Recently I was asked to leave a Facebook group because I posted a two star review on an author’s book on Amazon. The administrator of the group had very valid reasons for asking me to leave as he considers his group a support group and he felt that my review undermined that support.
I had no issue with being asked to leave, and I left willingly for a number of reasons, but it did hurt. The administrator of this group is someone that I respect and admire and consider a role model, and it stung when he asked me to leave.
The author in question complained in the group about someone leaving a two star review on their book. They would have preferred it if the reviewer had contacted them directly instead. The author never mentioned my name in the post which I thought was very classy.
I could have pretended not to have seen that particular conversation but I did not. I was the one that publicly admitted to posting the two star review, explained my reasons why and then linked to the review to show everyone that it was not a nasty review at all. I had complimented the author and then mentioned an area I thought required development.
Now if I had kept my mouth shut, or in this case sat on my hands, and not admitted to being the one, I might still be in that group. My being honest and admitting to being the one who posted that review cost me my participation in that group. When I discussed the issue with my mastermind group, most of the people said that I should not have posted the review. A few comments were thrown around including “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all” which is advice I think we’ve all got from our mothers at some point in time.
It raised some interesting questions for me over the weekend. What is the right thing to do? If you are asked to do a review, but you have a problem with the book, do you post it? Or not? The reason I was battling with this was because I am so aware of the review manipulation that goes on at Amazon. I will not be party to this type of behaviour. It goes against every core value in my life that I consider important and critical to a successful life.
I also do not believe that one bad review does your book any harm. I know this from personal experience because I have one book on Amazon that has a shocking review on it that has nothing to do with the book. It is a totally vindictive personal attack on my integrity and ethics (you have to love the irony of that considering how I am battling with this particular issue). That book consistently sells about two copies a day, every day. I did a case study on another book that has a lot of one and two star reviews and this book sells between 100 and 300 copies a day (Why All Book Reviews are Good, even the Bad Ones).
Perhaps this advice of not saying anything at all stems from the fear of the repercussions if you do. People can be vicious and nasty when they get negative criticism. Very few people have the mental capacity to handle constructive criticism well. They lash out in anger and hurt, and will attack you in ways that leave you gasping in horror. That could put a lot of people off telling the truth.
I try very hard to be ethical and honest in everything that I do and say. I try to live my life with integrity, but I am starting to realise that sometimes you will pay a painful price for that integrity.
As this all churned through my brain over the weekend, I came to the realization that it does not matter what anyone else thinks of me. All that is important is the question “Who am I?”
The answer is simple:
- I will tell the truth but with kindness.
- Whatever action I take will be done in line with my core values.
- I will be brave regardless of the cost or repercussions.
- I accept that certain relationships will cease to exist.
- I will align myself with the people whose core values are similar to mine.
- I accept that there will be financial losses by taking this approach.
The advantage of this approach is that I will live my life with integrity and I will be at peace. I only have to answer to myself and will sleep with a clear conscience at night.
Diana Heuser
Diana Heuser specialises in e-Business and Publishing Resources for Authors. Connect with Diana Heuser on her business website, via Twitter @DianaHeuser or on Google+. Join our fabulous free Group “Secrets To Publishing A Book on Facebook”. You will find it interesting. Request to join here.
I once posted a negative review (even just one star) for a book I thought was poorly written.
The author went bonkers. He complaint how I dared to be so negative bla bla bla.
The result. He got so many support reviews that this book actually sold very well!
So, I agree that even a negative review can bring positive results.
And yes, even a negative review can be used to improve a book. In my opinion you did well Di.
Diana,
I can see this from both sides. If the group was a support group, then I can see how privately messaging the person could be a better way to go to help them both grow as a writer and understand your suggestions. Two star reviews can be discouraging to someone and though Steve Scott has some, he has tons of 5 and 4 star reviews as well. If this was a new writer, then it could really effect their future sales and more importantly their motivation to write.
Support groups are intended to help people grow so I do think negative feedback sent to the person privately would’ve been the best avenue. I know there are different advertising platforms for kindle books that require I think a very high average of stars to take out an ad and if they only had a few reviews this could make it difficult for them to do so. Also, my understanding of support groups is that people will be able to then revise their work. I would always contact someone privately for something negative I had to say. Or perhaps it could been publicly posted even on the support group. But for a new writer, who is working on improving their craft and may only have a few reviews, I think it can harm both their spirit and sales if publicly posted on Amazon.
Harriet
A great question to consider, Di. My answer isn’t especially simple though. I consider two things before posting a review, keeping in mind that the review is intended for the prospective buyer’s edification, not the author’s.
So… If the author asked me to review their book, I will extend them the professional courtesy of a conversation before I posting a negative (2-star or less) review, and then I will let them make the decision as to whether they are alright with my sharing my honest feedback. Keep in mind, they’ve asked me to be part of their support team, and I can support them just as well at that point by providing private constructive criticism as I can by posting a review.
Amazingly enough, the author has granted me permission to post the review each time, but they’ve been forewarned and have had the benefit of a discussion first before discussing it. (This has only happened 3 times thus far though.)
If it’s a book that I purchased, I will post an honest review that supports the prospective buyer in making their buying decision, whether it’s negative or not. However, I do try to use “the sandwich method” in writing any review (start with something positive, provide my criticism, and then end with something positive). This takes the sting out of the review in some instances.
I think the only real valid concern authors should have when it comes to a negative review is how it affects Amazon’s algorithm. One negative in a sea of positives is real life. Scores of negatives in a dribble of positives will kill the book.
As far as the FB group goes, I experienced a similar scenario where the admin had different views than I did. When I’d post something contrary to their viewpoint in the group, but not in a negative or hostile way, the comment was routinely deleted. After this happened too many times and we’d had some offline conversations about it, I realized that it was their group to play with and I could either abide by the rules or go play someplace else. For my own sense of integrity, I went and played somewhere else, and I’m fine with that!
Kudos for caring enough to wrestle with these questions!
Di this is one of the most petty things ever. I agree with a previous comment that said the group was white washing. If an author is not able to stand up to any criticism then they are not going to get far. Especially since you did not leave a malicious review. What in the world are they thinking? What good are reviews on Amazon if they can’t be honest. Self publishing is a great thing, but you know what – it doesn’t mean you are a great writer. Support includes constructive criticism. Seriously. It does. This ‘resignation’ from the group is very telling. No one will want to be honest with anyone and its kid gloves and eggshell treading all around from now on I’d say. Shame on them.
Beautifully written. It is so hard to stand by personal morals and strong business ethics when the rest of the world appears to be devoid of them. The road to ‘winning’ can be long and lonely. I’m at your side on this journey as are many others. Keep building your tribe!
What a well-written and thoughtful post, Di! I agree with you 100% about reviews. I am not only a writer but a reader as well, and I depend on reviews to give me a little bit of insight to the books I plan to read.
These days, I become very suspicious of a book that has all raving 5-star reviews, which is a shame really. It’s sad to me that the review system has been manipulated the way it has.
And as for the adage “if you can’t say something nice, just don’t say anything.” I firmly believe in that saying, but it doesn’t apply here. In my opinion what that means is to not going around spewing angry, hateful comments (or Facebook posts, etc.) designed to bring people down.
An honest review that provides constructive feedback doesn’t fit that.
Good job sticking up for your ethics.
True Diana.
I am sure your critique will be honest, well founded and not malicious. If everybody tells you what you want to hear for fear of hurting your feelings you will learn nothing.
I know how it feels to get a malicious comment, but I’m sure yours wasn’t. If that group wants only positive responses, or as they put it, support, do they really want praise where none is due? That will be living in a lie, and that’s much worse than getting honest criticism.
I’m not sure why one would want to belong to a group if you can’t be sure the remarks are going to be an honest reflection of what group members think of your work.
Don’t worry too much about being asked to leave. The group doesn’t seem to be anything other than white washing.
Keep up the good work.
Regards.
Hi Frans,
In all fairness to the group administrator he runs a very ethical business, which is why he is one of my role models and will continue to be one. We just differ in slightly in our approaches but I have the highest respect for him.
The incident just helped me clarify the direction I am going in and the approach I want to take with my customers and business.
Di
I have also wondered about this situation. I met a man at a party who gave me a copy of his book and asked me to review it on Amazon. I really tried to read that book but it just could not hold my attention. I tried again but there just was nothing in it of any interest to me. I choose not to do a review as I could not honestly give a good one. I figured that I would never see him again anyway. Guess again. Someone brought him to my house and he actually bought a book from me. If I could ever speak to him alone I would explain to him.
I admit I have been generous with those who have given me a good review but cannot out and out lie.
Agreed!
There are times in our life that when we do the right thing (in our minds eye), others will notice. Their perception of good or bad will depend on where they are in life at that time. Life is all about hurt and healing. When we leave our comfort zone, we learn the most. If you look closely at my hands, you will see many scars. Lessons learned. One scare from saving a friends fingers from being cut off on a table saw. I tell you this because even though it hurt at the time (and rather inconvenient) each scar healed stronger in that area than it was before. So it is with our lives. Our scars make us who we are, what we have learned, and how we handle what is ahead.
There has been times when I have publicly asked for an evaluation of one sort or the other. When you do that, you should be willing to except both sides of the coin and be prepared for what may come. ( I call that getting gutted like a fish 🙂 ). From that I will take the information and work with it. Good or Bad. The whole point is to grow and become better than before you asked.
The Truth? “If you don’t stand for something….You will fall for anything!” ( Some call me “Opinionated”!)
I have had to redirect my relationships from time to time in order to be true to myself and values. Do I still love them and hope they will do well? Yes. I just choose not to hang around.
So in a nutshell Diana, you have brought to the fore front, the core values of your life. A reminder of who and what you are, and where you want to head. There is a reason for this at this time. A lesson to be learned.
Grow Stronger….Build your team….
Till then….Take Charge!
Lary