Picking the right book review option can help ensure your work’s success. Nevertheless, did you know that there are many types of book reviews? Here are some commonly available ones and their key differences:
- Trade Reviews
Established publishing industry professionals write these book review types. Many reviewers who fall under this category may not offer a favorable review due to their respective reputations within the industry. They may also charge a fee which can be hefty depending on your budget. However, affordable options focus on self-published or independent books, which are part of several book marketing packages.
- Expert Reviews
Expert reviews include written reviews from experts within the genre or industry. For instance, a horror book with Stephen King’s praise can garner a lot of attention and accolades because of his overall influence and popularity. If you know a rather influential figure in your genre or field, it may do good to get a glowing review from them to gain interest from your readers.
- Reader Reviews
Regarding which book review type should you get, reader reviews are generally low-cost and accessible because you don’t have to pay for their opinions. Sites like Amazon and Goodreads offer a platform for verified buyers to write their overall impression with a star rating, making it a prevalent choice. Unfortunately, not every review on these platforms is reliable, so heed caution because paid bots can still spam these sites to boost the book’s reputation.
- Editorial Reviews
Editorial reviews are articles from third-party professionals who have reviewed your book. These can range from book bloggers, BookTubers (vloggers on YouTube that review books), and even magazines with their ranking system.
Much like trade reviews, authors may pay for editorial reviews, although some bloggers will happily do it for free (provided they get a free copy). Nevertheless, if you are thinking of marketing your book to the younger demographics, consider looking up popular BookTubers with a broad audience to get buzz around your work.
- Endorsements
Unlike most book reviews, endorsements usually come before the book is publicly available. The benefit to getting an endorsement is that it creates intrigue among particular readers of your book because the figures endorsing these books are influential figures in the industry. In a way, they are similar to expert reviews but are briefer and used on the book’s front or back pages for better visibility.
Several marketing packages offer select book review types, many of which fall under these five options. However, if you’re looking for a particular one, try to contact your marketing team and tell them which one you think is most profitable for your work. Remember, each of them has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, so choose wisely!