Sooooo it’s been a long time since I’ve done a #selfpub corner, and since I’ve been updating my business plans and doing more research and all that, I thought it was high time to start again. Plus, I love reading others’ experiences . Time to give back 🙂
Organizing a cover reveal
To organize a cover reveal or not? How to go about it? Alone? With a provider? How about tying it to a pre-order? How about a giveaway?
There are a lot of questions to ask oneself before organizing anything, especially when it taps into your self-publishing funds.
I usually set up my goals ahead of time now and try to stick to them.
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Why a cover reveal?
To gather interest, to create a possible buzz around the book…and to share more about your book with the world. In addition, if you have a pre-order set up, that could be the moment to mention it.
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How about a giveaway with the cover reveal?
It all depends. What are your goals? What is your budget?
For A Summer Like No Other, I decided to have a giveaway along with the cover reveal. Another way to spread the word about my book.
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Cover reveal: how to set it up?
There are so many ways to set it up: either yourself if you have enough following. Or with a provider.
Usually setting it up at least a month in advance really helps to gain traction.
When it comes to providers (including prices), there’s a good list here. As mentioned I’ve used Xpresso Book Tours and it worked very well.
You can also organize an exclusive cover reveal with a blogger or a particular website. I’ve never done that one so not sure how it works, or the results.
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What did I want to achieve with the cover reveal?
I wanted to put my books in front of bloggers and possible readers, to create a buzz, to gain new Facebook group members and newsletter subscribers. Possibly new Instagram followers & Twitter followers too.
And I also thought maybe some would pre-order my book.
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Was it worth it?
– Number of sign ups
For my first cover reveal, One Two Three, I had more than 85 bloggers signing up, for this one I had about 38. So yes, big difference. However, I didn’t have a l
– Gaining new FB group members and newsletters
Definitely worked. And yes, I know, many new members are mainly here for the giveaway buuuuuut some are not and I’ve interacted with some already and I’m really enjoying that.
– Creating a buzz around A Summer Like No Other
I think that worked. I’m getting a few comments that readers keep on hearing about it and on Netgalley, 5% have clicked that they liked the buzz when requesting. I wish I could compare those numbers with One, Two, Three but I don’t have those.
– Get some pre-orders for A Summer Like No Other
Hmmm. This is where I have to remind myself this is a marathon not a sprint 😛 I have 11 pre-orders for A Summer Like No Other on Amazon. But crossing my fingers that just means everyone is waiting for release day. Right? Right.
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Will I do it again?
Most probably, yes. It depends when I finalize the cover and blurb of Always Second Best. I’d like to do the sign-ups for the cover reveal much earlier, giving at least a month for people to sign up. And then do the giveaway right when the book goes up on Netgalley (like I did this time around). Basically, I need to work on the detailed timeline to see if it works or not.
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What comes next?
Next week, my book comes out so I’m organizing a Book Blitz. However, this time, I’m doing it by myself (will see how that works). If you’d like to help me, don’t hesitate to sign up here. (my goal is to reach at least 15 sign ups, and I have 4 so far – thank you, thank you, thank you for helping me <3)
Hope this was helpful/interesting.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to let me know 🙂
If you want me to tackle a certain topic, just ask and I’ll try my best 🙂
Elodie Nowodazkij 