One under the radar way to get your book out there is through book reviews, which for a newly published author can be a hard thing to figure out where to start. This is why I’ve outlined 10 steps in helping you get there.

1. Start early, picking out the people you’re going to send your book in for review, in all three mediums: print, broadcasting and the Internet. Before contacting them, ensure that their information is current and still relevant. Also make sure your request is personal—address them by name. To get you started, you can sign-up at Reviewthebook.com
   
   
2. Write your letter or email in a way that is both professional and that focuses on the benefits to the reviewer’s readers; also make sure that a copy of the book cover is included. Alternatively, several book trade reviewers have specific requirements for review requests which you will need to follow.
   
   
   
3. Create a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet as a way to keep a record on all the book reviewers you have contacted and touched base with. You will need to touch base every week, or until you’ve received a positive or negative feedback, or after at least three attempts.
   
   
4. When you do start receiving encouraging replies, start sending in book copies within a max of two days of initially receiving the request. The package should include the review copy of your book, a information sheet, and your press kit (press release + author bio + a mock review—favorable review of your book).
   
   
5. Roughly 2-3 weeks later, follow up with your potential book reviewer to ensure both that the book has arrived and querying whether a decision has been made by the reviewer.
   
   
6. In case you don’t hear back, you will have to follow up a few more times underlining the importance of your book and how advantageous it is for their readers.
   
   
7. Should you hear back, follow up based on the response received, always thanking them for considering your book.
   
   
8. Keep following up with everyone on your list until you’ve exhausted it and/or yourself!
   
   
9. Ensure that you receive copies of ever review or piece done on your book, which can be used for more publicity.
   
   
10. Once you’ve been reviewed, make sure that you post links to the reviews on your site and copies in your Press/Media kit on your official website. Mentioning them on your blog, newsletter, social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook, also helps.

Comments (1)

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juggie pather said:

	10 ways to get reviews for your book very useful
	report abuse vote down vote up

December 13, 2010 | url
Votes: +0

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