clear about your book’s genre, provide a brief synopsis, and include information on where you’re willing to send copies (eBook, paperback, etc.).

5. Reach Out to Book Bloggers

Book bloggers are always looking for new reads to feature. Here’s a structured way to approach them for a book review:

Research & Personalisation: Find bloggers who review your genre. A personalised email shows you’ve read their blog and respect their preferences. Mention a specific post or review they did that you found insightful.

Craft a Solid Pitch: Keep your pitch concise but engaging. Include your book’s blurb, cover image, and why you think it’s a good fit for their audience.

Respect Their Time: Many bloggers are swamped with requests. Be prepared for rejections or no replies at all. Don’t follow up aggressively; a gentle nudge after a couple of weeks is fine.

Pro Tip: Compile a list of target bloggers and track your communication. Google Sheets works great for this, or try using tools like Trello for better visual tracking.

6. Use Review Platforms like StoryOrigin, BookFunnel, and Prolific Works

These platforms are fantastic for authors looking to build their review base while also growing their mailing list. Here’s how they work:

StoryOrigin/ BookFunnel: Offer review copies of your book to readers in exchange for a review. You can vet readers before approving their request to ensure they’re the right fit.

Prolific Works: You can set up a giveaway to attract readers, but be clear in your giveaway description that you’d love a review once they’ve finished reading.

You can also team up with other authors in your genre to do group giveaways or promotions, which can exponentially increase your reach.

7. Utilise Social Media Platforms

Leverage your existing followers and friends on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Post a review request along with a call-to-action, like:

“Hey bookish friends! 📚 I’m looking for a few people to read and review my latest book. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment or DM me if you’re interested in a free copy!”

You can even create a specific hashtag for your book and encourage your followers to use it when they post their reviews.

Paid Options for Getting Reviews

If you have a little cash to invest, paid book review services can give you access to wider audiences and more established reviewers. Here’s a deep dive into the best options available:

1. Kirkus, Clarion, and BlueInk Reviews

These are editorial review services that are highly respected in the industry. Here’s a quick rundown:

Kirkus: Known for their stringent standards, a positive Kirkus review can elevate your book’s credibility. Reviews can range from $425 (digital) to $575 (print). The downside? You don’t get to choose the reviewer, and the review is often brutally honest.

Clarion/ BlueInk: These services are more tailored to indie authors and offer detailed reviews. They’re a little more affordable than Kirkus, usually ranging from $250 to $400.

Once you get a positive review, you can use excerpts in your book’s marketing materials and blurb!

2. Hidden Gems, BookSirens, and Other Paid Review Services

These services connect you directly with reviewers who are eager to read new books. You pay a fee to list your book, and in return, you get access to readers willing to provide honest feedback. Here’s a closer look:

Hidden Gems: One of the more popular paid review services for indie authors. For around $50-$100, your book is sent to a list of vetted reviewers.

BookSirens: Charges a fee based on your book’s length and how many reviewers you want it sent to. You can even see the profiles of potential reviewers before choosing to work with them.

Reedsy Discovery: A platform where you can pay a small fee to have your book featured. Reviewers who like your book will leave reviews on Reedsy and possibly on other platforms.

Pro Tip: When using these services, always be clear that you’re looking for honest reviews. Never ask for a guaranteed positive review, as this can damage your credibility.

3. Social Media Influencer Reviews

Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have massive communities of book reviewers (aka #Bookstagram, #BookTube, and #BookTok). Influencer reviews can introduce your book to thousands of potential readers overnight.

Here’s how to approach influencers:

Research and Connect: Find influencers who regularly review books in your genre. Follow them, engage with their content, and get a sense of their style.

Send a Professional Request: Once you’ve built a bit of rapport, send a direct message or email offering a free copy in exchange for an honest review. Be prepared to offer a compensation fee if they require it—after all, this is their job!

4. NetGalley Co-Ops

While NetGalley itself is a paid service, you can reduce costs by joining an author co-op. Co-ops are groups of authors who split the cost of a NetGalley subscription, allowing you to post your book for review at a fraction of the price.

Some popular co-ops include:

BooksGoSocial

AuthorBuzz

Victory Editing

You can typically list your book for $50-$100 instead of the usual $400+ for a solo listing.

Final Thoughts and Strategies

Getting book reviews takes time, patience, and perseverance. It’s not about getting hundreds of reviews overnight but about building a community of readers who genuinely connect with your work.

For a complete guide to self-publishing, check out ‘How to Self-Publish on Amazon: The Essential Guide to Self-Publishing Success’ (2024 version).

Take your self-publishing to the next level!

Thank you!

FREE MARKETING WITH BOOK PROMOTION SITES

This is the second blog in our series looking at Free Book Marketing where we’re suggesting ways to market your books on a budget.

Today, it’s the turn of Book Promotion Sites.

Whichever one you choose, it’s time to find some book promotion sites to set up your FREE or 99c deals.