Why We Used Dub.co to Track Links for Our Book Launch

When my brothers and I set out to self-publish The Battle for Christmas: Reign of the Nutcrackers, we knew that writing the book was only half the journey. The other half? Marketing it effectively. That’s where Dub.co came in.

As an indie author, every interaction counts—every click, share, and conversation about the book could mean a new reader discovering our story. Tracking those interactions, prioritizing where to invest our time, and measuring what works were really important to our strategy. Dub.co provided exactly what we needed to stay organized and maximize our impact.

Why Dub Was a Natural Choice

I first discovered Dub.co in my work with OpenSauced, where tracking contributor activity and understanding community engagement was a key part of our mission. Using Dub allowed us to see which links were resonating, identify growth opportunities, and focus on what mattered most.

When it came to launching our novel, I knew Dub could offer the same clarity. Self-publishing is a whirlwind, and having real-time insights into what’s driving engagement isn’t just a nice to have; it’s essential.

What We Needed

With limited time and resources, we had specific goals:
- Track Engagement: We needed to know which links were generating clicks, so we could understand what kind of content resonated most with readers.
- Prioritize Efforts: From emails to social media posts, there were countless ways to promote the book. Dub helped us figure out which ones were worth doubling down on.
- Measure Success: Launching a book involves trying different strategies, and we wanted data to back up which tactics were working (or not).
- Streamline Data: We didn’t have time to sift through multiple tools or platforms. Dub’s simple interface made tracking easy and actionable.

How Dub Helped

1. Link Tracking: Every promotional effort—from social media posts to email newsletters—had its own Dub link. This let us see exactly which channels were driving traffic to our Amazon and Kindle pages.
2. Performance Insights: Dub’s data showed us which types of content performed best. For example, posts that included videos we generated from the book or included images tended to get more clicks than generic announcements.
3. Prioritized Engagement: Based on the data, we shifted focus to high-performing platforms and tactics. For example, when we saw that posting to specific platforms, and weren't performing in others, we made a conscious decision to drive our efforts to the high-performing spaces. Instead of spreading ourselves thin, Dub helped us zero in on the platforms and strategies that made the biggest impact.

Final Thoughts

Publishing The Battle for Christmas: Reign of the Nutcrackers has been one of the most rewarding (and challenging) experiences of my life. (As someone who went to graduate school for English, I've heard authors describe it like having a baby, and as a woman who has had four babies, I can confirm that there's some real overlap 😂) Dub.co helped us not only stay organized but also focus our energy on connecting with readers and sharing the magic of Christmas.