A bad review is the last thing one would expect in their emails or messages. Literally, nobody wants to get unflattering reviews, whether or not you’re responsible for the harsh comments behind it. Most times, we don’t know how to respond appropriately when you’re in the thick of it, so here are some tips on how to deal with negative book reviews.
Resist the urge to respond negatively
At this moment, you’re probably still on the verge of blowing up, and that’s not a safe ground for you to respond. Once you have responded negatively, it’s out there for everyone to see, even if it gets deleted later. Damage has been done.
Let them understand
Collect yourself. Bad reviews happen, which are normal. A good approach to responding is to let the reviewer understand why expectations were not met, and address certain points they disagree with. Appreciate their honest comments and be at peace before responding to any criticisms. Art is always subjective; anyone can express their opinions on it, but it is not your job to please everyone.
Accept what was said and smile again
Feel bad about it, get up, and smile again. There is no use crying over spilled milk. Eat your favorite dessert, or take a break to get over it. Over time, you will realize that bad reviews exist not to bring you down, but to build you strong.
Bad reviews add authenticity to your good reviews
Imagine if you only get five stars all the time with zero bad reviews. You run the risk of getting your audience suspicious about your book reviews and think you get paid reviews. All best-selling books received backlash during their shining moments, so it is no question when some authors get the same hate. That only means the word about your book has spread out!
There is an element of truth behind
Negative reviews often offer constructive criticism you can learn from. There is always an element of truth behind every negative comment. Take it from there. What can you learn from it? What areas do you need to improve on?
Bad reviews happen but keep in mind that you can turn this for good by seeing the element of truth behind it. Don’t let bad reviews stop you, instead build a castle out of the bricks they throw at you. It’s just a person’s opinion, and a person’s opinion doesn’t define your book and who you are.