thumbnailrosarykeyboard

Let’s continue with the many ways an author can use Goodreads to promote their work and reach fans that they normally wouldn’t touch. I write Catholic fiction, so most of my readers are Catholic and my books are reaching their target audience through word-of-mouth, Catholic organizations, Catholic schools, and religious markets. How do I reach others who don’t frequent the paths and byways that I travel? Goodreads has allowed me to market to many varied and otherwise unreachable readers and potential fans. I have received reviews both good and bad from readers who identified themselves as atheists, pagans, Buddhists, and Muslims. I have a following of “Born-Again” Christians who have invited me to their churches to speak. I have been welcomed into numerous Protestant organizations to share my work. I like to say that Lutherans are my biggest fans. How did this happen? Most of it happened through Goodreads.

In order to reach others with your thoughts, writings, and faith you have to travel.  Travel means surfing the social network. Jesus didn’t just preach in the synagogues – He stood on the mount, spoke in the valley, rode on a donkey and reached out to the farmers, shepherds, and tax-collectors of his day. He reached the world without the benefit of the Internet. How blessed are you? You can reach out while sitting in your pajamas sipping coffee in your own home. Instead of being afraid of using social media, you should be praising God that you were born into such a magical time. The top bar of Goodreads is your road to others.

I run Goodreads contests and give away my work at least once a month. In order to start a give-a-way, Go to the top bar of your Goodreads page, click on explore, and click on give-a-ways. You will be channeled to the giveaway page and be delighted to see the many and varied books being offered free by various authors in all genre. Entering the contests to win a copy of a book is just a click away. You can also narrow your interest by entering the kind of book you would like the win. Do you want a mystery or a fantasy? Do you want a romance or a horror? Go ahead and enter. If you win a free book give back – write a review!

It’s great to win a book, but it is even better to offer your book! Once you are on the give-away page, look to the right and click on list a giveaway. Have your book ready so you can answer the basic questions required like your ISBN number. What fun! You pick the timing and the number of books in your contest. Goodreads recommends running your contest for a month but I find that a week is just as good. Once you get toward the end of your contest timing Goodreads alerts readers that the contests is about to close and you will see an influx of interested parties. Be ready with a short description of your work and be honest. Don’t try to draw an audience with deceptive marketing unless you are ready for the pile of bad reviews you will receive. Don’t list your book as a mystery and slam the winner with a book on theology. I personally would be angry if I entered a contest for a Christian book only to find out it was a book on vampires. You have an opportunity to put an accurate blurb – do it. You can also place tags on your book. Again be honest but creative. Use tags that are true but along with the obvious look for unique tags to reach odd searches by readers. Does your Christian mystery have a detective from Detroit? Put the place, nationality, or unique characteristic as a tag. Does you children’s book involve a pig, dog, or angel? What great tags!

Now comes the best part of running a Goodreads contest. What countries do you think would like your book? You get the offer to run your contest in the United States, Canada, Australia, or the United Kingdom. Do you want to reach England with your historical study? Are you hoping to expand your readership to down under? Go ahead plan a contest. However don’t stop there. If you scroll down, you can pick particular countries from all over the world. Does your mystery take place in Ireland? Gee, maybe you should run a contest in that country. The options are unlimited. I have run contests in Australian, the UK and Canada and picked up fans along the way.

Goodreads also offers numerous other options like a list of quotes by famous people who I find both inspiring and helpful. You can list your favorite authors and make a list of your Goodreads friends. You can run quizzes and discussions on your latest works. It is a golden opportunity to expand your readership and find others who share your passion for books. Next time let’s discuss the Book Launching Party!

Karen Kelly Boyce lives on a farm in N.J. with her retired husband. She is a mother and grandmother. She is the author of “The Sisters of the Last Straw” series published by Tan Books. You can see her work and learn more about her on her website: www,kkboyce.com

2 Replies to “Marketing – Goodreads II”

  1. Thank you, Karen.

    I’ve seen your promotions and now I know how you do it

    Wishing you well!

    God bless,

    Don

Comments are closed.