Why No One Leaves Amazon Reviews (Even When They Love Your Book)
You did it.
You wrote the book.
You sold copies.
You even gave away a bunch for free.
And yet…
Your Amazon page is a ghost town.
No glowing praise. No raving fans. No proof that anyone, anywhere, actually cares.
It’s frustrating, right?
Readers send you DMs telling you how much they loved it.
Friends tell you in person how much it impacted them.
But when you ask for an Amazon review?
Crickets.
It’s not because they didn’t love your book.
It’s because you never made it easy for them to talk about it.
Here’s what I mean.
When I first started asking for Amazon reviews, I thought it was simple:
Send people a copy of the book.
Ask them nicely to leave a review.
Wait for the glowing praise to roll in.
Guess what happened?
Nothing.
Or at least, not much.
Most people never left a review. Not because they didn’t love the book, but because I didn’t make it easy for them.
So I tested something different.
Instead of just saying, "Hey, would you leave a review?" I gave them a clear path:
I sent them the book + a follow-up PDF. It included a quick thank-you and a simple ask:
"If you enjoyed the book, it would mean the world if you left a short review. Here’s the link—just 2-3 sentences is perfect!"
I made it specific. Instead of “Tell me what you think,” I asked:
What was your biggest takeaway?
What surprised you?
Would you recommend this book to others? If so, why?
I followed up. People are busy. They forget. So I’d check in:
"Hey, I know life is hectic, but if you had a moment to leave a quick review, I’d really appreciate it. Here’s the link again—thank you so much!"
And you know what?
Some people actually did it.
Still, not as many as I’d hoped.
Because the reality is—people don’t leave reviews unless they’re asked multiple times and given a clear, frictionless way to do it.
That’s when I realized something...
Most people will happily talk about your book. But only some will take the extra step to write a review.
And the more I focused on testimonials instead of Amazon reviews, the better my business did.
More on that below...
Amazon Reviews Are Hard to Get
I’ll be real—I haven’t cracked the Amazon review game.
When they do come in, it’s great.
But getting them? It’s like asking to breathe in space.
Impossible.
So YES, I feel you when you say it’s hard. And if anyone tells you it’s easy? Please introduce me to them—I would love to hear their strategy.
A friend recently told me about this site: BookSirens. I haven’t used it yet, but if you’re struggling to get reviews, it might be worth checking out.
But for me?
I’ve stopped obsessing over Amazon reviews. I've got like 80 and I've given away and sold thousands of my book so far...
Why People Don’t Leave Reviews (And What Works Better)
Here’s my truth.
Most people don’t think like authors.
They don’t live on Amazon.
They don’t even realize how much reviews matter.
But you know what they do respond to?
Simple asks that take zero effort.
Direct invitations to share their experience.
Opportunities to talk about how something changed their life.
So instead of begging for Amazon reviews, I do this:
After someone works with me, I send a short email:
"Hey [Name], I loved working with you on [project]. Would you be open to sharing a quick testimonial about your experience?"
I ask for a transformation story.
What wasn’t working before?
What changed while we worked together?
What happened after?
I ask for video testimonials.
Because people trust faces, not just words.
I use Testimonial.to.
Yes, it costs money and it integrates with your website, seamlessly.
One click. No logins. No friction.
My testimonials help me close, sometimes before I even hop on a booked call.
Just a video or text testimonial in seconds.
I put testimonials front and center.
Second fold on my homepage. Not buried on some “Praise” page no one visits.
(Why do authors hide their best proof like it’s a dirty secret?)
Testimonial section on Rising-Authors website
The Perfect Ask ( Ok, Maybe Not Perfect But You Can Copy + Paste This)
If you don’t know where to start, steal this:
"Hey [Name], I’m so grateful you took the time to [read my book / work with me]. It would mean the world if you could share a quick testimonial about what you got out of it. Just a few sentences would help so much!"
Want to level up?
Use video.
Literally text your top twenty people and just ask. If not, email them.
And follow up.
If they haven’t read your book yet, it’ll be way harder to get a review.
But if they’ve worked with you in any capacity?
Get that testimonial.
You can use it on your website, your marketing, your speaking page—so many ways.
Final Thought: Why This Works
I stopped worrying about book reviews. Instead, I started collecting real testimonials from real people—the kind that actually build trust and attract opportunities.
I also invite many of the people I work with onto my podcast, where we talk about their journey, the work we did together, and how it helped them achieve real results.
Yes, I’m plugging my podcast in my newsletter—sue me. ( Actually don't sue me, I ain't got money for all that.)
Also, it’s a dope episode. Trust me.
You can watch my recent episode with April Castillo Hernandez—actress, author, and speaker—on my website.
Thumbnail from April's Episode
This helps me a ton, and it helps them share what is working and it's legit going both directions.
And guess what?
That’s what gets me speaking gigs.
That’s what lands me consulting clients.
That’s what proves my work works.
If this resonates, message me I would love to support you turning your testimonials into a goldmine for your work.
I share a lot of my personal experiences here because I’m not interested in selling random stuff I haven’t tested myself.
I’m just like you—an authorpreneur navigating what’s next, figuring out how to leverage my experience, and sharing what actually works for me.
Next week, I’m breaking down why your author offer matters now more than ever—and how to build one that gets you paid.
I’ve got a full video on this too.
Stay tuned, Rising Author.
Also, love each other, be kind!
-Hussein
