Today, we’re diving into episode 13 of our 18-part series Before the Bestseller, where we’re putting the entire audiobook up on our podcast for the dedicated listeners who make this possible. This episode focuses on one of the hardest things for authors to gather over time: ratings and reviews.

We dive deep into the practical details of why Amazon ratings matter so much, the difference between star ratings, written reviews, and editorial reviews, and debunk the myth of the “magic 100 ratings.” You’ll hear clear strategies for how to ask readers for reviews without pressure, ways to use social media and review bookmarks to boost your numbers, tips on handling bad or irrelevant reviews, and how to strategically leverage editorial reviews to build bridges to new audiences. We also cover a realistic timeline for gathering reviews before, during, and after launch.

Building genuine ratings and reviews takes time and persistence, but every single one moves your book closer to the readers who need it most. In this episode, you’ll get practical strategies to steadily grow your reviews without feeling overwhelmed — because the journey to meaningful success is built one honest review at a time.

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