8 Tips on How to Deal With Negative Book Reviews & Customer Complaints on Amazon KDP

As a self-published author on Amazon KDP, I know firsthand that negative reviews and customer complaints can be tough to handle. But it’s important to remember that these types of reviews are a natural part of the publishing process and can actually be helpful in improving your book.

No book is perfect and it’s likely that at some point, you’ll receive a negative review. It’s important not to get discouraged and to remember that even negative reviews can be helpful in improving your book. It’s also important to remember that not everyone will like your book and that’s okay. Keep writing and keep publishing and don’t let a negative review discourage you.

That being said, here are a few tips I use when dealing with negative reviews or customer complaints:

Don’t Take It Personally

It can be difficult not to take negative reviews personally, especially if you have put a lot of time and effort into your book. However, it’s important to remember that everyone has different tastes and opinions, and not everyone will enjoy your book. It’s important to keep this in mind and not take negative reviews too personally.

Instead, try to view negative reviews as an opportunity to learn and improve. Consider any constructive feedback that the reviewer has provided, and see if there are any changes you can make to your book based on that feedback. Keep in mind that even the most successful authors receive negative reviews, and it’s all a part of the publishing process.

Respond Professionally

Respond politely and professionally. If a customer leaves a negative review or complains about your book, it’s important to respond professionally. Thank them for their feedback and apologize if there was a problem. This can help to diffuse the situation and show other readers that you are open to constructive criticism. This will actually help your readers connect more with you and empathize when they see you respond in this way.

Even if the negative review is unfair or unfounded, it’s important to remain respectful and polite. Offer to help resolve any issues they had with the book.

Don’t Get Into Arguments

It can be tempting to argue with a negative reviewer, but it’s important to remain professional and respectful. Arguing with a customer can often make the situation worse and could result in more negative reviews. Stay calm and avoid getting defensive. It can be frustrating to receive negative feedback, but try to remember that the reviewer is entitled to their opinion. Thank the reviewer for their feedback, even if it is negative. This shows that you value their input and are open to hearing constructive criticism.

Take Their Feedback Into Consideration

Nobody is perfect. Everyone has something they can improve upon, and so does your book. Consider the feedback and see if there are any areas you can improve upon. If the review is pointing out a specific issue with the book, take the time to reflect on whether it is a valid concern and if there is anything you can do to address it.

This can help improve the overall quality of your book and prevent future negative reviews. Use negative reviews as an opportunity to learn and improve your book. If multiple reviewers are pointing out the same issue, it may be worth taking a look at your book and seeing if there are any changes you can make to improve it.

Take a Break

Remember when you were a kid, and your mom gave you a time-out? This may be the perfect time to revisit that, and give yourself a time-out. If the negative review is really bothering you, it might be helpful to step away from it for a bit. Do something that has nothing to do with your book. Taking a break can help you to clear your head and come back to the situation with a fresh perspective.

Sometimes, a little distance can help you to see things in a different light and come up with a more effective solution. Taking a break can give you the opportunity to calm down and approach the situation with a level head, rather than reacting emotionally. It’s important to remember that negative reviews are a normal part of the publishing process and can even be helpful in improving your book, so try not to let them get you down.

Seek Support

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by negative reviews or customer complaints, it can be helpful to talk to someone you trust, whether that’s a friend, family member, or writing group. Having someone to listen and offer support can make a big difference.

Don’t Delete Negative Reviews

Deleting negative reviews is generally not a good idea because it can come across as dishonest or untrustworthy. If a customer takes the time to leave a review, whether positive or negative, it is important to respect their opinion and respond in a professional manner.

By engaging with negative reviews and taking them into consideration, you can show your customers that you value their opinions and are committed to creating the best product possible.

Of course, if a review is inappropriate or contains personal attacks, it is within your rights to report it to Amazon for removal. However, it is important to approach this situation carefully and only take this action if the review is truly inappropriate.

Monitor Your Reviews Regularly

Monitoring your reviews regularly is important because it allows you to keep track of what people are saying about your book. This can be helpful for a number of reasons.

First, it can help you identify any recurring issues or complaints that readers may have about your book. This can give you the opportunity to address these issues and improve your book for future readers.

Additionally, monitoring your reviews can help you identify any potential problems with your book that you may not have noticed before. For example, if a large number of readers are saying that your book is difficult to follow or that the plot is confusing, this could be a sign that you need to revise your book to make it more clear and coherent.

Finally, monitoring your reviews can also help you identify patterns in the types of readers who enjoy your book. For example, if a large number of your positive reviews come from readers who enjoy historical fiction, this could be a good indicator that your book may appeal to this particular audience.

Conclusion

Dealing with negative reviews and customer complaints is something that every author will have to face at some point in their writing career. It’s important to remember that these reviews are a natural part of the publishing process and can even be helpful in improving our books.

By following the tips in this post, we can successfully navigate these challenges and continue to grow and improve as writers. It’s important to remember that negative reviews don’t define us and should not be seen as stumbling blocks, but rather as opportunities to learn and grow.