What a review does to your book is what a certificate does to a person’s claim of being a graduate and what advertisement does to a project or service.
It imbues social credibility, validation and proof that the publicity claims or promise of your book is true. It says to your prospective reader that others have read and enjoyed your book, so they, too, may. Therefore, it is imperative to include reviews as your publicity strategy for your book.
How do you pick reviewers for your book?
- Celebrity status: A famous and respected person in society. This is similar to a celebrity endorsement. A well-known person in sports, or entertainment, or an influencer of some sort can write a review without giving away all the juicy details, just enough to spark curiosity and interest in your book.
2. Authority status: An authority on the theme you are writing about. Imagine writing a novel that is endorsed by Prof. Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Prize Winner in Literature. Because people have come to identify him as an authority in Literature, his review is enough to whet their appetite and make them want to buy your book as well.
3. Proximity status: A person who knows you pretty well and understands your passion for that theme. A good friend can write a review explaining your competence and ability to write the book.
Project Supervisor, The PEN Place
Omoregie Blessing
What to do with your review?
Do not keep it in the book or have it as feedback on your social media DMs, make noise about it, and let it be a veritable publicity tool to drive sale or impact for that book. You can also tag the reviewer on your social media pages.
Review writing is very important for your book, (whether it is an old book or a new one) and it is a publicity option that you can explore for the promotion of your book.