6 Reasons why Indie Authors should never respond to negative reviews (Seriously, don’t do it!)
Negative reviews suck. Don’t get mad, don’t get even, don’t do anything!
Being an indie author can be pretty soul destroying at times. You pour hundreds of hours of your time into a book, release it to the world hoping your fans and readers will enjoy it and then wham, you get a 1-star rating or review. It sucks. However, do not respond to it!
Get a grip!
I’ve been there, oh boy have I. When I first started out I would reply to 1 star reviews. It hurts when someone rips your book apart and the natural human response is to get angry about it. Just remember that the golden rule is: (And yes it is hard to master) Accept that you will never please everyone. One person’s favourite book is another one’s most hated. Let’s take a closer look at why indie author’s should never respond to negative reviews.
1. Professionalism and Brand Image
First and foremost, responding to negative reviews can often reflect poorly on an author’s professionalism. As an indie author, your brand is your persona, and engaging in public disputes can tarnish your image (Oh, I know this one well!).
Then there are those people who deliberately 1-star an author’s book because they disagree with an author’s views or for whatever non book related reason. (You suck and are the lowest of the low btw). And unfortunately, as a head’s up, there are people out there who are clearly mentally ill who get some sort of sick pleasure of giving out negative reviews and ruining peoples days.
Yes, this is real and yes, there are unfortunately other nutters out there like this!
You need to accept that negative reviews are an inevitable part of any author's journey. However, how you handle them can significantly impact your reputation. By not responding, you maintain a level of professionalism and show that you can accept criticism gracefully, which is essential in building a long-term relationship with your readers.
2. The Streisand Effect
Named after Barbra Streisand's attempt to suppress photos of her home, which inadvertently drew more attention to them, the Streisand Effect is a phenomenon where trying to hide or refute something only amplifies its visibility.
Now, you might think this could be a good thing and some indie authors have turned 1-star reviews to their advantage by owning them and using them as marketing material. How effective this method is I’m not sure, but it is a good way to counter some of the more blatant 1-starring shenanigans that go on.
Responding to a negative review can often bring more attention to it. Rather than diminishing the impact of the review, a response might lead more potential readers to focus on the negative aspects of your work. There are literal gangs on the likes of X that just love to pile onto authors who get shitty over a bad review as one sci-fi author recently found out.
3. Emotional Detachment
Writing is a deeply personal endeavor, and it’s natural for authors to feel protective of their work. However, getting embroiled in the emotional turmoil of defending your work can be draining and counterproductive. By stepping away and not responding to negative reviews, you allow yourself to maintain emotional detachment and focus on the creative process, which is at the end of the day is the fun part of all this!
4. Constructive Criticism and Growth
Negative reviews, while tough to swallow, can offer valuable insights. By reading them without the intent to respond, you can objectively analyse if there are recurrent themes or valid points that you can use to improve your future work. Engaging in a debate over a bad review, however, can close you off to potentially helpful feedback. Genuine constructive criticism that doesn’t come from a position of malice should always be welcomed.
5. Encouraging a Vocal Minority
Engaging with negative reviews can sometimes give undue voice to a small but vocal minority. Not every reader's opinion will align with your intentions or style, and that’s perfectly normal. By not responding, you avoid giving extra prominence to outlier opinions that do not necessarily reflect the majority view of your readership. I could list some examples of this but I’ve seen so many incidents over the years, well, you’re inevitably going to witness one for yourself soon enough.
6. Time and Energy Management
Responding to negative reviews can be a time-consuming and emotionally taxing endeavor. As an indie author, your resources are best spent on activities that enhance your craft and career, such as writing, marketing, and connecting positively with your readers. Engaging in arguments or discussions over negative reviews is a distraction that diverts valuable time and energy away from more productive tasks. (This is a lesson I need to do more of- curse my opinionated self at times!)
Don’t get disheartened
In the world of indie publishing, where authors often wear multiple hats, managing your response to feedback is crucial. While negative reviews can be disheartening, they are also an opportunity for growth and reflection. By choosing not to respond, indie authors can maintain their professionalism, manage their time and emotional resources effectively, and focus on the most important aspect of their career: creating compelling and engaging content. Remember, the best response to a bad review is often your next great book.
