Reviews

So, I seem to recall reading in some article about how to succeed at self-publishing in the eMarket that reviews are crucial. There was a possible direct correlation between the number (and of course, ranking) of reviews to the number of units sold. Now, I might be misremembering, and it may not work that way. However, there has to be some truth to this, even if I simply made it up in my mind.

So, on Friday I made an announcement on my Facebook page that I would send anyone who asked in a PM a free copy of whatever story they wanted to review, if they agreed to review it on both Amazon and Smashwords. I gave them until last night to request it.

No one asked. Of course, that may be because I ended the offer with an ultimatum: "If you don't review the story within 14 days, I will publicly out you as a liar and a thief on Facebook." But, I made sure I ended it with a smiley! :) (Although still I would have done it)

So, this idea tanked. I know there are things I should be doing. Advice I get is to ask bloggers to review my stories. Really? That's how it works? I guess so, since a couple of my followers are bloggers who review, and thus get asked to review stories and books.

Still, and this may be a stigma or some such, but the thought of doing that brings up images of panhandling for reviews. Like I'm standing at a blogger's door, my hat nervously in my hands, saying "Please sir, might you review my paltry story for me? I can offer no recompense, but for the feeling of good will you shall receive."

Am I being overly dramatic? Probably. Still, if anyone wants a free copy of a story to review, let me know. I will email you one. This week. After Friday the 7th, no more will be available. :)

Oh, and for those who are thinking I should just offer the story for free for a limited time on Amazon, I can't. My stories are not registered with KDP Select (so I can publish them at other places, like Smashwords), so I can't run promotions. Quite a little scam they got going on over there, I think.