Now on to business. Specifically, the business of reading ... on Goodreads!
Michael J. Sullivan had this to say about goodreads in a comment on Reddit: “The most important thing to remember about goodreads is that members of this site REALLY hate self-promotion. Primarily because too many authors come to the site and do drive-by posts and leave. This makes their radar on such matters very sensitive. The key to goodreads is to become a member of the community first…and mention your writing only in context and when appropriate.”
Sounds savvy to me. After all, goodreads is a site for readers. If the authors show up and get all spammy, the readers will leave and authors will be faced with talking to each other. This is what a lot of blog tours have turned in to and should be avoided.
Not to be outdone, Michael's wife, Robin Sullivan, put together an entire series about writer's maximizing goodreads. You can find the full list of her posts on this great Galley Cat article.
One of the most under utilized and probably most complicated aspects of goodreads is their author program. Never fear, the good people of Savvy Book Writers put all the essential steps into one handy post. Like I said, good people.
In case you're not convinced, check out this great goodreads infographic from the same good people at Savvy Book Writers. It's a by the numbers frying pan to the head that should convince even the most techno-phobic writer that good reads is the place to be.
Still to come in the "Writer's Guide To" series: tips on maximizing your blog and tackling the email list. After that, I'm open to suggestions. Let me know if there are social media sites out there you want to learn more about or parts of the platform that leave you a bit hazy.
Thanks, Sarah! I've bookmarked this page so I can reference all the great links you included in the future. :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it. :)
DeleteI get tons of invites for groups on Goodreads but I tend not to accept because I'm an author and I don't want people to think I'm joining to promote myself.
ReplyDeleteI only belong to one group on there, though I'm not active (hangs head). It's hard to find just the right balance between active participant and used car salesman. ;)
DeleteThanks for the info and the links. I'm going to bookmark this page too.
ReplyDeleteI must say that I found the Goodreads giveaway was a GREAT way to promote my book without directly promoting it. People like free!
I have heard a lot of good things about their giveaway options. You're right, people like free. :)
DeleteI'm on Goodreads in my secret identity (Soffocles), and I had a lot of fun giving out stars to some of my favorite books. I haven't had time to even scratch the surface of the total number of books I've read, and if I could freeze time with a cool mutant power, I would do it just to write more reviews on Goodreads. I love this series on social networks and writers, btw. You deserve a steak dinner for your hard work. Unless you're vegan.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the info. I love goodreads but I'm not that active in the group area. Your links are really helpful. I've bookmarked them for future use :)
ReplyDeleteI don't really know how to be active on goodreads. I leave reviews there and do a book club, but other than that it seems kind of like a solitary place to me.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on becoming an agent, Sarah! I'm glad that you get to answer questions on the Writer's Discussion Group, too.
ReplyDeleteAs for Goodreads, I use it now as a personal space to review books and follow recommendations from friends. I'll have to take a look at all your links and see how to use the site as a writer. Thanks!