Getting book reviews shouldn’t feel exhausting, awkward, or ethically murky. Yet many authors are stuck chasing influencers, sending endless cold emails, or quietly wondering why all that effort isn’t translating into real momentum.In this episode, we break down a smarter, sustainable system for landing reviews that actually matter—the kind that build trust with readers, strengthen your Amazon presence, and keep working long after the outreach is done.We start by resetting expectations around response rates and silence (because “no reply” isn’t failure). Then we show you where the real wins happen: micro and mid-tier reviewers, genre-aligned blogs, and community-driven creators who consistently outperform flashy, high-follower accounts. You’ll learn why long-tail review coverage is one of the most overlooked visibility tools authors have—and how stacking multiple mid-level yeses creates the social proof needed to move the needle.From there, we get practical. We walk through the anatomy of a sub-200-word pitch that leads with fit, not favors; the small personalization signals that prove you’ve done your homework; and the mindset shift that changes everything: your dream doesn’t obligate someone else’s labor. That respect shows up in better responses—and better relationships.We also cover smart follow-up strategies that add value instead of pressure, how to tailor your outreach for blogs, podcasts, and social platforms, and how to know when it’s time to outsource reviewer outreach so you can focus on writing instead of inbox triage.If you want a steady cadence of credible reviews, stronger keyword visibility, and a review strategy built on trust—not desperation—this episode gives you the framework to do it right.Subscribe, share this with an author friend, and leave a review to tell us what topic you want us to tackle next.Send us your feedback!Help shape our 2026 content by taking our 30-second listener poll! 📱Text Penny & Amy: send us your show feedback, burning marketing questions and new topic ideas! Text the word PODCAST to (888) 402-8940 to sign up to send us messages and receive new episode announcements. And don't forget to save our number! Check out our Book Marketing Jumpstart options if you're ready to take your brand, platform and SEO up a few notches. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Be sure you're following the show: by clicking the + Follow button on the top right of our show page. If you're already following you'll see a ↓ downward arrow. Locate Ratings & Reviews: Scroll down on our podcast page until you find the "Ratings & Reviews" section. Rate the podcast: Click on the stars to give the podcast a rating. Write your review: Under the star rating there will be the most recent review and just below that click "Write a Review" and compose your review in the text box that appears. Save: Once you've written your review, click "Save" to submit it. Can't use Apple Podcasts? Email us your review and we'll put it on our website: inf...

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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