2024 Guide to Book Giveaway Platforms: Costs, Benefits, and Best Practices for Authors

Lots of options! Which is best? Let's discuss....

Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash

Choosing the right giveaway platform can significantly affect how effectively you engage readers and promote books. And do people really want more free books? Will they want YOUR book? Do they just want ‘free stuff?’

D, all of the above?

You bet. Giveways are a terrific way to earn lifelong readers and fans. But here’s the best part of giveaways: by offering multiple entry points, you increase your followers, online visibility (SEO), share of voice, and subscriber list. The more people do, the more entry points and the higher their chances of winning.

Examples:

• Follow me on X, FB, IG, TT, etc.

• Share this giveaway on your socials,

• and my favorite, sign up for my free newsletter

What you give away is up to you, but common examples include:

• a signed print or hardcover copy of your book,

• a free ebook copy,

• a $50 to $100 Amazon or VISA/MC gift card or a Kindle (go in with writer friends if cost is an issue).

• anything goes - you don’t only have to give away your books.

One of my YA (Young Adult) author clients ran her giveaway, which included her latest release, a cute pair of beach sunglasses, and a round towel (all the rage).

Need help setting up your giveaways? Give me a ring (er, email) badredheadmedia@gmail.com.

Here’s a rundown of some popular platforms, each with unique features that cater to different needs:

1. Rafflecopter - Widely recognized and easy to use, Rafflecopter offers straightforward setup features, making it ideal for quick giveaway launches aimed at growing your social media following. However, its free version has limited customization, and the more advanced features come with a paid plan.
   
   Rafflecopter typically has a range of plans that scale up in features and price, allowing you to choose based on your needs.

2. KingSumo - This platform is particularly good for those looking to boost their email list alongside social media followers. It’s user-friendly and offers free services, allowing you to invest in promotions separately if you choose. KingSumo also has an attractive layout and various entry options to enhance user engagement.
   
   KingSumo is free to use, which makes it a great option for those on a budget. However, if you want to reach a wider audience, you may need to spend additional money marketing the giveaway yourself on various social media platforms or other channels. They do have a reasonable $49 lifetime plan, which is great if you plan a lot of giveaways.
   

3. Gleam - Known for its vibrant and customizable interface, Gleam can help build a social following effectively. The free version has been discontinued, though the more advanced features and detailed post-giveaway analytics are part of the paid subscription.
   
   One downside is the potential for attracting followers outside your target audience due to the broad reach and, obviously, cost.
   
   Gleam offers various paid versions with customization and analytics behind a paywall. Pricing for the premium features is detailed on their site.
   

4. Goodreads—As a platform dedicated exclusively to readers, Goodreads is perfect for reaching a large, engaged audience. Setting up a giveaway here can lead to more reviews, dedicated fans, and new readers.
   
   Note that giveaways on Goodreads give the option of either ebooks or physical print copies, which might be an investment depending on your budget and strategy.*
   
   *Most clients opt for the ebook-only option, which is significantly less expensive and fulfilled by Amazon at no additional cost.

   

5. Booksweeps - Specializing in book giveaways, Booksweeps is ideal if you want a platform solely focused on books. It allows you to host your own giveaways or team up with other authors.
   
   This platform is effective for both attracting new readers and engaging existing ones.
   
   I write more about using Booksweeps here ⬇️ (I love it). You can choose to grow your email subscribers, your Amazon or BookBub following, or all of the above. Most promos are $50, though they often offer discounts.

Each platform has strengths and limitations, so your choice should depend on your specific goals, such as expanding your email list, boosting social media followers, or garnering more book reviews.

Consider your budget, target audience, and the type of books you’re promoting when deciding on the best platform for your giveaways.

What giveaway platforms do you use, and why do you love them? Please share! What types of books or prizes do you offer? Readers, what are your favorite giveaway goodies?

Upcoming Audio Spaces

• Join me for my monthly #BookMarketingChat Space on Wednesday, 5/1 at 2 pm pst/5 pm est. Click here now to set a reminder. Open Q&A on all things writing and book marketing. Bring your questions.

• #TheWriteLab Space with me and cohost @VennieKocsis! Join us on the last Tuesday of each month (this month is Tuesday, 4/30) to discuss your author branding, socials, writing (of course), and marketing - FREE! Click here to set a reminder now. We’re discussing outlining.

Featured Author

One of my absolute favorite reads this year is The Gambler Wife: A True Story of Love, Risk, and the Woman Who Saved Dostoyevsky by Andrew D. Kaufman, Ph.D. - now optioned for film!

If you love historical nonfiction or ever wanted to learn more about the woman behind the man behind the books, you won’t find any better.

(Dr. Kaufman is my July 3 guest on my monthly #BookMarketingChat on X/Twitter Spaces, where he’ll give away a signed copy! Be sure to subscribe so you receive all the info to attend.)

Sponsor

💜 Thank you, Booklinker, my exclusive advertising sponsor for 2024! Free universal book links for all authors. Super easy to use. And they have a fantastic blog here.💜

See you next week, and happy writing!