 


Goodreads is a smart (and free) way for authors to reach avid readers. With 20 million members, 570 million books, and 24 million reviews, it is now the world's largest site for readers and book recommendations. Here are a few tips for how to use it:

  1. Create an author profile and include your book title(s), bio, headshot, website, Twitter handle, blog, etc.
  2. Run a giveaway. Giveaways are free to list and drive awareness of your book. You can run as many giveaways as you like for however many copies you want to provide. Even if winners don't post a review, they will likely add your book to their "To-Read" shelf, which will provide exposure for your book.
  3. Add the Goodreads widget to your website to let people know they can post reviews of your work there. Just like with Twitter and Facebook, you want to let readers know where to find you. Goodreads provides a variety of widgets to help you promote your books.
  4. Join groups and talk about books (not just your own). Goodreads members like to talk about what they're reading, and you can tap into that discussion by joining groups that interest you. Avoid excessive self-promotion, but feel free to express your opinion!
  5. Create an event and invite your friends and followers. You can create all kinds of events, including book signings, online chats, cover reveals, and book launches.
  6. Use your blog and the "status update" feature to keep fans informed about your books. You can import your blog from Blogger, Wordpress, Tumblr, or other blogging platforms.

 

Bonus advice: As I've discussed before in my blog, I don't recommend commenting on reviews, especially negative ones. Bad reviews can actually improve the perception of your work, as it shows that real, unbiased people are reading it. Resist the temptation to dispute a poor review, but do flag it if it violates the Goodreads terms of service.

-Maria

Maria Murnane is the best-selling author of the romantic comedies Perfect on Paper, It's a Waverly Life, Honey on Your Mind, and Chocolate for Two. She also provides consulting services on book publishing and marketing. Learn more at www.mariamurnane.com.

 

This blog post originally appeared on CreateSpace.com. Reprinted with permission. © 2014 CreateSpace, a DBA of On-Demand Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Comment by Darlene Deluca on March 6, 2014 at 8:02pm

Thanks, Maria!

Comment by Maria Murnane on February 3, 2014 at 9:15am

I'm glad so many people have enjoyed my post! @Darlene, the way to add a general status update is to go to the "Currently Reading" section on the right side of the page and click on the "general update" tab. :)

Comment by Darlene Deluca on February 2, 2014 at 12:22pm

Caroline,

One thing I haven't figured out on Goodreads is how to post a simple status update rather than an event or blog post. Help?! Thanks!

Comment by Karen Szklany Gault on January 29, 2014 at 11:53am

Great post about all of the possibilities available on Goodreads. I may host a free book offer soon. :0)

Comment by Lucinda Sage-Midgorden on January 29, 2014 at 9:27am

Maria, Thanks for this post. I've been a member of Goodreads for awhile now, but couldn't figure out how to create an author profile.

Comment by Darlene Deluca on January 29, 2014 at 8:44am

Hi, Maria!

I have done most all of those things, and am really enjoying connecting with readers and authors on Goodreads. I've also started a group called Friends in Fiction on Goodreads, and would love to have some more interaction. It's not about promoting your work, but about connecting and engaging with others about books, writing, women's issues, etc. Come join us! Here's the link: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/94473-friends-in-fiction

Comment by Michele J. Rolle on January 29, 2014 at 4:23am
Excellent advice. I plan to put your suggestion into action!.
Comment by Mohana Rajakumar on January 29, 2014 at 2:21am

Really important advice about keeping bad reviews. Well done.

Comment by Lisa Thomson on January 28, 2014 at 11:20pm

Great advice, Maria! I'll have to friend you on there :) It's a really fun sight for passionate readers, too.

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