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Beta Readers, ARCs and Book Launches?
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Thanks Novel,At the moment I'm kicking the tires and wondering out loud if this makes sense to do or not.
It sounds like a great strategy. Just make sure your beta readers know that their assistance is not contingent upon leaving a review. Hopefully the majority of them will but that can't be a condition. Otherwise it sounds like a great way to build engagement.
Hi Tara,I think you are right, but how best to engage with the Beta readers to support the launch process?
Thats basically exactly what I did except the beta-readers werent just given the first 4 chapters, they were given 4 chapters at a time as the novel was written. And I thanked the beta-readers by first and last name. The book launched today and I have had three of them post reviews already. And almost all of my beta-readers purchased the full version on pre-order.
Graeme Rodaughan wrote: "I have this idea percolating around in my head that it might be really worthwhile to do the following.[1] Find 20 committed Beta readers and provide them with the (quite polished) first 4 chapter..."
Graeme, I'm new to all this, but think your plan sounds good. If I have time to read A Subtle Agency, I'd be on board.
PJ
Graeme Rodaughan wrote: "Hi Tara,I think you are right, but how best to engage with the Beta readers to support the launch process?"
Remain in contact with them and sincerely remind them of how important they are to your process. Authenticity is key to engagement. You could even have a special members only section of your website where they can log on with a username and password. In this section you can post announcements and put up new chapters of installments with a comment or discussion feature on the page. This makes everything convenient for them and for you and you don't have your PDFs all over the internet. When the book goes live simply close the members only section or repurpose it.
Michael wrote: "Thats basically exactly what I did except the beta-readers werent just given the first 4 chapters, they were given 4 chapters at a time as the novel was written. And I thanked the beta-readers by f..."Hi Michael,
How did you communicate with your Beta readers (email, web, etc) and how long did you run the book on pre-order?
Was it on a different price on pre-order to post launch?
Hi Novel, and P.J.My next "free" day isn't until 25th Jan 2017....
Graeme Rodaughan wrote: "Hi Novel, and P.J.My next "free" day isn't until 25th Jan 2017...."
That's okay, I don't think $3.99 will break me. :)
(You're talking about A Subtle Agency, right?)
Graeme Rodaughan wrote: "How did you communicate with your Beta readers (email, web, etc) and how long did you run the book on pre-order?Was it on a different price on pre-order to post launch?
"
Email, FB, Twitter, phone, text....
Nope, same price - $2.99
I think the aim to have 20 or close reviews from verified purchases isn't bad, although in itself they just have an auxiliary function to help prospective buyers to decide whether to buy a book.Few points to consider in my opinion:
1. The purpose of beta readers is to provide some feedback that an author can use to see what works and what doesn't and to improve/ change the book. If they get the full text a week b4 the launch, you might not have it or be able to consume their feedback. Maybe you don't necessarily need betas, but rather reviewers/any interested people then.
2. By mentioning them in acknowledgement although by first name - you somewhat undermine Amazon's 'verified' sign and it won't be clear what 20 people contributed to earn an acknowledgement
3. The first couple of days are important and may form a current to carry the book up. Not sure 'verified' justifies - make the book free on the launch, because free purchases don't influence book's paid ranking. I'd rather say - it's better to have all those interested in the book buy it close to the launch and thus boost its paid ranking and maybe get to the 'hot new release' status
4. Many excellent reviews appearing so close to the launch - may actually hint that something may be fishy and better have them gradually rather than all at once..
Just some thoughts...
Michael wrote: "The book launched today and I have had three of them post reviews already. And almost all of my beta-readers purchased the full version on pre-order. ..."Good luck, Michael!
Thanks Nik,As usual, food for thought.
Cheers Graeme
Nik wrote: "Good luck, Michael!"Thank you very much.
As for Nik's comments, yes giving your beta-readers an entire finished MS 1 week before launch will not do you any good and they probably wont even read it in time. The reason I used 18 beta-readers and gave them 4 chapters at a time was because I wanted to shape the story to the reader. They wrote and re-wrote much of the story and plot lines. If you are married to your story dont use beta-readers. If you dont listen to your beta-readers, they will just disengage.
Hi Michael,I had some experience with beta readers already. All of it good.
The feedback i've had has centered around connection to the characters, plot holes, and other things that have been very fixable.
I haven't had anyone comeback and really question the plot - which is good as I am "married" to the overall plot, however I am very open to tactical shifts and anything that makes it stronger.
I really looking for two things.
1. beta readers to help with constructive feedback, and 2. people to help with the launch.
I'm thinking that these could be the same people, but maybe it's two groups, albeit with overlap?
Have you had experience with 20 beta-readers ? I started with 30-35 to end with 20. Its like managing a team. Having a few is easy, 20 is not. To get them fully engaged requires a lot of time, effort and patience. Constructive feedback from 20 beta-readers is like listening to 20 different radio stations at the same time and understanding each and every one.
Getting 20 to post reviews isnt easy either. So far in two days since launch I only have had 8 of them post reviews. All the reviews are 5 stars and all are solid, but its like pulling teeth.
As for your beta-readers helping with launch, that is a smaller group than will even post reviews. Perhaps 2-4 will help with the launch. Thats how many I have. One was kind enough to send me a spread sheet of every Facebook book/author group that I can post my promos in.
Overall, if I was married to my story I dont think it would have worked. Im not an author. I dont consider myself an author and probably never will. Im a storyteller. I want to tell a story in the way a reader wants to read it. Thats why I used 20 beta-readers. They were my test market. But in actuality, they wrote the story. I just listened to them.
Good luck whatever you choose to do.
Thanks Michael.Sounds like a smaller group would be better. Say 5.
Graeme, I am open to exchanging a beta read of your book with an advance review of my next to be published, Hit and Run http://bobswriting.com/hitandrun.htmlPlease email me privately bob@bobswriting.com if you are interested.
:)
Bob
Hi Bob,Thanks for the offer, I haven't made any decisions yet. The book I'm working on is sequel to my first book, and wont make much sense as a stand alone.
Graeme Rodaughan wrote: "I really looking for two things.1. beta readers to help with constructive feedback, and 2. people to help with the launch.
I'm thinking that these could be the same people, but maybe it's two groups, albeit with overlap?"
in general, the motivations of beta readers are more diverse than those who'd be fans of your book. some beta readers want to get experience to do editing or some other paid work, some are other writers, some like the experience of getting a raw story or an exclusive, and some are fans. i'm sure there are many more reasons.
fans are, well, fans (aka "tribe", aka "fan-girls/-boys") who are your enthusiasts who will spread the word (evangelists) through word-of-mouth and reviews.
by "help with the launch," i think that you mean fans. correct?
(as Michael's experience provides anecdotal evidence) only a few beta readers would become or are fans, so you are right to see that there's "overlap". i'd stick to your idea that the purpose of beta readers is to provide constructive feedback. if those beta readers happen to become fans, then that is a fortuitous happenstance.
don't forget book bloggers for advanced review copies.
Thanks Alex,Useful advice (as always).
Cheers Graeme
Graeme Rodaughan wrote: "Thanks Alex,Useful advice (as always).
Cheers Graeme"
Hey Graeme, if you decide to go ahead with this strategy I'd be glad to act as one of your beta readers.
Just let me know with enough time to read the first book.
Thanks Eldon,Much appreciated.
I will bear that in mind.
[1] Find 20 committed Beta readers and provide them with the (quite polished) first 4 chapters of "A Traitor's War" the sequel to
[2] Two weeks before the publishing of "A Traitor's War" (April 2017) provide the Beta readers with a full ePub/mobi of the book as an ARC.
[3] Acknowledge the Beta readers by "first name" on the acknowledgement page of the book.
[4] At launch, provide a "1 day" free for "A Traitor's War", notify the Beta readers so that they can get their verified purchase copy.
[5] The Beta readers provide reviews on Amazon and Goodreads providing impetus for the launch.
Is this allowed by current Amazon TOS? Note the book will be in Kindle Select program.
Is this a good/bad idea?
This assumes that I can find 20 people who have read A Subtle Agency, loved it, and have a strong desire to participate in a Beta read/ARC/Launch process.