Book Reviewing Amazon
One way to start reviewing is for Amazon.com. It's easy to use and gives a new reviewer a big audience. The more reviews you write, the better your writing skills become. Later the experience of being a ranked Amazon reviewer can open doors to review elsewhere as a paid reviewer.
Reviewing books on Amazon provides one way to track your own reading. It also helps others selecting books to read. There's no pay, but it can be addictive to rise through the ranks as a reviewer. Here are ways to achieve Top Reviewer ranking. It took two years for me to reach the TOP 100 Reviewer ranking on the site.
Diligently post reviews on every book you read whether it's good, bad or indifferent. Others need to know about that book. It helps if you're already an avid reader. If you only read two or three books a month, then it will take much longer to reach the top reviewer ranks.
If reviewing a bestseller, it helps to get the review posted quickly after the book's release date. More readers see the early reviews and vote on its helpfulness. The reviews with the highest number of helpful votes get posted near the top and get more viewings as time goes by.
It's important to post a quality review. Don't just put a sentence or two. Say why you did or didn't like the book. Don't be wishy-washy, take a stand. For fiction, give enough of the plot for readers to know if it's their kind of book but don't spoil the suspense by telling the ending. Include what the major theme of the book is and describe the main plot and some of the subplots. Tell what makes the characters special and how they fit into the story. Talk about what creates tension in the novel and if there was a turning point.
Think about who is most likely to read the book. Point out that audience in the review so readers can see if it fits their taste or demographics. Mention other books that are similar, so readers of those books will know that this one will appeal to them as well.
Remove reviews with too many negative votes. The negative votes pull down your ranking. Copy and paste the review into word processing and rework it. Don't give up your opinion, just give more support for it and enhance the review with more details or clarifications. Re-post it on Amazon and it will start fresh getting votes.
A bonus of reaching the TOP 500 Reviewer or TOP 100 Reviewer ranking on Amazon is authors will contact you offering free books for you to review.
