Reviews and why you should leave one

As an indie author who uses her creativity to earn money, it is very important to me to get more downloads for my book. I need people to purchase my books and read them. This is how many indie authors make their living.

If you’ve ever gone online to purchase anything: whether it is books, clothes or food, you probably first read the reviews from people who have already purchased those items. I know I do. If I’m booking a restaurant on OpenTable, I almost always check what others are saying about the (1) food, (2) service, and (3) ambience of the place. This often takes an extra few minutes to check if the restaurant has a website and a active on social media as well. The reviews though, is what I base my decision on for whether or not I book a table.

The same goes for reading. Not only do I check out the reviews on the platform I am purchasing the book from, I also check out the reviews over on Goodreads. 9/10 times the reviews are spot on.

And when I have finished reading the book, I always leave my review. Even if it’s just a star review. If a book has made an impact (negatively or positively) I will sit down and write a few sentences.

This writing gig has been my lifeline. It got me through some difficult times during the early stages of motherhood and PPD. And I found my creative outlet. I also realized that I could potentially have a decent income, if I play it just right.

The self-publishing community is saturated. Over the last 18 months, due to lockdowns and restrictions, everyone and their aunt has either written a book or self-published a memoir. And unless you are an author with a fanbase who are eagerly waiting for your next book to drop, chances are your self-published book is going to get lost in a whirlpool of other books.

So when I head someone has purchased my book – often someone DM’s me or comments on a post on my socials – I do ask them to please leave a review once they have finished. I don’t beg them to give me 5 stars, not do I try and push them for a glittery review either. I genuinely would like them to offer their unbiased, honest review.

Reviews are what helps my books get picked up by others. My niche might not appeal to many readers. But if everyone who does buy my books, leaves their review, this might lure those who are perhaps looking for something fresh or perhaps a change in genre to go to my profile and see what’s on offer.

I receive lots of feedback from readers over on Instagram or Facebook. Some who know me personally often pops me a quick note over on WhatsApp to say how much they either enjoyed my stories or what they needed more of. And this is perfectly fine, because it does help me grow as an author. However, I can’t go and post these over on Amazon myself, now can I?

So, please: if you have read my book. And if you loved it, or liked it, or even if you think I could improve, please go back to Amazon or Barnes & Noble or even Goodreads and please leave your review of my books. It will go a long way to helping this self-published author gain more confidence in her work as well as earn a little on the side 🙂

PS. If you didn’t know, you can also leave your review on Amazon anonymously. I know some people don’t like to review products using their own name. That’s perfectly fine. But even the anonymous reviews count 🙂

Thanks for stopping by, Dearies. Till next time,
G. W.