Hidden Gems is increasing their price

[Denise]

I guess it was expected.

Now each reviewer costs $3, instead of $2, and the $20 deposit is non-refundable, and covers 1 to 10 readers.

More details here: https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/arc-faq/#faq-Howmuchdoesitcost

[DrewMcGunn]

When I used them six months ago, the $20 was non-refundable. But, yeah, the price per reviewer does seem to have gone up.

[oganalp]

I have never used ARC services. Can I use it for my previous books, as I didn't do any marketing for my first two books? Also, does Amazon have an issue with this?

Hidden Gems looks trustworthy enough. I may choose them for my space opera trilogy.

[Shoe]

I don't use paid ARCs mainly due to their poor quality. They read like junior high book reports. That, and they tend to fill their reviews with spoilers to prove they've read the book.

(I know reviews are very important in several genres. I don't write in any.)

[DrewMcGunn]

I have never used ARC services. Can I use it for my previous books, as I didn't do any marketing for my first two books? Also, does Amazon have an issue with this?

Hidden Gems looks trustworthy enough. I may choose them for my space opera trilogy.

My first in series had been out for a few months on Amazon when I had used Hidden Gems. My genre is pretty sparse. They said they had found 10 to review the book and I think I got around 6 reviews. They averaged around a 4 star, so I was happy enough with the results.

[idontknowyet]

I have never used ARC services. Can I use it for my previous books, as I didn't do any marketing for my first two books? Also, does Amazon have an issue with this?

Hidden Gems looks trustworthy enough. I may choose them for my space opera trilogy.

My first in series had been out for a few months on Amazon when I had used Hidden Gems. My genre is pretty sparse. They said they had found 10 to review the book and I think I got around 6 reviews. They averaged around a 4 star, so I was happy enough with the results.

Thanks for providing a review of the service this is very helpful.

[oganalp]

I have never used ARC services. Can I use it for my previous books, as I didn't do any marketing for my first two books? Also, does Amazon have an issue with this?

Hidden Gems looks trustworthy enough. I may choose them for my space opera trilogy.

My first in series had been out for a few months on Amazon when I had used Hidden Gems. My genre is pretty sparse. They said they had found 10 to review the book and I think I got around 6 reviews. They averaged around a 4 star, so I was happy enough with the results.

Thanks a lot for the info! Maybe I should give them a try.

[Denise]

I've used it before. I think it used to be better. The user base increased, and they got more reviewers.

Last time I used it I got a one-star review I thought was unfair. That said, it proves that the reviews are legit.

This service is good because it will increase the amount of reviews you get.

[Travelian]

My first in series had been out for a few months on Amazon when I had used Hidden Gems. My genre is pretty sparse. They said they had found 10 to review the book and I think I got around 6 reviews. They averaged around a 4 star, so I was happy enough with the results.

I'm having a similar experience with them now for my first book. Their core genre is romance. Mine is thriller so I've only gotten 4 reviews in the first week.


They're booked up months in advance so I'll probably put together a mailing list and ARC team for future books. But I'm thrilled to be getting reviews through this service and that their reviewers seem to enjoy my book.

[HiddenGems]

Hey everyone - just signed up here after a tip from an author that everyone's moving away from kboards.


Anyway, yes, prices have gone up a bit recently, but the intention of that is to deal directly with the issues of not having enough readers for some of the sub genres and our long waiting list.  Of course, given the long waiting list it means that no one will be paying the new price until months into 2019, but I'm not going to wait that long to start investing in increasing the subs.  It's a problem I want solved ASAP as it affects everyone. 


I hate having to tell authors that we only got 10 or 20 readers for a book that they wanted MAX for - it's not a problem I want any more than the author, so I'm going to do what I can to fix things as fast as I can, but without sacrificing on the typical results we're known for.


I have been moving some books around and free up some 2019 slots (mostly for Romance) but the others will move as I'm able.


If you have any other specific questions I'm around now, or send me a PM.  Still getting the lay of the land around here.


Thanks everyone.
HG

[Tulonsae]

HG, You may want to put a post in the one of the Service Provider subforums.

[HiddenGems]

I was just doing that actually, I put one in the Cover design and Editing forums as we offer those services now as well, but I wasn't sure about the ARC.  I guess that would just go under Other Services?

[Bill Hiatt]

I have never used ARC services. Can I use it for my previous books, as I didn't do any marketing for my first two books? Also, does Amazon have an issue with this?

Hidden Gems looks trustworthy enough. I may choose them for my space opera trilogy.

I'm sure anyone directly answered your question about whether or not Amazon has a problem with it. The short answer is no. The fee you pay goes to Hidden Gems to facilitate the process. Reviewers get only a free copy of the book, consistent with FTC and Amazon requirements.


Though it's called an ARC service, you can request reviews for a book at any stage of its life.

[Bill Hiatt]

I don't use paid ARCs mainly due to their poor quality. They read like junior high book reports. That, and they tend to fill their reviews with spoilers to prove they've read the book.

(I know reviews are very important in several genres. I don't write in any.)

Actually, the HG reviews I've gotten don't read like junior high book reports and aren't filled with spoilers. Some of them are rather terse, but so are many of my organic reviews.