This month I collecting opinions on 'likes' as well as reviews and those little golden rating stars. Many authors I know ask, politely, for their friends on facebook or readers of their blogs to 'like' their books on Amazon. And of course, hoping and requesting your friends to write a review, no matter how short is not too much to ask. Is it?
I have never done anything like this. I hope readers of my books would feel motivated to 'like' or review my books but I never specifically asked them to take the moment needed to click on a button. I 'like' other people's books all the time and about once a month I take the time to write some reviews. I'm pretty far behind on that but I have hopes to catch up on it over the holiday break.
So, I'm wondering, do you ask this of your readers and friends? Do you do it? Is it acceptable? Should I request it? Would you go to this link and click 'like' if I asked it of you? Does it help book sales?
22 comments:
Whenever I mention someone's book on my blog, I always ask people to like it. It's not a big imposition since I include a direct link. Besides, it's good karma.
I'm not always good about asking people to like my books. Sometimes I remember, but usually I rely on the kindness of strangers. :)
I don't have anything published, yet, but I won't be asking anyone to do so.
To be honest, I feel those requests are rather annoying. If someone likes my stuff they'll do the liking on their own.
My book will be out soon along with some short stories. And I plan on not bugging peeps about liking. I'll go with the flow.
Having friends is what counts to me.
Hugs and chocolate.
I would prefer that sort of thing to happen naturally. It would suck to buy a book that isn't great because the author asked a lot of people to like it when they didn't even read it. I probably won't sell many books, but I don't think I will explicitly ask people to do that.
Hmm. I have asked if anyone would like to review my novels, but apart from that, I don't think I've specifically asked people. There's a fine line and it's hard to know where it is sometimes!
Good question. I've seen the requests for likes and they don't bother me. Reviews are a bit trickier. I suppose it's all in the asking. Like Talli said, it's a fine line.
I am yet to be published but asking someone to push the like button sounds like something I'd be uncomfortable doing.
I don't think I've asked someone to like me or my books, but I might do it in a blog post. Maybe. I don't know. I have liked others when they've asked though. I don't feel put-upon when they ask, though. I can either do it or not.
I take back my previous comment. I have gone and liked books when asked. I'd forgotten that for a moment.
I have yet to publish anything but I often think about what I would do in that situation and I always come back feeling uncomfortable with the idea.
I'm with you on this. I want people to "like" my work becuase they do, not because I asked them to.
I've liked books after being asked to do so and I've never minded or felt put out at all. But, even with that, I don't think I'd feel comfortable asking someone to like my stuff. It's just different when it's your own stuff...you know?
Interesting topic! I'm glad I found you through IWSG. New follower. :)
I've 'liked' a few books, but I've never asked for others to 'like' mine. I suppose I should.
I do give my friends' books good reviews, but only if I actually like their books. If I don't like their books, I don't review them at all.
I've never asked for likes because I don't have a Facebook account, so I can't give them in return.
I always forget about doing the 'likes' on Amazon - probably because I'm not on FB and am not in the habit of 'liking' things! :)
I'm making some effort to make sure I like books on Amazon that I have read and liked. It's so simple to do.
I've only got one short story published in an anthology and haven't asked anyone to like or review it. However, I don't see anything wrong with asking people who have read it to review it. I wouldn't want them clicking Like on something they didn't actually like though.
Asking people to like it seems completely acceptable today.
But, I think I would tell them about my work and if they liked the work, they can like it on their own. That way I can really tell how they feel about my writing, instead of how they feel our friendship.
I think you have to ask. It's all part of promotion now. Anyone who's told me he/she's read my book, I ask if they'd be willing to write a "brief" review, that way it won't sound like a big thing. But I find quite a few people who still don't take the time. But I keep asking. :)
I do ask for reviews and "likes". Sure, it'd be nice if it happened organically. But prospective readers want to see that others like it and have good things to say about it. I've felt honored to be asked to review a book. There's nothing wrong with asking.
Hmm, I'm also in the category of "not yet published," but I suspect maybe we have to ask. My logic is, today's world is so noisy (in every sense), that we can no longer rely on great work floating to the top. Sometimes, a little more volume is needed. And be assured, other authors with inferior books will be noisier than you.
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