Leaving Reviews Help

Yes, leaving reviews and ratings is definitely beneficial to the author. Contrary to what some might say, anyone who has purchased your book or downloaded it during a promotional offer is eligible to leave feedback. While there’s a common belief that reviews from friends or family could lead to a ban, this isn’t necessarily accurate. It’s fear mongering by other authors.

Question: How would platforms like Amazon or Goodreads even determine if reviewers are related? Some claim that these sites dig through social media for connections, but is it worth the effort to invade someone’s privacy just to invalidate their reviews? Sounds ridiculous, isn't it. It makes no sense really, since millions of self-published authors publish their books every year and to waste that much time for one author is mind blowing. Consider this for a moment: if an author faces negativity from haters or a disgruntled peer, it might create some buzz, but authors, don’t let that fear hold you back. 

It’s important not to discourage anyone from sharing their ratings or reviews of your books.  A smart move for any author is to secure an ISBN number before publishing on KDP or any other platform. It costs $125, and having your own ISBN can enhance your book's visibility with major retailers, rather than relying solely on Amazon for distribution.

Apparently, Amazon primarily focuses on distributing books through its own platform, unlike IngramSparks, which reaches a wider range of retailers. While I’m not entirely sure about the specifics yet, many authors have shared that they wished for their books to be available in places like Target, Walmart, or libraries, but Amazon's distribution is limited to its own site. 

This year, I’m planning to take a different approach by not only publishing a paperback through Amazon KDP but also utilizing IngramSparks for broader distribution. You can find more information about Bowker Publishing Services in the link below. Thank you for visiting my blog and please subscribe to my channel. Not all blog entries are made into short videos but most are.

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Unpopular Opinion

Rates & Reviews do Matter

 

My son captured this image of a book I recently finished called, The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe, which is available at Target now. I bought mine on Amazon. I was drawn to it because of the smut it claims it has. However, I rated it as a three star on Amazon, as I found the storyline somewhat clichéd and reminiscent of typical fanfiction plots. Even the book, Ask Alice: A Tainted Wonderland by Kell Frillman, rated a higher star by me, than this book. 

In The Never King, the character of Wendy does not embody a strong female lead, which raises the question of why this book has become a bestseller on Amazon. I suspect it is largely due to the numerous ratings and reviews it has received since its release, some of which are not particularly favorable by some readers but there it is on Target shelves.

 The significance of ratings cannot be overstated; a book is deemed a bestseller when it accumulates a substantial number of downloads or receives numerous ratings and reviews. However, it's crucial to understand that a high volume of ratings—such as over 1,000—does not inherently indicate quality. Those who claim that ratings and reviews are inconsequential are mistaken; they play a vital role in how platforms like Amazon classify bestsellers. The presence of ratings can elevate a book's visibility, regardless of its actual merit. Consequently, books with fewer ratings may achieve only moderate recognition, while those with extensive reviews are more likely to be prominently featured on Amazon, making them easier for readers to discover.

In my quest to discover indie authors with few ratings, I often navigate through a sea of choices to uncover hidden treasures, a task that can be quite daunting. To my fellow indie writers, I encourage you to persevere! Continue crafting your stories, as there is an audience out there eager to embrace your work.

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