by Alyssa Ast
Every author knows the value that great reviews can create for their book sales. Not only are reviews helpful for authors, but they’re good for potential consumer as well. Reviews often sway a consumer one way or another when it comes to purchasing a book.
However, reviews can fool consumers because of certain practices used by authors to achieve these great reviews. Although great reviews are necessary for authors, the best way to achieve them is with honesty– because if consumers are fooled by a good review, they are more likely to follow up with a bad review. It seems to be a double-edged sword when it comes to book reviews, for both the author and consumer.
The Author’s Point of View
Every author knows the impact reviews have on their book sales. Good reviews will boost your sales, and bad reviews will hurt your sales,plain and simple. It isn’t always easy getting reviews though. You can ask for them using review services, like The WM Review Connection. Or, many authors choose to ask friends and family to review their books, which isn’t considered bad but the reviews are often biased and not as honest as those by a third party. Or, you can sit around and wait for reviews to pop up. Some authors even go as far as creating separate accounts to post multiple reviews of their own book. While there aren’t any official rules regarding how reviews are received, it’s best to go about it honestly.
Honest reviews will attract customers. Even the occasional bad review is OK because your book isn’t going to appeal to every one. A variety of reviews are better for sales than a bunch of dishonest reviews. Even though an author’s goal is to acquire as many positive reviews as possible, do it honestly.
The Consumer’s Point of View
Many consumers use reviews to help them decide whether or not a book is the right book for them. Many consumers can easily be fooled by “fake reviews” and purchase a book they later find is nothing like the “fake reviews” posted. This often entices them to post their own review, which may not end up being the review an author had hoped for. Consumers expect reviews to be open and honest, with unbiased opinions. If a consumers finds out they were fooled, they probably won’t be too pleased.
“Fake reviews” actually occur more often than one might think. In fact, a private study was conducted to evaluated the authenticity of reviews posted on Amazon. Cornell professor Trevor Pinch, who was involved with study, states, “The fundamental problem is that people reading the reviews probably naturally assume that the Amazon reviewers are regular shoppers just like them—when, in fact, their relationship to the products they review can be a little more complicated.” Pinch goes on to say, “The issue of the ‘customers’ not really being customers needs to be addressed.”
This information should be eye-opening for consumers who use book reviews to make a decision whether or not to purchase a book. In my opinion, there’s nothing wrong with authors seeking reviews from review sites or asking friends to post reviews about their book, as long the reviews are unbiased and honest. As a author myself, I know the importance of good reviews, but I won’t go to the extent to fake reviews just to achieve them. I would much rather have open and honest opinions about my work, even if that means an occasional bad review.
As a writer, do you feel authors should create fake reviews to ensure they have positive reviews for their sales? As a consumer, how do you feel knowing some of the reviews you read may be less than truthful, and in fact a scam?
I don’t like fake reviews. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with asking people you know to actually read and review your work–but just posting fake reviews is unfair to the reader. I purchased a book from Amazon last year based on the (MANY) rave reviews posted with it, and it turned out to be a horrible book. Not only was it clearly written by people who did not speak English very well, but the content was regurgitated from a number of other sources and just worthless. I tried to write a review to indicate this, but Amazon never published it. These days I check other sources for reviews to make sure I’m getting the full story before I buy.
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If I read a book specifically to review it for an author and don’t like it, I won’t put the review up. If I do like it, I’ll write a good but honest review. And I try to keep my reviews as simple as possible. I know that I personally skip over long, “book report” type reviews.
Now, if I read a book just because I wanted to read it and it stinks, I’d write a poor review.
I find it hard to write reviews for a book I was asked to review when I don’t like it. I normally still write the review but do try to highlight the finer points of the book, even if they are difficult to find. Sometimes though, it’s impossible to write a review for a book that just stinks, then I do consider not writing the review at all. Thanks for reading Bessie!
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You have to check the sources, unfortunately. Many books have peer reviews, free copy reviews (where the consumer may feel obligated to hand out a good review), and yes, many paid or traded reviews.
On top of all this, people need to remember that someone unhappy with a product is far more likely to give a review than the numerous people who are happy with it. In the non-fiction world this can also be a problem due to the wide range of audience. We don’t all like the same things.
Reviews can be a great tool, if used properly. Also, with the ability to see excerpts online or go to the local book store and thumb through any book. I place only a fraction of my decision on book reviews these days.
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I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s unfortunate people are more likely to post reviews about book they don’t like. Makes the task of getting good reviews harder.
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Unfortunately Angela had to purchase the book before she saw that it had fake reviews. Did she ever discover why Amazon did not put up her review?
That brings up the question,how can you know if the books have fake reviews? I have four Christian children’s books on Amazon. I have not had any bad reviews yet, but Goodreads did publish some reviews as three stars out of 5 stars.
I like to encourage people, so giving a bad review would be hard.
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I don’t like leaving negative comments either. However, I think there is a way bad reviews can be written that offer constructive criticism. I would never write a review that just says “I hate it. It’s the worst thing I have read!”
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It’s always better to get honest reviews. Social networking makes it easier to find people who might be willing to provide them. I agree, Alyssa, finding out a review was “fake” will anger readers. Far better to get honest reviews from readers who actually read the book. I’ve written a couple of reviews (one on Amazon), and I told the whole truth. I did it to help other readers decide if the book was a good choice for them. And the authors appreciated my help.
Yes, honest reviews are certainly the way to go. Glad the author responded well to your review.
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