GOODREADS GIVEAWAY RESULTS: Are they worth it? (PART 2)

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

◦ ADD THE SECRET GIFT to your Goodreads TBR here: www.goodreads.com/book/show/58680303-the-secret-gift ◦ Watch PART 1 of the Goodreads Giveaway Series here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHeqZmmqnpVnrKc

[@bobnolin9155]

This was helpful. I'm running my first GR giveaway starting tomorrow! My debut novel has been out for 18 months, and I'm looking for exposure, not ROI. As you say, it's a worthwhile investment for that. I think a LOT of people regularly check the Giveaways page and enter a lot. My wife, for one, LOL. That could be partly how you got so many entries. And there aren't a lot to pick from as of today, at least. Anyways, thanks for sharing your journey!

[@authormaryelizabeth]

This makes me want to do one for my release in June…it’s very intriguing

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Right? It's so interesting! I wish I'd have known to try it before the release, but I'm still glad I did it! :D

[@judithturner-yamamoto8315]

I'm 4 days out from the end of a goodreads monthlong giveaway (premium package) for an Advance Reader Copy of my debut novel LOVING THE DEAD AND GONE releasing 9/6, and I'm ASTOUNDED at the results: 7,630 entries as of this moment! Now, where can you get that kind of exposure to a targeted audience of readers? I'm torn whether to next do the 119. deal or repeat the 599.--i watched the "browse giveaways" rotation and my book was very regularly featured on the first page (let's honestly think about people's attention spans) I don't think i would have placed next to John Grisham is I'd just ponied up the 119. my two cents.

[@nikkihyson1431]

How do you track ROI on something like this? Meaning, what % of upcoming sales will you contribute to the giveaway exposure? Thanks for the update. It's been super fascinating.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

In this case, I think too much time is passing and there’s too many outside factors to make any kind of accurate guess-unless someone directly said “I bought a copy because of so and so (giveaway winners) review”!

[@wordcharm2649]

@@BethanyAtazadeh In the future, this might be a better idea to try during a time when you normally have low sales to see if there is an uptick. Otherwise, as you said, you won't ever really know.

[@chinesetea4261]

Thank you for your sharing. 👍It plays a constructive role. I have a question. Can we publish the Color Illustrated Print Edition with Amazon? ❤️

[@victoriahudak3605]

Exciting! I’m going to do it! Ty for your video on “GoodReads” Congrats on baby!!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay! Thank you!

[@annettempalmer]

I love your videos so much! They’re so helpful, honest and informative.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Thank you so much!

[@sdgr5111]

Hi. The reviews only appear on Goodreads or they are also shown on you amazon kindle book?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

They appear wherever the reviewers choose to leave them, so it depends.

[@jennys3919]

Hi Bethany. Thanks for sharing the behind the scenes of a goodreads giveaway :) I really like the idea of doing this for a preorder. But I'm also wondering if the book would have to be released within the giveaway timeframe in order for Amazon to deliver it? Because I think it is Amazon that delivers the winners ebooks on your behalf if you do the ebook option. So if your book is still on preorder will they deliver the file you have on preorder, or would they wait for the live version after release? (sorry if this is a dumb question!)

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

I don't know the answer off the top of my head, but I bet Goodreads has an FAQ that would tell you the answer! :)

[@crittercam9565]

Are there any alternatives to GR Giveaway?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Like on Goodreads? Not really. Elsewhere? Yeah just do a regular giveaway on social media.

[@SDHuston]

Yay! I was waiting for this video! I am so excited for your discoveries. I'm so grateful for you sharing your results even if it's a shorter video 😄. So, based on your evidence, could I ask a couple questions? My debut novel came out beginning of this month, so a pre-release giveaway is no longer an option. The second book in the series is coming out 3 January. What I would ask your opinion on is: (1) Would you do a pre-release giveaway on a sequel in conjunction with a post-release giveaway of the first book? Or if I don't do the pre-release giveaway of book 2, would you suggest (2) doing a post-release giveaway of the first book when book 2 releases? Thank you again so much for this video!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

So glad you enjoyed! I have only done the one giveaway obviously, so this isn't necessarily experience based, but I personally would never do a giveaway on a sequel. It would seem like a waste of money to me... Really doing any "new reader focused" type marketing on a sequel would, because a new reader has to start on book one. So when I'm trying to reach new readers, I always focus on promoting book one to them, even if there are a bunch of other books out in that series. And when it comes to current readers, you don't usually use a "new reader focused" marketing strategy like this because they already know about the books and have (hopefully) added the books on goodreads already and want to read anyway. So to sum up, I see this giveaway as a new reader focused strategy, and would only use it on books where that strategy would be effective (aka on a book one or standalone). And then, like I said in the video, I also would only consider it truly effective for my goals if I could do it pre-release in the future. So in your situation, I would look into other marketing tactics and skip this one, if I were in your shoes - I hope that makes sense! :)

[@SDHuston]

@@BethanyAtazadeh Makes a ton of sense and I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions!

[@amandaurb337]

Also, when the contest is over...goodreads emails the losers as well. I get an email that says More About (Book). ❤

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

That’s awesome, a great reason to consider it!

[@nightblossomstudios]

I've wondered about this. I've heard both good and bad about it but I feel like honestly this has been the most helpful video on the subject.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

I'm so glad it was helpful! :D

[@LostinMemory]

when you post a review of someones do you have to have their consent or let them know?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

They are public reviews, so since they're already available for everyone to see, there's no need to ask. Although always have good etiquette as an author and be respectful of reviewers, aka don't share negative reviews/negative opinions, that just reflects bad on everyone.

[@LostinMemory]

@@BethanyAtazadeh Thank you and great video as always

[@angelcitygirl]

Goodreads giveaways were okay when they were free. I would pick up maybe one or two readers. But now with it being $100 dollars, definitely not worth it

[@oneeyewitch]

whenever you say ROI i get confused for a second lol Like when you said ROI probaly isnt there (or something like that lol) I was like wait what she mean my country isnt there and then my brain caught up lol I think i need sleep haha.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Haha! Oh no! That's so funny!