Build Your Network and Promote your Book with Goodreads

Sign up for a Goodreads account today

The first step to Goodreads glory is signing up for an account. You can either use your email to sign up, or choose to login via Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or Amazon. Once you’ve signed up, and confirmed your email address, you’re ready to get your book(s) up on this reader-obsessed site. (And if you have extra time, go on and add some books to your virtual shelf. You can manually select them as read, or link your account to Amazon and import your purchased book history. It’s just one more way to start beefing up your profile.)

Add your book to the Goodreads database

Now that you have a Goodreads account, you’ll want to add your book(s) to the site, and claim your author status. There are two ways you can do this.

• Search for your book by name or ISBN. Goodreads has over 12 million books in its database, so your book may already be there. If not, add it manually.
• If you locate your book(s) in the Goodreads database already, click on your name as the author and head on over to your basic author profile page. You will see the title “Author profile” to the right of your name. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click “Is this you?”.
• Your request to join the Author Program is now with Goodreads, and will take a few business days to be processed. Once complete, you’ll receive an email confirmation. (The email will also include details on how you can manage your author profile.)

Leverage the author functionality

Now that Goodreads has upgraded you to the Author Program, you’ll want to start taking advantage of everything this free account offers. Begin by personalizing your page with a profile picture and bio. Next, share your list of favorite books and current reads with your friends and fans.

As an author on Goodreads, you can also:

• Write a blog and garner followers (plus, take advantage of the RSS functionality)
• Spread the word about upcoming events—and search for ones you’d like to attend
• Share excerpts from your book, which can convert potential readers who want to read a sample before purchasing from a new author
• Write a quiz about your book, or a main character perhaps
• Post videos promoting your book, featuring live readings, or any other material that will help authors get to know you and all of your book’s amazingness
• Feature the Goodreads Author widget on your site or blog to showcase your book reviews
• Do a book giveaway to create buzz about your book
• Participate in book-related discussions, groups, and the discussion forums for your particular books
• And don’t forget to sync your Twitter and Facebook profiles so your posts on Goodreads get posted on your social profiles

The ins and outs of Goodreads etiquette

• Don’t take reviews personally
• Think twice before being critical of other books
• Help other authors as often as you can to create and maintain relationships
• Create a profile and community you want to be part of

And if you want to learn even more about Goodreads, you’ll want to pick up a copy of Michelle Campbell-Scott’s Goodreads for Authors book, which is packed with ways to maximize your profile and help you market your book on the beloved Goodreads site.