Julie Broad shows nonfiction authors how to ask for Amazon reviews the right way. Target four specific groups with personalized emails, offer a free copy, and give readers 2-4 weeks. Post your own review first so it's there when theirs arrive.
You already know you need Amazon reviews for your book, and in the last video we covered who to ask to get reviews. Today, we're going to dive into what you're saying when you contact these folks to review your book. Hey, it's Julie the book broad with Book Launchers. We help nonfiction authors write, publish and sell a fantastic book that boosts your business and builds your brand. If you have an idea and you don't know where to start or. Or you've drafted a book and you want to make sure it's going to be awesome and sell like hotcakes, that's what we do. So reach out. Let's get you some of those coveted Amazon reviews, shall we? First, here's what not to do. No mass emails. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Don't put all your contacts in BCC and send it off or even BC in CC or whatever in the toolbar. Just don't do it. They're going to completely ignore you, okay? And they probably will even get annoyed. And please don't post on anybody else's Facebook page or do anything weird or spammy like that asking for reviews. We're going to find these folks contact information or send them a direct message on Facebook or LinkedIn if we don't have their email. And we're going to be so respectful about this and not beg, please. I said no begging. Now what to say? If you haven't already watched the first video, you might not know the four groups we're going to contact. Group one, previous Amazon reviewers. You're going to write them and say, I read your review of X book and I liked how you pointed out X or Y and thought perhaps you would enjoy my book because it covers this. Group two, you're my amazing client and I humbly ask you to help me. Group three, a colleague or competitor of sorts. Hey, listen, we met at X conference and you might not remember because we had way too many drinks at the bar after. I'm kidding. I don't even drink anymore, so this totally doesn't fit for me. But you have to have some point of connection with these folks. So maybe you didn't meet, maybe you just caught their talk, or you have a mutual friend, or you just have complete respect for what they're doing in the business. The big thing here is you're giving them some honest reason why you thought of them and why you thought that asking them to read and review your book would be a fit for them. Finally, the fourth group, the people you pay as part of your team, Business coach, mentors, consultants for this one, I would take the old hey, I need your help and I pay you a boatload of money so it's the least you could do. No, I'm kidding, I'd never do that. I would take a more direct approach though. I would say, hey listen, I need your help. Your clients might be a great fit for this book, or maybe you'll enjoy the stories I share, but basically I'm not as worried about giving these people an in depth reason. I don't expect a favor, but I feel less like the tables are uneven when I ask for this favorite. Hopefully that makes sense. I'm still humble, I'm complimentary and grateful, but it's just a different dynamic than the other groups. So hopefully you see why a mass email won't work. Because every email has to be personalized to each person in the hopes that 20% of these folks are actually going to review your book. Now that's the first sentence or two. The rest is pretty standard. Share why you're reaching out to them. I wrote a book and I'd like to send you a free copy in exchange for an honest review. And then you're going to write five sentences or less. Get to the point. Ask if they would be willing to read the book, in what time frame you would like the review done, and then ask them how they would like to receive the book. Some people prefer to be able to read it in PDF, others will want it in a file that they can read on a specific device. If you have those choices, offer it, email them and then follow up once. After that, let it go. If you see them in person, lay on the guilt trip. But otherwise. But otherwise, just move on. Now the ones that agree to do this, you'll get a few people that will agree to review it. Now you have to send them a copy. So you've asked them what format of book they'd like to receive it in. Epub, mobi or PDF. I recommend asking instead of just sending them all three versions. And if you don't have choices then just send them a PDF. And again, when you send them a copy of your book, let them know your time frame. I I would give them at least two weeks to review the book. So if you're doing this pre launch, make sure they get this at least two weeks out, but not more than four weeks because people will forget. When your book goes live or within the timeframe that you've set for their review, follow up, give them a link to the live book page with a gentle nudge to write the review. Want more on Amazon? Want more video? Want more tips? Make sure you check out part one and the video on why you don't want friends and family to watch. Review your books now. This part is super important. Are you listening? Make sure you smash that thumbs up button. Comment on this video right now with your Amazon strategy or question and subscribe to the channel. Yep, I'll wait. Go ahead. Do all that right now. Then we can keep hanging out and become video besties. Thank you. See you on the next video. Oh, you're still here. I love that you stick with me until the end. Here's your pro tip for sticking with me. Some people may respond to your follow up saying they haven't finished reading your book yet. Here's what you do. You can ask them to post a review now and edit it when they finish. Encourage them just to get that review up right now. You need reviews asap. Besides, you don't know if they'll ever finish reading your book, do you? So get that review now.
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