I don’t know if you noticed, but there was an explosion of
books in the last few years and it might feel like you are lost in a pile of
books you want to read. It feels like there are far too many books to read and
too little time. There needs to be someone to sort through this mess and help
readers decide what to choose. The answers is book reviewers. You can be a book
reviewer to help sort through the pile, but there are some things you need to
know.
If you want to be a book reviewer to help people choose the
best books to read I think I can give you some advice. It is easier than ever
to be a book reviewer, but it is also harder than ever to be a good book
reviewer. There is a growing need for them, but it is becoming harder to be
found on the internet. Take a look at my tips and tricks of being a book
reviewer and they will let you find your path.
1.
Find a Home and Choose Carefully
You need a home to be a book reviewer; a nice warm place
where everyone feels welcome. Having a clean and easy to read layout is
important, but also figuring out your long-term goals now is important. Don’t
focus on this year; think about 3 years away (at least). Where do you want to
be? Now you need to think about the path. Do you want your own site? Your own
blog? Or just working on someone else’s site? Each is up to you, but most
people do a combination of two. They have their site and also write on another.
I think it is best to have your own site because it lets you control your work.
If you write on another site, they control your work (which is not good
long-term).
For your own book review site you need to decide if you want
complete control (your own URL and Webhost) or if you want to be a book reviewer
on typepad.com, blogger.com, or wordpress.com (they technically control your
content). Controlling your book reviews lets you decide to change formats,
grow, or change topics easier than the other sites, but it is more expensive
and time consuming in setting it up. That’s why you need to look longer term
and decide how often you will write and if there will be other writers
eventually. For control of your blog check out wordpress.org (not .com, they
are different). It is really hard to change from one to the other, so choose
carefully. If you do change you might lose lots of links from other sites and
you’ll see a huge drop in traffic (plus angry readers looking for your great
book reviews).
2.
Decide on a Name and a Genre
You need a great name that fits the genre you will review. I
still love www.rabidreads.ca that reviews
science fiction. Also, look up some great information about choosing
a blog name. It isn’t easy and once you choose there is no turning back, it
is permanent. A name usually defines the content and your style. I would rather
read a site called Bookdwarf than a site called John Does Book Reviews, unless
John Does has a really unique name or nickname.
3.
Realize the Responsibility
When you choose to be a book reviewer you are taking on a
huge responsibility. Something you may not realize. You might just start doing
it as a hobby, but your writing affects people around you. It affects readers
and authors. You write a bad review authors can be angry because people don’t
buy the book. You write a great review and readers will be upset if they don’t
like the book. You influence buying decisions and both your reviews will change
people’s minds. Think about creating review guidelines so people know how you
review and why you review in a certain way. You can have them in an area on the
site for everyone to see. Then when you receive negative reviews you can
mention the guidelines and clear up any misunderstandings.
4.
Be Honest and Objective
Once you realize the responsibility you probably realize
that being honest and objective book reviewer is really important. You need to protect
the authors and the reader, while providing them with useful information. This
doesn’t mean that you should give everything 3 stars, far from it. It just
means you need to justify yourself in the book review you wrote. Don’t sell
yourself out for paid reviews, but do it honestly. Be objective, but still
emotional.
5.
Connect with the Reader
The reader wants to connect with the book reviewer despite
it being an honest and objective review following the guidelines. You need to
be able to paint a picture when you are a book reviewer. This will help you
connect with the reader and have them coming back. Try to engage them on the
site with questions, polls, and other information. If you have the time you can
also create content that is not book reviews, but opinions. Giving them more
information will bring them back more often.
6.
Write and Rewrite
Every time you write it is never perfect. Therefore, rewrite
it and make it better. Make a review and check it the day after. Make
adjustments and then publish it. Be a book reviewer who cares about his
content.
7.
Promote Like Never Before
Promotion is probably the hardest part of being a book
reviewer. There is so much that needs to be written and then you also need to
get people to come see it. Where do these people come from? How do they find
you? Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, and other social media are good
starts, but not the be all and end all. They are good for finding a few people
and keeping them engaged. The best promotion comes from hard work. You need to
be in the book blog network to be a book reviewer with readers. When you write
a review tell the author, tell your friends, tell other blogs who reviewed the
same book about it (in the comments), and anyone who will listen. Ask other
blogs to guest review on their sites. Ask other people to guest post on your
site. Reciprocate and share link love. Link love makes the internet go around.
And for every post you need to be doing this. Remember the
secret to being a book reviewer: read, write, promote, rinse, and repeat. That
is the key to success for every post.
Advanced: It is also good to learn the basics of SEO (search
engine optimization) in order to get Google working on your side: SEO for Beginner
Bloggers.
8.
Don’t Accept Every Free Book
Only accept the ones you like. Read what you love and the
reviews will be better. Sometimes give other books a shot, but it is better to
choose something you thought you would love over something you took a risk
reading. Risks do have rewards, but being consistent may be more important. There
is no reason not to try it once or twice and then decide if it is for you.
9.
Have Fun
Have fun. The moment you feel like you need to get the next
book review out because you readers are expecting it and you are stressed out
means your writing is going to suffer. You need a break at this point. Write
about something else besides book reviews or write a blog post about how you
are taking a week off. You need a fun and happy blog to be a book reviewer who
has great reviews.
With Barnes and Noble closing its brick and mortar every
other day, people will move online more to find books they want to read. This
is a great chance to be a book reviewer, create a following, and learn more
about books. You can get free books and once your following is big enough you
can maybe put some ads up and be a book reviewer who makes money. Good luck.
About the Author
William Yatscoff is the founder and marketing manager of
both Bookkaholic Magazine and Bookkus Publishing. Bookkaholic is launching
in February 2013 and Bookkus launched in September 2012. Bookkus is
continuously looking for readers to be book reviewers and writers
wanting to improve their manuscripts. William is an avid readers and a manager
of book
reviewers on the site.
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