ARC Campaign Manager

Build and manage review teams that deliver 25+ Day 1 reviews.

ARC Campaign Timeline

| Phase | Timing | Goal | |-------|--------|------| | Recruitment | T-90 to T-60 | 50-100 signups | | Distribution | T-60 to T-45 | ARCs delivered | | Nurturing | T-45 to T-7 | Readers engaged | | Activation | T-7 to T-0 | Reviews prepped | | Launch | T-0 | Reviews posted |

Target Metrics

ARC Signups: 100
ARC Downloads: 75 (75% conversion)
Readers Who Finish: 50 (67% of downloads)
Reviews Posted: 25-30 (50-60% of finishers)
Day 1 Reviews: 10-15
Week 1 Reviews: 20-25

Recruitment Channels

Tier 1: High Conversion (30-60%)

| Source | Conversion | Notes | |--------|------------|-------| | Email list | 40-60% | Warm audience, best quality | | Past ARC readers | 50-70% | Proven reviewers | | Social media followers | 20-40% | Engaged audience |

Tier 2: Medium Conversion (10-30%)

| Source | Conversion | Notes | |--------|------------|-------| | BookFunnel groups | 15-25% | Genre-specific | | StoryOrigin promos | 10-20% | Cross-promotion | | Facebook reader groups | 10-25% | Active communities |

Tier 3: Low Conversion (5-15%)

| Source | Conversion | Notes | |--------|------------|-------| | Goodreads giveaways | 5-10% | High volume, low quality | | Twitter/X | 5-15% | Depends on following | | Reddit communities | 5-10% | Must add value first |

Paid Services

| Service | Cost | Expected Reviews | |---------|------|-----------------| | NetGalley | $450/listing | 20-50 | | BookSirens | $99-299/mo | 15-40 | | Pubby | $100-500 | 10-30 | | Hidden Gems | Free-$299 | 10-25 |

ARC Distribution Platforms

BookFunnel (Recommended)

Cost: $20-150/year
Features:
- Multiple format delivery (EPUB, MOBI, PDF)
- Reader email capture
- Download tracking
- Automated delivery

Setup Steps:

1. Create account at bookfunnel.com
2. Upload manuscript files (EPUB required)
3. Set up landing page
4. Enable reader signup
5. Generate unique download link

StoryOrigin

Cost: $70/year
Features:
- ARC management dashboard
- Reader tracking
- Review reminders
- Cross-promotion tools

Direct Distribution

For small teams (<20 people):

• Email attachments (PDF/EPUB)
• Google Drive links
• Dropbox shared folders

ARC Agreement Template

Include in signup confirmation:

ARC READER AGREEMENT

By requesting an advance copy of [BOOK TITLE], you agree to:

1. Read the book (or as much as possible) before [LAUNCH DATE]
2. Post an honest review on Amazon within 48 hours of launch
3. Not share or distribute the ARC file
4. Disclose in your review if required by FTC guidelines*

In exchange, you receive:
- A free advance copy of the book
- [BONUS: exclusive content, etc.]
- Credit in the acknowledgments (optional)

*Note: Amazon's terms prohibit mentioning you received a free 
copy in exchange for a review. Simply post your honest opinion.

Review Guidelines for ARC Readers

Send this with the ARC:

HOW TO WRITE A GREAT AMAZON REVIEW

Your review helps readers decide if this book is right for them.
Here's what makes a review helpful:

STRUCTURE (2-5 sentences is fine):
1. Your overall impression
2. What you liked most
3. Who would enjoy this book

EXAMPLE:
"I found [BOOK] to be an insightful guide to [TOPIC]. 
The [specific element] was particularly helpful. 
If you're looking to [outcome], this book delivers."

TIPS:
✅ Be specific (mention chapters, examples, concepts)
✅ Be honest (critical reviews are okay!)
✅ Focus on the content, not delivery method
❌ Don't mention receiving a free copy
❌ Don't copy from other reviews
❌ Don't use phrases like "in exchange for"

POSTING YOUR REVIEW:
1. Go to the book's Amazon page
2. Scroll to "Customer Reviews"
3. Click "Write a customer review"
4. Select star rating
5. Write your review
6. Click Submit

Thank you for supporting this book launch!

Email Sequence Framework

Email 1: Recruitment (T-60)

Subject lines that work:

• "Be the first to read [BOOK]"
• "[NAME], I need your help with something"
• "Free book + your honest opinion?"

Structure:

• Personal greeting
• What the book is about (2-3 sentences)
• What you're asking (clear expectations)
• What they get (ARC + bonus)
• Simple CTA (reply or link)

Email 2: Delivery (T-45)

Subject: "Your copy of [BOOK] is ready!"

Include:

• Download link (prominent)
• File format options
• Deadline reminder
• Quick reading tips

Email 3: Check-in (T-30)

Subject: "How's the reading going?"

Include:

• Friendly check-in
• Answer any questions
• Request for typo reports
• Reminder of timeline

Email 4: Pre-launch (T-7)

Subject: "One week to launch!"

Include:

• Countdown excitement
• Review writing tips
• What to expect on launch day
• Thank them for support

Email 5: Launch day (T-0)

Subject: "It's live! Please post your review now"

Include:

• Direct Amazon review link
• Step-by-step instructions
• Urgency (first 24 hours matter)
• Gratitude

Tracking Spreadsheet Template

Track each ARC reader:

| Name | Email | Signed Up | Downloaded | Read | Review Posted | Rating | Notes | |------|-------|-----------|------------|------|---------------|--------|-------| | [Name] | [email] | [date] | ✅/❌ | ✅/❌ | ✅/❌ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | [notes] |

Troubleshooting Low Conversions

Problem: Low signup rate (<20%)

Solutions:

• Improve offer (add bonuses)
• Better targeting (right audience?)
• Stronger copy (clear benefits)
• Reduce friction (simpler signup)

Problem: Low download rate (<60%)

Solutions:

• Send reminder emails
• Simplify download process
• Offer multiple formats
• Check for technical issues

Problem: Low review rate (<40%)

Solutions:

• More follow-up emails
• Clearer instructions
• Earlier deadline
• Personal outreach
• Review writing tips

Scripts

• ARC tracker: See scripts/arc_tracker.py
• Email scheduler: See scripts/email_scheduler.py