My Goodreads Giveaway Experience

by @ AnnieDaylon

 

CASTLES-IN-THE-SAND (2) brag medallion

 

 

Indie authors have a lot of work to do in terms of marketing. If you are considering a paperback giveaway (as I did for Castles in the Sand), consider doing it through Goodreads. Here’s my experience:

 

 

  • In July, I

    • Checked the details on Goodreads:
    • Contacted Goodreads with minor questions (got quick response)
    • Chose the dates (August 1-31).
    • Elected to give away 10 books.
    • Filled in, submitted the Form. Goodreads published the Giveaway almost immediately. (Super efficient!)
  • During August, I

    • promoted through Twitter, Linked In and Email List.
    • set aside a box labeled “Goodreads Giveaway. Into it, I put 10 books, each with a bookmark, 10 mailing envelopes, 10 handwritten notes which congratulated winners and asked if they would rate/review the book on Goodreads.
      • Note: I left space for individual name on each note.
  • On August 31st , I

    • checked Goodreads and discovered that there were 428 entries in the Giveaway.
    • checked my email. The list of winners was there, 5 in Canada, 5 in the USA. (Did I mention that Goodreads is efficient?)
    • made address labels for the winners
    • packaged the books
      • Note: If possible, keep size within post office limits. (In earlier attempts at mailing, I slipped books into corrugated covers. Mistake! Way too expensive! Use paper!)  Each of my books fit through the standard postal slots so regular mail fees applied. Fortunately, I live very close to the U.S. border, so I mailed books bound for the United States in the United States. Mailing costs? In Canada, $3.75/book. In the U.S., $2.53/book.
  • In September, I

    • Read a wonderful email from an excited winner.
    • Received (to date) three reviews on Goodreads, one of which also appears on that reviewer’s website Book Reads and Reviews. (Many thanks to all who took time to rate/review the book!)
    • Emailed Goodreads to thank them for their support and efficiency.
Goodreads: Author's Guide to Giveaways

Goodreads: Author’s Guide to Giveaways

For me the Goodreads Giveaway was an excellent marketing experience, one that I wish I had known about sooner. That’s the thing with going indie; so much to do! As I wrote to a helpful staff member at Goodreads, ‘I wish that I could assemble the minions! Alas, there is only me.’

But, then again, there is Goodreads!

My best to you,

Annie Signature Light Blue

 

 

8 thoughts on “My Goodreads Giveaway Experience
  1. Annie, it’s really nice when authors share their experiences–a good learning experience for all. I haven’t been as active on Goodreads as I should, but I can see how they’re especially great for fiction writers. And I do have a novel coming up!

    Best,
    Carolyn Howard-Johnson
    Loving helping writers get read with my HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers including the multi award-winning second edition of The Frugal Book Promoter (http://budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo) .

    • Hi, Carolyn,
      I agree re: authors sharing experiences. I have learned a lot from other authors’ posts. I was amazed at the ease of my Goodreads experience and plan to spend more time learning about that site. Good luck with your upcoming novel! Cheers, Annie

  2. Dear Annie,
    I certainly appreciate receiving Castles in the Sand. Your book is at the top of my reading list. I truly value fellow BC Authors. You will understand that clearing up the current backlog with the Federation of BC Writers membership, webpages and workshop planning has taken more time than I have in any given day. However, I have a cozy fireplace and will enjoy reading very soon. Naturally, I will report back to you.
    Sincerely,
    Ben Nuttall-Smith
    President
    Federation of BC Writers
    president@bcwriters.ca

    • Hi, Ben,
      Congratulations on winning a copy of the book. Many thanks for all the work you do on behalf of writers; I am proud to be a member of the Federation of BC writers. I hope you enjoy “Castles in the Sand.” Look forward to hearing from you. Perhaps we’ll meet up at WORD Vancouver this coming weekend!
      My best to you,
      Annie

  3. Castles in the Sand, by Annie Daylon, is far more than a riveting exploration of one man’s struggle with alcoholism and his subsequent fall from “having it all” to the excruciating loss of family, as he descends to the depths of self-loathing – a homeless derelict on the streets of Vancouver. This is an exceptional story with riveting twists and surprises. Beautifully well written. Very real. Highly recommended.
    Ben Nuttall-Smith, author of Secrets Kept / Secrets Told and Blood Feathers & Holy Men

Leave a Reply to Carolyn Howard-Johnson Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *