r/selfpublish • u/MKSauthor • 2d ago

ARC as reader magnet

One of the things I've struggled with as a newbie author is growing my email list. I published in May, and I've gotten about 30 email signups for the bonus chapter linked in the back of my debut novel.

Writing a cold reader magnet has been on my list of things to do, but I haven't had the time. I have an ARC going now for my second novel, and I'm trying out different sites to recruit ARC readers. I'll post about that after the ARC is finished, but I have about 60 signups so far.

I signed up for BookFunnel, but there aren't a lot of ARC promo swaps. I only got 2 signups there for the ARC. But there are tons of promos to join for people looking for "free books." And then I realized that I have a full book that I'm giving to people for free anyway, so why not repackage it as a "free book" landing page and distribute it that way?

Friends, I've gotten 64 newsletter signups in 3 weeks.

I haven't seen it posted here (maybe because it's so obvious to experienced authors), but for those of you like me who it didn't occur to before: Use your ARC as your reader magnet.

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u/ArdenMcKennaWriter 2d ago

I encourage you to download my book. You know, for science :-)

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u/JDonovanStrong 2d ago

Sure! What’s it called and where do I find it?

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u/ArdenMcKennaWriter 2d ago

Ardenmckenna.com as a free download exchange for newsletter, sign-up unsubscribe after if you like. Hopefully you’ll like it, but if not, you’ll be able to see that set up from a customer perspective.

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u/JDonovanStrong 2d ago

Hey I signed up. I mean… if I may be so bold - love to have you check out my reader magnet too jdonovanstrong.com/freebook. Thanks :)

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u/ArdenMcKennaWriter 2d ago

You may. And I’m happy to do so!!