Every author should love book bloggers, because they truly love books and authors.

Snagging reviews in newspapers, magazines and major sites takes work, connections and a lot of luck. Book bloggers can be much more accessible and, because they write about books they like, they’re more likely to give you a review even if you’re not a high-profile author.

That said, book bloggers can be as overwhelmed with pitches as anyone else, so it’s important to make everything as easy for them as possible.

To up your chances of getting a book bloggers review, do these things:

1. Offer multiple formats for review copies. Although some prefer paper copies, most bloggers understand that’s cost-prohibitive and are fine with digital review copies. You should be able to provide a choice of the major formats: MOBI for Kindle; EPUB for Apple and Android devices and the Nook; and PDF, a standard format that’s easiest to print. If your publisher doesn’t provide digital advance or review copies in all these formats, or you’re an indie author, look for free online converters, as well as inexpensive book formatting services, to have your manuscript formatted.
2. Write a punchy pitch. You should already have a compelling short description of your book on the back cover. Capture the blogger’s interest immediately with this. You don’t need to start with an explanation like, “I’m contacting you and asking you to review my book.” Just jump in with your sexiest hook.
3. Personalize your pitch. After your exciting elevator pitch, put in a sentence or two about why you’re contacting this particular person. It takes more work, but it can really pay off. Did the blogger like another book that is in some way similar to yours? Does he seem to enjoy dystopian, fantasy, romance, hard-boiled detectives? It’s even better if you can quote one of her reviews. For example, you could say, “In your review of The Errant Vampiric Countess, you said you loved the humorous dialog. In my book … “

Don’t send the entire book until the blogger requests it. If you don’t hear back, you definitely should follow up, once. It’s hard to know how long to wait before following up. Some very organized bloggers may have a spreadsheet with their reads and reviews planned months in advance. It’s more likely that, if someone didn’t have time to read and grok your first email, it’s now buried. I typically wait around three weeks.

When you do get a yes from a book blogger, your next job is to make it as easy as possible for him to get that review done and published.

4. Provide a cheat sheet. Of course, you hope the blogger will read every word of your book and carefully ponder it before writing her rave review. Unfortunately, life happens. Help a potentially distracted reviewer by providing a Cliff’s Notes version of your book. Include a full synopsis. Pick out key scenes, characters and themes for fiction. For non-fiction, outline the book and call out key concepts.
5. Pay it back. Book bloggers do their work because they love books—and maybe getting free books. They also want their work to be seen, and they’re interested in building their audiences. When someone reviews your book, you can return the favor by sharing the review as widely as you can.

Just make sure to attribute it properly. Share a sentence or two of the review with a link to the full review on the blogger’s site. Post it on your website, send it to your mailing list, and share it across all your social media. If the reviewer also posts to Amazon, click on the “Helpful” link below the review. Of course, sharing reviews makes you look good, too.

All that said, it’s inevitable that your hard work will be rewarded with a lot of ghosts, a few polite “no thanks” and a handful of reviews. Do not despair or give up. If you want 10 reviews, ask 100 book bloggers. Those 10 who do review your book may turn into allies and friends.