Support for Indie Authors discussion

How well-known should I be to make a Goodreads giveaway worth it? At the moment, I'm new, nobody knows who I am, and I don't know if I could interest a hundred people in my ebook—and since ebook giveaways apparently cost money, I have to be fairly sure of moving those copies if I try it.

Should I wait until I have a certain number of reviews on Goodreads, so that I know people are aware of my existence?

Four years ago, I gave out ten free paperbacks. In those days, in the giveaway the winners agreed to give a review. I got nine reviews. I understand nowadays, according to Amazon, you can't give free copies in exchange for a review. Reviews are hard to come by.

The Goodreads giveaways for paperbacks are great for exposure imo and I use them every month. I think it depends on what you mean by "worth it". If you are expecting reviews or sales, you will likely be disappointed. If you are wanting exposure and to see your book added to "to read" lists of Goodreads members, then I would say it's worth it. It seems to me that about the same amount of exposure happens whether you give away 1 copy or 10, or run it for 8 days or 8 weeks. Only do what you can afford, of course. If you can give away 5 copies, it might be best to have 5 giveaways over the course of 5 months. I'm not sure how much Goodreads reviews will affect giveaways since many people click enter when they see the book cover and/or blurb.

If you are referring to an ebook giveaway through Goodreads, I can't offer any advice as I have not tried one yet. They seem overpriced to me and I would rather run free promotions directly through Amazon.

You don't have to be well-known at all. And giveaways don't cost money, except that which the author spends on the book(s) he/she is giving away and postage (if in hardcopy). Ebooks, I imagine, would cost even less. So if you already have copies, the giveaway won't cost anything, unless you have hardcopies.

You say nobody knows who you are--how do you expect people to learn of your existence if you don't get out there and show yourself? How do you expect to get reviews if you're sitting in the dark? And you say you couldn't interest more than 100 people--you'd be surprised. I'm currently doing a giveaway, I'm an unknown, my book has zero reviews and ratings, and I've got almost 400 interested with a week to go. Even if it is 100 people, that's more people who'd know who you are than now.

Personally, I'm confident you'll move your copies (I'm assuming you have an interesting blurb). Everybody likes a free read. Don't underestimate yourself or your book. And for sure, don't underestimate Goodreads readers.

Roxanne wrote: "You don't have to be well-known at all. And giveaways don't cost money, except that which the author spends on the book(s) he/she is giving away and postage (if in hardcopy). Ebooks, I imagine, wou..."

My problem is that according to my research, an ebook giveaway costs one hundred and nineteen dollars. So you see why I want to be sure I'd get well over a hundred interested. It's good to know that you've got four hundred interested people for your giveaway.

Marie Silk wrote: "The Goodreads giveaways for paperbacks are great for exposure imo and I use them every month. I think it depends on what you mean by "worth it". If you are expecting reviews or sales, you will like..."

I should probably check and see what's available through Amazon, then.

Isabel wrote: "How well-known should I be to make a Goodreads giveaway worth it? At the moment, I'm new, nobody knows who I am, and I don't know if I could interest a hundred people in my ebook—and since ebook gi..."

I'm also unknown, that's why I'm currently trying a giveaway through Goodreads. My giveaway ends tonight and I have 760 people interested. 300 have my book on their to-be-read list, whether by accident or on purpose, I don't know but it's there for their followers and friends to see so that's exposure for me ;-) which was my goal. I'm hoping that a few of the winners will leave a review as well.

Tiffany wrote: "Isabel wrote: "How well-known should I be to make a Goodreads giveaway worth it? At the moment, I'm new, nobody knows who I am, and I don't know if I could interest a hundred people in my ebook—and..."

That sounds hopeful.

I totally plan to do one of these (in paperback) for July!

I think a signed copy with a bookmark is a wonderful idea. ❤️

As far as I know, the ebook giveaway is not even open to Indies yet and yes, it is expensive. As far as how famous you need to be, well, you don't. The point of a giveaway, whether it is a paperback giveaway or a promotion on an eBook, is to gain exposure.

You may want to consider a paperback giveaway through Goodreads or, if your book is only in ebook format at the moment, try a free promo. I would not advise doing an Amazon giveaway until you have a bit of a following because those are mostly entered by sweepers.

Christina wrote: "As far as I know, the ebook giveaway is not even open to Indies yet and yes, it is expensive. As far as how famous you need to be, well, you don't. The point of a giveaway, whether it is a paperbac..."

My book is only available in ebook format at the moment. How do I do a free promo?

Isabel wrote: "My book is only available in ebook format at the moment. How do I do a free promo? ..."

If you are with KDP Select (amazon exclusive) you can set up to five free days per three months. Smashwords has coupon (Or you can set temporary free days. I don't know about other venues.

Marie Silk wrote: "The Goodreads giveaways for paperbacks are great for exposure imo and I use them every month. I think it depends on what you mean by "worth it". If you are expecting reviews or sales, you will like..."

That's been my experience, too, Marie. But the Giveaways can cost money if you advertise them.

Tiffany wrote: "Isabel wrote: "How well-known should I be to make a Goodreads giveaway worth it? At the moment, I'm new, nobody knows who I am, and I don't know if I could interest a hundred people in my ebook—and..."

Good for you, Tiffany! I had a similar experience, as an unknown author.

G.G. wrote: "Isabel wrote: "My book is only available in ebook format at the moment. How do I do a free promo? ..."

If you are with KDP Select (amazon exclusive) you can set up to five free days per three mont..."

Thanks, G.G! I'll look into the coupons from Smashwords. I'm thinking of making my next book KDP Select for the first few months, but my current book is on multiple platforms.

G.G. wrote: "Isabel wrote: "My book is only available in ebook format at the moment. How do I do a free promo? ..."

If you are with KDP Select (amazon exclusive) you can set up to five free days per three mont..."

G.G., I'm looking at putting my book on Smashwords. If I upload it in Word, artwork is lost. Is that typical?

I hope someone can answer you. While I never had problems with Smashwords the short time I was there, I never uploaded art work.

Missy Sheldrake has beautiful artworks in hers but she is exclusive to Amazon. they use a different converter.

G.G. wrote: "I hope someone can answer you. While I never had problems with Smashwords the short time I was there, I never uploaded art work.

Missy Sheldrake has beautiful artworks in hers but she is exclusive..."
Yea, I uploaded my book with images on Amazon as a pdf. Wish it were that easy on Smashwords. I may have to hire a formatter to preserve artwork and fonts.