My Presale Plan
This project is for my fantasy novel which I'm currently writing. Also I'm from Australia, just wanted to mention that.
Step 1: Select a timeline. Pick a start date and an end date. Your giveaway should begin when your presale begins, and it should end on your release date. If you're not yet sure when your book will be launching or when it will be available for presale, use placeholder dates for now.
This is only a hypothetical date, but let's say I start at the beginning of August 2023 and end at the beginning of November of the same year (so three months total). To be honest I'm not sure how long it's going take for me to get my book made, I'm still working on my draft and am hoping to finish it next year so I can start the editing phase.
Step 2: Pick your system. Presale giveaways can be held in a variety of formats. Which one are you choosing?
- Grand prizes: will you be giving out a grand prize once your release day hits? Will you be giving out more than one grand prize once your release day hits?
- Smaller prizes: would you prefer to give out a steady stream of smaller prizes throughout the duration of your giveaway?
- Combo: are you going to combine these options for your giveaway, or create something new?
I like the idea of having 3 grand prizes which would be signed hardback copies of my novel, and maybe a few other bookie things alongside it (such as bookmarks). I'd also like to give away smaller gifts leading up to the grand prizes being released at the end.
Step 3: Pick your prizes. What is the winner(s) of your giveaway going to receive? Note: most readers expect a signed copy of your novel at a minimum.
Grand prize: A signed hardback copy of my novel. Also a goodie bag of smaller things; a bookmark, notebook, pen, maybe a few other things as well if I think of anything else.
Smaller prizes: I could giveaway copies of other authors books (assuming of course I found some who'd be up for this). Depending on how many I can find, I could maybe give away one book each week for the duration of the presale period. In between I might also have smaller prizes such as bookmarks, notebooks, or pens which would act as mini-prizes I guess. I could probably give away about one-three of these a week.
Step 4: Pick a consolation prize. Everyone should walk away from your giveaway a winner. What consolation prize are you going to send to everyone for entering your giveaway? Note: teaser chapters are a great choice!
I like the idea of releasing teaser chapters. Not sure exactly how many I'd release (depends on how many have already been teased elsewhere) but I'd likely give away about four-six chapters for those who purchase the presale.
Step 5: Create your sign-up sheet. Google forms is a great option for creating simple, free sign-up sheets for bookish giveaways. Be sure to list all giveaway details in the sign-up sheet's description, and ask all participants for the following information:
- Name
- Email address
- Proof of purchase
- Mailing address
I might also ask where they first heard of my book, just for curiosity's sake :)
Once you've finished, share your giveaway in the project section so your classmates can review and comment.