On July 15, I reported that I was going to try a GoodReads Giveaway for my new picture book, Prairie Storms.
To recap, GoodReads reports these are typical results from a giveaway:
- 21% of members have a book blog
- 750-785 people enter the average giveaway.
- 8% of those who enter will add the book to their to-read list.
- To say it a different way: 50 books added to user’s TO-READ shelf
- 45% of the winners will review the book.
- 8 reviews (1% of entrants & 42% of winners)
My Setup of the GoodReads Giveaway of Prairie Storms
Here’s how my giveaway was set up:
- Goodreads suggests that you let a giveaway contest run for 1-2 months. Mine ran from July 15 to the release date, August 10–so only 25 days, barely the minimum suggested.
- There were 2 books offered. You can offer whatever number you want.
My Results of GoodReads Giveaway of Prairie Storms
- In 25 days, 554 people entered the giveaway contest.
- There are now 6 ratings and 5 reviews. (1% of entrants)
- 45 added it the their TO-READ Shelf (8% of entrants)
GoodReads was easy to work with. They did the work of tracking who entered and the day it ended, they randomly selected winners and sent me the addresses.
Overall, the giveaway was about average, especially considering the short amount of time. I am pleased with the results. I’ll probably do another one this fall before Christmas, when the market is high for children’s books. Definitely a good experience for me.
I too was very pleased with the results of the Goodreads Giveaway I did earlier this year for my YA novel. It was a very successful (and easy!) promotional tool, and I’ll definitely be doing it again.
This is great information Darcy. Thanks so much!
Will do it this fall, if that is the recommended time (sounds like it) for children’s books!