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Have you ever finished reading a book only to discover you can’t wait to tell someone about it? Whether you have a strong opinion of like
or dislike towards a book, there’s no easier way to reach the public than through writing an online book review.
But where do you start if you’re new to reviewing or online reviewing for that matter?
Here are eight easy tips designed to help you succeed in writing online reviews that not only get read, but are outstanding! If you
follow these tips, it won’t be long before you’re a sought-after book reviewer.
- Read for Pleasure
The first step to becoming a book reviewer is to read the book all the way through— for pure enjoyment. If you own the book, take a
pencil and underline key sentences that jump out at you. If you don’t own the book, keep a notebook handy and jot down page numbers or
quotes you think are important.
This method will save you time when you’re ready to write your review and it will remind you to share those key points in your book
review.
- Do A Little Research
Do some background research on the author, the topic, and the book; and gather information you can incorporate throughout your review.
Doing so will give your readers an inside “scoop” and make them feel like they’re getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the author’s
life or the lives of the characters.
If possible, compare the book to other works to show your expertise. For example, if you’ve read other books by the same author or in
the same genre, cross-reference information. This will make your review more interesting.
And whenever possible, read a few reviews written by other authors so you can offer a bit of originality to your book review.
Your background research doesn’t have to take long or be terribly in depth. Most authors have websites, and they often offer inside
information about their writing journey. There are even message boards and/or blogs designed to offer interaction between readers,
publishers, agents, and authors.
- Find Target Markets
Finding target markets that pay isn’t always easy, but with a little research, you’re sure to find a few spots for your book reviews;
even if it means turning your review into an article, such as a top ten list.
Every market has different styles and needs so make sure you look at the different publications BEFORE you write your book review, and
then tailor your review to meet those needs. Familiarize yourself with the writing style of your target publication and ask yourself,
“Should I write from a first-person point of view (where I can include my personal reflections), or does the publication prefer an
objective third-person point of view?”
When writing in your personal blog, you’re already familiar with your audience and can write your review however you see fit. But keep
in mind that blog posts are usually short, not more than 800 words.
- Include A Book Cover Graphic
Book covers sell books. They always draw the eye to the publication; therefore, it’s always helpful to show your readers what the cover
of the book looks like.
If you’re writing for a certain publication, your editor will request cover art and other graphics from the author’s publisher. But if
you’re blogging about a book, you’re on your own.
It’s always a good idea to seek the permission of the person who owns the graphic before you use it. But when it comes to book covers,
you can get around that by grabbing a cover of the book from Amazon.com and inserting your Amazon affiliate identification number with
your book review.
If you don’t want to use Amazon’s cover image or you want a headshot of the author or other graphic to accompany your review, you can
contact the author, publisher, or public relations expert and request a few graphics.
- Provide Links
Since online book reviews are interactive they can be enriched with links that serve as springboards, allowing readers who are
passionate about a certain genre, topic, or author to learn more.
As you’re writing your review, include plenty of links within the text.
For example, when you mention the author, be sure to include the link to the author’s website so your readers can go directly there and
learn more about the author, why he/she wrote this book, and other related trivia.
You can even end your review by telling your readers, “You can go here if you want to read more about this topic.”
- Avoid Summarizing
Although it’s a good idea to give your readers a brief background about the plot and the characters, don’t summarize the book.
Summarizations are boring to read and can be found elsewhere.
Here’s your chance to let your personality shine through your writing. Make your review unique. If you’ve taken the time to research
background information on the author and the book, you’re ready to write a review that shows your personality and your expertise.
Think of your review as a personal invitation for growth; whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, you can share what you learned while
reading the book. Then ask yourself, “What can I say that will be different from other reviews?”
As you’re contemplating this question, ask yourself more questions:
- Can I tie this book review into current events or news?
- Does the book contribute to any cultural trends or fads?
- How did I personally respond to this book?
- Did my thinking on a certain subject change after reading this book? If so, in what ways?
- Did the book remind me of any places, people, or personal memories that I can incorporate in the review?
- Remember Your Purpose
Depending on where your review will be published will determine whether you write in a conversational style or a more literary style.
But regardless of which style you write in, it’s important to keep a clear purpose in your review.
Imagine you’re sitting across the table from a friend in a restaurant, and you want to tell her about the book you’ve just read. You’ll
either say: “You’ve GOT to read this book I just finished!” or “Don’t waste your time reading this book like I did!” Either you liked the
book or you disliked it. That’s the point you want to get across, but more importantly you want to tell your readers why you feel that
way.
- Be Honest
Throughout your review, it’s important to stay honest; especially if you’re writing to your blog readers because they’ve come to trust
your opinions. Don’t lead them astray by telling them you loved a book when you really couldn’t stand it. But do keep in mind that most
likely the author and publisher will be reading your review, so think twice before charging forward with an online rant. And finally
remember that online reviews are often archived permanently.
If you incorporate these eight tips into your book review, your review will reflect a positive image of who you are as a writer, allow
you to share your passions and expertise with others, and help you build clips for paying markets. And finally, the process of writing
your opinions about books will further enhance your enjoyment of reading and make you a better researcher and writer–everybody wins!
Learn how to write a Book Review, Part 1.
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About The Author:
Heather Ivester is the author of From a Daughter's Heart to Her Mom: 50 Reflections on Living Well
(Nelson Books). You can read her book reviews at Mom 2 Mom Connection
* This article is available for your publication, for a F-E-E.
This article may NOT be reprinted without monetary compensation and written permission from the author.
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