ARC Campaign Timeline for Authors: How to Plan, Launch, and Manage Early Reviews
- Sep 18
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 7
A step-by-step ARC campaign timeline gives authors a clear system for securing early reviews, building pre-launch buzz, and driving book sales. This guide covers every stage of ARC distribution, including preparing polished digital and print copies, recruiting reviewers through BookFunnel, StoryOrigin, and NetGalley, and sending targeted outreach to bloggers, Bookstagrammers, and BookTubers. It also details how to set deadlines, provide review links, and follow up with readers to boost review rates. With a structured ARC strategy, authors can maximize launch-day visibility, improve Amazon and Goodreads rankings, and establish long-term credibility with readers, influencers, and the publishing marketplace.
Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) are one of the most effective tools authors can use to generate early buzz, secure reviews, and drive sales during the launch week. Data shows that books with 50 or more Amazon reviews at launch often sell twice as many copies as those with fewer, while Goodreads reports that readers are 72% more likely to purchase a book after seeing multiple peer reviews. Timing and structure are critical—sending ARCs without a plan rarely delivers results. A professional, step-by-step campaign timeline ensures reviews are in place when algorithms, booksellers, and readers are paying the most attention. This guide provides a clear six-month roadmap, modeled after publisher strategies, to help authors maximize the impact of every ARC they distribute.
Step-by-Step ARC Campaign Timeline
6 Months Before Release
Secure your author website: Purchase a professional domain and create a simple landing page with your bio, book blurb, and an email sign-up form.
Set up social media accounts: Create or update profiles on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, and Facebook with consistent branding, an author photo, and book-related details.
Launch an email list: Choose a platform like MailerLite or ConvertKit and prepare a welcome email to start building your subscriber base.
Post your first announcement: Introduce yourself and your upcoming book across all platforms to establish early visibility.
3–4 Months Before Release
Finalize ARC files: Prepare digital formats (EPUB, MOBI/Kindle, PDF) and print copies if needed. Ensure professional formatting and include placeholder metadata (ISBN, cover design draft, and blurb).
Build your ARC list: Segment your email subscribers to identify highly engaged readers, recruit in genre-specific communities (Goodreads, Reddit, Discord), and research bloggers, Bookstagrammers, and BookTubers who regularly review books in your category.
Draft outreach materials: Create a personalized review request email, a review packet with clear instructions, deadlines, and FTC disclosure reminders, and a follow-up email sequence to encourage review completion.
2–3 Months Before Release
Launch ARC Outreach: Begin contacting bloggers, Bookstagrammers, BookTubers, and BookTok reviewers with personalized pitches that highlight why your book fits their audience. Reference their past content to show you’ve done your research.
Distribute Through Secure Platforms: Upload your ARC to delivery services like BookFunnel, StoryOrigin, or NetGalley to ensure readers can access files in the correct format with minimal technical hurdles, while protecting against unauthorized sharing.
Send Early Print Copies: Mail physical ARCs to high-value influencers, independent bookstores, and media outlets that prefer print. For Bookstagrammers and YouTubers especially, physical copies increase the chance of visual features and unboxing content that can generate strong pre-launch buzz.
6–8 Weeks Before Release
Distribute to Your Core Team: Send ARCs to your most engaged supporters, including email subscribers, beta readers, and your street team, to ensure that your earliest reviews come from readers who are already invested in your work.
Expand with Public Sign-Ups: Post a clear call for ARC requests on social media and in genre-specific communities (Goodreads, Reddit, Discord), inviting passionate readers to join your review team.
Track Distribution Carefully: Maintain a detailed list of who receives copies, the preferred format, and where they plan to review them. This tracking system ensures organized follow-ups and maximizes review conversion rates.
3–4 Weeks Before Release
Confirm Receipt and Readiness: Send a brief check-in to each reviewer to confirm they have received the ARC and can open the file format (EPUB/MOBI/PDF). Offer to resend via BookFunnel/StoryOrigin if needed and answer genre/content questions that could affect timing.
Publish Early Social Proof: Post 2–3 pieces of “buzz” per week—blurbs from beta readers, ARC unboxing photos, short clips from BookTok/BookTube, or screenshots of early Goodreads ratings, tagging reviewers (with permission) and using consistent launch hashtags.
Reiterate Deadlines and Links: Remind your ARC team of the preferred review window (launch week dates), include direct review links (Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub), and note any retailer timing quirks (e.g., Amazon reviews often open on release day).
Launch Week
Email Review Push (Day 0): Send a concise reminder to your ARC team with direct, clickable review links for Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub (plus B&N, Apple, and Kobo if applicable). Include your preferred review window (e.g., “Please post by Friday”), one-line “swipe” text they can copy/paste, and a quick FAQ (when Amazon opens reviews, how to disclose ARC).
Amplify on Social (Days 0–3): Encourage reviewers to share posts using your launch hashtag and to tag your handle for easy reposts. Provide a small media kit (cover PNG, 1–2 quote graphics, and a 10–15 second reel clip) so content can be created quickly. Re-share across Instagram Stories, TikTok, and YouTube Community to compound reach.
Spotlight Early Social Proof (Weeklong): Feature standout blurbs and screenshots on your site and channels; pin one post, add a Story Highlight, and include a carousel of 3–5 review quotes. Always credit the reviewer (with their permission) and pair each post with a purchase/review link to maintain momentum and conversions.
1–2 Weeks After Launch
Follow Up with Non-Reviewers: Send a polite reminder to ARC readers who haven’t posted yet, including direct links to Amazon, Goodreads, BookBub, and retailer review pages to make the process quick and simple.
Thank Your Reviewers: Express gratitude both privately (via email or DM) and publicly (through social shout-outs or tagged posts). Highlight their contribution to your launch momentum.
Maximize Reach from Positive Reviews: Encourage enthusiastic reviewers to cross-post on additional platforms—such as Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, or BookTok—and to share their feedback in genre-specific spaces like Goodreads groups, Reddit threads, or Discord servers.
1–2 Months After Launch
Send a Thank-You Gift: Show appreciation to your ARC team with a small token of appreciation, such as a digital bonus chapter, an early excerpt from your next project, or a light swag item like a bookmark or sticker. This keeps readers engaged and valued.
Build Long-Term Loyalty: Invite your most reliable reviewers to join an ongoing “review crew” or street team for future releases, providing them with exclusive access to upcoming projects and insider updates.
Evaluate Campaign Results: Analyze your ARC campaign data, including the number of ARCs distributed versus reviews posted, reviewer responsiveness, and the channels that generated the most traction. Use these insights to refine your strategy and strengthen results for your next launch.
A strong ARC campaign increases launch-week visibility and lays the groundwork for sustained momentum. By preparing six months ahead, distributing professional files in multiple formats, setting clear expectations, and following up with gratitude, authors can turn early readers into long-term advocates. The result is more reviews, stronger social proof, and greater sales potential, extending well beyond the release day. Treat ARCs as a cornerstone of your marketing strategy, and you will position your book for lasting visibility and credibility.