Reviews 101

• Why reviews are so important: https://www.janefriedman.com/book-reviews-not-sales/
• Get reader reviews to drive sales: https://www.janefriedman.com/get-reader-reviews-now-to-drive-sales-later/
• How to get customer reviews: https://www.janefriedman.com/securing-amazon-reviews/
• A short and sweet beginner's guide to securing Amazon reviews: https://www.janefriedman.com/securing-amazon-reviews/

For self-published authors

• Focus on generating customer reviews at Amazon and Goodreads. This may require doing giveaways. Children’s authors: consider paying for 1-2 professional reviews. It is rarely worthwhile for indies to seek advance or professional media reviews or invest in a service like NetGalley.
• Are paid book reviews worth it for self-publishing authors? My full opinion is here: https://www.janefriedman.com/paid-book-reviews/
• Learn more about professional paid book reviews you might purchase: https://mailchi.mp/hotsheetpub/paid-book-reviews

For traditionally published authors

Publishers will focus on securing advance reviews, professional reviews, and mainstream media reviews. They often use NetGalley or Edelweiss to facilitate. Authors should focus on encouraging their community or readership to leave customer reviews.