7 Reasons Authors Should Be Using Goodreads

If you are an author, you should be using Goodreads. I know, the thought of adding another marketing to-do item to your already taxed schedule is frustrating. After all, you didn’t become a writer so that you could spend all day marketing. You became a writer so you could write.

Goodreads is different than the other social media platforms. It is designed to cater to authors and readers. If you’re tired of tweeting, bored with posting pictures of your cat, or nailing down the perfect hashtag then give Goodreads a try. Here’s why:

Get statistics

Goodreads provides authors with stats. You can view how many bookshelves you’ve been added to, your rating, and more. Keep track of your own reading goals as well. Start to see patterns in your reading habits and discover what books in your genre are receiving the most attention.

Interact with readers

Readers are able to ask you, their favorite author, anything. You of course get to choose which questions to answer and make public. Unlike twitter where people follow to be followed, fans follow an author’s profile page to receive updates on new books, events, and other news.

You can interact with your readers further by showing them what you are reading. Build bookshelves and fill them with the books you love. Do you write historical fiction? Create a bookshelf for the time period you are studying and then fill it with books you research to write your own. Are you a mystery writer? Fill it with the mystery books you love to read. There are so may ways to draw in people who will be interested in your next book. Be sure to leave reviews for the books you love as well.

Promote your book

Goodreads provides the opportunity to all authors to promote their books. While the platform is not about selling books, it is about engaging with readers. You can run giveaways, connect your blog, answer questions, and network with over 65 million members who are all readers.  That’s the best part of Goodreads, ever person who uses it loves to read. [Tweet “Reading and reviewing books are the best way to get noticed.”]

Promote your events

Have you wondered how to get the word out about events you’ll be attending? Once you’ve set up your author profile you can announce speaking engagements, workshops, books signings, and more. Let your fans know where you will be to build more engagement.

Increase Reviews

Goodreads encourages readers to purchase books, and it doesn’t require a verified purchase to do so. The number of reviews a book has sends a message to future readers. The more reviews the more popular it appears. When a book appears popular more people will invest in reading it. It’s a cycle that can’t be avoided. Don’t miss out on being one of the 30,000 reviews posted daily on the platform. Start interacting and making connections!

The great thing about Goodreads is that any time a person logs a book as read it asks for a review. By engaging with readers on the platform it encourages them to leave reviews. You can even add an author widget to your own site or blog. This widget allows your fans to add the book to their Goodreads shelf with one click.

Networking opportunity

Get to know other authors. Take the time to review their books. Reading and reviewing books are the best way to get noticed.

Join one of the 10,000 book clubs and start engaging with people who love the same things you do. You’ll make connections that could lead to opportunities down the road.

It’s free and it’s fun

The biggest reason you should be on Goodreads is because it’s free and it’s fun. You love to write; they love to read. Start chatting about books and see where it leads. What do you have to lose?

Rick Lite of Stress Free Book Marketing, stands at the forefront of the ever-changing book industry. He is a seasoned book marketing professional with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Rick’s expertise comes from tirelessly working on new and innovative ways to market his own books and CDs with his company and parent company, Stress Free Kids. Embracing the core values of integrity, innovation, and growth, Rick works closely with authors to create custom, robust book marketing programs. His easy-going manner provides “stress-free” support and comfort to authors going through the book marketing process for the first time. Rick is quick to share his knowledge and “insider tips” for a successful marketing campaign that will lead to increased exposure, awareness and most importantly, sales.