How to amplify your book review, capture eyeballs and spark conversation (and maybe get referrals too!)
- Call the events coordinator at your local indie bookstore(s) to suggest doing a discussion around the review (with the editor, the critic, possibly with the author, or possibly both).
- Call the events person at your local library branch with the same request, but also include the librarians as possible interviewers or panelists. Offer a free copy of the book to “raffle off” to anyone who attends the event (maybe combined with a gift card to a local coffee shop–we can help fund that).
- Check if there are local organizations or associations that have an interest in the subject or setting of the book–humane societies, senior centers, specialty food stores or restaurants, museums or arts venues, cultural centers or shops. They could potentially host or sponsor an event: physical or virtual.
- Offer local establishments a branded plexiglass frame that the week’s review can be slipped into–and a free copy of the book to display. Bookstores and libraries, of course, but also think outside the box: coffee shops, beauty salons, other gathering places where people have time to chat. We might be able to fund that too.
- Call the local indie (and NPR) stations to see if they want to have your reviewer do a talk with a host, guest, bookseller or librarian about the book; emphasize local angles, and offer to help promote the event and to maybe to help them get books for caller give-aways.
- Consider making a short video (not more than 2.5 mins) to post on Book Tok and FB reels, and Bluesky with clear links to the full review. Invite responses and follow up on them.
- Use trending keywords in your headlines, tags, and copy about the review, especially words and phrases that have relevance for your community.
- Create assets around the review to post on all your social media; use visuals whenever possible.
–Helene Atwan
