For some reason, I did not realize this event had posted 3 weeks ago: https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2024/06/we-burned-our-boats-review-event.html.
So it's a bit late, but I thought I'd share it along with my analysis of the experience.
Women on Writing, or WOW, calls this a Reader Review Event. I signed up for it as part of my marketing for We Burned Our Boats. I've done blog tours before with Women on Writing, and I've recommended them to my authors. Blog tours are great for marketing and generally worth the money, especially when the participants do a review instead of an interview or guest post.
A good review is the gift that keeps on giving. The publisher can take snippets of it and post with the name of the blog on the Editorial Review section of the book's Amazon page. When they're chosen carefully, these snippets will help to sell a book. Reviews from random readers are nice if they post on Goodreads and Amazon, but a good editorial review on your Amazon page is way better.
I chose WOW's reader review option rather than their book blog tour option, not realizing fully the difference. It didn't help that the person I dealt with seemed distracted and not forthcoming with information. Although I sent her my updated photo and bio, she used an outdated one from a blog tour I did with her ten years ago for Afraid of Everything.
I missed the event because she didn't notify me when it posted. I only happened to come across it online. And were there links to blogs where I could see the full reviews? I guess not. The participants apparently aren't book bloggers. They're individuals who agree to do a review in exchange for a book. WOW facilitates the process, which is what you're paying them for. Fair enough, but for a little bit more money, I could have gotten the traditional book tour with links to the participating blogs. Perhaps with the upgrade, I might also have gotten better communication from my facilitator.
I do think most of my book's reviewers did an excellent job. I'm overall pleased with their reviews, just not sure the value of this service was worth the expense. If I were to do it again, which I won't, or advise anyone else, I'd suggest they pay a little more and get the real book blog tour instead of the cheaper reader review option.
It's disappointing when you're not given full information, but at least you know now, for next time.
ReplyDeleteI know I'll try a different facilitator, and perhaps a different blog tour company.
DeleteLesson learned I suppose, but I am sorry the process was so haphazard.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen - that's a nuisance ... life's moved on I guess. Take care and all the best - Hilary
ReplyDeleteShame on that person for not fully informing you of the details. Definitely the full book tour sounds better.
ReplyDeleteLife is full of educational moments, and this was one of them. Imagine not being told when the event published when you were the one paying for it. (Live and learn). But now, we can learn from your experience. I read some of the reviews on the site, and I see where 798 people entered the drawing for your book. I don't know if that's a good number, but if I was a beginning author (I know you aren't), it might have made me happy.
ReplyDeleteAlana, I didn't see that. Where did all these people come from? Where did they see the drawing? That's what I wonder. It would have been nice if they'd involved me in the process.
ReplyDeleteWell at least you know for next time.
ReplyDelete