LibraryThing Giveaways: Effective?

apbschmitz · 03-31-2012, 12:31 AM

Has anyone found that the LibraryThing Member Giveaway is an effective way to pick up a few reviews?

apbschmitz · 04-07-2012, 04:29 PM

Okay, here's why I ask. I recently listed one of my novels on the LibraryThing member giveaway page. I offered 25 copies free for download, the understanding being that people who get a copy will at least consider providing a short review. The way this works is that LibraryThing members then sign up in what is essentially a raffle to win a free copy. Typically the number of entrants is greater than the number of books. That was true in my case as well. But I found that of the 25 winners, five actually downloaded the novel. I'm wondering if this is the usual experience or if something very particular is going on.

VydorScope · 04-07-2012, 10:56 PM

Never tried one, so was hoping some peeps would reply to this thread who have....

Did the 5 that downloaded post reviews?

apbschmitz · 04-08-2012, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VydorScope

Did the 5 that downloaded post reviews?

No, but I assume that could take several months if it happens at all. I was more surprised that people would enter this type of raffle, win, and then fail to claim the prize. I don't see why you'd bother in the first place. Then again, it's not the only aspect of publishing that's tough to figure, so there is at least that consolation.

Wingpeople · 04-11-2012, 09:10 PM

We gave away 10 copies of a new book in paperback, so I can't comment on the lack of downloads, but we were a bit disappointed with the response for reviews (which we requested in our description). We had 1 review out of the 10. Perhaps the other 9 never actually read the book -- who knows?

I suspect that when it comes to eBook offers, many people just sign up like crazy and don't really evaluate whether they're interested in a particular title until they are notified that they were chosen. It's unfortunate, because there may have been others who signed up who really were interested.

Like a lot of marketing techniques, sometimes it's just a hit-or-miss world. Good luck with your next effort!

Shack70 · 04-11-2012, 09:23 PM

You could offer copies of the book and ask for reviews in return. Make it clear you want good or bad reviews just so people will be honest.

WPotocki · 04-18-2012, 06:22 PM

No, I've never tried Librarything.

I gave away books on Goodreads.

MCoorlim · 04-21-2012, 05:56 PM

Just a few days ago I blogged about my experiences with a LibraryThing Givaway.

The short of it: Gave away 150 copies, got 10 reviews, saw no change in sales as a result.

scottmarlowe · 04-25-2012, 08:17 AM

I've never tried LibraryThing, but I did a print giveaway on Goodreads not too long ago and, out of 10 books given away, I've gotten 1 (very good) review. Not a great return, IMO, but better than 0 out of 10!

Mine was still fairly recent, though, so it's possible ppl just haven't read yet. I might get more.

03-31-2012, 12:31 AM	#1
apbschmitz Lord of Frogtown Posts: 149 Karma: 1154748 Join Date: May 2011 Location: St. Paul MN Device: Kindle	LibraryThing Giveaways: Effective? Has anyone found that the LibraryThing Member Giveaway is an effective way to pick up a few reviews?

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04-07-2012, 04:29 PM	#2
apbschmitz Lord of Frogtown Posts: 149 Karma: 1154748 Join Date: May 2011 Location: St. Paul MN Device: Kindle	Okay, here's why I ask. I recently listed one of my novels on the LibraryThing member giveaway page. I offered 25 copies free for download, the understanding being that people who get a copy will at least consider providing a short review. The way this works is that LibraryThing members then sign up in what is essentially a raffle to win a free copy. Typically the number of entrants is greater than the number of books. That was true in my case as well. But I found that of the 25 winners, five actually downloaded the novel. I'm wondering if this is the usual experience or if something very particular is going on.

04-07-2012, 10:56 PM	#3
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	Never tried one, so was hoping some peeps would reply to this thread who have.... Did the 5 that downloaded post reviews?

04-11-2012, 09:10 PM	#5
Wingpeople ▲▲ Books with Altitude ▲▲ Posts: 29 Karma: 222386 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle	We gave away 10 copies of a new book in paperback, so I can't comment on the lack of downloads, but we were a bit disappointed with the response for reviews (which we requested in our description). We had 1 review out of the 10. Perhaps the other 9 never actually read the book -- who knows? I suspect that when it comes to eBook offers, many people just sign up like crazy and don't really evaluate whether they're interested in a particular title until they are notified that they were chosen. It's unfortunate, because there may have been others who signed up who really were interested. Like a lot of marketing techniques, sometimes it's just a hit-or-miss world. Good luck with your next effort!

04-11-2012, 09:23 PM	#6
Shack70 Guru Posts: 777 Karma: 1043626 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York, Pa Device: Kindle Paperwhite 11th Generation	You could offer copies of the book and ask for reviews in return. Make it clear you want good or bad reviews just so people will be honest.

04-18-2012, 06:22 PM	#7
WPotocki Connoisseur Posts: 89 Karma: 399622 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: NYC Device: none	No, I've never tried Librarything. I gave away books on Goodreads.

04-21-2012, 05:56 PM	#8
MCoorlim Member Posts: 15 Karma: 176952 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chicago Device: all	Just a few days ago I blogged about my experiences with a LibraryThing Givaway. The short of it: Gave away 150 copies, got 10 reviews, saw no change in sales as a result.

04-25-2012, 08:17 AM	#9
scottmarlowe Enthusiast Posts: 27 Karma: 200022 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Rockwall, TX Device: Kindle	I've never tried LibraryThing, but I did a print giveaway on Goodreads not too long ago and, out of 10 books given away, I've gotten 1 (very good) review. Not a great return, IMO, but better than 0 out of 10! Mine was still fairly recent, though, so it's possible ppl just haven't read yet. I might get more.

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