Anyone using the StoryOriginapp?

[Jeff]

I've read some recommendations about this website (which is currently free in Beta) for marketing and getting exposure and building your reader list. I joined, but for the life of me, I can't understand it. Very confusing. Since many of the reviews were how intuitive it was supposed to be, I'm wondering if it's just me.
Anyone else using this service? Thoughts? Advice?

[Mellie]

I've used it for sending out ARCs and didn't have any problems setting it up. The only issue I had was the lack of customer support for those readers who didn't know how to sideload.

[Jeff]

A.W. wrote: "I've used it for sending out ARCs and didn't have any problems setting it up. The only issue I had was the lack of customer support for those readers who didn't know how to sideload."

I don't know what sideload means. But thank you. You're the first non-raving response I've had. Also, possibly the only real person. ;)

[Mellie]

Jeff wrote: "I don't know what sideload means."

Sideloading is when a customer is sent an ebook file (epub or mobi) and has to load it to their device. When you buy a book it happens automatically. When an author or one of these services distributes an ebook, readers have to do that themselves. BookFunnel has by far the best customer support that I have seen for ensuring that process is smooth and painless for readers. Personally, I prefer BookFunnel and use them for promotions, ARCs, and selling books direct from my website.

[Jeff]

Ah, gotcha.
Thanks AW.

[Amanda]

I have used book funnel and storyorigin. I think storyorigin was trickier to navigate. I even managed to kick myself out of my first group promo when I adjusted my settings.
I have still signed up for another one.

I got fewer downloads with storyorigin, but fewer unsubscribes too.

[Jeff]

Amanda wrote: "I have used book funnel and storyorigin. I think storyorigin was trickier to navigate. I even managed to kick myself out of my first group promo when I adjusted my settings.
I have still signed up..."

Thank you, Amanda. Haven't heard of Book Funnel. I'll have a look.

[Chris]

I've been using StoryOrigin since March last year (although I signed up much earlier) and I love it.

Its developer, Evan Gow, is still working on it. He's making great progress in the tweaks and new features, too. If you're on his Facebook group for StoryOrigin and see all the requests from other authors, you'll understand the man has a lot of passion and patience for this project.

I love it.

[Ben]

How has this help you?

[Chris]

Ben, do you mean how has StoryOrigin helped me?

1. I’ve found it cheaper (free) to use
2. It’s easy to use to build newsletter lists through its reader magnets, landing pages, universal book links, promotions, creation of ARCs, finding reviewers, vetting those reviewers... and more!

[Viola]

I've been helped by Good Reads Ads, but they are expensive. Story Origin is a little confusing with all the possibilities. Is it possible to send people an advanced reading copy only through the site?

[Chris]

Viola,
I’ve used StoryOrigin for ARCs... and it’s easier than you think.

Each option (Reader Magnets, Universal Book Links, Review Copies) has a clear support article that describes the BEST way to use it.

My experience on ARCs— yes, you get your own landing page with StoryOrigin for each ARC. StoryOrigin looks after the lot for you. When someone applies to read your ARC, StoryOrigin shows you the reader’s profile to help you determine how genuine they are. (Some apply without intending to review — just to get free books.)

You can also submit your ARC through other StoryOrigin promotions to gain fresh readers, but I prefer to market my StoryOrigin ARC through my newsletter because I already have a relationship with those readers.

[Viola]

Thank you for the advice.

[Jeff]

For contrast: Chris's experiences haven't been my own. I found the app to be unintuitive, complex, and taxing, placing a LOT of the pressure on the author to promote the promotion they joined because they aren't good at promotion.
Authors with small or no mailing lists are frowned upon. I felt like a leper.
I did this to the best of my ability and garnered no more interest than if I spent my efforts entirely on my own behalf.
I would assume the app would continue to improve as it goes, and perhaps one day I will try it again.

[Chris]

I started StoryOrigin with a list of 27 subscribers.

The instructions on StoryOrigin state if you have a low number of subscribers, then prepare your own promotion. Doing so is your contribution.

Within a week, I had attracted 300 new subscribers.

Dead easy.

I just read the help files. Join its Facebook page too. There are lots of people willing to help if you ask.