How to Get Book Reviews
Review Crew Instructions for Authors
A review crew is one of the most helpful things you can build before your book launches. Reviews help give your book credibility, encourage new readers to take a chance on it, and can help Amazon recognize that readers are engaging with your book.
Who can be on your review crew?
Please be thoughtful about who you invite. Amazon is very careful about review activity, and reviews can be removed if they appear too closely connected to the author or look unnatural.
Your reviewers should follow these guidelines:
- Reviewers should not live in the same household as the author.
- Reviewers should not have the same last name as the author. (This doesn’t mean people who don’t know you who have the same last name, can’t review.)
- There should not be more than one reviewer per household.
- Reviewers should be spread out geographically as much as possible. Try to reach beyond your ward, stake, close friend group, or immediate area. Out-of-state reviewers are especially helpful.
- Reviewers should leave honest reviews in their own words. Do not tell them what to say, offer payment, offer gift cards, or ask only for positive reviews. Amazon allows free or discounted copies of books for readers, but not in exchange for a required or influenced review.
- Also, reviewers should be forewarned that if they’ve not spent more than $50 in a year on books on Amazon, they will not be allowed to review.
Why do we recommend at least 50 reviewers?
Amazon does not publicly tell authors the exact number of reviews needed before a book begins getting more visibility through recommendations, “also boughts,” newsletters, and other discovery tools on their site. However, we know from experience that 50 reviews is a strong starting goal.
Most books on Amazon never reach 50 reviews, especially not near launch. Reaching that number helps show that readers are interested and that the author is actively promoting the book.
That said, not everyone who agrees to review will actually follow through. In our experience, only about one-third to two-thirds of a review crew usually posts a review. So if you want 50 reviews on or near launch day, you should ideally invite 75 to 100 people. If you can gather more, even better. A larger review crew gives you a better chance of having strong launch-week momentum.
How to communicate with your review crew
You should plan to send five emails:
- Initial review crew email: Send the download link and let them know when the review is needed.
- One week before launch: Remind them the book comes out next week and resend the download link.
- Day before launch: Let them know the book releases tomorrow and that you will send the review links on launch day.
-
Launch day: Send the Amazon review link and Goodreads link. On Amazon, you’ll need to send a clean link. You’ll copy and paste the link out of the address bar at the to of the page. A clean link looks like this:
You copy just until you reach the end of the number that’s just after the dp, and that’s your clean link. So the part underlined in yellow. - One week after launch: Send a final reminder and thank those who have already reviewed.
If you do not have an email newsletter provider, you may need to split your emails into smaller groups. Personal email providers often do not like large bulk emails. If you split the list, use BCC and rotate the groups each time so the same people are not always grouped together.
Even better, start an author newsletter. MailerLite has a free starter plan, and your review crew is a great place to begin building your reader list. As an author, your email list can become one of your most valuable long-term marketing tools.
Email 1: Initial Review Crew Email
Subject: Your advance copy of [Book Title] is here!
Hi [Name],
Thank you so much for being part of my review crew for [Book Title]. I’m so grateful for your support and excited to share this book with you!
You can download your advance copy here:
[Download Link]
The book officially releases on [Launch Date]. If you’re willing to leave an honest review, it would be most helpful if you could have it ready to post on or near launch day. I’ll send you the Amazon review link as soon as the book is live.
Thank you again. Reviews are such an important part of helping new readers discover a book, and I truly appreciate your help.
Best,
[Author Name]
Email 2: One Week Before Launch
Subject: [Book Title] releases next week!
Hi [Name],
Just a quick reminder that [Book Title] releases next week on [Launch Date]!
If you’ve already finished reading, thank you so much. If you haven’t had a chance yet, now is a great time to jump in so you’ll be ready to review when the book goes live.
Here’s the download link again:
[Download Link]
I’ll send the Amazon review link on launch day.
Thank you again for being part of my review crew. I’m so grateful for your support.
Best,
[Author Name]
Email 3: Day Before Launch
Subject: Tomorrow is launch day!
Hi [Name],
Tomorrow is the official release day for [Book Title], and I’m so excited!
Thank you again for being part of my review crew and for taking the time to read an early copy. I truly appreciate it.
Tomorrow I’ll send you the direct link where you can leave a review on Amazon. If you’re willing, it would be incredibly helpful to post your honest review as soon as you’re able. Reviews are a huge part of helping books get seen by new readers, especially during launch week. Thank you for helping me give this book the best possible start.
Best,
[Author Name]
Email 4: Launch Day Review Request
Subject: [Book Title] is live! Review link inside
Hi [Name],
Today is the day! [Book Title] is officially available.
Thank you so much for reading an early copy and supporting this launch. If you’re willing to leave an honest review, you can do that here:
Amazon review link: [Amazon Review Link]
If you’re also on Goodreads, it would be wonderful if you could copy and paste your review there as well:
Goodreads review link:
[Goodreads Link]
Please be sure to add this line to the end of your review: I was given an advanced review copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.
Your review does not need to be long. A few honest sentences are perfect. You could mention what stood out to you, how the book made you feel, a favorite character or moment, or who you think would enjoy it.
Thank you again. Reviews are a big part of how authors get their books seen by new readers. I couldn’t do this without your support.
Best,
[Author Name]
Email 5: One Week After Launch
Subject: Final review reminder for [Book Title]
Hi [Name],
I wanted to send one final review reminder for [Book Title].
For those who have already reviewed, thank you so much! I’m incredibly grateful.
Special thanks to these Amazon reviewers who have already posted:
[Amazon Reviewer Name]
[Amazon Reviewer Name]
[Amazon Reviewer Name]
[Amazon Reviewer Name]
If you haven’t had a chance to review yet and are still willing, you can leave your honest review here:
Amazon review link:
[Amazon Review Link]
And if you loved it and would be willing, you can also copy and paste your review on goodreads here:
Goodreads review link:
[Goodreads Link]
Don't forget to add this line to the end of your review: I was given an advanced review copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.
Thank you again for being part of my review crew. Your support means so much, and every review helps the book reach more readers.
Best,
[Author Name]
