Do you want your book to sell fast and wide? Do you want people to talk about your book and leave many kind words on web shops? You want word of mouth to spread far, but how do you make that work with no huge name? Book launches can feel like a race with no end. You want to win, but you don’t know how.
That’s where book marketing comes in. And yes, one way to boost that is with ARCs. You may ask, what are ARCs, and do you need one? Keep on. You’ll soon find out. But first, let’s talk so you won’t need to read twice. Each word here is short, clean, and clear. Long words? You won’t find them here.
Key Takeaways
- ARCs help you get book buzz fast
- They help boost book reviews on big sites
- They push book sales with word-of-mouth
What Are ARCs and Why Are They a Big Part of Book Marketing?
Book marketing is not just ads or posts. It is much more. ARCs – short for advanced review copies – are books sent out first. They go to folks who read and post book reviews. You send out ARCs weeks or months ahead of your book drop. That way, you build book buzz. You need folks to see book reviews on day one. That helps boost rank.
Now, book marketing needs help to work. You don’t just talk of the book. You must show what folks think of it. That’s where ARCs help. ARCs help you reach book blogs, bookstagram, booktube, and more. Book reviews from ARCs shape how new fans feel.
When book reviews show up on day one, they give your book a good start. With book marketing, time is key. You don’t want to wait. ARCs work fast. Use them right and you will see more love for your book. In fact, ARCs have turned lots of books to bestsellers with just that early book promotion.
How Do You Use Advanced Review Copies to Boost Book Reviews?
If you want to use ARCs well, you need a plan. First, choose the right folks to send them to. Pick book fans who read books like yours. Book reviews from folks who love your type of book work best.
Next, make your ARC list. You send out books to fans who want to help. They post book reviews on big sites like Amazon or Goodreads. Or on blogs. Or book groups.
Let’s see how it plays out:
| Step | What You Do | When You Do It | Why It Helps | Book Reviews Boost? |
| Plan ARC | Make your list | 2–3 months pre | To get the right folks | Yes |
| Send ARC | Share with fans | 1–2 months pre | So they read in time | Yes |
| Check In | Ask for book reviews | 2 weeks pre | To give a kind nudge | Yes |
| Track Post | Watch book reviews | Launch week | See who posts what | Yes |
| Say Thanks | Send note or gift | Post launch | To build trust | Yes |
This step-by-step plan makes your book marketing smooth and helps build trust. With book reviews in hand, your book looks more legit.
Book Promotion: When Is the Best Time to Share ARCs?
Book promotion can feel like a maze. You don’t know when to start. But with ARCs, time is not just key, it is king. Send your advanced review copies too late, and fans can’t read or post in time. That kills your launch buzz.
Best time? Two to three months pre-launch. That gives fans time to read and write. You can then use those book reviews in your book promotion push. They work well in posts, blurbs, or ads.
When you do book promotion with no reviews, fans feel lost. They want to know if your book is worth it. Book reviews act as proof. So, use ARCs to bring book reviews in. And yes, make sure you track all. Book marketing is a game of proof, not just hope.
Also, one ARC can give you five to six posts if used right. A quote here, a tweet there, one for a blog. You get more from one book than you think. With smart book promotion, your ARC goes far.
How Many ARCs Do You Need to Make Book Marketing Work?
This one’s a big ask. Folks think they must send out a ton. But you don’t need to go wild. Just smart. Start with 20–30 ARCs. Pick fans who love books like yours.
You don’t need to mail all of them. Use eBooks too. Sites like NetGalley help. And they help you find more fans.
If your ARC group is strong, you don’t need to send more. It’s not just the count. It’s the read rate. If 25 fans read and post, you win. Book reviews from those 25 mean much more than 100 who don’t read or post.
So, yes, you need ARCs. But no, you don’t need a huge count. Book marketing is not size. It’s a skill. Book promotion with heart wins more than book spam. Use ARCs the right way and book reviews will work for you.
ARCs or Not: What If You Skip Them in Book Marketing?
Now think. What if you skip ARCs? Will your book still sell? Maybe. But it will be hard. Book reviews don’t show up on day one. So, your page looks bare. Folks may not buy.
When you do book promotion with no help, you spend more. You pay for ads. You pray for clicks. But with ARCs, your book gets love for free. Fans post, talk, and hype your book.
Book marketing is a game. ARCs give you a head start. You don’t want to start last. You want to show up and win fast.
Yes, some folks think they don’t need ARCs. They think good books sell on their own. But books don’t walk. Book reviews push them. That’s the truth.
Book Reviews Boost Sales More Than You Think
Some folks think book reviews are just fluff. But no. Book reviews sell books. When fans post real views, new fans read and trust.
Book promotion with book reviews is like a snowball. It starts small, then grows. Each book review brings more eyes. And with more eyes, you get more clicks.
So yes, if you want to sell, don’t skip this. Use book reviews in all your book marketing. Post them in blurbs. Share in ads. Use them in your posts.
ARCs bring those book reviews. That’s why they help book marketing work.
Did you know? Books with 20+ book reviews in week one sell 50% more in month one?
Book Marketing Plan With ARCs
You can try this plan for your next book:
- Pick 20–30 fans who love your type of book
- Give them ARCs 2–3 months pre-launch
- Set clear time for book reviews to post
- Make a sheet to track book reviews
- Use quotes from book reviews in your book promotion
- Thank each fan with a note or swag
Did you know? Some fans love free books so much, they’ll post on ten sites if you just ask nicely?
Final Thoughts
If you want book marketing that works, you can’t skip ARCs. They give you book reviews. They help your book stand out. They boost trust, hype, and word of mouth. Book promotion with no ARCs feels like a road trip with no map.
We use ARCs in all our launches. And yes, we see the change. From no views to more book reviews. From no sales to good sales. That’s the power of a plan.
If you want help to use ARCs in your next launch, we can help. Go to eBooks2go and start your smart book marketing path. Let’s make your book fly.
FAQs
What are ARCs in book marketing?
ARCs are advanced review copies. These are books sent to fans before the book comes out to help get book reviews and build buzz.
How do I get ARCs for my book?
You can make your own or use sites like NetGalley. Send them to folks who like your genre and write book reviews.
When should I send ARCs?
Best time is 2–3 months before your book drops. That gives fans time to read and write book reviews.
Do ARCs cost a lot?
Not much. You can use eBooks to cut costs. Print just a few if you must.
Can I skip ARCs in my book marketing?
You can, but your book will miss that first wave of book reviews that help boost book promotion and trust.