Latest ARC System

[Al Macy (aka TromboneAl)]

With ARC readers there's a tradeoff: More ARC readers equals more reviews at launch time but fewer purchases.

With my latest book, I decided to go with a lot of ARC readers. In addition the dependable reviewers, I had this in today's newsletter (subscribers whittled down to a responsive 2,000):



When they go to that page, it collects their name and email, then sends them to a BookFunnel link.

Right now, seventy copies have been downloaded, and I'm deciding when to pull the plug. Eighty? One hundred?

[WasAnn]

More is usually better, but I don't do it like that. I like to be sure the ones who get the book are the reviewing kind.

This last time, instead of a bunch of copies, I had watermarked ones delivered via password on IF to those with a record of writing reviews. I don't insist on it, because that's a no-no, but I do stack the deck. I went with a lot fewer than that. I figured I'd get early reviews from readers, so I just wanted enough to get the ball rolling.

I hope you'll let us know how this method turns out for you, percentage wise.

[RPatton]

Check out BookSprout. They have the means to run your Arc team from their app. I have honestly learned that i am not good at the minutia. I get bogged down until I obsess about the perfect system that won't help me because I'm not doing anything else.


If a system is in place where I don't have to do the main work, I'm throwing them my money. Right now, BookSprout seems to take care of my needs without me having to jump through hoops.

[Denise]

Good luck with your ARC team

When I did it, I also made sure I was asking for reviewers.


I had "Calling ARC readers" as part of the newsletter subject, and it was clear that I was giving the book away for potential reviewers. But I made 2 mistakes:


- I gave 25 copies only
- I asked for ARC readers about 2 months before the launch, and emailed them the book 4 weeks before launch. I think many of them forgot the book by the time they had to review it, or lost interest, or whatever. I think I got only some 5 reviews .


Next time I'll email them closer to launch, and I won't mind putting in some 2 newsletters, very clearly.

[LilyBLily]

For my most recent release, I sent ARCs to 80 people; 56 downloaded; 6 reviewed. I guess the other 50 people didn't like the book.

Or maybe they're in a serious guilt spiral because they thought I needed to have a review on the exact day the book launched. Which I never said or intimated, but now they feel too miserable about it to post a review.

Or maybe they just like freebies, but not mine.

Or maybe they forgot.

I've paid for a NetGalley scourging this month, so we'll see if more critical reviewers come out in numbers.

This is the worst response I've had from people who supposedly are my ARC readers. I'm a little reluctant to pay for another mailing list builder if these are the kinds of people who populate it. Then again, maybe I need new blood.

[RPatton]

For my most recent release, I sent ARCs to 80 people; 56 downloaded; 6 reviewed. I guess the other 50 people didn't like the book.

Or maybe they're in a serious guilt spiral because they thought I needed to have a review on the exact day the book launched. Which I never said or intimated, but now they feel too miserable about it to post a review.

Or maybe they just like freebies, but not mine.

Or maybe they forgot.

I've paid for a NetGalley scourging this month, so we'll see if more critical reviewers come out in numbers.

This is the worst response I've had from people who supposedly are my ARC readers. I'm a little reluctant to pay for another mailing list builder if these are the kinds of people who populate it. Then again, maybe I need new blood.

I know I sound like I am pimping BookSprout (and I guess I am, in a way). Sign up for a free account and you can send out 20 arcs to the entirety of BookSprout and you will get good reviews. There are the few book report reviews, but for the most part, the reviews are good reviews. No, not all 5 star this is amazing reviews, but good substantiated, "I liked this book and here's why and you might like it too" reviews.


Here's my one side eye with BookSprout. Back before an author was found out for being underhanded, he and a few of his brethren pimped BS. BS got readers, yeah! This was before things were even suspect, when the guy might not have been squeaky clean, but he wasn't wallowing in the much either. One of those authors close to him still has their testimonial up. I don't blame Chris at all (and hope he swings by and sets up an account here), but it could give you pause. Don't let it. https://booksprout.co/

[guest14]

I know I sound like I am pimping BookSprout (and I guess I am, in a way). Sign up for a free account and you can send out 20 arcs to the entirety of BookSprout and you will get good reviews. There are the few book report reviews, but for the most part, the reviews are good reviews. No, not all 5 star this is amazing reviews, but good substantiated, "I liked this book and here's why and you might like it too" reviews.

Here's my one side eye with BookSprout. Back before an author was found out for being underhanded, he and a few of his brethren pimped BS. BS got readers, yeah! This was before things were even suspect, when the guy might not have been squeaky clean, but he wasn't wallowing in the much either. One of those authors close to him still has their testimonial up. I don't blame Chris at all (and hope he swings by and sets up an account here), but it could give you pause. Don't let it. https://booksprout.co/

I remember this outfit now. I joined them as a beta tester, but forgot what it was they were up to. I know I have followers there. I'll pop back and see what's going on.

[Denise]

I've paid for a NetGalley scourging this month, so we'll see if more critical reviewers come out in numbers.

Netgalley got me reviews in blogs and Goodreads. I find that some of them are abrasive and they tend to rate lower than regular Amazon reviewers, though. But I think I'll use it again next time. It's good to get bloggers and GR readers with some reach. Not so much fun when they give you one star.

I know I sound like I am pimping BookSprout (and I guess I am, in a way). Sign up for a free account and you can send out 20 arcs to the entirety of BookSprout and you will get good reviews. There are the few book report reviews, but for the most part, the reviews are good reviews. No, not all 5 star this is amazing reviews, but good substantiated, "I liked this book and here's why and you might like it too" reviews.

I think I'll try BookSprout. Last time I checked it out I found it confusing and didn't even understand what it did. But I think it might be worth it when it's time for ARCs.

[Al Macy (aka TromboneAl)]

For my most recent release, I sent ARCs to 80 people; 56 downloaded; 6 reviewed. I guess the other 50 people didn't like the book.

Or maybe they're in a serious guilt spiral because they thought I needed to have a review on the exact day the book launched. Which I never said or intimated, but now they feel too miserable about it to post a review.

Or maybe they just like freebies, but not mine.

Or maybe they forgot.

I've paid for a NetGalley scourging this month, so we'll see if more critical reviewers come out in numbers.

This is the worst response I've had from people who supposedly are my ARC readers. I'm a little reluctant to pay for another mailing list builder if these are the kinds of people who populate it. Then again, maybe I need new blood.

I pulled the plug at 83 downloads. I've seen a similar decrease in enthusiasm in my subscriber list—perhaps because the genre has been shifting a bit.

I had a 45% open rate for the newsletter, which was entitled "The Abducted Heiress Cover Reveal."

My reasoning is that purchases via my "Now Available" newsletters don't result in enough sales to move the Amazon ranking needle, so why not go for reviews instead?

I've published the paperback, and as soon as I have 5-10 reviews, I'll publish the eBook.