Ten Mistakes New Authors Make When Trying to Get Reviews

Every author hopes for positive feedback and positive reviews whenever their book comes out. The first few reviews may not seem clear, and they might end up being frustrating. A great number of authors don’t realize they are committing mistakes that slow their growth. 

Authors on Critiqued.net have the power to decide the way and time for receiving reviews. There are ways to prove that real readers give reliable feedback that follows the platform’s rules. In the Readers Program, authors can select the readers who could be interested in their books.

Learning what not to do plays an equal part in finding out what will work. Avoid these mistakes and start getting real feedback in the right manner.

Not Asking for Reviews at All

Numerous new authors fail to ask readers for reviews after they buy their products. The writers believe that quality books will attract reviews of their own. However, readers should be kindly reminded and given a clear idea of what to do. 

Requesting politely can achieve great results in your back matter. If you keep asking for feedback, you will receive regular comments.

Relying Only on Friends and Family

Even though asking people you trust may sound safe, it is unlikely to work. Most of the time, family and friends write reviews that are biased or unclear, so they lack trustworthiness. As a further problem, the posts might be tagged or deleted by platforms that find them in violation of their rules. 

This makes it seem like action is taking place, which could badly affect your credibility for the future. Hope to receive reviews that come from people who are not members of your community.

Ignoring Reader Incentives

Sometimes, authors don’t consider that readers usually have hectic lives and require some motivation to read their reviews.

Offer Clear and Simple Incentives

• Upload a free copy online for users to try and leave their thoughts.
• You could give early readers a chance to read your next story or share some extra material.
• Offer something special to people who share their opinions about your business.
• The reward you offer should not go against any rules set by the platform.

Choosing the Wrong Platforms

Although all review sites are different, new writers are sometimes not very careful when selecting one. Just relying on social media posts will not help you build a lasting and proper reputation. It is important to choose platforms that people often trust and use regularly. 

More people trust books they find on sites such as Goodreads and Amazon. Pick the right places to promote your blog that have a lot of readers.

Using Generic Review Requests

Simply pasting the same review text comes off as boring to most consumers. Expressing your message in a way that suits the person you’re writing to will make them likely to respond. Use the reader’s name, explain the theme of your book, and sincerely thank them. 

If you are specific, it looks like you made an effort, and people will value your words more. Careful emails are more effective than emails that have too much information.

Not Tracking Review Progress

Some authors miss out on valuable information because they don’t usually keep track of reviews as they arrive.

Platform	Review Status	Reader Feedback	Next Step
Amazon	3 pending	Positive but vague	Ask for detailed follow-up
Goodreads	2 posted	Critical yet helpful	Thank you, and improve your writing
Critiqued.net	5 in progress	Targeted reader responses	Track and analyze trends
Book Blogger Sites	No response yet	N/A	Send a follow-up message

Ignoring the Value of Verified Reviews

Trustworthy reviews are believed quicker than those that are anonymous or do not get checked for honesty. Reviews like these are posted by actual buyers or by approved websites that are responsible. Verified reviewers tend to boost the credibility of what they say about your book. 

It improves the reputation and awareness of a business in online stores. Make sure to select platforms that make it possible to check if reviewers are genuine.

Taking Feedback Personally

People’s negative comments should be seen as objective feedback, even though they feel hurtful upon reading. You can benefit from every feedback, harsh reviews included. Instead of being upset, try to gain lessons and areas where you can improve. 

Being professional helps you maintain the reputation of being an author. You develop when you embrace criticism instead of being afraid of it.

Forgetting to Build a Reader Community

Communities are necessary because they keep your reviews from declining after the first few are posted.

Build Connection Before You Ask

• Design an email list and provide your readers with useful and interesting material.
• Join and take part in discussions on reliable writing forums or book groups as often as you can.
• Don’t limit your use of social media to advertising; also chat and share ideas with your followers.
• Get someone to be part of your beta reading team to assist you and give you feedback.

Not Using Review Expert Platforms

A lot of new authors aren’t aware that well-known platforms can ease the process of getting reviews.

A professional review service was made to meet the needs of writers at any point in their writing process. Writers collect points and determine the timing for when feedback will be sent to them by the authors. 

Information and updates on reader engagement can be seen in real time on the Author Dashboard. Employ smart platforms and use every feedback received from readers. Authors gain more trust with verified reviews and the assistance of marketing offered by Prime Writing.

The Bottom Line

Making sure your book gathers reviews as a new author is not easy, simply because your book is good. It is better to avoid these typical mistakes so that you don’t struggle in the future. Take the lead, act on purpose, and use a strategy in your plans. 

Tools like Critiqued.net are really important if you plan to grow. The Author Dashboard notifies you in real time, gives you access to reader information, and lets you see how your content is doing. Having the appropriate equipment and attitude will help your reviews highlight what you have done. 

With additional offerings such as editing and marketing assistance, the platform supports you in achieving success as an author.