You’re asking for more than a reader and a reader’s review.
It’s one thing when a reader buys your book and they leave a review; it’s another when you are specifically requesting someone to read and review. They will make their decision based on what you present to them.
They review because they believe in supporting writers and taking their book-talk to a larger audience. It does become work for them. They do see…I see…reviewing as part of our industry.
This isn’t to say reviewers don’t read for fun and never leave a review for a pleasure read. But, and maybe this is just me, pleasure and review reading are two different things and I keep them that way. Even reviewers need to escape.
I want more than the back cover blurb. I don’t need the full submission/editor synopsis, but the more you can give me the more you may get me to say yes.
Why?
A reader is browsing hundreds, thousands of books in order to find that few they will buy.
A reviewer may get hundreds of requests, but time is on their side. They can read your information and compare it to other requests. They will research you and decisions are made on more than just your presentation.
Now that doesn’t mean I want to know everything. Don’t give your surprises away. Sell me your book much like you did to your publisher. I review for free – well for a copy of your book – but my time is still valuable.
I do consider myself to be an outside part of your marketing team. The more you can give me the more we’re a better fit. Better chances for a strong positive review.
You’ve self-pubbed. That’s fine. I still want the same information from you, too.
***On a side note, please keep an eye out for an upcoming posting here – 2016 – on why I pay attention to information on the self-published. You may or may not agree, but I wouldn’t tackle the topic if I didn’t believe I have something helpful to offer. Again, coming sometime in 2016.***
There you have it. Why, for me, a back cover blurb just isn’t enough information. Our industry is a business and we are all self-employed. The cost of our business is taking the time to constantly sell ourselves and that requires knowing who we are approaching. What they each need. No cookie cutter approach for this industry.