Dos and Don'ts for requesting a review

Hey guys, today I wanted to talk about some of my past experiences as a blogger. Though I have been blogging for only a couple months over a year now, there have been some pretty strange instances, which is why I wanted to post this topic.

First, I realize authors are extremely busy, but when you don't follow simple protocol, as a blogger point of view, it seems rather impersonal. I don't want to emberrass or hurt any authors, so I won't be using names.

Rule number one:

When requesting a review, DO try to remember the blogger's name. This just happened to me not too long ago. I received an e-mail wanting a request, but the author didn't even get one letter right, and gave me a completely different name. This indicates to me, that you don't even glance at my blog, to try to find the accurate information. I understand that authors are busy, but when you get a name wrong, it feels rather impersonal. Sometimes people might not see a name, which is understandable, and I will still accept something along the lines of "To whom it may concern" (which I use frequently) or even my blog title. But if you get my name completely wrong, that is a sure fire way that I will completely ignore your request.

Rule number two:

Please DO read the review policy. As many bloggers before me have stated, it is up there for a reason. If you do not follow along with my review policy, most likely your e-mail will be ignored and deleted.

Rule number three:

When asking for a request, please DO make sure you haven't already asked. I've had two authors, both published, asking for a review, which I had already completed and placed in the perspective areas. If you contact me a second time, I will kindly notify you that I have already done a review. If you contact me a third time for the same book, you will be completely ignored, and will most likely not be given a review for future requests. It might seem harsh, but when you constantly contact a busy blogger, it seems rather annoying don't you think?

Rule number four:

When asking for a review, please DO add a summery. Or even a blurb to your novel. I've had past experiences when I had to search for the novel, and if you are an indie author, sometimes, it's really hard to find a summary at all. Yes, authors might be busy, but please understand that bloggers are busy as well. If I have to do extra work in finding about your novel, your e-mail will most likely be ignored.

Rule number five:

DO NOT give out fake praises. Though it is rather flattering to hear that you are a fan of my blog, sometimes we can tell that it is fake. The same author that contacted me three times wrote something along the lines of, "Your blog came with the highest recommendation from a friend..." all three times the author asked for a review, wrote the same line. The first time was flattering, the second and third time seemed redundant, and not very appealing at all. Just be honest with your request. Flattery will only get you so far.

Rule number six:

And this is an important rule. DO NOT give your own dos and don'ts to a blogger. When I first started blogging, I received an author's OWN Dos and Don'ts for contacting them. And at the end of the e-mail, they didn't even specify what they really wanted. First, this seems rather rude to someone who is willing to help you, but isn't forced to. Second, if you don't specify what you want, how will I know what to contact you for? And third, when you do something like that, it makes it sound as if I am doing you a favor, which I do not appreciate. The e-mail in question was of course ignored and deleted.


These are just some of the main points that I wanted to comment on for the day. Yes I love reading, and authors are very busy, but when you don't follow along with these rules, it can be very stressful.