Tip for authors on Giveaways

[V.K.]

If you're an author, you might already be part of the authors group here on GR. But if you aren't, I posted there about my findings on the value of GR giveaways. That's here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Here's the short version: Goodreads informed me that if you aim to receive reviews, then giveaways are NOT the way to go about that, because the "algorithm" they use doesn't give preference to readers who frequently review or to those who like books in your genre. Thus, the problem that a lot of authors have noticed--that their giveaway books end up not reviewed but instead re-sold on Amazon.

Just thought I'd throw that out there for authors considering giveaways! :-)

[Rebecca]

Well, I've gotten a few reviews from giveaways, and that's been my best avenue to reviews from people who don't know me at all. The percentage is low, but not vanishingly small.

And I thought their algorithm did favor those who reviewed (not those who liked) books. Now I have to go read the fine print again.

[Rebecca]

There we go--found it. From the list of conditions in the side-bar when you enter a Giveaway:

"You are not required to review the book if you win a copy. However, we encourage you do to so, as it's the reason the publishers are giving us free books in the first place. People who review the books are also more likely to win more advance copies in the future." (emphasis added)

So are they lying? At least they are telling people to review.

[Cheryl]

The algorithm gives weight to those who have reviewed books they've received via the giveaway program previously.

It doesn't weight, so far as I know or can tell, for those who 'in general' frequently review.

[Cheryl]

We were typing at the same time.
In my experience, they are *not* lying.
But the algorithm is complex, so reviewing a giveaway does not ensure winning another.

[Rebecca]

Cheryl wrote: "We were typing at the same time.
In my experience, they are *not* lying.
But the algorithm is complex, so reviewing a giveaway does not ensure winning another."

I wouldn't want it to, but it does seem good that it weights that a bit--it does increase the motivation for winners to review (I have a strong sense that I owe a review, so after winning one last winter I wouldn't let myself enter more until I read and reviewed the book. But that's really because as a writer I really want reviews, so I figure it's good karma).

[V.K.]

No, they DO NOT weight for those who review. They told me this specifically. Goodreads said they would have to change their algorithm to accommodate such a notion. That really bothers me because the conditions states that reviewing more gives you more chance of winning. I have asked them to fix this discrepancy. :-)

[V.K.]

Rebecca wrote: "Well, I've gotten a few reviews from giveaways, and that's been my best avenue to reviews from people who don't know me at all. The percentage is low, but not vanishingly small.

And I thought thei..."

I have gotten some reviews as well, so I don't complain! :-) But GR told me to expect a 60% review return rate, and I received less than that (and have heard from many others that they do as well). This wouldn't bother me in the least if it weren't for those "terms and conditions" that the GR staff informed me aren't true.

[Rebecca]

That's a drag--that they have an untruth in the T&Cs. On the other hand, that line may encourage some people to review, so it's probably good for us authors. Even better, of course, would be if they actually did what it says :)

I think my review rate is down more at 20-30%.

[V.K.]

Rebecca wrote: "Even better, of course, would be if they actually did what it says :)
I think my review rate is down more at 20-30%."

I agree! :-)
And thanks for sharing some of your stats.

[Melissa]

I have to say I'm not surprised that the algorithm doesn't account for reviewers, I have suspected it for a while now. I have entered hundreds of book giveaways and only won 5 or 6 and reviewed all of them, except one (which I haven't read yet). I only enter a giveaway if I fully intend to read and review and the book is my style. If I enter a middle grade read giveway I fully intend to read it, then pass it on to my daughter to read. Good luck to all of you that are looking for honest reviews, I hope you get them.