Why is so hard to get Amazon review?

Getting an Amazon review is the biggest accomplishment for an indie author. Your book will get noticed as many as you get, especially if these reviews are from successful authors.

Here is a catch: you need to spend 50 dollars a year on books to be a reviewer. Also, you must be careful what you post as a review.

Your review is under conditions.

You can't insult the author.

You can't abuse the author.

You can't be an author's friend to praise his work, you must be objective.

Your review can't be a tool for revenge, to ruin the reputation of other's writers.

If you don't follow the rules, you will be reported and Amazon might delete your account. Also, if you beg other authors for a swap, Amazon can forbid you to review.

So, many readers will not spend 50 dollars on books. They will not have terms to leave reviews. Amazon is cleaning reviews once a year, their algorithm checking eligibility.

Also, some readers expect you will pay for their reviews. Some don't want to post negative reviews, and some expect a return to reading their books.

The number of your reviews can decrease.

No wonder, getting an Amazon review is a reward.

What you can do?

Try to make interest your readers, by making a book in a series.

Try to make a professional cover.

Say thanks to those who review it.

Post their reviews on social media.

Remember, only famous authors get many reviews because once a person is famous, everyone wants a part of stardust. It is an unfair game.

Comments

Should we respond to negative reviews?

Recently I had a discussion in my social media about negative ratings. There was a situation in Goodreads, where I got two negative reviews on my two books. The point was in the way how the ratings were set up. First rating for my book "Body in the waves" was placed under 5-star review from another reviewer. While the reviewer praising my book, the troll came under to say "This is really bad book." Second rating was described as " Poor author needs writing lessons." Both reviews broke standards of reviewing, because there is no visible evidence that book was downloaded in Kindle unlimited or purchased. It was a clear troll act from a new page, without a profile photo and with a nickname. I reported this to Goodreads and they responded me they are processing this. Meanwhile, I heard from other authors that Goodreads failed to do anything about trolling. In these terms, Goodreads should delete such profiles and forbid the access because of breaking rules. T...

Why the refund is damaging indie authors?

I understand someone can be disappointed with a book. It is like I was disapointed with my trousers online and returned it. What makes a difference, my trousers were 40 euros. The book was 2.49 cents. This makes return funny, because what can you do with this money? Some readers don't understand story behind the refund. The author will get minus royalties. - 0.13 c in my Kindle report, that will vanish when someone else buy the book. The situation happens. Someone accidentaly clicked and bought a book. A random customer wants a refund. Maybe it was not a random move. Maybe the customer clicked, bought and did not like the book. When you don't like the book choose another options, instead of damaging authors. Write a negative review. Write negative one star rating. Don't purchase another books from this author. Or, maybe to reconsider and read it, again? If you write negative reviews or rate it with 1 or 2 stars, you are making a favor to authors. You are moving algorithms i...

Five myths about promo sites

Recently I asked for a featured Bookbub deal for one of my books. I got response that my book should be free priced and my expense would be 230 dollars. This is really funny, because I could expect people grab my book for free and give me one star (as it happens when books are available for everyone). To pay such amount of money would be waste and without a purpose. I am mix of traditional and indie author. Having a publisher, but not bestseller books, I am looking for ways to increase my book sales. Promo sites like Bookbub are very expensive and they offer their deals for 25% books from authors who applied for this. I had an insight to author's books who grabbed Bookbub deals. It works will authors who are already selling a good amount of their books. In general, promo sites are not working for favor of indie authors. These are five myths about promo sites: Promo sites give many readers. It is not true, because you will get visibility and many trolls, but not readers. Promo sites...

Rebelious rules by Kristina Gallo

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