If you’re using your book to build your coaching or consulting business, reviews aren’t just a nice-to-have. They’re one of the fastest ways to:
- improve conversion on your Amazon page
- increase trust with cold readers
- boost early momentum in your category
- make your book feel like a real, credible asset (because it is)
But building an ARC team (Advance Review Copy team) can feel awkward.
You don’t want to beg. You don’t want to spam. And you definitely don’t want to chase people who ghost you.
Good news: you can grow from 20 to 100 reviewers with a system that feels human, respectful, and repeatable.
First: what an ARC team is (and what it isn’t)
An ARC team is a group of readers who get early access to your book in exchange for an honest review around launch.
It is not:
- a paid review scheme
- a 5-star only club
- a random list of people you blast with a PDF
It is:
- a small community of supporters
- a launch asset you can reuse for future books
- a trust-building flywheel for your author brand
The ARC mindset shift: you’re not asking for a favor
The fastest way to feel confident asking is to remember this:
Your ARC readers are getting value, too.
For business-building nonfiction, that value can be:
- early access to a framework they can use
- templates, scripts, or tools before anyone else
- a behind-the-scenes look at how you think
- the chance to influence the final version
Position it as an invitation, not a request.
Step 1: Define who belongs on your ARC team
Your goal is not 100 people. Your goal is 100 right-fit readers.
Great ARC candidates:
- past clients (they already trust you)
- warm leads who’ve been consuming your content
- podcast listeners who reply to episodes
- newsletter subscribers who click consistently
- peers in adjacent niches (who serve the same audience)
Not ideal:
- people who never read books
- people who only want freebies
- people who are chronically busy and never finish anything
Step 2: Create a simple ARC onboarding page (one link)
Make it easy to say yes.
Your ARC page can be a basic webpage or a Google Doc with:
- what they’ll receive (PDF/ePub, bonuses)
- what you’re asking for (honest review by a date)
- the timeline (super clear)
- how to submit feedback (optional)
- how to leave a review (link + steps)
Keep it short. Clarity beats persuasion.
Step 3: Use a 3-part recruitment engine
Channel A: Back-of-book CTA (your best long-term source)
Every book you publish should recruit reviewers for the next one.
Add a page near the end:
- Want to be on my early reader team?
- one sentence about what they’ll get
- one short link to join
Channel B: Your email list (segment, don’t blast)
Don’t send one big “Who wants to review?” email.
Instead, invite your most engaged readers first:
- people who clicked in the last 3060 days
- people who replied to you
- people who downloaded a lead magnet
Then open it to the broader list if you still need spots.
Channel C: Personal outreach (small batch, high conversion)
This is where you get your most reliable ARC readers.
Pick 10-20 people per week and send a short, personal note.
Step 4: Set expectations like a pro (this prevents ghosting)
Ghosting happens when expectations are vague.
Your ARC invite should include:
- what format they’ll receive
- how long the book is (or reading time) – the exact review deadline
- what to do if they can’t finish (give them an out)
Example: If life gets busy, no stress, just reply pass, and I’ll remove you for this launch.
That one line saves you so much follow-up.
Step 5: Give them a reason to follow through (without bribing)
You can’t pay for reviews. But you can absolutely make the experience rewarding.
Ideas that work:
- a private early reader email with behind-the-scenes notes
- a bonus worksheet or template pack
- name recognition in acknowledgements (optional)
- a thank you Zoom Q&A after launch
The key: the bonus is for being on the team, not for leaving a positive review.
Step 6: Use a tight review timeline (and automate reminders)
A clean ARC timeline for a business-building nonfiction launch:
- T-30 days: recruit + onboard
- T-21 days: deliver ARC files
- T-14 days: reminder + quick-start guide
- T-7 days: Launch is next week, reminder
- Launch day: review link + simple instructions
- T+3 days: gentle follow-up to non-reviewers
Keep reminders short, friendly, and specific.
Step 7: Make leaving a review ridiculously easy
Most people don’t leave reviews because they don’t know what to say.
Give them a review starter (not a script):
- Who is this book for?
- What problem did it help you solve?
- What’s one insight you’ll use immediately?
- What’s your favorite chapter or concept?
Also include:
- the direct Amazon review link (when available)
- a 3-step “how to leave a review” section
Copy-paste ARC invite templates
1) Personal DM/email (warm)
Subject: Quick invite?
Hi [Name], I’m putting together a small team of early readers for my upcoming book, and you’re one of the first people I thought of.
Would you like an advance copy?
If you’re in, I’ll send you the PDF/ePub + a bonus toolkit, and I’ll ask for an honest Amazon review around launch (by [date]). If life gets busy, you can simply say ‘pass’ with no pressure.
Want in?
[Your name]
2) Email list (engaged segment)
Subject: Want to be an early reader?
I’m looking for 25 early readers for my next book.
You’ll get the book before launch + a bonus resource pack.
In return, I’ll ask for an honest Amazon review by [date].
If you’d like to join, here’s the one-page overview + signup link: [link]
Bottom line
A strong ARC team isn’t built by chasing people.
It’s built by:
- inviting the right readers
- setting clear expectations and making the experience rewarding
- making reviews easy to leave
Do that consistently, and your ARC list becomes a compounding asset that supports every launch and strengthens your authority.
Want help setting up your ARC system (signup page, email sequence, back-of-book CTA, and review workflow)? The Place for Books can help you build a launch process that feels aligned and actually gets reviews. Just email info@placeforbooks.com, and we’ll get you set up!