4 Sneaky Ways Smart Authors Get More Amazon Reviews

(that nobody talks about)

Your book could be buried on Amazon, or it could show up on the first page.

Amazon's algorithm favors books with more reviews. Yet, only 3-7% of book buyers actually leave reviews.

Most authors publish their book, cross their fingers, and hope reviews magically appear.

They don't.

The pros know this. They've built systems to generate reviews within days of launch and keep them flowing month after month. These aren't complicated systems—but the details matter enormously. One wrong word in your request email can cut your response rate in half.

I’m going to stress the small things here. It’s the grain of sand that makes the pearl.

After 14 years of refining my approach (and studying what works for other successful authors), I've identified the two keys to getting more reviews:

1. Make it ridiculously easy for readers

2. Build a systematic approach to asking

I’ll begin with my three systems that I’ve refined over 14 years. Then I’ll share how a friend does it.

The payoff is worth the 20 minutes it takes to set this up. Here's exactly what I'll show you:

• Social media: Converting tags into reviews

• Two weeks post-launch: Getting your book launch team to review fast

• Automation: Using downloadable bonuses from your book to generate inbound messages from readers

• Personal network: A savvy way to ask friends and family so that they’ll actually leave a review

Let's start with the system to get you 100 reviews in the first two weeks of your book’s release.

1. How to Convert Social Media Tags into Amazon Reviews

When someone tags you with a photo of your book:

Step 1: Reply immediately

“Thank you! I’m genuinely curious, which part of the book resonated with you most.”

This works because most people don't know how to write reviews. By asking for one specific thing they liked, you're removing the pressure and getting them to naturally share positive feedback.

Skip this step if they already included a recommendation in their original post.

Step 2: Direct them to Amazon

Once they respond, say:

"Wow, that’s so awesome! Hey, actually, can I ask you a favor?

Can you please copy and paste this as an Amazon review right now? You literally don’t need to write or change anything."

Then share your direct review link.

Pro tip:

Save your Amazon review link in your phone's notes. Get it by going to your book's Amazon page → "Write a Customer Review" → save that URL.

Reviews page for my book, Ignite the Fire.

Why this works:

You're capturing people at their peak enthusiasm. They’re excited enough to post about your book publicly right now!

By asking them to copy-paste their own words, you're removing the mental barrier that stops most people from reviewing.

2. How to get your book launch team to add Amazon reviews

According to Tiago Forte , there’s a strong 65% correlation between the lifetime sales potential of a book and its ability to rapidly receive a large number of reviews.

My goal for The Obvious Choice was 100 detailed reviews from real fans in the first two weeks upon release.

Here’s how I made it happen:

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Before I begin:

Growing and operating a book launch team is something I’ll cover in a future edition of this newsletter. There’s a lot to it. Def subscribe for future articles.

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Step 1: Capture cell phone numbers.

When people join your launch team, require their cell phone number on the signup form.

Step 2: Share preview chapters.

Send samples of your book before launch and ask for feedback.

Step 3: Incentivize participation.

I gave $100 to three random people who commented each time I shared a chapter. Two at random, and one for the best response. This encouraged detailed responses.

A post sharing a sample chapter to my book launch team inside of our private FB group.

A few examples of comments left on the above post.

Step 4: Document their feedback.

Save every comment in a spreadsheet next to each person's name and contact info.

Step 5: Write their reviews for them

The week before launch, compile each person's existing feedback into a ready-to-post Amazon review.

Step 6: Text them the review

Remember how I asked for phone numbers when people joined the launch team? Here’s why.

Two weeks after release, text each person individually with their pre-written review and ask them to copy-paste it to Amazon.

Text message sent to a member of the book launch team the week of my book launch asking for a review.

Why this works:

You're not asking people to write reviews from scratch—you're asking them to publish feedback they already gave you. Text message open rates are higher than email and usually received immediately.

3. How to Get Reviews Through Your Book's Bonus Materials

I include 7 downloadable resources throughout The Obvious Choice, each driving readers to an email sequence that converts into reviews. Here's the system:

Step 1: Add bonus material calls-to-action in your book

Direct readers to extra resources at key moments in your content.

Example call to action inside of The Obvious Choice.

Step 2: Create an email opt-in page.

Gate your bonus materials behind an email signup.

Step 3: Send a high-impact first email

First emails get 80%+ open rates. Don’t waste it.

Include the promised bonuses, then ask: "How many stars out of 5 would you give this book?"

First automated email once somebody enters their email for the bonuses in the book.

Step 4: Follow up with 4-5 star responders.

Ask: "What did you like most about the book?" You're getting natural feedback, not forcing them to write a formal review.

Step 5: Convert feedback into reviews.

Reply: "Perfect! Would you copy-paste that as an Amazon review? Here's the direct link: [your review URL]"

Here is an example exchange that led to a great review from a few days ago.

Why this works:

It's an ongoing system that generates reviews automatically as people finish your book. You're also asking them to use words they already wrote, making it effortless.

4. How to get your personal network to write reviews

Selena Soo sent me a smart review request last week for Rich Relationships that I'll likely adapt. Here's what made it work:

Here’s the email:

Loads to unpack. Here’s what made it work:

• Clear reason to ask: Tied it to her birthday wish.

• Specific goal: "Help me reach 200 reviews".

• Made them a verified buyer: Sent them to buy a cheap copy first.

• Eliminated friction: Included a pre-written sample review.

• Direct action: Linked straight to the review page.

Ok, a few final things:

I had already read and liked the book. Her email was an easy way to do something for a friend I wanted to do but slipped my mind.

Her sample review process: She used ChatGPT with this prompt: "Write a high-quality review for my book ______ by [Author Name]. Background: [brief author bio and book topic]."

Key details: Since she's self-published, she could drop her Kindle price to $0.99 for verified purchases. For traditionally published authors who can't control pricing, send an Amazon gift card with your request so friends can buy and review as verified buyers.

Why this works: You're asking friends who already support you to do something specific and time-bound, while removing every possible friction point. The pre-written review eliminates the "I don't know what to write" excuse, and verified buyer status makes their review carry more weight on Amazon.

The Surprising Truth About Amazon Reviews

Your book's star rating matters far less than the total number of reviews it has.

As long as your reviews aren't terrible, there's virtually no difference in sales between a book with 4.9 stars and one with 4.1 stars. What drives sales is review volume, not review quality.

So stop stressing about the occasional bad review. Focus on getting as many reviews as possible using the systems above—both during your launch week and ongoing.

Hope this helps,

-Jon

✅ Send me a connection request on LinkedIn: Jonathan Goodman for more on books, book launches, and marketing.