Something that has been getting on my nerves lately. Social media book reviewers sending me messages. Why am I not replying? Well… I’ll tell you!

One of my pet peeves at the moment: social media book reviewers sending me messages. I hear you say, “Surely that’s a good thing? People are showing an interest!”

You may well be correct. Or then again, maybe it’s all a scam. It’s a bit difficult to tell when the messages have such an array of off-putting elements. In my latest video (above), I offer some advice to the social media book reviewers who want independent authors such as myself to take them seriously. At least, to reply to their messages, which, in most cases, I don’t do.

1. CHECK YOUR MESSAGES FOR MISTAKES

Before you send your message, give it a read through. Remember, you are supposedly in this to persuade me to use your services. Therefore, it makes sense that you would send me a message that uses correct English. A message that isn’t riddled with spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. Also a message that doesn’t fawn and simper and use overly polite language. Or that hasn’t been copied and pasted from a generator on the Internet. Too many times have I read messages saying things like, “Kindly please reply to my email…” and beginning with “Hey Dear Dale Hurst – Author”. If it begins like that, I don’t want to read on.

2. DON’T BEG

No means no. If in the rare event I choose to reply to your message, declining your reviewing services, do not respond by saying something like: “Oh, but sir! Our services are very high-quality. And cheap…” It does not create a good impression; it just comes off as desperate, or that you are trying very hard to rope me into a scam. Take me at my first answer and be understanding. I might remember your professionalism and may well seek you out when it comes to the next book.

3. BE UP FRONT ABOUT COSTS

A lot of independent authors operate on very slim marketing budgets. And so there may not be much in the kitty to pay strangers to review the books, or to send free copies away – in many cases, overseas. For those of us starting out or still establishing a brand, every sale means the world to us. So asking us to send free copies is a tad unreasonable, especially when it costs less than a Starbucks coffee to buy the Kindle edition. It’s also a bit of a gamble to send copies to people for review that we neither know nor follow and pay money for something that may not get an honest review (I refer to my earlier point about scams).

Therefore, when you send your message, be up front about how much it may cost the author there and then. Don’t wait for us to get drawn into conversation before you hit us with the price. You may find giving it to us straight away may prove more persuasive. Also, do your homework and quote the price in the AUTHOR’S home currency. In my case, GBP (£). I will ignore anything quoted in USD, Rupees or, especially, cryptocurrencies!

4. CONSIDER WHEN THE BOOK WAS RELEASED

Following on from the last point about budgets, authors may have budgeted for reviews when their book was first released. In addition, they usually approach the reviewers, rather than the other way around. So when you’re sending your message, double-check when the book was actually released. If it was a week or two ago, then there’s a fair chance the author may have something left over to maybe take a chance on social media book reviewers. If it was more than a year ago… it’s highly unlikely unless sales are literally pouring in. And even in that event, they may not feel they need your services.

FINAL ADVICE FOR SOCIAL MEDIA BOOK REVIEWERS

There is a lot of distrust going around, especially on social media. If you operate a genuine review channel, you must be professional and persuasive about your approach to independent authors if you want us to take you seriously. Otherwise, we may just think you’re another scammer looking to make some easy money and otherwise damage our brand and/or reputation.

Do you agree (or disagree)? Why not let me know in the comments? For more author news and views, my Facebook and Instagram pages are here.

Our latest post (and video) is more of an advice-based thing for anyone who may be getting their first professional author headshots done. Whether that’s for their new website, for a social media or digital marketing campaign, or whatever. Anyone who may have no idea where to start… I urge you to read on…

This year, I branched out from my usual photographer, Patrick Čermák. Instead collaborating with new friend Jamie Webb of JKW Media on my latest author headshots, which were taken outdoors.

First bit of advice, before the Top 5 list – get yourself a photographer that you get along with. Meet them for a coffee or something first. I was fortunate to know and have worked with Patrick for many years before he started photographing me. Meanwhile, I had actually interviewed Jamie for a couple of features on HQB News earlier in the year.

Both photographers come highly recommended and you’ll find links and so forth at the end of this article. But before you do any of that, I recommend you consider the following points.

1. MAKE SURE IT’S ON-BRAND

I brand myself as someone quite smart, professional, elegant some have said… usually in shirts and trousers, often with the waistcoat, pocketwatch, etc.

Photo by Patrick Čermák

It wouldn’t really do for me to have promo shots in T-shirts, hoodies… informal stuff, in other words. Unless your campaign is deliberately saying something about challenging your brand or doing something different, then obviously do what you like. But otherwise, consistency is the key in this business. Right down to how you look.

2. MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR BACKDROP

If you’re indoors, try to get your writing space into the photos (or maybe even the places around the house where you don’t work). Or parts of the house that suit what’s on show. These photos of the books were on an elegant, arguably period-looking dressing table, for example.

Photo by Patrick Čermák

Outdoor shoots open up so many other avenues. I come from Bournemouth, which has a number of remarkable sights of which to make use, plus a rich literary heritage. Try to draw on similar things if you’re having your promo photos done outside.

Photo by Jamie Webb

3. MAKE SURE YOU’RE COMFORTABLE

I tried an outdoor shoot last year and, ultimately, I could only really use four or five of the end results. The reason? I was not remotely comfortable being photographed in public, and it showed in the photos. To put it bluntly, I looked like I had sat on something very sharp the whole time.

Photo by Patrick Čermák

If you’re having your author headshots done in a public place, I’d recommend finding a photographer who uses discreet equipment. An LED light stick, for example, as opposed to a full-blown light box. Draws far less attention from the general public.

I know it may seem obvious to say, “Well if you don’t like being photographed outdoors, just stick to indoor shoots”, and there’d be nothing wrong with that. But it can run the risk of your content going a bit stale after a while. Having a mix of indoor and outdoor photos adds to the variety.

4. HAVE SHOTS OR CAPTIONS IN MIND

As many of you may know I’m a planner with a vengeance. But on this last shoot I did, I was asked to let the photographer know if I had any ideas shots-wise, and apart from knowing I wanted half with me and the Bournemouth backdrop, and half with me and the books, I had nothing. More ideas came to me as we were doing the shoot, and then I could imagine what captions were going to go with which photo and so forth.

Of course, it also depends on what you want to use the photos for. My experience aside, it definitely helps both you and the photographer to go in with some concrete ideas in mind. You’re more likely to get the most out of your shoot, which are not always the cheapest things.

5. DON’T REPEAT YOURSELF

In the interest of keeping your content fresh, try not to go for the same poses, expressions, backdrops, outfits, hairstyles, etc. That may seem like an obvious point, but I know I am guilty of making more-or-less the same face in some of my photos, for example.

With this point in mind, I say it helps to work with only one or maybe two photographers for your author headshots. As opposed to getting different ones every time. The more you build your relationship with these people, they’ll become more familiar with your brand and, most importantly, what’s been done before. Not only by you, but by other people in the same or similar field.

Useful Links

Jamie Webb has an extensive photography and videography portfolio and range of experience. You can find the pages for his company, JKW Media, on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, plus its website. In addition, if you’re interested, find out more about Jamie, his work and his views in these HQB News articles:

• Jamie Webb, Videographer & Photographer (Q&A article)
• JKW Media: New Documentary Aims to “Help Students Realise They Don’t Have to Drink to Fit In…” (News Article)
• How to Become an Influencer in 2021 (Feature with opinions and advice from various Bournemouth-based influencers)

Patrick Čermák is an experienced event, fashion and portrait photographer originally from the Czech Republic. Visit his website for more information.

Want to know more? Why not let me know in the comments? For more author news and views, my Facebook and Instagram pages are here.