Leverage Review Platforms and Reader Communities
You don’t have to do this alone, and you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. There are entire ecosystems built to connect authors with readers who want to leave reviews. The trick is knowing which platforms are worth your time, how to show up authentically, and where the ethical boundaries lie.
Goodreads: Your First Line of Visibility
Goodreads can feel like a double-edged sword, but it’s still one of the best places to get your book in front of early readers.
Here’s how to make it work for you:
- Claim your author profile – It’s free, and it lets you manage your book page and interact with readers.
- List your book early – Even pre-publication, people can mark it as “Want to Read.” This builds buzz and visibility.
- Run a giveaway (optional) – This can drive traffic and result in early reviews, but quality varies. Giveaways tend to work best if you already have some Goodreads presence.
⚠️ Heads-up: Goodreads Giveaways are not cheap. You pay for the listing and you still need to provide the ebook links or purchase and ship physical copies yourself. Consider whether the visibility is worth the spend. - Engage in groups (carefully) – Look for genre-specific groups that allow review requests or author threads. Follow group rules, contribute before you promote, and be respectful.
Tip: Don’t argue with reviewers, even if they get facts wrong. It never ends well.
Try Trusted ARC Platforms
If you don’t want to manually manage your ARC team or want to expand beyond your current reach, these platforms can help distribute advance copies to potential reviewers in your genre:
BookSirens
- Matches your book with genre-appropriate reviewers
- Readers must maintain a minimum review rate to stay on the platform
- Great for early reviews—especially in popular categories like romance, fantasy, or thriller
Booksprout
- Similar to BookSirens, with good reviewer tracking and compliance tools
- Readers have deadlines, and late reviewers can be flagged
- Especially useful if you’re releasing a series or want to build review momentum over multiple books
NetGalley (higher cost)
- Widely used by traditional publishers, but available to indies (either directly or via co-op)
- Large reviewer pool, including librarians and booksellers
- High visibility, but expensive, and may not bring the best ROI for debut authors
💡 Why You Can Pay for These Platforms—But Not for Reviews
Here’s the line in the sand:
- ✅ Paying for access to a platform that connects you with readers is perfectly acceptable. You’re paying for distribution, tools, or curation, not guaranteed outcomes.
- ❌ Paying someone directly for a review (especially a positive one) violates the terms of service of Amazon, Goodreads, and most major retailers. It can get you flagged, delisted, or banned.
The difference is intent and transparency. Trusted platforms act as intermediaries and make it clear that readers are expected to leave honest reviews, not 5-star fluff. The moment money changes hands in exchange for a review, credibility goes out the window and so might your book.
Follow Up (Without Nagging)
Let’s be honest—most readers intend to leave a review. But life gets in the way, they forget, or they don’t know how. That doesn’t mean they’re ignoring you. It just means you need to make it easier and give them a nudge.
The trick is to follow up in a way that’s friendly, professional, and never pushy.
Reminder Emails That Don’t Annoy People
If you’ve given out ARCs or promoted your book to your newsletter list, you’re absolutely allowed to follow up. The key is to center the reader and keep it simple.
Here’s a sample you can tweak:
Subject: Have you finished [Book Title]? Just a quick favor 💙 Hi [First Name], I hope you’ve been enjoying [Book Title]! If you’ve had a chance to finish it, would you mind leaving a quick review? Just a sentence or two is super helpful and means the world to indie authors like me. 👉 [Amazon review link] No pressure at all—just deep appreciation if you do. Thank you again for reading.
[Your Name]
When to send:
- About 1 week after delivery for ARCs or launch-day buyers
- A gentle follow-up 2–3 weeks later
- Optionally, 1 month post-launch for any stragglers
If you’re emailing a list, keep in mind: you can include a review request in your newsletter multiple times if you frame it differently each time. Don’t be afraid to remind people—just vary the tone and placement.
Automate Your Follow-Ups When You Can
If you’re using platforms like BookFunnel, StoryOrigin, or Booksprout, they can handle reminder emails for you. Many allow you to customize the messaging so it still sounds like you.
Email services like MailerLite, ConvertKit, or Mailchimp also let you set up automated sequences. For example:
- Day 0: “Thanks for grabbing the book!”
- Day 7: “Hope you’re enjoying it.”
- Day 14: “If you’ve finished, I’d love a quick review.”
It’s set-it-and-forget-it, and it keeps you from having to personally chase anyone down.
Pro Tip: End every reader-facing message (emails, back matter, social) with a low-friction call to action. Something like:
“If you’ve read the book, I’d love it if you left a review. It only takes a minute, and it really helps.”
Because sometimes, that’s all someone needs.
Avoid Review Traps and Shortcuts
When you're desperate for reviews (and let’s face it, we’ve all been there), it can be tempting to take shortcuts. A paid review here, a “review swap” there… What’s the harm?
The harm is real. Shortcuts can backfire hard, tank your credibility, and even get your book removed from major platforms like Amazon.
Let’s break down what to avoid—and why.
Why Paying for Reviews Is a Red Flag
We’ve talked about using paid ARC platforms like BookSirens or NetGalley, and those are fine because you’re paying for access, not opinions.
But paying an individual to leave a review is a huge no-no, especially on Amazon. Even if the person says it’s “honest,” platforms see it as manipulation. That includes:
- Fiverr gigs offering reviews
- “Review packages” in sketchy Facebook groups
- Paid beta readers who promise to also leave Amazon reviews
🚨 Amazon can and will remove your book (or your entire account) if they detect review manipulation. They don’t play around.
Why Review Swaps Can Go Sideways
The idea seems innocent: “I’ll review your book if you review mine.” But even if you both try to be honest, Amazon often sees it as a conflict of interest—especially if your accounts are connected in any way (same IP address, frequent mutual purchases, etc.).
Worse? If either of you leaves a less-than-stellar review, things can get awkward fast. You’re not building a community—you’re risking drama.
There are better ways to support fellow authors (like promoting them, sharing posts, or joining multi-author promos) that don’t involve quid-pro-quo reviews.
What About Friends and Family?
Yes, they can technically leave reviews, but it’s risky. Amazon tracks relationships (shared addresses, devices, payment methods, etc.). If they think you’re too close, the review will be removed automatically.
And let’s be honest: your readers don’t want glowing reviews from your cousin Carol, who says, “This was amazing!!!” even though she only reads cookbooks, and you didn't write a cookbook.
You want real reviews from people who actually read your genre.
The Bottom Line
Shortcuts may promise fast results, but they come with long-term consequences. Your reputation as an author is worth more than a few extra stars.
Stick with the slow-and-steady approach. It may take longer, but it builds something real.
Stay Consistent and Keep the Reviews Coming
Getting your first 50 reviews is a big milestone—but it’s just the start. Building a strong, lasting relationship with readers means making reviews a regular part of your author routine.
Make Reviewing Part of Your Author Culture
From your newsletter to your social media, invite readers to review—gently and often. Here’s how:
- Include a short, friendly review request in the back matter of every book.
- Mention reviews occasionally in your newsletter, without sounding like a broken record.
- Share reviews you love on social media to celebrate readers and encourage others.
- When readers tell you they enjoyed the book, thank them and casually remind them that reviews help authors grow.
Ask New Readers Continuously
Don’t stop after launch week or the first month. New readers come in all the time—through ads, giveaways, recommendations, and backlist sales.
Make review requests part of your long-term marketing strategy. This steady trickle will help your book gain traction over time and keep your author career sustainable.
Conclusion – Your First 50 Reviews Are Just the Beginning
Getting those first 50 reviews is more about strategy than luck. By planning ahead, recruiting and managing an ARC team effectively, and tapping into your existing audience with respect and clarity, you can build a solid foundation of authentic feedback. These early reviews help your book gain visibility, credibility, and momentum—without ever resorting to guilt or pressure.