Episode 282 - Unlocking the Power of Book Reviews with Rossana Corniel
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Rossana Corniel discusses UNLOCKING THE POWER OF BOOK REVIEWS, including the importance of reviews in understanding reader expectations and forming effective marketing strategies. Rossana discusses the finding that research shows that reviews can significantly impact sales and reader trust; the importance of tailoring your book's cover and description to your target audience ; and the emotional challenge of dealing with low-star reviews. The conversation also touches upon practical strategies for gathering reviews, such as using platforms like BookSprout.
Rossana Corniel is a romantasy and paranormal romance author who believes in the magic of storytelling to inspire and connect. Writing under the pen name R.C. Luna, she has published six novels and a children’s book, with six more books slated for release in 2025. Drawing from her almost two decades of experience in marketing and communications, including her current role as Head of Marketing at Booksprout, Rossana blends creativity and strategy to help authors grow and thrive. When she’s not writing, she’s raising three incredible daughters and chasing the next great adventure.
Episode Links
https://www.facebook.com/authorrcluna
https://www.instagram.com/author_r.c.luna/
https://www.tiktok.com/@author_rcluna
https://www.instagram.com/booksprout/
https://www.facebook.com/booksprout
https://www.tiktok.com/@booksproutapp
Summary
Matty Dalrymple talks with Rossana Corniel about the pivotal role of reviews. Rossana emphasizes the significance of reviews in shaping marketing strategies and driving book sales, particularly spotlighting the importance of understanding and leveraging reader feedback.
To kick off the discussion, Matty highlights Rossana's diverse writing background, which includes publishing novels and a children's book. Rossana shares her belief in the power of storytelling and her commitment to helping fellow authors through her role at BookSprout. This episode predominantly revolves around how authors can maximize their marketing strategies through reader reviews.
Understanding Reader Expectations
Rossana underscores the impact of reviews on authors, noting how they influence purchasing decisions. She cites studies to stress that a positive review can significantly boost sales. The conversation delves into strategic marketing, where reviews build trust and can be as effective as personal recommendations. For authors starting their journey, she advises focusing on reviews of similar books by other authors as a learning tool to understand market trends and reader expectations, calling this approach savvy.
Reading and Responding to Reviews
The episode explores how authors can use feedback efficiently. Matty and Rossana discuss the emotional challenges authors face when handling negative reviews. Rossana shares her experience of turning critique into actionable changes, like adding trigger warnings when necessary. Authors are encouraged to pick trends from reviews rather than reacting to individual critiques. Matty supports this by advising authors not to act on single reviews but to seek patterns that indicate areas for improvement.
Engaging with Readers
As authors expand their work, Rossana suggests interacting with readers through thoughtful dialogue, encouraging feedback to fine-tune future narratives. Sharing how endorsements from known personalities can sometimes mean more than detailed book previews, the episode highlights how this strategy might differ based on the book's price and format.
Building a Review Strategy
The importance of reviews is further tied to promotional opportunities, with a focus on the difference between paid reviews and ethical platforms like BookSprout. The episode clarifies that platforms facilitating honest reviews are legal and beneficial for authors looking for credible market feedback. Rossana describes how BookSprout helps authors place their books before potential reviewers ethically by emphasizing the distinction between paying for a platform versus paying for reviews.
Navigating Free Reviews and Giveaways
Matty and Rossana also tackle authors' hesitance to give away their books in exchange for reviews, highlighting this as a crucial component of successful book marketing. They touch upon tools like newsletter swaps to encourage organic, honest feedback.
Tactics and Timing for Collecting Reviews
Further into the podcast, the discussion transitions into strategic timing for gathering reviews. Rossana explains the benefit of aligning book launches with review requests to capitalize on algorithms that affect visibility on platforms like Amazon. This tactical timing can offer added traction and elevate a book’s presence when paired with a strong launch strategy.
Building Long-term Engagement
Addressing strategies for long-term reviewer engagement, Matty and Rossana discuss communication with reviewers and how authors can engage without locking into counterproductive exchanges with critical reviewers. They recommend focusing on building meaningful connections through gratitude and professionalism.
Concluding the episode, Matty and Rossana reflect on the invaluable insights reviews offer in strengthening an author’s market position. With effective use of platforms like BookSprout, authors can not only understand reader preferences better but also significantly enhance their marketing strategy and reach.