What is the best way to win giveaways?

[Megan]

I entered in several giveaways about a month ago and just realized I didn't win any of them.

What is the best way to possibly win in a Goodreads giveaway? Should I provide more reviews for the author? Maybe contact them and tell them I will provide a review for the book I win? I know there are limited copies available and several people entering to win, but wasn't sure if there were other things I could do to better my chances.

Let me know!

[C.L.]

I'm pretty sure it's random selection.

[Tana]

its random, I've beening signing up for a few years have yet to win one.

[Groovy]

It's the same way with Amazon's giveaways, too. The author has the choice to make it first three entrants (or how many books you're giving away), every other entrant, every third entrant, etc., etc...

Tana, I can't believe you haven't won one yet. Don't give up:)

What about the bloggers who host giveaways? Is it just as hard to win?

[Tana]

I hardly ever sign up to the giveaways on here now, after awhile I felt like I just had no luck, but maybe I should try again.

[Lenita]

I won a Goodreads giveaway. I received a very nice book.

[Krystal]

I find for me it goes in spurts, if I stop signing up for daily giveaways for a period of time I never win after that for like months, and then if I do it all year I win like 5-6 books a month

[Marie Silk]

I've had reviewers contact me through a goodreads message asking if there are review copies available of my book (which is fine with me!). If the author of the book you're interested in is active on goodreads, it probably wouldn't hurt to send them a message asking if review copies are available. You might not be able to get a paperback like in the goodreads giveaways, but many authors here have digital copies available and are grateful for more reviews.

[Groovy]

What Marie said. If you can't win in giveaways, the author whose book you're interested in will gladly gift you a free copy if you ask.

[Alicia]

Most of us authors, especially ones with few books, are delighted to be asked for a review copy.

I would go to their profile, read any material available (description, question answers, keywords (for genre), and especially the preview sample), and then mention in your request for a review copy that you've done so.

No obligation, of course, but many of us love reviewers, and respond to readers.

[Rita]

I agree Alicia. It would be flattering to be asked for a review copy! As for winning giveaways on Goodreads, the winners are selected randomly by Goodreads (probably computer generated) so all I can say is it's like the lotto, you have to be in it to win it. (I haven't won the lotto yet either and I've been doing it for years).