6 things you need to know before hopping on an author’s street team

You’re scratching your head. Your favorite author just asked you to be on her Street Team to help launch her new book debuting in a few weeks. It sounds exciting and daunting. Should you accept?
 
To help potential members decide when I invite them to join my Street Teams, they understand in advance exactly how they can support me and what’s in it for them. 

I give them a book summary, my first chapter, and an overview of how my Street Team will roll. On top of this nitty-gritty, I also want them to know it's okay to decline – they’re still a valued part of my community of readers.
 
Read on to find 6 questions I answer for my potential crew that's modeled on my recent middle grade release, Just Between Sam and Me, co-written with Rosie Russell. They'll l help you decide about hopping on a Street Team, too.

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​1.      What’s a street team anyway?

A street team is a group of 20-30 bibliophiles 
​who come together (in a private facebook group) for 4-5 weeks to ....

book summary sample

​
... enjoy the company of other bibliophiles 

... support and advise
Cat and Rosie 
with the release of their new book for tweens
in the weeks ​before it debuts 
and especially during launch week

Enjoy their sneak peek of
the first chapter!

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​2.      Why should I join a street team. What's in it for me?

• Be first to read an advance copy of an author's new book
• Get the inside scoop about the book, its characters. For Sam, it was human, feline and equine, and how we weave them together for young readers with themes of bullying, courage and friendship
• Discover more about the writing and publishing process
• Enjoy meaningful, fun distractions with other book lovers during Covid

​3.      How can I help the street team build book buzz?

• Talk about the book to everybody –  kids, family, friends, teachers, librarians, neighbors, store clerks, postal carriers, garbage collectors, Great-Aunt Tilly <wink>, etc.

Street Teams combine work AND fun for book lovers!

* Share your ideas about building book buzz with the authors

• *  Share, comment on bookish posts and reviews provided by the authors on your social media sites
• *  Post fun stuff about the book on social media – like a selfie of you holding the book 
  or
  – a pic of YOUR cat reading about our titular Sam -:D

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4.     What about writing a book review? Is it required?

• No, it’s not required, but I'll do the happy dance when you post an honest review during  launch week and especially on those first days!
• Reviews are like gold to authors. Potential readers who don’t know the author want social proof. They look for multiple good reviews before they buy, and you’re providing them with sound reasons for making that purchase decision.

• Plus, books with many positive reviews during launch get the attention of book distributors, who then power-market these books on their websites and get them in front of more potential buyers. (I faint when that happens -:D)
• Reviews needn’t be long; a few thoughtful sentences will do. I’ll even send you an outline and tip sheet about crafting an unbiased review, so it won’t be a burden. 
• Ooops – but you need to read the book – or at least skim its 164 pages. You'll get a link to download your FREE advance reader copy (ARC) of Just Between Sam and Me on –DATE x (about 4 weeks before launch). Review site links included, too!

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5.      How will we stay in touch? 

• You'll receive an invitation to join a private​ Facebook group that opens on DATE x.
• That’s where we’ll get to know each other better and share cool stuff about writing and our new book exclusively for the Street Team. 
• Co-author Rosie Russell also cooked up weekly surprises and a prize patrol for our Just Between Sam and Me Street Team.
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6.    How much of my time will this take?

• 15-20 minutes weekly to check in on the group page and as needed for you to finish reading a children’s book (164 pages, bigger font and line spacing, so it’s a fast read -:D)
• 30-40 minutes weekly around launch week for sharing, commenting on social media and posting your review

• We’ll disband a few days after launch week on DATE x. However, I hope our friendships remain long afterward!
• And please remember: Whether you wish to join the Street Team or not …
  I am beyond grateful for your company on this writing journey!
  ​

sample #gratitude post - "Just Between Sam and Me" Street Team Facebook group - Rosie Russell

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​YOUR TURN

Readers,
if you’ve never been on a Street Team, would you join one now? (Hey, please let me know if you’re up for a Street Team for my women’s fiction coming out in 2022 -:D?)
If you’ve been on a Street Team, how was that experience for you?

Writers, 
​What else might potential Street Team readers want to know?
How have you created a successful launch for your book and a meaningful experience for your Street Team?
​
Please share in the comment section.

ICYMI ... 
Check out my video interview
on the Tutfish Show with Jennifer Milius
for more good stuff
about street teams (18.10). 

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