Raise your hand if you know what a street team is.
Okay, that looks like about half of you. (I totally made that up. I can’t see you. But I’m also guessing that y’all are pretty savvy readers, after all, you come here every day, so maybe I should bump up that percentage a little.) For those of you who aren’t sure, (Or maybe you think you know but you’d like a little confirmation before you keep going. Or maybe you already know but you like to hear definitions that give you a chance to say, “Yep. That’s just what I said.”), a street team is a group of people who enjoy an author’s work so much that they want to help market that author’s books.
Just about every author these days has some kind of street team. I’ve seen them split pretty evenly between being a Facebook group or a special mailing list. There are probably some authors who do both. But after that it seems like there aren’t any set parameters of what “must” be included. From what I hear, there are generally prizes (gift cards, swag, early copies of the books, etc.) available on some sort of schedule, and there are things that the authors ask their team members to do that can range from sharing a Facebook post or retweeting something to…well, anything that helps promote the book, really.
I’ve been kicking around the idea of having a street team of my own–but I’m not convinced I really know what I’d do with one, which is why, when I realized it was coming up on my turn to blog here, I thought, “Aha! I’ll ask the Inspy readers, because they are always a font of information.”
And so, that’s what I’m doing. I’d love for you to tell me about the street teams you’re a part of. How often to you have activities the author asks you to do? How often do you interact (is there a FB group and you’re in there every day hanging out and having a grand time, or is it only something that’s “activated” when the author has a new release or a question?) What sorts of prizes do you get from your street teams? (Gift cards? Book swag? Free copies of the book? Something else?) What sorts of prizes do you wish you were getting? Really…I’d love it if you’d just hit me up with all things street team.
On the flip side (because I know there are probably a few of you out there), if you’re not a street team person, what’s holding you back? Is there something you don’t care for about the idea? Or maybe you’re just too busy? Or you simply like to read and don’t want to be bothered with anything more than that? (All of these are perfectly ok – I’m just curious!)
Let’s talk street teams – I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got to say!
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
Great post, Elizabeth! I can’t wait to read the comments later today. Happy Wednesday!
HI Elizabeth. I had heard term ‘street team’ but was not really sure what it meant, so thanks for clarifying that. I’m not a huge social media user, so my way of spreading the word about books/authors is by telling my friends and family and my students. My students especially need to be acquainted with solid Christian fiction, and it is delightful introducing them to great books.
Look forward to reading other’s thoughts,
Blessings:)
Hi Elizabeth. Thanks for clarifying the term ‘street team.’ Unfortunately being retired and watching grandchildren, I have few opportunities of interaction with readers in our small town to be a big help on a street team. While I write reviews for the books I have read (Amazon & Good Reads), I shy away from promoting books on a street team. I interact with authors by email, websites, and face book. I belong to a several FB groups and interacting in parties: Cozy Chicks Group (cozy mysteries), Delicious Mysteries, Sweet Romance Reads Cafe, plus the authors individual FB pages. I am on several Reader Review Teams. Many new authors came by recommendation from other authors, often from this group. Best wishes and happy writing.
Hi. I am part of a few street teams, normally I receive a free advanced copy and when it is released I leave a review. Most of the time a review can be left on Goodreads in advance and Amazon on release day. The authors will have giveaways such as totes, signed paperbacks, key chains, gift cards, etc. I really enjoy it.
Thanks, Jill. Hopefully we’ll all get some good info :)
I think those are still the best ways for books to find readers — that personal recommendation can’t be beat!
Writing reviews is an even bigger help, in my mind, than promoting on social media! I always look forward to seeing what you thought about my books. So just keep on doing what you’re doing! :)
Thanks for sharing! Are the giveaways only when there’s a new release, or are they ongoing?
I a man on a street team and it’s interactive but it’s not where it takes up your time. You get advance copy of books and you leave review once the book is published. Also you get to know the progress of a upcoming book and as mentioned above interaction by helping with naming a character name, etc
That’s pretty doable. I have an advanced reader group that functions a lot like that. Maybe it’s all I need. :)
I’d LOVE to be on author “street teams” or advanced reader groups but I feel like I don’t have enough of a social media presence to volunteer. If just reading an advance copy of a book and leaving reviews is all I’d have to do, I’d definitely sign up to be considered! Sometimes in author newsletters the author will offer to mail bookmarks to pass out and I try to request a half dozen of those and give them to my reader friends which can lead to fun discussions about that author and their books that we’ve read as well as generate excitement for their new book.
I was part of one for a while but it got to be a bit much, she just had so many requirements she had for you to be able to enter to win prizes. Now I have one author who sends me ebook of her upcoming releases so I can read them and review. And another who asks for volunteers to go out and put bookmarks and signed book plates in their book at a major retailer the week it releases and she includes an extra bookmark and autographed book plate for our trouble. Another asks for volunteers to read a chapter or a few chapters and give feedback and if we do she sends us the ebook when it is finished. Simple to point and I know where I stand and if I don’t volunteer to do it then it isn’t a big deal, and it isn’t a big competition to earn more entries to win prizes. Now don’t get me wrong I love swag and gift cards especially when money is as tight as it has been lately. But doing a bunch of posts on various social media to get entries to win just isn’t for me. I will occasionally do it off an authors regular page but daily? Or even weekly? Gets a bit much for me.
Reading and reviewing are honestly some of the biggest helps! And I love that you hand out bookmarks. That’s a great idea.
Thank you! This is a great perspective. I was wondering how much was too much. Sounds like that got overwhelming.
I have a group of ladies who get advanced copies of my books for review. Some of them are more active on social media than others. I ask my team to do whatever they have time to do. I mostly like to have them do reviews. The rest is up to them. I do give them links to blog posts I have, and they can share if they want. I’m not the best at promotion myself.
I’ve been on a couple of street teams and usually all I have done is read the book and post reviews on a bunch of websites (Amazon, CBD, etc). I also do a few other activities like request the book at my library, post something on Facebook, tell other people about the book (and that is easy because I lead a bookclub for my church so sometimes I just recommend the book, other times I make it the book of the month). I’ve found the author usually gives a list of things they’d like done and request the street team to do a certain number of the items – tweet about the book, post on Pinterest, and the previously mentioned things. It does take some time on my part – but then I got to read the book for free so it seems like a fair trade to me. I haven’t won any stuff though – just the books.
Elizabeth, I’m in several “street teams “. I love being a part of them. Usually I receive an ARC which I read and review, post reviews to several outlets, share both the review and release to social media, post giveaways or parties via social media, and lastly I have a blog that I share which includes highlights to both the book and author. I enjoy sharing good books with my friends. Some authors provide pens, bookmarks and other small items to share with friends, book clubs or libraries. Usually you are part of a private FB page to discuss about the book and share ideas for getting the book promoted. I hope this helps.
I’m in the same boat, Merrillee. Just trying to muddle through as best I can. I hadn’t thought of giving them blog posts to share – I always ask in my author fb page, but maybe my advanced readers would enjoy doing that as well. I do love the “do what you can” approach.
This is great, thanks! I appreciate that you see a value in getting the book for free :)
So very helpful, thanks!!
Hi Elizabeth,
I’m on many street teams and we keep in touch through Facebook and email.
I love being on the teams mostly because I LOVE to help promote authors and their books which are fantastic! It’s a way for me to encourage and support besides just buying the book. Yes, I do the reviews, make memes, promote on FB, Goodreads, etc. It’s part of the fun of getting good books out there in the public eye.
At first I thought, “Who am I that someone will listen to?” But I’ve been able to get others reading some really great books. I find the thought of, “your words are like a ripple in the water” is true when it comes to this. Just one review or comment will go a long way.
The first street team I got on was Davis Bunn’s. I didn’t think I had enough “social media presence” to qualify, but I was accepted, which I really liked because his books (even Kindle) are not cheap when they first come out! In return for a free copy of the book, I was supposed to post a review on Amazon, Goodreads, and Facebook. So not much work for a free book :-) Since then I’ve gotten on more teams. Some have more requirements than others, but basically it’s a free book for the promise of reviewing it. I don’t think any of the teams I’m on have given out prizes other than the free copy of the book.
This is great — thanks! And you’re right, one person can make a world of difference.
It’s so nice to hear many of you saying a free book is enough! Thanks.
I’ve loved reading these responses! I have a small FB street team. They get sneak previews of covers, prayer requests (both ways!), progress reports, and occasional bloopers – not because I don’t have many, but I often don’t think of sharing them! Some have beta read or listened to audio auditions, and they’re offered ARCs for review. Some are tweeters, some are pinners, and some are FB junkies. Some are vewy vewy quiet… that’s okay! I need to become more consistent with interacting with my little group.
Bloopers! These are great things to share.
Great questions, Elizabeth, and I’m so glad you asked it! Loving reading all the varied responses!
I’m in the same position as you, teetering on the edge of having a street team, wondering how to get the right balance between the time I’ll need to put in vs the time I’m asking the team to invest.
I love interacting with readers, so once I get past a couple of scarily close book deadlines and have those books off to my editor, it will be time to take the plunge and ask for team members!
I am not on a street team yet. I have applied to a couple street teams, but I am waiting to hear back. I know I have been disqualified for one becuase I hadn’t read any of their books yet. Some authors are not so strict though and would like new blood, so to speak. I appreciate those authors bunches! I am just getting back into social media after a hiatus, but I try to put reviews for the books I read on Goodreads and Amazon, just to be helpful to others who may want to hear my opinion. As one of the commenter’s above mentioned I think daily requirements would be a bit much and would turn me off unless it’s leading up to their release week, then I could understand, If an author gives out prizes I love a themed prize. I enjoy something foreign or that correlates with the story in some way whether that be a goodie to munch on while reading or something like a pen as the character maybe was a writer. For example; I have seen author’s give away their book and 2 or 3 other items that correlate with the book. I enjoy putting my name in the hat for those giveaways. I feel it makes it more fun and exciting. Details like that matter to me. I’m very thankful to authors that share on Facebook and other social media about their books coming out and offer up links when they are freebies. Reading is good for the soul!!! :D
Oh and I almost forgot I am old school and appreciate the physicla copies to read as it makes for more cozy reading!
Hi Elizabeth since I consider you a friend and I love your books I would definitely join your Street team. Although I am not very articulate I often do not know what to say in a review or otherwise. I think that’s why I enjoy reading so much because it puts words in my mind that I couldn’t do myself. It helps me to escape from the things of this world that are troubling or evil. Count Me In if you decide to do one.
I really love interacting with readers, too. That’s the part I’m most looking forward to.
Thanks, Sabrina! So much good info in your responses!
And also I love that you review even if you’re not on a street team. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, I love readers who review!!
Thanks, Linda! <3
And I think most people enjoy something short and to the point in a review – no fancy, articulate words needed :)
I am on two “teams”, that are very different from each other. One gives free advance copy and you leave a review. It’s very easy and doable. I’m not a big fb or social media person.
Another one you have to buy the book or get it from a library. They prefer a bunch of social media as well as reviews. That one is challenging for me. I’ve debated leaving that group, especially since we just moved and I’m watching grand kids .
I read a lot and try to leave reviews on Amazon. That is that only site I’ve figured out review wise.
As always I so appreciate the inspy romance authors. God bless!
Well,I guess you can say I am a street team afficianado.
I read,review each book,talk about it across social platforms,share posts and love it.
I connect with the author on a more personal level and interact with a like minded group of people.
We have fun,earn giftsget to help name characters and sometimes even get our names in books.
Thanks to each of my authors ,you bless my life.
Oh and best of all,we ptray for each other.
Amazon reviews are the ones I always hope for. Even folks who don’t buy from Amazon often will read reviews there first.
Linda, this is great info. And praying for one another is so important! I definitely think that’s part I’ll include.
I’m on several “street teams” and I love it! I review every book I read whether on a team or not. I get early review copies and I donate them to my church library when I finish I have at least 7 or more locations that I lost reviews to. I pin the cover on Pinterest, photo on Instagram and my Facebook page. I enjoy interacting on Facebook. We wish happy birthdays, learn facts about each other, but most important share prayer requests. Authors also use us as sounding boards for ideas and suggestions. One author sends me a gift each year with a thank you note. I especially enjoy getting autographed copies of books and unusual bookmarks.
Love this, Gail! Sounds like you do an excellent job for the authors you’re helping!
Hullo Elizabeth – i’ve heard “street team” referred to by different names – i call mine Robin’s Little Flock. currently my description is, “brain picking, question answering, beta reading, grammar editing launch team
you guys are my writing support system and i am glad each of you is part of my team, my writing world. I couldn’t do this without you and i thank you for being part of my Little Flock!” so it’s more than reading and posting [reviews.] I’m working on updating the description and creating guidelines. I saved and printed a few articles on the subject and am culling what works for me.
I also participate in a few different groups, and the level of activity and commitment varies with each author, depending mostly on book releases. some groups are highly interactive, others not so much. Let me know if you do start a group, i’d love to participate as much as i can (also varies, no one member of any team [that i’ve seen] is ever required to be more active than they can be)
Love this, Robin! It’d be cool.to have the brainstorm help (I need to name a heroine right now and I’m drawing a blank :) ) I really am leaning towards doing this – so I’ll keep you posted.
I enjoyed this post and reading comments. It’s interesting to see what other authors are doing with and for their street teams.
Thanks! Me, too. Getting lots of great ideas. :)
Elizabeth, I love street teams. The best ones I’ve been a part of have made sure to limit the members to a number they can for sure provide books for. It cuts down on the disappointment of not receiving a book when you’ve signed up to do so. Other than that, I love gift cards (esp. to Amazon), book swag, and other fun giveaways. I like that most of the teams I’m on are only majorly active during release month for any given book. Usually a couple of weeks prior to the release date as well as a couple of weeks afterward.
Hope that’s helpful! Best wishes for your decision.
Andrea
That’s incredibly helpful, thanks!
I’m on a few teams and it’s basically helping to promote the books by posting on social media, usually something the author has written up. One I’m on doesn’t require reviews, but does appreciate them, and though I feel I’m awful at those I will leave a review for those I’m on a street team with. I just love getting a copy of the book and for the little I need to do that more than compensates for the time. Other giveaways for the street team aren’t necessary. Seems a lot of authors on FB or blogs do giveaways to promote their books anyway, which seem pretty well attended.
Following this post with great interest. I don’t yet have a street team, but I’m definitely considering one. Great info in the comments!
This is great. And I can pretty much guarantee that your reviews are just fine :) No one needs a lot of eloquence or spoilers in there.
I’m really learning a lot today — we’ve got some great readers!
I’ve been on a handful of street teams, & like most of the other posters, received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of a book, along with the projected release date so I knew when to post. I usually read & did my review on multiple platforms to coincide with the book’s release. One author thanked me for my review with a $5 Amazon gift card. I have to admit, that was pretty awesome! But I know the authors have limited budgets, & don’t expect that. The only time I was truly disappointed was when I was on a street team that required you purchase the book from Amazon after it released, so that you would be a verified purchase. I understood the reasoning, and the book was affordable, but it was just the principle of the thing.
Thanks, Teri. Technically authors aren’t allowed to give monetary thank you gifts, that breaks Amazon’s rules as it makes them think we paid for the review. But it doesn’t sound like anyone got in trouble so that’s good :)
Hi Elizabeth, this is the first I read about street teams by name, though I had a good idea what they meant. I don’t think I have enough social media presence to even volunteer to be in one. I don’t even know who I’d share it with other than my sister.
I also don’t have a lot of time… I often read this blog on the go and try to write comments on my phone/tablet, which is not the best way because I often read at one time of day and post later on, or my replies get accidentally deleted either because I press a wrong button (which happened yesterday when I tried to post here) or because it took me too long to write and the webpage had to be refreshed. I probably wouldn’t be able to read by certain dates to give feedback or write reviews, which is something else I struggle with. I’ve tried many times to start (authors in this blog have encouraged me and I want to “give back”), but I always get sidetracked and forget to do it, then I just forget what I was going to write and think I’ll do it for the next book, but it just doesn’t happened.. also I’ve tried doing it from my phone and I think it is probably the worse way of doing it (but computer time is limited). Sometimes I wish there was an option to just give a star without commenting (though I know it’s probably not ideal).
Thanks! I know on Goodreads you can give stars with no review, so that’s a place to start :)
I am a part of many street teams. I like the ones that I joined that were not a requirement to win a giveaway and those are the ones I am most active in. I still like an author’s email the best to find out about new releases or an upcoming event or about a new book idea. In the street teams I like that I can carry on a conversation with the author so it is more personal.
I am part of a few street teams. a couple have been on off release where it was restricted to 100 people who would put up a review in several places. We received a free ARC through Netgalley and there were other things we were asked to do to help spread the word. There were some drawings to win a book and in this case a starbucks voucher.
Another I am on there are 25 members and we commit to reading and reviewing one book every quarter which the author provides. Also sharing posts on FB and Twitter. We are encouraged to go to blogs she is on and comment to both support the author and the blog owner. There are not prizes but there is interaction with the author there.
On one street team I was on there was a high number of members on only about half posted reviews within two weeks of the release date even after receiving the book over a month previously. a month later still just over half had posted and I did feel sorry for this author. I agree with some of the others saying that restricting the number to people who agree to post when they say is a better option. I know there are things that happen that can cause reviews etc to be late but not by the number this group had.
The other option is thunderclap where an author can set up a campaign and get friends and readers etc to sign up with twitter, facebook, tumber (not that I know what that is) and on a particular date and time it will be go out to all these social media accounts on mass. you don’t have the interaction with the readers but it is an easy way to spread the news.
I’m on quite a few street teams. Some are quite active all the time, with authors sharing parts of their WIP, asking for brainstorming ideas (character names, place names), getting feedback (what would think if…) etc. Others are only active around the time of a book launch. Some might have a giveaway just for the launch team, but most members are more than happy to simply receive a free copy of the book. They’re as individual as their authors, and I think that’s great. :-)
I’m not a part of any street teams. I don’t think that I would enjoy a book nearly as much knowing that it has to be read and reviewed by a certain date. I’m also not on social media.