Are reviews all they are cracked up to be?

Every author writes to tell a story. Whether the book be fiction or nonfiction, there’s something the writer wants to share.
It could be a fantasy story, the story of getting healthy, one of having a better relationship and as is the case with my book, Power Up for Profits! The Smart Woman’s Guide to Online Marketing, the story of taking responsibility for getting your message out to market.
Beyond the story are the sales. Most authors would love to support themselves with their writing. One of the best ways to generate interest, thus equating to sales, is with reviews, endorsements and testimonials.
But does the opinion of someone else really matter? Absolutely.
One of the most effective ways to enhance your credibility and trust with prospective customers, book buyers and clients is for other people to sing your praises. The best way to do this? With strong testimonials. When you have great testimonials, virtually all you do is enhanced.
Testimonials are third-party evidence as to the benefit of what you are selling; they work like a reference on your resume. They are much more likely to be believed than ads, direct mail, or your saying how wonderful you are. New customers often make buying decisions based on testimonials.
A testimonial is a written or spoken statement about the experience someone has had with you, your product, or your company. Written testimonials are the norm, but more and more people are posting audio and video testimonials. They can be used on your website or in your marketing material, media kit, brochure, or book.
I’m an avid reader. As a result, I purchase a lot of books. More times than not my decision is influenced by someone recommending a book.
Whether it be a colleague, a post on my Facebook wall or a review on Amazon, I am influenced by what others say.
Imagine you are thinking about buying a book, but know very little about the author or the subject matter. Would the following reviews influence your decision?
I recommend this book for experts, authors, healers, artists and other women who want to start-up, profit-up or upgrade their purpose-based business so that it generates profits.
I’ve been a fan of Kathleen Gage for years, and this book reminds me why. In “Power up for Profits” Kathleen once again shows her gift to help entrepreneurs make money by placing one foot in front of the other instead of running ourselves into the ground.
Maria Mar
I’ve been an internet entrepreneur since 2009 and all I can say is this is the book I wish I had when I first started out. It’s a road map to all of the things you think you should be doing but aren’t exactly sure how or why to do them. I like the fact that this book is a goldmine for anyone doing business online – not just women or information marketers/speakers.
One section I found very useful (and something I’m not currently doing in my 7-figure business) is PR. She is a master at it and I got some great, immediately implementable nuggets for my business.
Kathleen’s style is informative, engaging, warm and funny and I highly recommend her book!
Susan Lassiter-Lyons
Kathleen Gage wrote the Bible on internet marketing — Power Up for Profits: The Smart Woman’s Guide to Online Marketing is a must read for anyone in a start-up situation, those who are looking to improve their existing business, anyone who may have years of business acumen but wants to stay on top of what’s hot now, or anyone who wants to tweak what they are already doing well. It is so dense with useable info, I read it twice and got so many great helpful ideas. I will follow Kathleen’s advice on page 210 next.
Alli Berman
Read more reviews of Power Up for Profits! Click here.
Want to learn how to get and give great reviews? Check out Chapter 11 of Power Up for Profits! The Smart Woman’s Guide to online Marketing. Click here.