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How to get initial reviews for a new Amazon ebook?

by Curtis2011
8 replies
I have a great concept for a new short ebook that I'm already working on. I think it will be very well received by the audience that it is intended for. I also have an SEO strategy already planned out for the website that will be promoting the book.

However, I've never published an ebook on Amazon before. I've only sold ebooks on my own sites. One concern I have currently is about getting an initial amount of reviews that will help convince new viewers on the Amazon page to buy it. Since the specific keyword that the ebook will be focused on is very uncontested on Google, I expect the Amazon page alone to probably rank fairly high for the keyword by itself. Which means I need some reviews in place to convince the SEO traffic to buy the book.

I'm not interested in paying for fake 5 star reviews, just getting people to review the book with an honest opinion. As I said, I believe the content will be very well received once people get to see it.

Does anyone have experience in this area?
#amazon #ebook #initial #reviews
  • Profile picture of the author Michael J Anthony
    Get people you know to go ahead and read the ebook and then write a review for you. I've done that myself. I've gotten some family members and friends to read the book and give an honest review about it. I gave them a copy of the ebook to read for free if they would go to my link and write a short, honest review for me.
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    • Profile picture of the author AdamJ85
      Two thoughts:

      - You could give the ebook away for free for a limited time. This will make people more likely to give your ebook a chance (even if it has no reviews at first) and if the content is good then some of those people will leave positive reviews.

      - You could pre-promote the ebook to the intended audience and build up a list of interested prospects. Create a page where people can sign up to hear more about your ebook as soon as it goes on sale. Ideally, offer them some extra, bonus content as an additional incentive to sign up to your list.

      When you then release the ebook on amazon, these people will be far more likely to download the book regardless of the number of reviews at the time. Plus, you'll also be able to send them a follow-up email asking them to rate the ebook on amazon - again, possibly with some kind of incentive for doing so.
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      • Profile picture of the author emmerson
        Give out review copies to friends, family or even interested persons from a forum etc. If you want them to be verified purchasers as well then you can significantly discount the books to your potential reviewers in exchange for honest reviews.
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      • Profile picture of the author ronaldmd
        Originally Posted by AdamJ85 View Post

        Two thoughts:

        - You could give the ebook away for free for a limited time. This will make people more likely to give your ebook a chance (even if it has no reviews at first) and if the content is good then some of those people will leave positive reviews.
        While this method is good, but people who leave reviews are small minority. My advice is, give away free review copies to related forums, i.e if your ebook is about internet marketing, make a thread on internet marketing forum, say you're willing to give the ebook free of charge in exchange for honest reviews on Amazon.
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  • Profile picture of the author heroboy
    Originally Posted by Curtis2011 View Post

    I have a great concept for a new short ebook that I'm already working on. I think it will be very well received by the audience that it is intended for. I also have an SEO strategy already planned out for the website that will be promoting the book.

    However, I've never published an ebook on Amazon before. I've only sold ebooks on my own sites. One concern I have currently is about getting an initial amount of reviews that will help convince new viewers on the Amazon page to buy it. Since the specific keyword that the ebook will be focused on is very uncontested on Google, I expect the Amazon page alone to probably rank fairly high for the keyword by itself. Which means I need some reviews in place to convince the SEO traffic to buy the book.

    I'm not interested in paying for fake 5 star reviews, just getting people to review the book with an honest opinion. As I said, I believe the content will be very well received once people get to see it.

    Does anyone have experience in this area?
    You can actually get reviews directly from Amazon buyers. You don't have to pay them. Many buyers on Amazon pride themselves in writing honest reviews. All you have to do is find a list of top reviewers in your niche and then contact them requesting their review of the eBook. You will first need to list your eBook though. I am sure many reviewers would oblige. You may list your eBook for a lower price initially so that the reviewers don't have to spend too much money buying it.
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  • Profile picture of the author awledd
    Can't agree more. Give away review copy.
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  • Profile picture of the author internetmarketer1
    I always say to give it away for free to the Amazon prime users. Amazon prime is filled with amazing potential kindle readers who are always looking for new books to give reviews for.


    Goodreads.com is another great place to build a seriously huge following for your books, especially if you want to build multiple books on the same story. But use goodreads to gain that following before you launch your next kindle book.
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    Tired of Google?! Exhausted from all the rehashed trash?!
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  • Profile picture of the author johnlagoudakis
    Hi Curtis,

    I've done this before a few times.

    What I did was to offer it to my list for free, in exchange that they left an honest report on Amazon.

    It worked well


    John
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