So *why* do I review on Amazon?
Category Book Reviews
As a follow-up to yesterday's *what* related to Amazon reviewing, I now offer my *why*...
On the Amazon discussion boards, the question is often posed as to why people write reviews for a corporate entity. The reviews benefit that entity but entail no monetary reimbursement. Everyone has their reasons... For me, it's mutually beneficial. Amazon and the authors/publishers get "buzz", and I get better at writing (and I get free books!)...
I've always been a heavy reader. I started an Access-based reading database back in 1996 as a project to teach myself the tool. Over nine years and 1324 books later, every book I've read is listed in there. That's how come I can tell you my lightest year of reading was 103 books in 1996 and the heaviest was last year at 182 (I'm a sick puppy...) I started to get into the habit of jotting down notes about the book to remind myself of the plot. But Amazon wasn't even a blip on the radar then.
In about 2003 or so, I learned of the O'Reilly User Group program and their book review offer. You request a book, write the review, post it to your user group website, and keep the book. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I quickly formed a close relationship with Marsee there at O'Reilly, and they started asking me if they could send me more books. The blog was getting started by then, so I started posting both to the user group website and my blog, with the blog traffic being the more significant of the two. Still feeling like I was getting the better end of the deal, I also started posting the reviews to Amazon. And the rest, they say, is history...
When I started to review on Amazon and watch my ranking, I think I debuted around 25000 or so. That would have been late 2003. My goal was to get into the top 1000 by the end of 2004. I ended up in the top 500. This year, I wanted to end up around 250, but I'm already at 269. Breaking 200 is probably more realistic. So what's the payback?
I have relationships with most all the major tech publishers to get review copies of books. For a book junkie like me, this is nirvana. I have been able to influence sales traffic on Amazon with books I really feel strongly about (like Head First Java). When an author credits you with that type of influence, it feels really good. That's their livelihood! I have "virtual friendships" with a number of authors, like Dave Taylor and Kathy Sierra. Once again, a very cool thing. And now that I'm in the upper rankings, I often get email requests from authors (both tech and fiction) asking if they can send me a review copy of their book. Of course! Getting emails from notable mainstream authors thanking you for your Amazon review always perks up my day. And it still blows me away that O'Reilly gave Joe and I three *cases* of books to give away at our Lotusphere session this year. Shipped them directly to the Dolphin weeks ahead of time. I keep thinking there's an invoice floating around somewhere that's going to come due one day.
I'd like to think my writing has improved, and I know more about some areas of technology than I would have otherwise. The drawback that I have to fight is that I know a lot *about* certain things, but I end up not having enough time to really delve into them to really *know* them.
So... That's why I review on Amazon. I'm forever amazed that people make decisions on books based on my opinion. But Amazon gets valuable feedback that draws people to their site. Publishers and authors are able to get input on their titles that might help someone else buy a book. I learn a great deal in the process, and become a better technologist and writer because of it.
Oh yeah... and I'm surrounded by BOOKS!
As a follow-up to yesterday's *what* related to Amazon reviewing, I now offer my *why*...
On the Amazon discussion boards, the question is often posed as to why people write reviews for a corporate entity. The reviews benefit that entity but entail no monetary reimbursement. Everyone has their reasons... For me, it's mutually beneficial. Amazon and the authors/publishers get "buzz", and I get better at writing (and I get free books!)...
I've always been a heavy reader. I started an Access-based reading database back in 1996 as a project to teach myself the tool. Over nine years and 1324 books later, every book I've read is listed in there. That's how come I can tell you my lightest year of reading was 103 books in 1996 and the heaviest was last year at 182 (I'm a sick puppy...) I started to get into the habit of jotting down notes about the book to remind myself of the plot. But Amazon wasn't even a blip on the radar then.
In about 2003 or so, I learned of the O'Reilly User Group program and their book review offer. You request a book, write the review, post it to your user group website, and keep the book. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I quickly formed a close relationship with Marsee there at O'Reilly, and they started asking me if they could send me more books. The blog was getting started by then, so I started posting both to the user group website and my blog, with the blog traffic being the more significant of the two. Still feeling like I was getting the better end of the deal, I also started posting the reviews to Amazon. And the rest, they say, is history...
When I started to review on Amazon and watch my ranking, I think I debuted around 25000 or so. That would have been late 2003. My goal was to get into the top 1000 by the end of 2004. I ended up in the top 500. This year, I wanted to end up around 250, but I'm already at 269. Breaking 200 is probably more realistic. So what's the payback?
I have relationships with most all the major tech publishers to get review copies of books. For a book junkie like me, this is nirvana. I have been able to influence sales traffic on Amazon with books I really feel strongly about (like Head First Java). When an author credits you with that type of influence, it feels really good. That's their livelihood! I have "virtual friendships" with a number of authors, like Dave Taylor and Kathy Sierra. Once again, a very cool thing. And now that I'm in the upper rankings, I often get email requests from authors (both tech and fiction) asking if they can send me a review copy of their book. Of course! Getting emails from notable mainstream authors thanking you for your Amazon review always perks up my day. And it still blows me away that O'Reilly gave Joe and I three *cases* of books to give away at our Lotusphere session this year. Shipped them directly to the Dolphin weeks ahead of time. I keep thinking there's an invoice floating around somewhere that's going to come due one day.
I'd like to think my writing has improved, and I know more about some areas of technology than I would have otherwise. The drawback that I have to fight is that I know a lot *about* certain things, but I end up not having enough time to really delve into them to really *know* them.
So... That's why I review on Amazon. I'm forever amazed that people make decisions on books based on my opinion. But Amazon gets valuable feedback that draws people to their site. Publishers and authors are able to get input on their titles that might help someone else buy a book. I learn a great deal in the process, and become a better technologist and writer because of it.
Oh yeah... and I'm surrounded by BOOKS!
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Comments
I'm not sure I know about Kathy's cert guide book... I know the Head First EJB book was designed to be a guide for passing that cert test. If that's the one you mean, it's good (just like all the rest). If it's a different one, please pass along a link to it. I'd be interested in checking it out.
A Salty Piece Of Land was a book I enjoyed, but it's definitely a meandering piece of writing. If you're willing to just go along for the ride, it works well. If you're looking for something to dig your teeth into, it could like chewing cotton candy...
And CDs... I don't think Amazon gives away much of anything. In the past I get the impression that top reviews had some freebies, but I'm not seeing that any more. Also, when the discussion boards for reviewing turn to getting review copies of anything, it's nearly always books. I don't think I've heard much about reviewers getting advance/review copies of music. I could be wrong, but that review model doesn't seem to exist (as much or at all) with the music industry.
Posted by Duffbert At 04:52:08 On 11/03/2005 | - Website - |
Link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0072226846/qid=1110548742/sr=8-4/ref=pd_csp_4/104-4117828-3814329?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
I read your review of "Salty Piece Of Land" and I agree with your review. Since I have no expectations of an ingenious plot, mystery or action, I'm not disappointed. I just want to be taken to a warm place and a few laughs and it's fine for that.
Posted by Curt Stone At 05:55:10 On 11/03/2005 | - Website - |
I think I'll get it.
Thanks.
Posted by Curt Stone At 08:46:39 On 11/03/2005 | - Website - |
I'm reading three books now, "A Salty Piece Of Land", "Chronicles" - Bob Dylan and "Learning Java". I couldn't decide which one to start so I started all three. I'm enjoying them all.
I was curious of Bob Dylan's writing style. I wasn't sure what to expect but his writing is simple and down-to-earth with a flavor of hippie. The first couple chapters actually have conversational language. Not sure how he remembers coversations from the early 60's but it makes for easy reading.
Does Amazon give away cd's for reviewers?
Keep up the good work!
Posted by Curt Stone At 03:06:42 On 11/03/2005 | - Website - |
Posted by Duffbert At 06:14:39 On 11/03/2005 | - Website - |