How to Make the Most of Goodreads

While everyone talks about authors needing to create online presence, nobody specifies which social network an author should focus on first. While it doesn’t look as lively as Facebook, the social community tailored for bookworms, Goodreads, is my pick. Readers gather there to read book reviews, discuss books in forums, and discover new authors.

The main steps each author needs to make on this platform are:

1. Establish a Goodreads author profile

2. Claim and connect your books to your author account

3. Use listopia to showcase your book on the same lists as similar books

4. Use groups to find writer friends

5. Write a blog and publish some flash fiction to showcase your writing style

6. Review other authors’ books.

All the points above provide the answer to the question: Why is Goodreads a good platform to start creating your author presence?

1. Establish a Goodreads author profile

As soon as you release your first book, contact Goodreads to claim your “Google Author” badge. Everyone can now see that you are an author and visit your profile to find what you write about. This profile page is where you put your author bio and profile pic, host a blog, and showcase your released books.

1. Claim and connect your books to your author account

Only an author with published books can have an author profile on GR and claim their books. This is the first place your reader would see your book so be sure you have a professional cover and a polished book blurb. This is your chance to deepen your connection with (potential) readers there.

1. Use listopia to showcase your book in the same lists as similar books

All the listing pages are indexed by Google robots as trustworthy and valuable resources, so they have higher page ranking in Google search results. Having your books in the same lists as similar (and hopefully popular) titles gives you the perfect places to showcase them. When readers finish a book which meets their needs they may search for their next read by entering the phrase “books similar to {the comp title}”. Wouldn’t it be great it will be when your book shows up on the first page in their search?

*NOTE* You can’t list your own books in the listings, so you would need to ask your friend, fan or family member to list it for you.

1. Use groups to find writer friends

Goodreads platform can provide connection with writer friends. Writing can sometimes feel lonesome, and you might want to find similar thinking people in one of the groups. Or, even better, you can find a critique partner or beta reader who might help identify unclear parts of your manuscript. Just don’t try to sell your books there. The first thing you need to do is establish yourself as an author, then the sales will come.

1. Write a blog and publish some flash fiction to showcase your writing style

Let’s be honest, everybody wants to try something before buying it. Give your potential readers a taste of your style and your stories. Please them with your writing style and they will wait for your new release. If you can craft a compelling story as flash fiction, you will eventually have people wishing to read more from you.

1. Review other authors’ books.

Giving reviews for other authors is always good. It’s even better if this author writes in a similar style to yours. If you have a “Goodreads Author” badge near your name on the book reviews everyone can see you as an author and (if they find your review valuable) they may visit your profile to find what you write about.

Knowing why you need to do certain things may make it easier for you to start with Goodreads and enjoy your self-publishing journey.