What to do with book reviews

This past January, I had written a guest post for Marie Lavender’s blog entitled What You Can Learn from Reading Your Book Reviews.

So I thought in this post, I’d share some ideas on what to do when you get reviews (besides thanking the reviewer, of course!) so that you can maximize its effect.

(If you’ve got some ideas of your own, feel free to add them in the comments section!)

Post on your book review page

Now I am assuming that you have a book review page, of course! (No page? Create one ASAP!) Here’s how I have used mine for my latest book, TRAVELING LEFT OF CENTER AND OTHER STORIES. First, I used a few one-liners on my main book page almost as graphic elements.

Then, I put a fuller version on the Reviews page, with links to where the reviews could be read in full. (Notice the image? Read the next tip for how I did that.)

Create an image with selected review quotes

I am graphically-challenged so PicMonkey has been a godsend. I used the DESIGN tab to create an image from scratch (great for when you need a poster for your booksigning table), added some one-liners, got a little crazy with colors and exposures and then saved it to my desktop. (Read on for another PicMonkey-based idea!)

Create a graphic using your book cover and a line from the review

I wanted a different way to use selected quotes from reviewers, rather than just as text, so, using PicMonkey, I uploaded my cover image, added the quote and then saved it.

Now when I post on social media, I can just include the reviewer’s name and the link to where the review is along with the image—a neat trick for getting around the character-limitation! (Check out Don’s review image!)

Link to them on your social media sites

Speaking of social media, don’t just mention the review once. Reviews are “evergreen”—even if they are a year old, they are still valid marketing pieces.

Sometimes I include them with a thank-you to the reviewer. Sometimes I incorporate them in my call-to-action post. But I always include the link either to my own review page or where the full review appeared.

I try to rotate them (not easy when you have as many as I do—more than 40 at last count!) and I always check the link before I post it! (Want to see how I do it? Follow me on Twitter or Facebook!)

Include them in your sell sheet

I always include a page of quotes from reviews when I am reaching out to bookstores or other venues to set up an appearance. And  I sent the same to my foreign rights agent Sylvia Hayse so she would have them handy when she attends events like the Frankfurt book fair.

You never know when a foreign publisher might want to make your book available in his/her native tongue. (Happened with my first book, THE GIFTS OF CHANGE, courtesy of Sylvia’s efforts!)

Add to your book cover

This works great if you have pre-pub reviews and endorsements. Or if you are changing your book cover. Too late for that? Move on to the next idea!

Include on your postcards or bookmarks

I love using bookmarks and postcards, so I’m always buying more. Along with the sales info and online links, I include some one-liners from reviews. You never know what might push a potential reader from “Do I want to buy this book?” to “I want to buy this book!” but a couple of endorsements can’t hurt!

Well, there you have it—a short list of what I do to make the most of the reviews I’ve received.

If you have examples for how you use book reviews, bring ’em on! The more we all learn, the better we are at marketing our literary wares!

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