Users who flag messages

Here's a little peeve I have. I felt like a post was in order to address it:

One of my marketing strategies is to reach out to reviewers in person to request a review. I usually will send a friendly message to them and I often offer them a free book. I know of countless authors who do the same.

The exchange of a free book is a trade off for some possible publicity. Granted, there is no guarantee the reviewer will actually like the book: it happens on occasion.

So imagine my surprise recently when I get a notice from Goodreads saying: some users have flagged your messages. They then go on to tell me (basically)- you can't do that. It's against our policies and it isn't a good marketing strategy, etc. We recommend doing other things.

Well, I'm always one to speak my mind. If I have a problem with something, you hear it direct, uncensored, with no BS.

Here is my response: that "bad marketing strategy" worked for 50 Shades of Gray. It was promoted via Goodreads with almost no budget, and largely due to popular reviewers posting about it. Most "real" book reviewers: professionals who make a living doing so, thought it was trash. Therefore, if that trash can be successful through Goodreads campaigning and reviewing, there is no reason that my novels can't.

I think Goodreads is just adamant about enforcing their policies, and I get that. I have a tendency to ignore policies and pave my own way. That is the path to success - hard work and never giving up.

However, I don't need some stuffy Admin telling me how to market my books. I've been at this for quite a long time. I know what works, and frankly, bad publicity is honestly the best kind. That's why I don't mind posting an opinionated rant about things like this. Furthermore, more than half of my reviews have come from doing EXACTLY what I was told not to. Consequently, whoever decided to post that lousy advice to me can cram it.

All of that aside, I will state that I found it really odd that some of these "popular reviewers", meaning the top rated Goodreads Reviewers, went through the effort of flagging my friendly, brief messages. Was that really necessary? Were you bothered that much by a simple request, and even the goodwill offer of a free (and professionally done) book?

To those self righteous people: get off your high horses. Just because you can write a book review doesn't mean you have any real talent other than offering your opinion, which anyone can do.
It is much harder to write a novel than to critique one. It's even more difficult to market it when you have no budget.

Of course, I may be in the wrong by ignoring an absurd policy. You definitely have the right to flag messages (though I confess I didn't know we could do that on here until I got the email). Yet, instead of acting like a self-centered troll and flagging messages that have done little to nothing to offend you, and were literally asking for your support, next time a reply with a simple "no thank you" would be sufficient.

And, to anyone who is now offended by my blunt and callous response to this issue, to that I say: too bad, so sad for you. No trolls shall get in the way of my success. I sold my soul long ago to be a writer. I've sacrificed more than most people will ever realize. I'm not about to let a little bitty flagging stop me now.