How To Send Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) in Bookfunnel (Indie Author Behind-the-Scenes 2022)

Looking for ways to set up ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) to send readers using Bookfunnel? In this video, I cover:
-How to set up a book
-How to create a sign-up landing page you can use to send ARCs to readers if you don't have the Bookfunnel plan that includes "Certified Mail"
-And how to create a "Certified Mail" campaign through Bookfunnel, if you have one of the paid plans with that option.
New to Bookfunnel? You can watch my Bookfunnel introduction/overview video here: • Using Bookfunnel As An...
Link to Bookfunnel: bookfunnel.com/
And if you'd like to see other indie author tools/tricks, check out my whole "Indie Author Behind-the-Scenes" playlist here: • Indie Author Behind-th...
*This is NOT a sponsored/paid promotion in any way; I am receiving no reimbursement for sharing this video. I DO have Bookfunnel's permission to share my personal experiences using their site on KZbin, though. Any opinions stated are based solely on my personal experience, and do not in any way reflect Bookfunnel's opinions.*

[@annhowes8341]

Thank you for this. It was very helpful. I've never done an ARC before (mostly because I didn't know how) but will be doing so soon on my book coming out early next year.

[@KatherineDGrahamAuthor]

Congrats on your book coming out next year, Ann!!! I'm so glad you found my video helpful. Good luck with your release!

[@chantellbarnhill3176]

Very, very helpful. Thank you!

[@KatherineDGrahamAuthor]

I'm so glad! Thank you so much for watching.

[@FCSchaefer]

I'm new to Bookfunnel and have been planning to use it to send ARCs. I don't have a mailing list but was planning to use social media to connect with prospective reviewers by just giving them a link to the landing page. This is very complicated.

[@KatherineDGrahamAuthor]

Hi FC! Welcome to the Bookfunnel world! Yes, you can use the landing page without a sign-up requirement option to distribute ARC copies via a link. I do caution you, though, to vet your ARC readers and privately message them the link instead of post it publicly (and make sure your file is watermarked). I (and some other writers I know) have unfortunately had our ARCs stolen and posted to either pay-by-chapter sites or pirating sites, and have had to fight to get them taken down so that Amazon wouldn't freeze our accounts. This is what ultimately led me to pay Bookfunnel's higher tier for the 'certified mail' option. Certified mail is only available to e-mail addresses as of January 30th 2023, but it makes the whole process MUCH simpler. I know Bookfunnel can be a bit overwhelming what you first get started. If you're interested, I made a video walkthrough of the entire platform here: kzbin.infoYmimifj2Awo Good luck with your publishing journey!

[@FCSchaefer]

@@KatherineDGrahamAuthor Thanks for the heads up on posting the Bookfunnel link. Thinking of using Goolge forms where prospective ARC readers have to give me a link to their reviews on Amazon and Goodreads before I email them the Bookfunnel link. I've seen other authors do something similar when asking for ARCs so it shouldn't be out of bounds to do that.

[@peacefulsoundtracks]

@@KatherineDGrahamAuthor as a new overwhelmed author, all those tidbits were incredibly helpful. Thanks so much. 🙏🏼

[@DeusExMachina50]

For secure ARC delivery, do you have to send a completed book, or can you send individual chapters for editor review?

[@KatherineDGrahamAuthor]

ARCs (advance reader copies) are most commonly completed manuscripts sent to readers on an advance reader team or street team, with the intention of spreading the word about your book via word-of mouth from real readers in your genre with honest reviews before/on the day the book releases. In Bookfunnel, you can send chapters OR a full manuscript, but I do not recommend using it for your editors, since many editors need an editable file (MS Word/Google Docs being the most common) in order to make the editing changes in the document itself. As a professional editor myself, I (and the editing company I have worked for) would not be able to accept a PDF/ePub/Mobi file (which are the only acceptable formats for the Bookfunnel ARCs). Wishing you all the best with your book!

[@DeusExMachina50]

@@KatherineDGrahamAuthor That's great, thanks!

[@ronalda.geobey8042]

Hi Katherine. Is the watermark set within bookfunnel or do you need to use something like Acrobat?

[@KatherineDGrahamAuthor]

Hi Ronald, thanks for watching! I did not have to do anything except upload the file like I would any normal book (no pre-inserted watermarks). My understanding is that sending it via Bookfunnel's 'Certified Mail' option takes care of the rest.