One of my customers observed that I never chase reviews for any of my books, never try to coax people into reviewing my books, or never even so much as ask people to review my books.
And he wanted to know why.
Almost as if I have secret algorithmic Amazon insights they should know.
No, the answer is not nearly that sexy. It’s just that I see 2-star reviews like this one for my “Persuasion Secrets of the World’s Most Charismatic & Influential Villains” and realize I have better things to do than chase low IQ reviewers:
misunderstood title
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2023
Here I was looking for an interesting, new book on writing villains. Bought the book, which like an extended article blocked out for book form, paid $13 something plus tax, get the book, and it turns out that it is about how you can be a badass villain in your life. It has some good villain comparisons, but all aimed at “stealing from their playbooks” for your personal life. I misunderstood what it was about, $13 worth of misunderstanding. So if you are looking for a writing book on villains, save your money. On the other hand, if you want to be a badass villain, spend away.
It’s like a guy saying:
“I bought this book on engineering only to realize half way through it wasn’t about trains”
People don’t even read the descriptions anymore.
I will never forget a review for my first novel Zombie Cop where some wannabe literary critic bought it and wrote a long negative review about a plot hole that didn’t exist, where the real problem was he didn’t read the book carefully.
It’s even worse inside the software business.
The vast majority of negative reviews are user-related.
With nothing at-all to do with the software itself.
We saw this to the extreme in my recent Bargain Bin of Bonuses Vol 3 sale.
So many end-user errors because people refused to read even the most basic of instructions on how to do something, but then blame the software, the team, the helpdesk, Troy, me… everyone but themselves.
That’s just how it goes though.
Doesn’t stop me from selling my books or software.
But it does make me wonder how many people go through their days drunk or high.
And, thus, chasing reviews is the last thing on my mind.
Those who take the time to leave legitimate reviews are great.
And they are always appreciated.
But my opinion of these people who can’t even be bothered to read a description before buying & then leaving a negative review because of their own stupidity is the same opinion I have of voters who have the right to vote but clearly shouldn’t.
So no, I don’t chase reviews.
I chase excellence in what I create and in how I sell it.
After that?
Que sera sera.
For more on my Email Players methodology, go here:
Ben Settle
