Here’s an appropriate reminder for Thanksgiving Day.
Send handwritten thank-you notes to journalists, freelancers, broadcasters, bloggers and others who write about you. It helps build the relationship. But what about book reviewers? Anne Roos, author of the book The Musician’s Guide to Brides—How to Make Money Playing Weddings, asks:
“In the past, when reviewers personally sent me their reviews, I have always sent them a kind thank-you.
“If these reviews actually come from online reviewers such at the editor of BookPleasures.com and Midwest Book Review, and I just happen to read them online, is it proper to write these reviewers a thank-you note for taking the time to review the book?”
Absolutely.
Reviewers are no different than other journalists or even many of us who don’t review books. They want to know that people are acknowledging their work.
Sending a handwritten thank-you note to reviewers or bloggers who comment on your book, music, restaurant, special event or anything else is a nice gesture, particularly for book reviewers who can spend up to several days reading a book. Book reviewers, by the way, are feeling less appreciated than ever because many newspapers are eliminating their book review pages.
Send a thank-you, even if the review isn’t glowing or positive.
When I worked as a restaurant reviewer and wrote a less-than-favorable review, I would sometimes hear from the restaruant owner who would thank me for pointing out problems and vow to correct them.
Sometimes, the owner would invite me back six months or a year later for another look, and sometimes I’d go. That second visit would often result in a positive review. This is a great tactic, by the way, for restaurants that want to offset bad restaurant reviews.
You can read my review of Anne’s book.