Dos and don'ts of promoting on Goodreads groups

[Patti (baconater)]

And be sure to visit and post in the chatty threads. Wade in anywhere!

[Jim]

Hi G
Set up your author page, and then just join in the chat and enjoy the banter.

[Victoria]

Nobody should ever hurt Teddy Ruxpin. I desperately wanted one as a child, but it was never to be. Though I was never alone in bed, plenty of bears to keep me company

Anyway, I started to read this post and lost the plot.. So introductions, I'm Victoria, a new author, published my first book in the last couple of days after a very long year of writing. I thought the hard part was over, its still to come and any advice is welcome.

[Helen]

Have I said hello?

(Memory like a ... what is it?)

If I haven't, hellooooo!

[Lynda]

Hi, Victoria and Helen. Welcome to the group.

[Victoria]

Hi Linda, thanks for the warm welcome from yourself and all others here.

Lynda wrote: "Hi, Victoria and Helen. Welcome to the group."

[A.L.]

Hello:)

[Julie]

Swimming in the Goodreads soup - found this thread and hope it's OK to tell you about my latest novel "Never Run Away" which is my first venture into kindle, kobo etc. I am also beginning a new book which people can follow on my wordpress blog. juliecround.

[Patti (baconater)]

Didn't actually read the thread, did you Julie?

[Rosemary (grooving with the Picts)]

LOL

[Allan]

My thoughts exactly Patti.

[David]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "Didn't actually read the thread, did you Julie?"

And doubtful she'll ever see your comment! ;-)

[Alan]

Hello everybody how are you all, new to the group and like 90% of people on this have a book out, don't worry not trying to flog it , actually joined the group to get some information about writing in general. Have no experience of it just wrote one to see how it goes.

[Jennifer]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I would go about promoting the free Kindle version of my debut novel?

[David]

Google listing sites for promoting a free novel, Jennifer. There's lots of sites out there, many of them free.

Join Indie book Bargains in the UK and list with them. Post it in the free kindle books thread in this group and others on Goodreads

[A.L.]

There are various facebook groups which let you promote as well.

[Alan]

I am going to self publish my book and can any body tell me do i need an isbn number and what is a block of them, thanks

[L.A.]

Alan wrote: "I am going to self publish my book and can any body tell me do i need an isbn number and what is a block of them, thanks"

I think its a good idea to use an ISBN especially if you're going physical rather than just ebook. Reason is that the industry uses ISBNs as a unique stock number and shops and distributors use them to search against etc. A block is several ISBNs. When you buy a block of 10 the numbers are allocated to you, even if you only need one for now, knowing the rest are already in the bank.

Hope that helps and good luck.

[A.L.]

You need an ISBN for print usually. At least to sell beyond Createspace.

You don't for Kindle, as you'll be given an ASIN when published. Smashwords will give you a free ISBN for their site and their associate stores, and Create Space will do the same. You can, of course, purchase your own.

[Alan]

L.A. wrote: "Alan wrote: "I am going to self publish my book and can any body tell me do i need an isbn number and what is a block of them, thanks"

I think its a good idea to use an ISBN especially if you're g..."

Thanks for the comment now I know what a block is thanks, will use the rest on my next venture at writing a book, information was really usefull

[Alan]

A.L. wrote: "You need an ISBN for print usually. At least to sell beyond Createspace.

You don't for Kindle, as you'll be given an ASIN when published. Smashwords will give you a free ISBN for their site and th..."

thanks for that will try and purchase my own as a book store in Ireland is interested in my book so fingers crossed. thanks again.

[Julie]

Sorry Patti, David and all. I didn't mean to act like a 'drive by'. I just wanted to find someone to talk to. My computer has told me to come off another site where we discussed our writing so I hoped to find something similar on goodreads. I'm still getting lost trying to find my way around.I'm trying to resist going on facebook but I do miss having somewhere to list my books and do reviews. I guess I'll find the right places if I keep looking.

[Kath]

Julie, we have a section called Meet the Authors. You're welcome to start you own thread there and tell us about your books. We have an Author Zone too, so any aspects of writing or promoting you want to chat about - that's the place to go.

Make yourself at home. It's a friendly place. :)

[Emmanuelle]

A.L. wrote: "I have actually seen advice saying spamming is good. Mention your book as often and to as many people as possible. Off hand I can't remember where I saw it, a blog post I think. It is bad advice in..."

The KDP phenomenon is intriguing. Without doubt, there are a great number of works for sale which probably should never have seen the light of day… but I also love the idea that authors are no longer bound by the whims of publishers. Anyone, in theory, can publish anything, reaching an 'unlimited' reading audience.

Mindboggling.

My background is in editing and travel writing (although I've been experimenting lately) …. feel free to 'stalk' my author's page to discover more.

I'm currently inspired by Tobsha Learner and Michel Faber, but have a long standing love affair with Fay Weldon and Sarah Waters.

[L.A.]

Being able to reach readers is really great, but no guarantee that they'll buy. I'm sure that spamming is not the answer though, unless an author wants to get a negative reputation - like the 'your distant relative has died and may have left you a fortune' spammers and mindless tele-marketeers.

[Emmanuelle]

L.A. wrote: "Being able to reach readers is really great, but no guarantee that they'll buy. I'm sure that spamming is not the answer though, unless an author wants to get a negative reputation - like the 'you..."

I do agree. Endlessly repetitive promotions are more likely to revile readers than attract.

[Julia]

Emmanuelle wrote: "L.A. wrote: "Being able to reach readers is really great, but no guarantee that they'll buy. I'm sure that spamming is not the answer though, unless an author wants to get a negative reputation - ..."

I always feel uncomfortable when I promote my work, so I try and ease this by making my promotion unique to that group and I keep it short. But I love chatting to folk and want to engage with my readers. I've enjoyed being a member of Goodreads and I always leave a review after I've finished a story on my reading list.

[Emmanuelle]

Julia wrote: "Emmanuelle wrote: "L.A. wrote: "Being able to reach readers is really great, but no guarantee that they'll buy. I'm sure that spamming is not the answer though, unless an author wants to get a neg..."

I agree that Goodreads is a fantastic forum for readers to discover new books. I love the 'suggested books' feature here, which is far superior to that on Amazon; it has helped me to discover many wonderful new authors.

I also embrace the idea that readers can interact with authors through this site, via their official pages.

[Virginia]

My friends don't like my books. And if Patti remembers me it is because of my consistent errors.

[[deleted user]]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "Perhaps you could explain what you feel constitutes a fly by post Rosemary?"


Hi There, I am a new Goodreads Author and new to the group. I agree, even though I am new :) I enjoy engaging in conversation with fellow readers and authors. I get overwhelmed with the promotion side of posts, I actually like to know something about a goodreads author as well.

Have a lovely evening
R.L.Henry :)

[[deleted user]]

Andrew wrote: "I propose the following standard template for all book promotion:

"I've written a tolerable book that my friends like, but I have no marketing budget. It is called [yourtitlehere]. You can buy it ..."

Yes, that's honest and straight forward without being pushy or overwhelming!

R.L.Henry

[Catherine]

how many people actually buy books from these posts? What is your best marketing tool? My sales are gradually improving, and are steady, so I guess it's word of mouth as I do very little marketing.

[A.L.]

Sometimes - I have a lot of books on my TBR. I get most of my reading lists from Facebook, Goodreads listopias and such like.

[Patti (baconater)]

Word of mouth.

Or word of thread, if you will.

I've not bought a book from a drop and run post in the group, ever.

I've read a great many books written by groupites who are regular contributors. If I like what they've written, I even recommend them.

If I like the authors, I tend to abuse them. ;)

[A.L.]

I don't think I have from a drop and run either.
We've noticed that Patti;)

[Patti (baconater)]

Yeah, I'm shocking.

I should be kinder and more gentle.

One day.

[A.L.]

Haha. I often wish I could actually say what I think. If I win the lottery and give up work, the day before I leave I'm going to have such fun.

[Patti (baconater)]

I think that's probably what I love most about where I work right now. I can and do say exactly what I think.

Sitting next to five year olds who lean against me and say 'I love you, Ms Patti' probably contributes to my overall job satisfaction, though.

No idea why they'd say that, really. All I do is shout at them. ;)

[A.L.]

Hahaha. I'd get the sack if I said what I was thinking.

[Patti (baconater)]

You need more hugs from five year olds then, AL.

They can be rather boogery but the goosh factor increases the joy. ;)

[David]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "Yeah, I'm shocking.

I should be kinder and more gentle.

One day."

And have us think you don't like us anymore?

[Patti (baconater)]

When did I ever infer that I like you, David?

[David]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "When did I ever infer that I like you, David?"

A fine example, right there…

Based on evidence in post 298 :D

Anyway, surely I would be the one to infer meaning, from something that you have or have not implied.

[A.L.]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "You need more hugs from five year olds then, AL.

They can be rather boogery but the goosh factor increases the joy. ;)"

I'll pass on that;)

[Patti (baconater)]

David wrote: "Patti (baconater) wrote: "When did I ever infer that I like you, David?"

A fine example, right there…

Based on evidence in post 298 :D

Anyway, surely I would be the one to infer meaning, from so..."

So you are multi talented. Both wishy and washy.

[Patti (baconater)]

A.L. wrote: "Patti (baconater) wrote: "You need more hugs from five year olds then, AL.

They can be rather boogery but the goosh factor increases the joy. ;)"

I'll pass on that;)"

Yes pass it quickly. If you hold it too long it goes all crusty.

[David]

I often wish, and frequently wash (her-in-charge insists).

[A.L.]

Patti (baconater) wrote: "A.L. wrote: "Patti (baconater) wrote: "You need more hugs from five year olds then, AL.

They can be rather boogery but the goosh factor increases the joy. ;)"

I'll pass on that;)"

Yes pass it qu..."

EWWWWWWW!

[Patti (baconater)]

David wrote: "I often wish, and frequently wash (her-in-charge insists)."

I'm sure she does, given your past history,

[Patti (baconater)]

A.L. wrote: "Patti (baconater) wrote: "A.L. wrote: "Patti (baconater) wrote: "You need more hugs from five year olds then, AL.

They can be rather boogery but the goosh factor increases the joy. ;)"

I'll pass ..."

Don't ewwwww at me! David is the plopper.