Blog Tours from A-Z - Giveaways

Monday, April 8, 2013



Most writers opt to give away books on their tours. After all, we want to get the word out on our newest work and the best way to do this is to have copies of the books in readers’ hands. Since the explosive growth in the sales of e-readers, many bloggers are now accepting eBooks for review purposes, which makes things quick, easy and convenient.The same goes for giveaways.

I’ve noticed that some tour operators require a significant voucher giveaway as part of their promotional packages. This might not sit so well for someone on a budget. If doing a tour under your own steam, you’ll still get plenty of entries using Amazon vouchers in smaller denominations. Bear in mind that you don’t know for sure that winners are going to support you by spending their newly-won voucher on any of your books, so while you’re giving back, you also need to remember your budget.

Use other book-related items, such as bookmarks, tee shirts, canvas bags and specially designed promotional cards, especially if you have a series and are looking to build a brand. Be creative and try to come up with other items that readers will appreciate.

You can also team up with other writers for giveaways, which is what I did for my release of Christine’s Odyssey. This works for books in the same genre and is a kind of cooperative effort with writers helping each other. Persons who weren’t particularly interested in my novel had the option of finding a YA book for older readers. Linked hops can be arranged if writers are doing group marketing.

This next one is obvious, but giveaways in terms of books and other items work well together if they’re the same genre or a similar theme, which is why I approached YA writers for Christine’s launch. If you’re doing this for romance novels, you’d use other books by romance writers and/or books with romantic elements.

In a Nutshell

Arrange book giveaways for prizes and reviews.
Don’t go heavy handed on gift vouchers.
Be creative. Include other items such as promotional cards.
Team up with other writers to arrange giveaways.
Stick with a genre or similar theme for giveaways.

26 comments:

  1. For my last release, my publisher helped with a grand prize that included both books, bookmarks, a tote bag, and a mug. I almost wished I could've won it!

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  2. Replies
    1. I agree, Jo. It's always nice to win a new book or some swag.

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  3. Great advice on giveaways. I like that your A-Z theme is so educational :)

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  4. Big part of writer blogs. Good subject-matter choice!

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    1. Thanks, Kim. Giveaways do run the touring side of things.

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  5. My debut will be arriving in the late summer early fall, I can learn a few things here!

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  6. Book related items are fun and, from what I've heard, appreciated. Great G day, J.L.

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    1. A good book is always a wonderful gift. :)

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  7. Readers LOVE giveaways!
    Once again, great info Joy!

    Writer In Transit

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  8. Yep freebies are like ringing the dinner bell. All the hoarders come out of the woodwork. I'm kind of an ebook hoarder.

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    1. I know what you mean. I have a surfeit of things to read, but I try to only download books I'll actually read.

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  9. Very useful! Thank you! I'll keep checking back.
    Happy A to Z!

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    1. Thanks for coming by. I'll be hopping over.

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    2. I tried visiting but your profile wasn't open. I'll be checking down the A-Z list.

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  10. I love giveaways, and I've been trying new ways to mix them up.

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  11. I thought your giveaway for Christine's Odyssey was a great idea. Not only does it promote your book, it also helps other authors get their books out there too.

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    1. Elise, the main winner is from Brazil, so yes, we do get some more exposure from cross-promoting.

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  12. Great tips on giveaways! I also like the idea of teaming up with other writers.

    Julie

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  13. Oooh, I really like the idea of teaming up with other writers to do giveaways. And I've really enjoyed your posts so far. They've been really informative.

    Thank you so much for sharing the knowledge. :-)

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  14. What do you do if no one enters? I've hosted a few contests and giveaways on my blog, but I had one contest where hardly anyone entered! I was kinda bummed :-(

    On the other hand, there was on blogging contest I entered where the blogger never announced the winners! They just seemed to forget that they'd called a contest altogether.

    Ups and downs, I guess :-)

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