Getting a Foot in the Door at Amazon

Once your family, friends, coworkers and acquaintances have bought their copies, you still have 999,942 copies to go before you sell a million.  It’s time to start hoofin’ it and get some free publicity for your book.

Amazon is one of the largest booksellers so it’s a good place to start if you want to attract readers and reviewers.

Books with positive reviews tend to sell better on Amazon.  But getting your book into the hands of buyers who will review it can be tough.  The average buyers are looking for a good read and are not necessarily going to help you promote your book with a good review, even if they loved it.

You can find prospective reviewers by posting a message on Amazon’s discussion board.  This board is primarily for book reviews:

http://forums.prosperotechnologies.com/n/mb/listsf.asp?webtag=am-custreview&

It’s also helpful to take a look at the list of highest ranked Amazon reviewers.  You can find that list here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/top-reviewers.html

These people compete to be the highest ranked reviewer.  To do so, they often will accept your book and will provide a review for you.  

Some reviewers provide an email or mailing address so that you can contact them or send a book for review.  Even if they don’t list this information directly, you can still contact them by going to their Amazon profile.  Click the “Invite to be an Amazon Friend” link.  This will generate a form so you can enter a message.

Here’s a sample letter that you might send to an Amazon reviewer:

Dear (Insert name here),

I received your contact name through the Amazon Top Reviewer’s list.  I have written a book called “(Insert Book Name here).”  From your Amazon profile, I see that you often review this type of book.  If you are interested in reviewing my work, I will send a complimentary copy to you.  Thanks in advance for your time.

Sincerely,

Struggling Author

Many reviewers will accept e-books and PDF files of your book, so be sure and ask what format the reviewer prefers.    Your editor or publisher can provide a digital copy in most cases, but be sure to check before you make the offer.

Self promotion is tough, but it can be done with some planning and work on your part.