If you have been invited to join a street team or an ARC team and were not sure which was which, you are in good company. The two overlap, authors use the words loosely, and both are ways readers help a book succeed. The street team vs ARC team question really comes down to timing and the job itself.
What is an ARC team?
An ARC team reads a book before it comes out. You get a free advance copy a few weeks ahead of release and share an honest review around launch day, so a brand-new book has reviews waiting the moment it goes on sale. The work is to read the book early and review it honestly. New to the term? What an ARC reader is covers it.
What is a street team?
A street team spreads the word, mostly around and after release. Members share cover reveals, post on release day, talk the book up on social media, enter and share giveaways, and keep it visible while it is finding its feet. The work is promotion, and reading the book early is not usually part of it.
Street team vs ARC team: the real difference
It comes down to timing and job. An ARC team works before release, and the job is an honest review. A street team works around release, and the job is visibility. The overlap is real: plenty of readers do both for an author they love, and some authors run a single team that does a bit of each.
Which one is for you?
An ARC team suits readers who like reading early and reviewing honestly. A street team fits readers who would rather hype a book they adore to everyone they know. Want both? Say so when you sign up; most authors are delighted to have you. For a related comparison, ARC reader vs beta reader clears up the other pair people mix up.
How to join an ARC team
At The Reading Room we run ARC teams for indie romance and fantasy. Come see which ones are open and join an ARC team in the genre you already read.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a street team and an ARC team?
An ARC team reads and reviews a book before release. A street team promotes a book around and after release. One is about honest early reviews, the other about visibility.
Can I be on both a street team and an ARC team?
Yes. Many readers do both for authors they love, and some authors run them as one group.
Do street teams read the book early?
Sometimes, but not always. Reading early is the ARC team’s job. Street team members often read on release day like everyone else.
Which should a new reader join first?
If you like reading and reviewing, start with an ARC team. It is the easiest way in and the most useful to a brand-new release.