August 3, 2022
Hello, BFFs!
Last time, we talked about how to find and join the right BookFunnel group promos for you. Now, let’s talk about how you share those promos once you’re in them. While everyone has their own way of talking with readers, there are a few simple do’s and don’t’s to remember.
Things to do
✅ DO read a promo’s requirements carefully before joining.
Most promo organizers ask you to share with your mailing list on your share date. Other organizers have very specific requirements like sharing on a certain date, or sharing on social media X number of times. Make sure the requirements gel with your schedule before you submit your book.
✅ DO share when you said you would.
If necessary, you can change your share date on the promo. This helps the organizer monitor the promo’s progress and see that you (and everyone else author in the promo) are contributing to its success.
✅ DO share with your own mailing list, even if it’s small.
Most promos require you share with your mailing list, so posting only on social media isn’t usually enough. If you’re just starting out and don’t have a list yet (and the organizer knows this), you’re a-ok to skip this “do”!
✅ DO share an image if you have one.
Most BookFunnel promos have a header image graphic, which you can snag to share in your newsletter. Some organizers also provide a selection of images just for sharing. A colorful and engaging image is always preferable to text when trying to catch someone’s eye and their oh-so-coveted click.
Make sure to include the link below the graphic in case the image doesn’t load. Having a couple of click targets makes it easier for your readers to click through and check out the promo.
✅ DO make your emails personal.
Call out your own book in the promo, or better yet, call out a book or two in the promo that YOU have your eye on! Share your excitement with your readers! This will build camaraderie with your subscribers and also reduce the “sales-y” vibe that some readers feel when an email wants them to click something or buy something.
✅ DO check your BookFunnel calendar for upcoming commitments.
We’ll send you reminder emails when you’re supposed to share a promo, but it’s still a good idea to check the calendar on your dashboard to see what you’ve got coming up.
Things NOT to do
❎ DON’T join promos without reading the requirements.
By submitting your book, you are asserting that your book and your schedule are a perfect fit. Skimming the details and joining the wrong promos is going to waste your precious time and clutter your calendar (and inbox!). It also adds more work for the organizer who has to reject your submission, which doesn’t make anyone happy.
❎ DON’T paste your promo link into your email newsletter as text.
Use your mailing list service’s email editor to create a proper, clickable link. Just pasting the link itself into the body of your email will end in tears for everyone. And, if you share an image (header or promo graphic), make it a clickable link too. Link the image to the prom and include text under the image that links to the promo (again, in case the image doesn’t load). More click targets = happier, clickier readers.
❎ DON’T fill your email with TONS of links.
The more links you include in your email, the fewer clicks each link will receive. Concentrate your efforts! Maximize results! If you have to include 5+ links in your newsletter, feature your promo at the top since links near the beginning of your email will get more clicks than links at the bottom.
❎ DON’T post your link in random Facebook groups or on Twitter.
If you have an engaged audience already, you might get some attention? But, generally, it’s not a good strategy. Users on those platforms are so inundated with click-baity, spammy offers that they rarely engage or click through.
That’s how you do (and don’t do) it, folks!
If you stick with these basic do’s and don’t’s, you’ll have a happy, healthy promo life on BookFunnel! And, organizers will take notice.
The more you share, and, most importantly, the more consistently you share, the more attractive you are when applying to join future promos. You’ll build a reputation for being a solid contributor and authors and organizers will want to promote with you.
What’s next?
What do you do with the new subscribers you gain through the promo? Excellent question, and we’ll chat about it soon.
Until then, if you have a burning question about promos, reach out! We’re happy to help.
- Introduction: Finding New Readers With Group Promos
- Part 1: Finding the Perfect Group Promo
- Part 2: How to Share a Group Promo
- Part 3: Organizing a Group Promo
- Part 4: Coming soon!
