In a world where nearly every second person on Instagram claims to be a book influencer, it becomes a genuine challenge for authors to identify the right book influencer for them. Authors getting cheated and scammed has become quite the order of the day now. While getting your book reviewed is essential to its promotion, most authors end up in a “financial burnout” cycle from engaging with so many book influencers and paying them hefty fees in the name of marketing and promotion. Getting your book reviewed definitely is the game-changer, but getting it done from the right people with the right strategy will make the actual difference in the long run. The big question now is, how to know who is the right/genuine/authentic bookstagrammer, booktuber or book blogger who will not just steal your money but add value to your book promotion strategy? The purpose of this blog is to give you a laser sharp answer to this very question.
Here is how you can identify and separate the right book influencer from the pool of influencers who may cheat you and probably scam you as well.
1. Google about them
It is easy to create profiles on social platforms and start searching for authors but impossible to appear in the search results of google, unless the influencer has been around for a long time and has been doing genuine work. Find out about them, the places they have been featured and try to dig out the time since they have been around. Only the authentic ones would pass this litmus test.
2. Evaluate Their Audience, Not Just Their Follower Count
Big numbers look impressive, but engagement matters far more than reach. There is no point of having too many followers and next to zero engagement. Remember, followers can be bought by anyone very easily.
While going through the profiles of the influencers, check:
– Likes, comments, and saves per post.
– Comment quality (Are followers actually discussing books?).
– Whether followers ask for recommendations.
A smaller influencer with 2,000 engaged readers can outperform a 50,000-follower account with low interaction. You may also ask them to send a screenshot with details of the insights of their most recent posts or somehow show you the audience they reach. There is nothing wrong in asking. Genuine influencers would not be hesitant or reluctant and would cooperate without any argument. It is these small red flags that can help you in the identification of big scammers.
3. Confirm They Actually Post Reviews
Some influencers showcase aesthetics, book hauls, or quotes—but don’t publish full reviews.
Before reaching out, ask:
– Do they post written reviews, video reviews, or both?
– Do they cross-post to Goodreads, Amazon, or blogs?
– To send their profile links of various platforms.
You want someone who talks about the reading experience, not just the cover. Any form of verification is important when it comes to the promotion of your book. And if even for once, you feel that they are not authentic, you can move on to the next influencer.
4. Read Their Past Reviews Carefully
This step is often skipped—and it shouldn’t be. In fact, this is the most crucial step for your decision-making.
Pay attention to:
– How detailed their reviews are
– Whether they critique respectfully
– How they handle books they didn’t enjoy
– If the reviews they right have any depth and what are the aspects they cover (if they do)
You’re not looking for guaranteed praise. You’re looking for fair, articulate feedback that readers trust. Authentic reviewers build credibility—and credibility sells books.
5. How Communicative they are
It is easy to hide behind text writing and say anything. Try to connect with the influencers on a phone call and talk to them. For an advanced level filter, ask them questions that may test their knowledge and their understanding of the role their review will play. Their answers will tell you enough. At the same time, you also have to be careful that some reviewers may try to become salesy and make you just buy. That is where you have to be careful, watchful and alert.
Majority of the scammers/fake reviewers will refuse at this step. By talking to them and hearing their voice and way of talking, you will be able to understand their maturity level and whether they actually have it in them to review your book or not.
6. Make Sure They Fit Into Your Strategy
Before taking any step, it is vital to have a clear strategy in your head about what you want to do and how you want to do it. Based on that, try to understand where the book influencers would fit into the plan. Going ahead and mindlessly just spending on book promotion will not help, unless you have a strategy in mind. If you do not, then it is better to first brainstorm or book a consultation with a book marketing consultant. Again, remember that you do not have to buy anything in the consultation. The decision should be yours. Not anyone else’s.
7. Look for Signs of Professionalism
The best influencers treat book reviewing like a craft. Their manner of writing reviews will tell you plenty about their skill and capabilities to do justice to the task you have entrusted them with. Read their reviews on various platforms of hear them if they have it in video form.
The things that will assure you of their professionalism and dedication include:
– Clear communication
– Consistent posting schedule
– Respectful interaction with authors and followers
– Willingness to treat authors as a person and not just an ATM to withdraw cash.
Professional influencers are more likely to deliver on time—and represent your book well.
8. Personalize Your Outreach
Once you’ve identified the right influencer, show them you’ve done your homework.
Mention:
– A specific review you enjoyed
– Why your book fits their taste
– What makes your story unique for their audience
A thoughtful pitch stands out in a crowded inbox and sets the tone for a positive collaboration.
Finding the right book influencer isn’t about chasing numbers instead, it’s about building connections with readers who are already waiting for your story. When genre, audience, platform, and values align, a review becomes more than a post. It becomes a recommendation readers trust. Take the time to research, engage genuinely, and choose quality over quantity. Your book—and your future readership will thank you. Remember, in a world of deceit, their still is some good left. The investment of some time in research will save your valuable money from being stolen from you and you being cheated. This research can also connect you with some highly experienced influencers who may actually be able to stop you from doing the mistakes many authors may have already done.
