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...

Swapping books - a devil's deal

"I will read your book if you read and review mine." This is an example of author's deal when it comes time for reviews. Reviews is hard to get. If you sell books, it is still not guarantee you will get reviews. If I could get a review for every book I sold, it would be great. People will buy book to collect it on the shelves and leave it un-read. Or, they will read but not rate it. Many reasons are for not getting reviews, but some people don't know where and how to write reviews or are not eligible. That is the reason why authors will turn to other authors, with a proposition for review. The danger of such review is on Amazon rules: author can't review other's author books on request. I love to read indie authors and they inspire me, but I have my circle and I never accept offers to read someone I never heard about. Once I got a proposition :" Hey, I saw your review for XX author, can you write it for me, too?" I ignored it. When you have a deal ...

Why is refund 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...

Rebelious rules by Kristina Gallo

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