Running Your First ARC Campaign: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

You've heard that reviews are critical for launch day. You know you need an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) campaign. But you've never done one before and the whole thing feels overwhelming. Let's break it down into simple, actionable steps.

Step 1: Finish Your Book (But Don't Publish Yet)

Your ARC should be the final or near-final version. Minor typo fixes after ARC distribution are fine, but the story should be complete. ARC readers accept that they're reading a pre-release version.

Step 2: Build Your ARC List

Start 4–6 weeks before your launch date. You need 20–50 ARC readers. Sources:

• Your email subscribers (ask in your newsletter)

• Social media followers (post a call for ARC readers)

• Genre Facebook groups (many have dedicated ARC threads)

• Readers who've reviewed your previous books

Step 3: Set Expectations

When someone signs up, tell them:

• The book and genre (so they know what they're committing to)

• The timeline (when they'll receive the ARC, when the book launches)

• What you're asking for (an honest review, posted within 1–2 weeks of launch)

• Where to post (Amazon, Goodreads, your book page, or all three)

Step 4: Distribute the ARC

Send the ebook file (EPUB or PDF) 3–4 weeks before launch. Options:

• Reader magnet on your website (free download in exchange for email)

• Direct email with the file attached

• A service like BookFunnel for managed delivery

Step 5: Follow Up

One week before launch, send a reminder: "The book launches on [date]! If you've finished reading, reviews can go live on launch day." Don't nag — one reminder is enough.

Step 6: Collect and Display Reviews

As reviews come in, approve and display them on your book page. Share great pull quotes on social media. Thank reviewers publicly — they're more likely to review your next book.

AuthorLoft's ARC management tools handle review collection, moderation, and display automatically.

The Indie Author’s ARC Playbook
A Complete, Stress‑Free Guide to Running Your First Advance Reader Copy Campaign

Launching a book is one of the most exciting—and nerve‑wracking—moments in an author’s career. You’ve poured months or years into writing, revising, and polishing your story. Now you’re preparing to release it into the world, and you’ve heard the same advice over and over:

“You need reviews on launch day.”
“You need an ARC team.”
“You need early momentum.”

But if you’ve never run an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) campaign before, the process can feel overwhelming. Where do you find readers? What do you send them? How do you make sure they actually leave reviews?

This guide breaks everything down into simple, actionable steps so you can run your first ARC campaign with confidence—and set your book up for a strong, successful launch.

Why ARC Campaigns Matter

ARC campaigns exist for one reason: to generate early reviews and early buzz.

On launch day, readers look for:

• Social proof

• Credibility

• Signals that your book is worth their time

Amazon’s algorithm looks for:

• Sales velocity

• Review activity

• Engagement

ARC reviews help with all of these. They give your book a foundation of trust and visibility before it ever hits the shelves. Even 10–20 reviews can dramatically improve your launch performance.

But ARC campaigns only work when they’re done intentionally. That’s where this guide comes in.

Step 1: Finish Your Book (But Don’t Publish Yet)

Your ARC should be the final or near‑final version of your book. ARC readers understand they’re reading a pre‑release edition, but they still expect a polished experience.

What “ARC‑ready” means

• The story is complete

• All major revisions are done

• The manuscript has been edited

• Only minor typo fixes remain

ARC readers are forgiving of small errors, but they’re not forgiving of:

• Plot holes

• Missing chapters

• Unfinished scenes

• Confusing formatting

If your book isn’t ready, your ARC team will notice—and their reviews will reflect it.

Why you shouldn’t publish yet

Once your book is published:

• You can’t collect early reviews

• You lose the “new release” momentum

• You miss the chance to build buzz before launch

ARC campaigns work best when the book is finished but not yet live.

Step 2: Build Your ARC List

Start building your ARC team 4–6 weeks before launch. This gives readers enough time to read the book and prepare their reviews.

Your goal: 20–50 ARC readers
This is the sweet spot for most indie authors—large enough to generate meaningful reviews, small enough to manage easily.

Where to find ARC readers

1. Your email subscribers

Your email list is your most reliable source of ARC readers. These people already know you, trust you, and want to support your work.

Send a simple message:

“I’m looking for ARC readers for my upcoming book. If you’d like a free early copy in exchange for an honest review, click here to sign up.”

2. Social media followers

Post a call for ARC readers on:

• Instagram

• Facebook

• TikTok

• Threads

• X/Twitter

Use a clear, friendly invitation:

“Want to read my new book early? I’m putting together an ARC team!”

3. Genre Facebook groups

Many genre‑specific groups have:

• ARC threads

• Promo days

• Review exchanges (always check rules)

Look for groups dedicated to your genre—cozy mystery, fantasy romance, sci‑fi, historical fiction, etc.

4. Readers who reviewed your previous books

These readers already like your writing. They’re ideal ARC candidates.

Send a personal note:

“Thank you again for reviewing my last book. Would you like an early copy of my next one?”

How to collect signups

Use:

• A simple Google Form

• A signup page on your website

• A BookFunnel signup link

• A newsletter form with an ARC tag

Keep it simple: name + email + preferred reading format.

Step 3: Set Expectations Clearly

ARC campaigns fall apart when expectations are unclear. You want your readers to feel excited—not confused or pressured.

When someone signs up, send a welcome message that includes:

1. The book and genre

Tell them exactly what they’re getting:

• Title

• Genre

• Heat level (if applicable)

• Trigger warnings (if applicable)

This prevents mismatched expectations and negative reviews.

2. The timeline

Let them know:

• When they’ll receive the ARC

• When the book launches

• When reviews should be posted

A typical timeline:

• ARC delivered: 3–4 weeks before launch

• Reviews requested: within 1–2 weeks of launch

3. What you’re asking for

Be clear but friendly:

• You’re asking for an honest review

• You’re not asking for a positive review

• You’re not paying or incentivizing reviews

4. Where to post reviews

Tell them exactly where reviews matter most:

• Amazon

• Goodreads

• Your book page

• BookBub (if applicable)

The clearer you are, the smoother your campaign will run.

Step 4: Distribute the ARC

Send your ARC 3–4 weeks before launch. This gives readers enough time to read without feeling rushed.

What format to send

Most ARC readers prefer:

• EPUB (universal ebook format)

• PDF (easy to open on any device)

Some may request:

• MOBI (older Kindle devices)

• Print ARCs (optional and more expensive)

How to deliver the ARC

1. Direct email

Attach the file and send a friendly message:

“Here’s your ARC! Thank you so much for being part of my launch team.”

This works well for small ARC groups.

2. BookFunnel or similar services

BookFunnel handles:

• File delivery

• Device compatibility

• Reader support

This is ideal for larger ARC teams or authors who want a seamless experience.

3. Reader magnet delivery

If you already use a reader magnet system on your website, you can:

• Upload the ARC

• Create a private download page

• Send the link to your ARC team

This keeps everything centralized.

What to include with the ARC

• A thank‑you note

• A reminder of the launch date

• A link to your review page (if available)

• A short message about how much their support means

ARC readers are volunteers. Treat them with gratitude.

Step 5: Follow Up (Without Nagging)

A gentle reminder is essential. A guilt‑trip is not.

One week before launch

Send a friendly reminder:

“The book launches on [date]! If you’ve finished reading, reviews can go live on launch day. Thank you again for being part of this.”

This keeps your book top‑of‑mind without overwhelming your readers.

Launch day

Send a second message:

“Today’s the day! If you enjoyed the book, you can post your review here.”

Include:

• Direct Amazon link

• Goodreads link

• BookBub link (if applicable)

What NOT to do

• Don’t send daily reminders

• Don’t pressure readers

• Don’t ask for positive reviews

• Don’t shame readers who didn’t finish

ARC readers are doing you a favor. Respect their time and goodwill.

Step 6: Collect and Display Reviews

As reviews come in, celebrate them. Reviews are social proof—and they’re powerful.

Where to display reviews

• Your website

• Your book’s sales page

• Social media

• Email newsletters

• Launch announcements

How to use reviews effectively

• Pull short quotes for graphics

• Highlight enthusiastic reactions

• Share screenshots (with permission)

• Thank reviewers publicly

Readers love being acknowledged. A simple “Thank you!” goes a long way.

Why this matters

When new readers see:

• Dozens of reviews

• Positive reactions

• Social proof

They’re far more likely to buy your book.

Putting It All Together: A Sample ARC Timeline

Here’s a simple, stress‑free timeline you can follow for every book launch:

6 weeks before launch

• Build your ARC list

• Announce the ARC call on email + social media

• Collect signups

4 weeks before launch

• Send the ARC

• Provide clear expectations

• Share review links (if available)

1 week before launch

• Send a friendly reminder

• Encourage readers to prepare their reviews

Launch day

• Send the review link

• Celebrate publicly

• Share early reviews

1–2 weeks after launch

• Thank your ARC team

• Highlight reviews on social media

• Invite readers to join your list for future ARCs

This system is simple, repeatable, and effective.

Final Thoughts: ARC Campaigns Don’t Have to Be Complicated

Running an ARC campaign isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection. It’s about building a small, loyal group of readers who believe in your work and want to support your success.

When you break the process into clear steps:

• Finish your book

• Build your ARC list

• Set expectations

• Distribute the ARC

• Follow up

• Celebrate reviews

…it becomes manageable, repeatable, and even enjoyable.

Your ARC team is the foundation of your launch. Treat them well, communicate clearly, and you’ll build a group of readers who will follow you from book to book, year after year.