Street Teams From A Readers Perspective

Ausjenny |@ausjenny

Last year we talked about street teams from an authors perspective. You can read Darlene Franklin’s post here. This time I am talking about street teams from a reader’s perspective.

As a reader I have been on several street teams and different types of team. I will give a brief outline of ones I have been on.

1. A one book release where we only promote only one book.
2. Teams where we have the chance to promote all books by an author.
3. Teams where the author has several books out and you choose which one you will promote each quarter, these teams are normally a small number of members.

For number 1. Where it is a one off, the team I was on had a limited number of spaces and we all agreed to read the book and write reviews. We also shared on social media and the author had campaigns for the book. The book dealt with bullying and self-esteem issues, so the author had some ideas to create buzz for the book. One was writing # for the character on your wrist and using it as your profile photo for a few days so when people asked what it meant you could talk about the book and the issues. She also had giveaways on her facebook group for the reviewers.

For Number 2. I am on a couple of teams where I am asked to review a ARC or a book from NetGalley and post reviews at as many places as possible. Also to share the books on social media as well. This team normally doesn’t have a facebook group but will put an appeal via a newsletter and is often restricted to a certain number of people. Contact is often done via email.

For number 3. I am on one where it is restricted to a certain number of people who have agreed to review one book every 3 months. The author interacts via a facebook group and we share on social media any book news to create a buzz also. This type of group we get to know the other members and the author much better and it becomes almost like family. We will normally have a choice of a few different books to review.

I know there are other ways authors use street teams. Some will create bookmarks and have the members leave them everywhere, libraries, bookstores, even coffee shops and places people read books. With people reading more ebooks bookmarks are not always a good investment now.

If you are an author trying to find readers to read your books and get reviews, consider a street team. A good street team where you invest your time in them will pay off with them being loyal and they will want to promote your books across the internet and word of mouth. In a Country like Australia and New Zealand they can go into libraries and request your books or go into the bookshops and ask if your books are available. Most readers on a street team will be more than happy to read an ARC or even a pdf of the book.

If you are you on a reader have you been on a street team. If you are an author do you have a street team or have you considered it?

JENNY BLAKE (aka Ausjenny) is an avid reader. When not reading she enjoys watching cricket, in fact you could call her a cricket fanatic, scrapbooking and jigsaws. Her health has means she isn't reading as much as she would like but she does what she can to promote books. Her book blog is where she reviews books and interview authors. Her goal is to help promote new books and encourage authors. Her blog is at http://ausjenny.blogspot.com, Twitter @ausjenny

Street Teams by Darlene Franklin

Please join me in welcoming Darlene Franklin to our blog today. Darlene is writing about street teams and how she created and uses hers.

I “met” Jenny Blake online several years ago. Jenny, do you remember when that was? Now I’m privileged to have Jenny on my street team, and I’m honored she asked me to share my experience with street teams. (Jenny here not sure but would have had to been over 10 years I first had you on my blog in 2008 and it was before that I sent an email saying I loved some books)

I created a street team for one basic reason: to create a group of people specifically committed to promoting my books through reviews and social media.

I enlisted members from the ACFW loop and created a Facebook group called “Darlene Franklin’s Friends.” When several people dropped out after a year, I created a second group: “Darlene Franklin’s Street Team.” I give the street team copies of my new books, and in return, I give them specific responsibilities.

I like to think my requirements are reasonable: I ask my team to read and review one longer book every three months (or several novellas), their choice of several titles. I also ask them to share Facebook and Twitter posts two-three times a week.

 If a street team member is unable to continue with those responsibilities, they become part of my friends group instead. When they’re able to, my friends can still request and write reviews. With that option, people don’t have to feel guilty if they can’t meet their commitments—and I don’t worry about people who don’t live up to their commitments.

Many of my team members also support other authors. God bless ‘em! And after a time, they get burned out. Currently my team includes me, my editor, and twenty-two friends.

I’ve turned over the task of posting to my Facebook page to my social media assistant. My Street Team receives every post. (Other such pages include my author page, my friends page, and my publisher’s page.) We post information about current and older titles, memes, blogs where I am a guest and updates on my blog. These are the posts I hope my team will share with others.

We also post pictures I’ve colored, quotes I enjoy, and questions for us to discuss.  I hope this fosters friendship as well as partnership, but participation is totally voluntary.

If I can toot my own horn, I am always open to adding people to my team. If you’re interested, stop by https://www.facebook.com/groups/1119153434814502/.

Bio and links:

Best-selling hybrid author Darlene Franklin's greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. This year she expects to reach fifty unique titles in print and she’s also contributed to more than twenty nonfiction titles. Her column, “The View Through my Door,” appears in four monthly magazines. Her most recent titles are Capturing the Rancher's Heart, Romancing the Ranger, and Cinderella's Boot.

Website and blog

Facebook

Amazon author page

Twitter: @darlenefranklin