Connecting Readers and Writers discussion

I've completed my first giveaway on Goodreads, and I'm happy with it.

I started with a month-long giveaway for 10 books, then shortened it to two weeks.

For those of you who've used the giveaway feature, what's been your experience for best practices as to length of the giveaway and the number of books?

I have done a few now.

Month-long time frame, with five copies to be won seems to work best.

You may also want to gently remind your winners to review and rate . . . a brief note tucked into the book works for this.

Good luck with your promotions!

Hi Stephen - I just did a month long giveaway recently (7/3 to 8/3)for 10 books and made them available to U.S, CA.,UK, and Australia. The reason I did a month was it broadened the amount of people to enter the giveaway and generate interest in the book as a to-read if they didn't win. I will say this though, mailing to foreign countries can cost in postage but it will be worth it should the book garner some reviews (although it's recommended there is no guarentee). My next book might be 10 copies for English language countries except Australia. I still haven't made up my mind. I hope your giveaway works for you and you get some good reviews for your book.

Yeah, I hope it generates reviews and buzz.

I didn't do Australia because of postage. Since I'm in the Amazon world with Createspace, I was able to print and ship the copies in Europe for no additional charge--in fact, shipping in Europe turned out to be faster than in the U.S.

Ten copies is too many, IMO.

Results as far as ratings/reviews were the same from the 10 book giveaways, as they were from the five book ones.

But if your goal is to just get them out there . . .

I've been on the recieving end of two of the giveaways. One was brilliant and I was so thankful for the little note she stuck in the book along with the signed copy of the book. My Immortal wasn't the best book, but I enjoyed it and it gave me a little extra thrill knowing I had won it and the author has sent me a signed copy!

The other one was an epic failure! No note, no signature, nothing aside from the book. It ended up sitting on my bookshelf for a few months before I read it! This of course could also have been partially because the book was in script format...

I don't know about the numbers recommended when doing a giveaway, but I know that I now don't bother entering the ones that only offer 1-3 copies of the book, because I just have too many books on my TBR list already. I add each book to my TBR list when I enter the competition. Even if I don't win (and realistically the chances are quite low) I still intend to buy and review the book eventually, it'll just take longer than if I won it.

Oh and FYI guys - I'm in Australia so I know how much of a pain it is to send a parcel here... but there are a lot of us on GR, you'd be cutting out a sizable chuck of potential readers by not including us. Perhaps you could approach the winners (if they're in Aus) and ask if they'd accept an electronic copy instead? I know I didn't enter the comps just for the paper copy... I entered because I liked the sound of the book and it was potentially free! :D

That's good advice Lynxie. I know a lot of readers on Goodreads reside in Australia and didn't want to exclude them. I also did not include a note or sign my name in the book.I'll probably stick to that self imposed rule for the time being. Also, from what I've been instructed on the giveaway page for authors I don't believe we are allowed to contact the winners. Peoples addresses are private and we can't abuse that trust.
On another note John's recommendation of providing 5 books for a giveaway is sound reasoning. I'll probably go that route and include Au.

I'm wasn't aware of the rules are for the author saying not to contact the winners.

In my instance contacted the author when I didn't get my copy in 6 weeks (or whatever the alloted timeframe is). Ginger was very helpful and quick to respond. It may have just been because I contacted her first about it, I don't know. It seems a little stange to me, that you're allowed to send them something, but not speak to them, even on GR about what they've won.

I interpreted that "no contact" rule to mean that AFTER you initially send them their book, you are not to SUBSEQUENTLY contact them using their home address.

I do not believe that there is any harm or offense in including a brief congratulatory note (and a review reminder) in that initial and only contact. Technically you could even write it inside the book when you sign it, if you do.

Rather than that, I simply slip a one paragraph "bookmark" in with the book.

Perhaps a Librarian can clarify this for us?

Good luck with your project Peter!

I agree with John that a note of congratulations, how to reach you if they have comments etc, is a good thing. I have not signed the copies I sent out, I'm not sure why not.

I have done 10 copy giveaways and so far it's been a bit lack luster on return. I'm always happy for those who enjoy my books, but as far as an ~investment~ I'm not sure it's there. I have gotten more bang for the buck by looking for people directly to do reviews in exchange for copies.

I'm also a little surprised about the eBook situtation. The file you get with addresses does not include emails so you can't send a note that way and offer an eBook to go with the print edition. You have to search for them on Goodreads and then make the offer. I'm guessing it has to do with the volume of self published books that are eBook only, so the GR people don't want the giveaways flooded with those.

~shrug~

John-I did mean the rule after the book was sent. I just followed the Terms and Conditions on the giveaway page. The bookmark with a note is a nice touch.
When I enter a giveaway it's for a book I really want to read and will definitely be motivated to write a review if I win. I always put it on a to-read and add it to my wish list on amazon. As for Rob, sorry to hear that your giveaway had a lackluster return. As writer's I believe we are compelled to review other writers because we're aware of the importance. But I'll soon find out for myself. All I hope for right now is that the winners receive my books in a timely fashion and nothing gets lost or waylaid.