ARC Teams

How to Build a Loyal ARC Team
​from Scratch

If you're an author—especially in the indie or small press world—you've probably heard about ARC teams (Advanced Reader Copy teams). These dedicated early readers get a sneak peek at your book before launch day and help build buzz through reviews, word of mouth, and online support.
But how do you actually build one? Whether you're on book one or book ten, here’s how to create an ARC team that’s engaged, enthusiastic, and effective.

What Is an ARC Team?

An ARC team (sometimes called a “street team”) is a group of readers who receive an early copy of your book—usually a digital ARC—in exchange for honest reviews and optional promotion.
They’re not just fans; they’re your book’s biggest cheerleaders before and during launch week.

Step-by-Step: How to Build Yours

1. Start Small—and Start EarlyYou don’t need 50 people. You need 5–10 loyal readers who will actually follow through. Build trust with smaller groups before scaling.
📌 Tip: Reach out personally to your most engaged readers or newsletter subscribers.
2. Create a Simple Sign-Up FormUse Google Forms, StoryOrigin, or BookFunnel to collect names, emails, and preferred review platforms. Ask questions like:

• Have you reviewed books before?
  
• What genres do you read most?
  
• Where do you post reviews (Amazon, Goodreads, TikTok)?
  

3. Set Expectations ClearlyLet them know:

• When they'll receive the ARC
  
• When reviews should be posted
  
• That honesty is appreciated, not pressured
  
• Any platform preferences (Amazon, Goodreads, blogs)
  

Transparency builds trust—and prevents confusion down the road.
4. Deliver the ARC AccessiblyUse BookFunnel or StoryOrigin to provide your ARC in multiple formats (MOBI, ePub, PDF). Make downloading and reading easy.
📌 Pro Tip: Include a quick guide for how to leave reviews if your team is new to it.
5. Stay in Touch—but Don’t OverwhelmSend 1–2 gentle reminders as launch day approaches. Keep your tone friendly, grateful, and respectful of their time.
Example:
“Just a friendly reminder—if you’ve had a chance to read [Book Title], I’d love for you to share your thoughts in a quick review. No pressure—your support already means so much!”

Ways to Reward Your ARC Team

• Early access to future books
  
• Exclusive bonus content (a deleted scene, epilogue, etc.)
  
• Shoutouts on social media
  
• First dibs on giveaways or merch
  

It doesn’t have to be big—but it should be meaningful.

 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Sending ARCs too close to launch (give them 2–4 weeks minimum)
• Ghosting your team between books
• Expecting 100% follow-through (life happens—be gracious)
• Not tracking who delivers (use a spreadsheet or simple tracker)

A loyal ARC team isn’t built overnight—but with consistency, kindness, and a little structure, you can grow a group of readers who are genuinely excited to support you.
And the best part? Many of them will stick with you from book to book, growing alongside your career.