M.K. Williams | How to Handle a Bad Review for your Book | Authors getting bad reviews @1MKWilliams | Uploaded June 2024 | Updated October 2024, 18 hours ago.
It’s going to happen. Or maybe it just happened.
But what do you do when you get a bad review on your book?
I didn’t want to be too silly in the intro to this video because, getting a bad review, sucks. Point blank. Nothing good about it. You worked hard on your book. You had a vision and you executed it to the best of your ability. You revised it. You worked hard every day to make it the best book possible and someone just trashed it. Stomped all over it. And now, that bad review is getting attention because the internet is a dumpster fire that rewards negative content.
This sucks.
Go ahead and say it.
Out loud in the room you’re in right now. This sucks.
Here is what you’re going to do and what you’re not going to do:
You are going to get out a pen and paper and write a response. “Oh yeah, you think writing a flawless book is so easy, why don’t you try it?” “Oh, you couldn’t keep up with the plot. Guess you’re just dumb.” Write it out. On paper
Because what you’re not going to do is engage with this person online. Don’t reply to the comment. Don’t subcomment. Don’t - do not - respond or reach out to them via email. Don’t. The review isn’t for you, it’s for other readers.
You will either stop looking at your reviews altogether, or you will go through and read your 5-star reviews. See, that makes you feel better.
You are not going to let this ruin your day, your mojo, or your next book. I read a quote once that stuck with me and it is that no statue has ever been created for a critic. Everyone is a critic. Everyone had something mean to say. But you have a voice and a book and a message and you don’t going to let this one troll ruin your day.
The best advice here is preventative which is to never check your reviews, the good or bad ones. But let’s be realistic, the world we live in makes it tough to ignore our name and our books online. So let it roll. Learn to laugh if they are wrong, or have typos in their nasty review, or
Hear me out
Or maybe, they’re a little bit right. Maybe the next time you could do better. Let it inform and fuel you if you have to. But chances are this sample size of one isn’t right.
Alright, do you feel a little bit better now? You have a plan. You know you’re not alone. In fact, let’s own up to the fact that we’ve all received bad reviews. In the comments let’s all be honest and admit “I’ve received poor reviews on my book too” and I bet we’ll all feel less alone in going through this.
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Music from: Wondershare Filmora Sounds: "Something Cheer You Up"
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DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you, but it can help me continue to create and put out more content. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!
It’s going to happen. Or maybe it just happened.
But what do you do when you get a bad review on your book?
I didn’t want to be too silly in the intro to this video because, getting a bad review, sucks. Point blank. Nothing good about it. You worked hard on your book. You had a vision and you executed it to the best of your ability. You revised it. You worked hard every day to make it the best book possible and someone just trashed it. Stomped all over it. And now, that bad review is getting attention because the internet is a dumpster fire that rewards negative content.
This sucks.
Go ahead and say it.
Out loud in the room you’re in right now. This sucks.
Here is what you’re going to do and what you’re not going to do:
You are going to get out a pen and paper and write a response. “Oh yeah, you think writing a flawless book is so easy, why don’t you try it?” “Oh, you couldn’t keep up with the plot. Guess you’re just dumb.” Write it out. On paper
Because what you’re not going to do is engage with this person online. Don’t reply to the comment. Don’t subcomment. Don’t - do not - respond or reach out to them via email. Don’t. The review isn’t for you, it’s for other readers.
You will either stop looking at your reviews altogether, or you will go through and read your 5-star reviews. See, that makes you feel better.
You are not going to let this ruin your day, your mojo, or your next book. I read a quote once that stuck with me and it is that no statue has ever been created for a critic. Everyone is a critic. Everyone had something mean to say. But you have a voice and a book and a message and you don’t going to let this one troll ruin your day.
The best advice here is preventative which is to never check your reviews, the good or bad ones. But let’s be realistic, the world we live in makes it tough to ignore our name and our books online. So let it roll. Learn to laugh if they are wrong, or have typos in their nasty review, or
Hear me out
Or maybe, they’re a little bit right. Maybe the next time you could do better. Let it inform and fuel you if you have to. But chances are this sample size of one isn’t right.
Alright, do you feel a little bit better now? You have a plan. You know you’re not alone. In fact, let’s own up to the fact that we’ve all received bad reviews. In the comments let’s all be honest and admit “I’ve received poor reviews on my book too” and I bet we’ll all feel less alone in going through this.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCjvBO4kjuBSYe6Bi3RYQAQA/join
Music from: Wondershare Filmora Sounds: "Something Cheer You Up"
Stock video and images from Wondershare Filmora and Pexels
How You Can Support This Channel and My Work:
👍Like, Subscribe, and Comment on this video!
✉️Subscribe to my monthly newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/52c7cd246b5b/authoryourambition
➕Follow me on my other channels: FB | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads
facebook.com/1mkwilliams
twitter.com/1mkwilliams
instagram.com/1mkwilliams
goodreads.com/author/show/14420756.M_K_Williams
☕️Buy Me A Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/1mkwilliams
📚Check out my books and purchase them or request them at your library: 1mkwilliams.com or payhip.com/MKWilliamsPublishingLLC
Author Your Ambition Merch on Etsy:
📖etsy.com/shop/AuthorYourAmbition
Partnership Opportunities:
Interested in working together to collaborate on an upcoming video? Let's connect: authoryourambition.com/partnership-opportunities
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you, but it can help me continue to create and put out more content. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!
