he right book review can turn your book from an unnoticed gem into a bestseller.
In the world of publishing, book reviews are gold. They shape public perception, influence buying decisions, and play a massive role in boosting your book’s visibility. Whether you’re self-published or traditionally published, getting reviews can make or break your book’s success.
Think about it—when was the last time you bought a book without checking the reviews? Readers trust other readers. A book with dozens or hundreds of positive reviews signals quality and credibility. It reassures potential buyers that your book is worth their time and money.
But how do you get those reviews, especially when you’re just starting out? In this guide, I’ll show you proven strategies to get real, high-quality book reviews that drive sales.
Why Book Reviews Matter for Sales
Book reviews do more than just boost your credibility. They:
✅ Increase visibility—Books with more reviews rank higher on Amazon and other platforms.
✅ Build trust—Social proof convinces hesitant buyers to take the plunge.
✅ Improve conversion rates—More reviews mean more people buying.
✅ Help with marketing—Good reviews can be repurposed in ads, social media, and on your website.
The challenge? Getting reviews is not automatic. You have to ask, encourage, and sometimes even strategize to get them.
How to Get More Book Reviews That Boost Sales
1. Start with Your Inner Circle (But Do It Right!)
Your family, friends, and colleagues are the easiest people to ask for a review. But there’s a catch—Amazon has strict policies against biased reviews. If Amazon suspects your reviews come from close personal connections, they might remove them.
✅ Solution: Ask them to buy the book naturally (not through a direct link) and leave a review without mentioning they know you personally.
💡 Tip: Create a “soft launch” where you gift or discount your book for early supporters in exchange for honest reviews.
2. Offer Free Copies in Exchange for Honest Reviews
One of the fastest ways to gather reviews is to give away copies and ask for honest feedback. You can do this by:
📩 Emailing your newsletter list with a free copy and review request.
📚 Posting in book-related Facebook groups or forums.
🎯 Using services like BookSprout or StoryOrigin to connect with reviewers.
⚠ Important: Always ask for honest reviews. Never request a “positive” review, as that can violate Amazon’s terms.
3. Leverage Your ARC Team (Advanced Review Copy Team)
Before you launch, build an ARC (Advanced Review Copy) team—a group of readers who get early access to your book in exchange for leaving a review on launch day.
How to build an ARC team:
✅ Ask your email subscribers—these people already like your work!
✅ Reach out to book bloggers and reviewers who specialize in your genre.
✅ Use social media to recruit early readers—post about your ARC opportunity on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
💡 Pro Tip: Provide clear instructions on how to leave a review and remind them (gently) before launch day.
4. Optimize Your Book’s Back Matter
Many authors miss this simple but powerful strategy: Ask for a review at the end of your book!
At the end of your book, include a short, heartfelt request for a review. Something like:
“If you enjoyed this book, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Your review helps other readers discover this book and supports my writing journey. Please take a moment to leave an honest review on Amazon.”
✅ Make it easy by including a direct link to your book’s review page.
5. Reach Out to Book Bloggers and Reviewers
There are thousands of book bloggers, YouTubers, and Instagram reviewers (Bookstagrammers) who are constantly looking for new books to read and review.
Steps to get their attention:
📌 Find bloggers who review books in your genre.
📌 Personalize your request—don’t just send a generic message.
📌 Offer a free copy but never demand a review (that turns people off).
💡 Pro Tip: Many bloggers also post their reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, and their own websites, giving you extra exposure.
6. Use Goodreads to Get More Reviews
Goodreads is a powerful platform for book lovers and an amazing place to get early reviews.
Ways to get reviews on Goodreads:
📚 Join Goodreads groups related to your genre and offer review copies.
📚 Set up a Goodreads Giveaway to get more eyes on your book.
📚 Connect with active reviewers and politely ask if they’d like a copy in exchange for an honest review.
💡 Bonus Tip: Even if someone doesn’t review your book, getting them to add it to their “Want to Read” list increases your visibility!
7. Run a Limited-Time Free or Discounted Promotion
One great way to flood your book with early reviews is to run a free or $0.99 promotion.
🔥 Why it works: More downloads = more potential reviewers.
How to maximize this:
✅ Use sites like Freebooksy, Bargain Booksy, and BookBub to promote your deal.
✅ Mention your review request in the first and last pages of your book.
✅ Follow up with readers who downloaded the book—many forget to leave a review unless reminded.
8. Utilize Amazon’s “Editorial Reviews” Feature
Amazon allows you to manually add professional or media reviews to your book’s product page.
👉 Reach out to influencers, authors, or industry experts in your niche and ask for a short review.
👉 Post positive feedback from bloggers, magazines, or newspapers.
👉 If you’ve received praise from well-known figures, showcase it here!
💡 Pro Tip: Editorial reviews stand out on your book page and build instant credibility.
9. Keep Engaging with Your Readers
Reviews don’t just happen at launch. Keep asking!
✅ Engage with readers on social media—thank those who leave reviews.
✅ Run reader contests—where leaving a review gives them an entry to win a prize.
✅ Send reminder emails—sometimes people forget, and a gentle nudge helps.
Final Thoughts
Getting book reviews isn’t just about luck—it’s about strategy. With the right approach, you can generate dozens or even hundreds of reviews that increase your book’s visibility, credibility, and sales.
The key is to ask in the right way, reach the right people, and make it easy for them to leave a review.
Now, it’s your turn! Which of these strategies will you try first? Have you found any creative ways to get book reviews? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🚀📚