Why You Need to Become a Goodreads Author to Promote Your Book

Goodreads is a popular online platform for discovering, reviewing, and discussing books. It’s kind of like a social network for book enthusiasts. You can track your reading progress, rate books, write reviews, create reading lists, and connect with other readers.

So should you become a Goodreads author to promote your book?

Keep reading and I’ll explain more about becoming a Goodreads author so you can decide if it’s right for you or not.

Why Goodreads?

Goodreads launched in 2007 and was bought by Amazon in 2013. Millions of people visit Goodreads each day and with all those visitors, chances are that your book will get noticed.

Goodreads has many benefits for authors, including:

• Increased visibility
• Direct reader engagement
• Insightful data (Goodreads offers insights into reader behaviors, preferences, and demographics to help with your marketing strategy.)
• Builds credibility
• Promotional opportunities
• Networking
• Reader feedback
• Book discovery

From those benefits, you can see why Goodreads is a great platform for authors to promote their books. I’d say these are all great reasons to become a Goodreads author, wouldn’t you?

Now that you understand why you need to become a Goodreads author, let’s look at how to set up your author profile.

Setting Up Your Goodreads Author Profile

Before you can create an author profile, you need to sign up for an account if you haven’t done so already. After signing up, here are the steps to take to create your author profile:

Step 1: On a desktop, search for your most popular book by title, ISBN, or ASIN.

Step 2: Once you’ve found your book, click on your author name and scroll to the bottom of your author profile page.

Step 3: At the bottom of the page, click “Is this you? Let us know!”. Then complete and submit the application and Goodreads will get in touch with you in about two days to let you know the status of your application.

If you can’t find your book, go to the “Help” section and click “Who Can Join” to request Goodreads to add your book.

Now it’s time to set up a compelling author profile.

Tips on Creating a Compelling Goodreads Author Profile

When I finish a good book I usually go to the author’s profile on Goodreads and follow them because I want to see what else they’ve written. However, if their profile is an empty avatar and the bio is nonexistent, I’ll skip them and look for a similar book or author.

Potential readers need to see who you are on a personal level. Use Goodreads to your advantage and show yourself off. Here are some tips on how to do that:

Profile Picture

Use a professional-looking, yet approachable, high-quality headshot as your profile picture to create a positive first impression. Choose a clear and recognizable image that stands out in thumbnail size, making it easy for readers to identify you.

Also, make sure your profile picture aligns with your author brand and expresses the tone of your writing style.

*Here’s a tip for an amazing headshot: Try to capture a photo during the final hours of sunlight, when the sun is at its lowest. The golden hour light is extremely flattering.

Your Bio

Your bio is the piece that sells you. It piques the reader’s curiosity and gives them important information.

Start with a charming introduction that captures the reader’s interest and gives them a glimpse into your writing journey. Next, include the genre you write in, your writing background, and any awards you’ve received. Include something personal, such as your favorite weird snack or the movie you hate the most, to help readers relate to and connect with you. Personally, I enjoy learning about my favorite authors’ hometowns and where they grew up. Then end your bio section with a call to action, encouraging readers to connect with you and follow your updates.

Here are some tips for optimizing your Goodreads author bio:

• Keep your bio short with a brief introduction to who you are as an author.
• Show off your writing achievements, awards, bestsellers, or significant publications to establish credibility and interest readers.
• Add a personal touch by sharing your hobbies and interests. This shows people you’re human and helps readers connect with you on a deeper level.
• Include what genre you write in to help target readers find you easily.
• Include positive quotes from reviews, influencer endorsements, or testimonials to build trust.
• Keep your bio up-to-date to keep readers informed.
• Incorporate SEO keywords related to your genre or writing style to improve search results.

Ask the Author

Enabling the “Ask the Author” feature allows potential readers to get in touch with you easily. If they have any questions about your book, they can reach out and you can respond personally. Engaging in conversations with readers increases a sense of transparency in both you and your brand.

Using Goodreads Features to Promote Your Book

Goodreads has great features to help you promote your book such as giveaways, Q&A sessions, and Listopia. These features are one of the reasons why you need to become a Goodreads author.

Goodreads Giveaways

Goodreads giveaways are promotional events where you can offer free copies of your book to members in exchange for potential reviews and increased visibility. Since millions of people visit the giveaway page every month, this gives you a better chance of being seen. A giveaway is a great way to get others excited about your book and find new readers.

Q&A Sessions and Discussions

Interacting with your readers is essential to maintaining relationships and necessary to boost your position on book lists. Readers always want to know their favorite authors on a personal level.

Goodreads has a Q&A section that allows readers to ask you their book-related questions directly. Remember, it’s up to you to convert readers to fans.

Listopia

The Listopia section of Goodreads allows users to create lists based on their favorite authors or genres. The books can be voted on and ranked accordingly. You can get your network of people (fans, friends, family, etc.) to add your book to relevant lists and vote on it. Even a small number of votes allows you to gain visibility. Then you can communicate with more readers, expand your network, and get more votes.

Building a Reader Community on Goodreads

Building a reader community on Goodreads is important because it provides a platform where you can engage with your target audience directly, gather feedback, and develop a loyal following. Forming a personal connection with readers helps build a sense of trust and loyalty. You can create this connection by participating in discussions, hosting book giveaways, sharing exclusive content, and responding to reader reviews.

When you engage with your readers, it generates buzz around your work and helps spread word-of-mouth recommendations. This leads to increased visibility and sales. Building a reader community is a powerful tool for you to promote your book(s) authentically and create a dedicated fan base.

Promoting Your Book Effectively on Goodreads

Create Captivating Book Descriptions and Updates

Creating a captivating book description is important because it attracts more readers. Here’s how to create a gripping description:

• Start by hooking readers with a strong opening line that grabs attention, such as a thought-provoking question or a fascinating fact related to your book’s content.
• Highlight the unique selling point of your book. What’s the genre? What’s it about? What makes it unique or important? What sets your book apart – the writing style, a surprising twist, a unique perspective?
• Summarize the plot by sharing a short summary of what the book is about. Consider highlighting the main characters and their goals.
• Create emotional appeal by describing how your book will make readers feel.
• Use descriptive language to create curiosity, drawing readers in with vivid imagery and intriguing details.
• Include quotes from reviews or endorsements to build credibility and show positive feedback.
• Tease readers with the storyline without giving away too much to make readers excited to read your book.
• Keep the description short but powerful, focusing on what sets your book apart and why readers should pick it up.
• End your description with a strong call-to-action that invites readers to add the book to their reading list, buy a copy, follow you as an author, or sign up for your newsletter.

Here’s an example book description:

In this captivating debut novel, journey into the bustling streets of Tokyo with Sarah, a young refugee trying to find herself amidst the neon-lit chaos. As she navigates through the complexities of a foreign culture, Sarah discovers that true love and self-discovery often intertwine in unexpected ways. A vivid exploration of identity and the search for meaning, “Neon Dreams” is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt lost in a world that is simultaneously enchanting and overwhelming.

Praise for “Neon Dreams”: 
“A beautifully crafted story that captures the heart of Tokyo’s urban soul.” – The Japan Times

Share Reviews From Readers

Ask readers to leave a review on Goodreads and share the strongest reviews on your profile. You can also put these reviews on your website and other social media platforms. It’s also a good idea to respond to all reviews, both positive and negative.

Remember: negative reviews are a learning experience. Constructive criticism will help you improve your work in the future.

Share Book Quotes and Excerpts

Another great way to promote your book on Goodreads is to share quotes and excerpts from your book as well as reviews from readers. Choose quotes from your book that will leave people wondering what they mean and want to know more. You can turn quotes and excerpts into eye-catching graphics to really capture attention.

Run Targeted Ads

Goodreads’s newsfeed is the largest digital conversation devoted to books and reading. When millions of Goodreads members log onto the site, the newsfeed is the first thing they see. So it would make sense to place native ads on the newsfeed to promote your book. You will have to pay to run native ads, of course, so it’s not the best way to promote your book for free.

Collaborate with Influencers and Book Bloggers

Collaborating with influencers and book bloggers can be incredibly valuable for you as a Goodreads author. They usually have dedicated followers who trust their recommendations. When they promote your book, it reaches a wider audience that may not have otherwise discovered it. And since their followers trust their recommendations, their reviews and endorsements give credibility to your book.

When you collaborate with influencers and book bloggers, you can engage with potential readers on a personal level. Influencers and bloggers can host Q&A sessions, interviews, or book discussions that create interest and encourage interaction.

Effective collaboration can lead to increased book sales because more people are becoming aware of your book and are motivated to buy it based on trusted recommendations.

Here’s how you can collaborate with influencers and book bloggers as a Goodreads author:

• Identify Relevant Influencers: Look for influencers and bloggers who specialize in your book’s genre or topic. They should have an engaged audience interested in books similar to yours.
• Build Relationships: Start by following them on social media, engaging with their content, and showing genuine interest in their work. Building a relationship before pitching your book increases the chances of a successful collaboration.
• Reach Out Professionally: Send a personalized email or direct message outlining your book and why you think it would resonate with their audience. Be clear about what you’re offering (e.g., a review copy, interview opportunity, guest post).
• Provide Value: Offer something of value in exchange for their promotion. This could be an exclusive excerpt, author interview, or giveaway for their followers.
• Respect Their Platform: Understand that influencers and bloggers receive many collaboration requests. Be respectful of their time and preferences. Avoid being pushy or demanding.
• Follow Up: If you don’t hear back initially, follow up politely after a reasonable period. Persistence (within reason) can sometimes lead to successful partnerships.
• Track and Thank: Keep track of when your book is mentioned or promoted by influencers. Show gratitude by thanking them publicly and sharing their posts with your audience.

Remember, successful collaboration is built on mutual respect and genuine interest. By approaching influencers and book bloggers genuinely and professionally, you can use their platforms to reach a wider audience and boost your presence as a Goodreads author.

Conclusion

Are you an author on Goodreads? Share your experiences (positive and negative)  as a Goodreads author in the comments.

Find More Writing Tips Here:

• Character Development: How to Create Realistic Characters for Your Fiction Novel
• Story Setting: How to Create a Captivating Setting for Your Fiction Novel
• Exploring Point of View in Fiction: Techniques to Enhance Your Writing