Support

To an author reviews are one piece of the puzzle.

Reviews aren’t a nicety for an indie author. They help an author like myself build an understanding of their audience, help others find the materials they want, provide feedback an author can grow from, inform others interested in the material about the work focus and quality, and finally are essential from a marketing standpoint.

Indie authors have to market themselves. Most cannot afford to hire a marketing firm or publishing firm to market for them. Even those that can still have to market themselves.

On Amazon specifically, a books value is determined by its sales. Sales are driven, at least in part, by reviews. How many products have you purchased after reading reviews about it? Most of us probably purchase based on the sheer number of high ranking review marks a product has.

In addition, reviews give me as an independent author some small chunks of content to market my own books with.

It is pointless to write books people don’t read. It’s even more pointless when those books provide insight into better living.

You’re not obligated to provide a review but when you get a “free” copy of a book from an indie a consider this:

Independent authors have little support but whatever comes from their audience.

We do everything from writing the book to promoting and sometimes even hand delivering them. Many times paying for designers, editors, and even ISBN’S.

We usually write in our”spare” time because we are working another job or two and, taking care of the responsibilities of life as well.

It’s not magic that it appears on the shelf. It’s hard work, by a small group of people.

There is nothing I love more than hearing my books have had an impact on people. I love to write and share what has impacted me and truly helped.

To have a greater impact I need the support of a family, friends, and a good team of people.

Free copies aren’t free. They always cost the author much more than their cover price.

As a reader, consider following through on reviews, talking about the book with friends and family, encourage people to post reviews, and talk about your experience reading it.

Use the convenience of social media for more than gossiping.