Our post on scam reviews led to some great conversations and questions. However, there was one question that stood out above the rest. Over and over, we heard, “I think I sound like a scammer! How can I write a review like a human?”
Well, you asked and we delivered. Here are our tips to writing reputable, honest, and real reviews.
If you bought the book, show it.
Several ebookstores will distinguish your review if you purchase and review the book on the same site. This is the first step to setting yourself apart from the scammers. Amazon has Amazon Verified Purchase: “Customers reading an Amazon Verified Purchase review can use this information to help them decide which reviews are most helpful in their purchasing decisions.” On Amazon, the Amazon Verified Purchase tag will appear below the name of the reviewer.
Smashwords goes even further with its review system. Besides tagging reviews by Smashwords customers, the site adds additional information. For example, you can see if the book was “reviewed day of purchase”, “reviewed within month of purchase”, or if it was reviewed before the author started charging (“review of free ebook”). Same-day reviews of extremely lengthy books can throw up red flags. However, if you buy the book, take time to read the book, and use some of our other tips, you’ll create a strong and trustworthy review.
Attach your compliments to details.
Compliments are flighty things. If you don’t tie them down to examples and evidence, they’ll just fly away. For our imaginary novel, Ghosttime, the details might look something like this:
A quick way to add details to your review? Use the word “because”: “I love this book because…”, “This book is a masterpiece because…”, “I want to read more of this author because…”.
Don’t be afraid to be critical.
But again, attach your criticisms to something substantial. “This book is terrible!” isn’t as helpful as “The characters all sound like the same person talking.” When you review a self-published book, there’s a good chance the author will actually read the review.
Now, you might be off base and the author might dismiss your critique outright. However, there’s a real possibility the author will absorb your feedback and work on improving in the next book. Helpful criticisms can be great for everyone: readers get a balanced review, authors get useful advice, and you may have a hand in shaping your favorite indie author’s next work.
Act like you’re talking to a friend.
Your reviews don’t have be essays of researched literary criticism. Review the book like you’re telling a friend why she should read it. Your friend won’t be satisfied with “It’s just great.” You’ll tell her what you liked, what you didn’t like, and you might say something like, “I know you’re a big fan of scary stories that get inside your head and mess with your mind even after you’re done reading, so I think you’d like this book.”
That’s brilliant! Stick that in your online review, because there are tons of people like your friend who are in dire need of a good scare. Oh, and don’t bother with the unnecessary and exaggerated comparisons we previously mentioned: your friend would see right through that, and other readers will, too.
Make it a habit.
Review early, review often. There are some great reasons to make book-reviewing a habit. Frequent, detailed, and critical reviews will boost your credibility. It’s much easier to trust a review from a regular reviewer than someone who only ever reviewed a single book. “Regular” doesn’t have to mean posting a new review every day. Just every time you read a book.
Regular reviewing will help you develop your critical eye and discover more about your own reading preferences. Besides that, you’ll get better at it with practice. And there’s no better time to start reviewing than right now. Shanna Germain has come up with the idea of National Novel Loving Month to be held in tandem with National Novel Writing Month. It’s a way to give back to authors, especially indie authors who may depend on positive reviews for exposure. Germain writes
So I was thinking that instead, every day I will make a short review of a book I love and post it in a place that will actually help sales (like Amazon or Goodreads). One positive review can make SUCH a difference for an author, and I love way more than 30 books.
You can also find NaNoLoMo on Facebook and Goodreads.
annerallen
Oct 19, 2012 @ 17:14:44
This is brilliant. And so helpful. I think some people are afraid of writing reviews, because they flash back to those awful “book reports” they had to write in grammar school. Good customer reviews don’t have to be long to be useful, but they do have to involve specific details, as you’ve shown here.
Also, over on the Passive Voice I just read that some reviewers’ work has been taken down because they’re suspected of sock puppetry, even when they’re not guilty. (And if you try to appeal, they take the AUTHOR’s book down, so it’s pretty grim.) It seems to happen when the reviewer only reviews the books of a handful of authors. So we should make sure to review a variety of authors in a variety of genres so we don’t get mistaken for socks. 🙂
PopularSoda
Oct 19, 2012 @ 18:31:37
Anne,
Thanks for the feedback. That post on the Passive Voice is horrifying. I could have my book taken down if people like it too much?
There doesn’t seem to be a clear solution. Some genuine reviews sound scammy and some scam reviews can have specific details about the book.
Your tip about reviewing multiple authors in multiple genres is helpful. It’s just one way to *help* separate us from scammers though there’s no *clear* distinction.
antoinettemsmut
Oct 19, 2012 @ 18:18:30
Am I posting this to Reddit, or are you? A lot of self-published writers I see on there have nothing but a bunch of scammy sounding reviews from well-meaning friends and relatives.
PopularSoda
Oct 19, 2012 @ 18:35:27
Oh, the delicious karma! You can go ahead. I try not to post my own stuff too much. It makes me feel spammy. Usually, I just link to my relevant articles when I’m commenting.
antoinettemsmut
Oct 19, 2012 @ 19:04:27
I’ll be set the day they start converting Karma into something useful!
PopularSoda
Oct 20, 2012 @ 01:35:56
Like Cheetos? 🙂
Roxanne Crouse
Oct 19, 2012 @ 18:33:54
Reblogged this on So Much To Write, So Little Time and commented:
Excellent advice. I always try to include book details that don’t give away what the book is about. I always try to include what I think might annoy a reader or what they might love. If its middle grade, I’ll let parents know of any bad language or sexual situations a parent might not want their tween reading about. I try to be as helpful as I can.
PopularSoda
Oct 19, 2012 @ 18:46:41
That’s a great idea! Warnings or heads-up for potential audiences are definitely helpful. Similar to movie ratings from the MPAA, we can crowdsource opinions on book suitability. “This story is appropriate for all ages!”
Mom/Dad – We need to talk… About Reviews | AdamOrtyl.com
Nov 08, 2012 @ 20:23:46
Michelle
May 09, 2013 @ 10:57:35
Reblogged this on Chronicles of a 40-something Nurse Wannabe and commented:
I write reviews for books that I move me, either positively or negatively. This post has some great advice for would-be reviewers.
Tips for Writing Great Book Reviews | Jennifer Gilby Roberts
Dec 26, 2013 @ 14:14:57