Privately, I have received several comments about the Amazon.com info. Also, I have been asked questions. I got permission to share a question with you that I thought might be helpful to many.
Sara sent in the following question:
Dear Allyn,
I found your information about amazon very informative. However, I have a tough question for you -- What do you do when someone places a stinky review on your book at amazon? I realize not everyone in the world is going to like my book, but based on the timing of the posting, I suspect it was posted by someone who didn't actually read my book, but simply doesn't like an opinion piece I wrote that was pubished shortly before the post appeared. I know I can't control this type of thing, but it is very frustrating.
Thanks for any advice you may have.
Sincerely,
Sara
This one perplexed me as well. So I turned to Carolyn Howard-Johnson, my Amazon.com guru, for help. Here's what Carolyn said:
Dear Sara:
If the stinky review is yukky because it is inaccurate or the person is getting personal, you can go to the bottom of your book's page and find the links to reach a living Amazon person. Make a good argument for removal and they might remove it. You may have a good case if the person made it obvious he was criticizing something other than your book.
If the person just didn't like your book or pretends that's all he's criticizing and not your opinion piece, you're probably wasting your time to approach Amazon. We have free speech in the US. So, counteract what you consider damaging. Ask your friends--ALL your friends--to get on, add reviews and give it five stars. That way you'll move the bad review down in cue and get your star rating up.
Also build up your site so that other things will catch a browser's eye. All the things Allyn talked about in her presentation at the Red Dirt Book festival (and that are referenced in this blog). The photo feature. The Amapaedia. The Forum/Discussion board. Your blog (AuthorConnect). Etc.
Also be aware that in PR, controversy can be a good thing. I assume your book is political. Thus, many who read the review will see through it. That can only help with those who are interested in your subject. So breathe. And know that it just won't hurt that much. (-: Might even help.
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
If this answer helped you, then consider signing up for Carolyn's ezine for writers, Sharing With Writers. To reach Carolyn, visit her site.
Take care. I'll be posting very soon my opinion on whether marketing your books on Amazon is all it's cracked up to be. I'm waiting for my next royalty statement first.
BTW, my Amazon Short has been selling well. It's only 49 cents and an excellent example of the type of nonfiction Amazon will accept. If you want to check it out, please visit:
http://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-People-Perform-Unthinkable-Acts/dp/B000PAU32U/
Carolyn's new Amazon Short for writers is a good one, especially if you have a book proposal to write! Here's the link to her 49 cent Short:
http://www.amazon.com/Great-First-Impression-Book-Proposal/dp/B000YG6O5U/
http://www.allynevans.com/
http://www.queenpower.com/
Sara sent in the following question:
Dear Allyn,
I found your information about amazon very informative. However, I have a tough question for you -- What do you do when someone places a stinky review on your book at amazon? I realize not everyone in the world is going to like my book, but based on the timing of the posting, I suspect it was posted by someone who didn't actually read my book, but simply doesn't like an opinion piece I wrote that was pubished shortly before the post appeared. I know I can't control this type of thing, but it is very frustrating.
Thanks for any advice you may have.
Sincerely,
Sara
This one perplexed me as well. So I turned to Carolyn Howard-Johnson, my Amazon.com guru, for help. Here's what Carolyn said:
Dear Sara:
If the stinky review is yukky because it is inaccurate or the person is getting personal, you can go to the bottom of your book's page and find the links to reach a living Amazon person. Make a good argument for removal and they might remove it. You may have a good case if the person made it obvious he was criticizing something other than your book.
If the person just didn't like your book or pretends that's all he's criticizing and not your opinion piece, you're probably wasting your time to approach Amazon. We have free speech in the US. So, counteract what you consider damaging. Ask your friends--ALL your friends--to get on, add reviews and give it five stars. That way you'll move the bad review down in cue and get your star rating up.
Also build up your site so that other things will catch a browser's eye. All the things Allyn talked about in her presentation at the Red Dirt Book festival (and that are referenced in this blog). The photo feature. The Amapaedia. The Forum/Discussion board. Your blog (AuthorConnect). Etc.
Also be aware that in PR, controversy can be a good thing. I assume your book is political. Thus, many who read the review will see through it. That can only help with those who are interested in your subject. So breathe. And know that it just won't hurt that much. (-: Might even help.
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
If this answer helped you, then consider signing up for Carolyn's ezine for writers, Sharing With Writers. To reach Carolyn, visit her site.
Take care. I'll be posting very soon my opinion on whether marketing your books on Amazon is all it's cracked up to be. I'm waiting for my next royalty statement first.
BTW, my Amazon Short has been selling well. It's only 49 cents and an excellent example of the type of nonfiction Amazon will accept. If you want to check it out, please visit:
http://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-People-Perform-Unthinkable-Acts/dp/B000PAU32U/
Carolyn's new Amazon Short for writers is a good one, especially if you have a book proposal to write! Here's the link to her 49 cent Short:
http://www.amazon.com/Great-First-Impression-Book-Proposal/dp/B000YG6O5U/
http://www.allynevans.com/
http://www.queenpower.com/
1 comments:
Allyn and Sara, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to share information on Amazon from my The Frugal Book Promoer: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't. BTW, I also love Amazon for their shorts. Allyn has one published and my new one is The Great First Impression Book Proposal.
Best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
www.howtodoitfrugally.com
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