Aw! But they’re so cute!
There has been a lot of chatter lately regarding prominent self-published authors ( link) and traditionally published authors that have been buying positive reviews by the hundreds or writing reviews themselves. One author has gone so far to write negative reviews on rival author’s novels under assumed names (link).
This started a whirlwind questioning how can we trust Amazon’s reviews if so many are purchasing five-star reviews or fabricating them. Many thought that Amazon should have a policy where there would be a bias to reviewers with hundreds of reviews under their belts. Then the review average would lean heavier towards ‘reputable’ reviews.
I’m glad that Amazon has not changed this policy since I’ve noticed that many of my reviewers (five-star to three-stars) have a few reviews or have left a review for the first time. To outsiders, this may look suspicious, but I know that they’re readers who most likely listened to my plea for reviews in my foreword. When I see these first timers it truly touches my heart that they wanted to help me so much that it compelled them to leave their first review.
Before I published, I never left a review for anything. I honestly never realized they were so important. Of course, I read them when deciding between products, but only now do I go out of my way to leave a critical review. I don’t think it’s fair to judge amazon reviews by how many they’ve left before. Most of my reviews are verified purchases with ‘real names’ and that should sway folks to see that they are not sockpuppets. But even if people thought they were false, I could care less. I know that they’re not and I appreciate each one.
Yesterday, I received a nice review on my second book and I realized what a high I got reading it. That’s when it hit me. I would keep writing, even if I only made back all my costs, for these fantastic reviews. They mean so much to me. They fill me with so much happiness and motivate me to keep writing.
Authors who buy reviews, leave their own positive reviews, or thrash another author’s books aren’t going to get very far. Readers will make their own judgements after they’re enticed to try your book. If you have been misrepresenting your book it will catch up to you. Nothing baits a one-star review more than misleading your reader.
How important are reviews to you as a reader? Do you trust five-star reviews? Are you wary of reviewers who have never left a review before?
Gosh, positive reviews by a reader that was touched by a story can keep a writer on a high for days. Our readers are often the reason why we write and continue to write.
It’s shocking how writers could stoop so low to write trash reviews of others in the business just for the sake of slamming someone. Worse still is paying reviewers for positive reviews. Yikes!
Worst case, your first book is not received well – you can learn from it. As much as I love By the Sword, I realized it could have used some fine tuning and rather than pout or get angry every time someone wrote a nasty little review, I just shrugged it off and told myself to do better next time – and to focus on the people that really did enjoy it, like yourself.
If it is a reviewer I trust, I would trust their 5 star review.
That is exactly how I feel, Sara. Sometimes those critical reviews help me the most. It’s great to hear honestly how your book is received. Hearing the bad, only makes the good things shine even more. My three-star reviews keep me trying harder and the five-star reviews give me the confidence I need to keep writing. It is so important to understand that not everyone is going to like your book. You must write for your audience.
Such a good thing to remember!
Okay, so I’ve looked at this blog entry three times now – just for a peek at the sock puppet.
🙂
Honestly, I never even look at how many reviews the people have. If there’s a book I’m on the fence about, I’ll go and look what the 2 and 3 star people said to see what they didn’t like about it. I figure all 1 star people are assholes anyway. 😉
I would never leave a one-star review either. If I didn’t like the book I wouldn’t finish it and that would be it. I’d chalk it up to different tastes. If I did finish it then I might leave a three of four star is something could be improved and I’d offer my constructive criticism.
I try not to just look at the star rating or how many reviews, but to go in and read what people specifically loved or didn’t love about a book when I’m trying to decide whether or not to get it. Usually you can tell if the reviewer genuinely read the book by what they’re criticizing. Still, if I like the concept enough, I’ll want to read it for myself anyways.
This is also a good reason to try to be specific (without giving away spoilers) so that people can see that you read the book and so they can judge if they will enjoy it. I love it when reviewers compare it to another well-known book. That gives a better idea of style and plot pace.
Thanks for stopping by 🙂