Repeat After Me: “Goodreads Is My Friend”
By Sonja Yoerg | April 7, 2017 |
Please welcome guest Sonja Yoerg to Writer Unboxed today!
Sonja grew up in Stowe, Vermont, where she financed her college education by waitressing at the Trapp Family Lodge. She earned her Ph.D. in Biological Psychology from the University of California at Berkeley and published a nonfiction book about animal intelligence, Clever as a Fox (Bloomsbury USA, 2001). Penguin/Berkley publishes Sonja’s novels: HOUSE BROKEN (Jan 2015), MIDDLE OF SOMEWHERE (Sep 2015) and ALL THE BEST PEOPLE (May 2017). She lives with her husband in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
We’re so glad to have her with us today to talk with us about Goodreads and to dig a little more deeply into how authors can use it wisely.
Learn more about Sonja on her website, and follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
Repeat After Me: “Goodreads Is My Friend”
Most authors I know have a love-hate relationship with Goodreads. On the one hand, the social site boasts 55 million readers; ignoring it is like manufacturing Mickey Mouse ears and refusing to sell them at Disneyland. On the other hand—and you know what I’m going to say—are the reviews, demonstrably harsher than those on Amazon. Goodreads members can, for instance, rate without reviewing, or even reading. My favorite thing to hate about Goodreads (I have a list) are members who pervert the star system, giving one star, say, to a book they want to read soon and five stars to ones they may never get around to. Such creativity and insouciance thrives in the wacky world of Goodreads, as do trolls, spiteful, hateful trolls. Sigh. Some days I play “Here Comes the Sun” five times and down a shot of tequila before opening my Author Dashboard.
And, yet, I maintain that Goodreads is my friend, and should be yours, too. I read my reviews, every single one. Perhaps I’m masochistic but there’s a practical reason: shutting down spoilers. Many readers believe the mark of a great review is a faithful retelling of the entire plot. You can flag such reviews and ask the Goodreads Support team to hide the text. In my experience, they are very responsive. I also learn from reviews: I learn about my books and I learn about human behavior, the good, the bad, and the hypercritical.
Even if you decide to skip the reviews, or haven’t yet published a book, you can make Goodreads work for you:
Be a Goodreads reader.
The site is for readers, so be a reader other members want to follow.
Keep your bookshelves current and like other reviews from time to time.
Make a shelf of your all-time favorite reads and any other shelves that show your personality and taste. I have a shelf called “short-big-books” and another called “surprise-inside.” Do not create a shelf called “did-not-finish.”
Rate books and write reviews. I recognize this is a potential minefield for authors. You want to write an honest review but then again you can’t possibly love every book. Most authors deal with this by only rating and reviewing books they like. Some even state in their profile that they are five-star only reviewers. I’m pretty much a three-star-and-up reviewer. Don’t feel you have to leave a lengthy review or even a glowing one. Pick something you noticed about style or characterization or pacing and write about it. An intriguing review will lead readers to your profile—and to your books. If you don’t have published books yet, you’ll gain book-loving friends.
Be a Goodreads friend.
I’ve met some wonderful people on Goodreads; isn’t that the point of social media? The trolls are far outnumbered by astute, voracious readers who leave thoughtful reviews and think the world of writers. Meet some of them! If you are as lucky as I have been, they will be among the first readers to whom you send your latest book for those all-important early reviews. I met one of my most faithful readers because I commented on her review of a book I’d recently read. A discussion ensued. Out of curiosity, she picked up my debut and we’ve been chatting about books—and life—since.
Be an interesting Goodreads member.
Whether it’s an author page or a reader page, your profile shouldn’t read like a resume. Add a little flair that will make people want to follow you and get to know you. Link your blog to your profile so readers can see your posts without traveling to your website, and if you have book-related events, add those, too. Some writers use the event feature for “events” such as price drops, cover reveals and the christening of their grandchildren, then invite all their Goodreads friends to each and every one. This is spam, so don’t be tempted. As with other social media, relentless self-promotion doesn’t work.
Be a smart Goodreads giveaway host.
I know. Writers want to sell books, not give them away. But if you are on Goodreads for no other reason, you ought to be there for the giveaways. When members enter a giveaway, the book is added to their to-read shelf unless they un-check the box, and it stays there, a little thumbnail reminder of previous, if fleeting, affection.
If you’re a traditionally published author, you might protest that your publisher takes care of giveaways. Fine, but that doesn’t mean you can’t politely educate them.
Publishers often run giveaways for too long.
The green line shows the number of new members who added my most recent book to their to-read shelf in response (mostly) to giveaways. There are diminishing returns with each giveaway because people who have already added the book enter subsequent giveaways. That’s good! The graphic shows that all the adds occur in the first few days and the last few days, so there is no point in stretching it out, other than to delay getting the book into readers’ hands. Sure, you might want a week or so to promote the giveaway, but anything longer than two weeks is pointless.
I begin giving away books as soon as possible, starting with homemade galleys typically only sent out for blurbs. I beg for as many of these as I can get. Readers don’t care if they have real covers, but in case they do, I state that in the giveaway.
Publishers often give away all the books at once. Again, to increase the number of to-reads, several shorter, smaller giveaways are more effective. Ask your marketing department how long they plan to run the giveaways and how the copies will be distributed among the giveaways. Tell them Sonja sent you.
So, pop a Xanax and head over to Goodreads. Update your recent reads, jazz up your profile, pick up some new followers and see if maybe, just maybe, it’s a better place than you thought. If you use the tools at your disposal and use them wisely, Goodreads might become both a friend and a boon to your career.
Have thoughts on Goodreads or a trick to share? The floor is yours!
Sonja Yoerg grew up in Stowe, Vermont, where she financed her college education by waitressing at the Trapp Family Lodge. She earned a Ph.D. in biological psychology from the University of California, Berkeley and wrote a nonfiction book about animal intelligence, Clever as a Fox (Bloomsbury USA, 2001) and four novels: House Broken, Middle of Somewhere, All the Best People, and the upcoming True Places (1/19). Sonja lives with her husband in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
Hi Sonja: thanks for the tips. I’m a Goodreads person, belong to lots of groups and write a blog on Goodreads from my author profile page. I can agree that there’s lots of readers there if you engage regularly. I have a question for you. I do book reviews on Goodreads. I have over 100 reviews posted there. But how does one get “likes” for these reviews? I do get some likes–usually around 10 or 12 likes per book, often less though. I have over 800 friends but I wonder if any of them see my reviews. Any suggestions on how to up the likes for book reviews? Some reviewers have over 100 likes! How do they do that?
Hi Paula,
I’m glad to hear you’re so active on Goodreads and, more importantly, enjoying it.
A hundred book reviews is a lot! I don’t think there is an easy way to get more likes for your reviews. As you probably know, reviews as stacked accordingly to the number of likes, but otherwise your reviews would only be seen by your friends in their feeds. I’d recommend adding friends and continuing to write interesting reviews.
Good luck!
Sonja
Sonja, glad you posted this – reminded me to strap on my BGP’s (big girl panties) and go check my reviews.
Question – How have you met readers on Goodreads? I’ve been in groups, but got out of all of them, when I realized they were all authors, yelling, “BMB!!!!” (buy my book).
Also, I’m terrified, as an author to enter reader groups – for fear they’ll look askance, thinking I’m going to yell, BMB, or that I’m there for a reason other than as a reader/fan, same as they are.
Hi Laura,
Yes, many of the groups are purely promotional but there are others that invite true discussion and camaraderie. I’m not very active in the groups, honestly, and have met readers through reviews–either theirs or mine. Try it!
Sonja
This post represents the best of WU: informative, detailed, practical, and inspiring. Thank you, Sonja.
Thank you so much, Anna. See you on Goodreads!
Sonja
Great post with practical To-Dos! Thanks so much Sonja!!!
Thanks, Kate. Goodreads is complex; I’m still figuring it out.
Sonja
Excellent and informative article!
Thanks so much!
Sonja
Great information and tips, Sonja. I have to admit, I haven’t gotten the hang of Goodreads yet. I use it to track my books, but great ideas about categorizing. I also need to learn how to interact with people, I’ve just found the platform confusing on how to do it. Now I’ll have to give it another try!
Anne,
Writing reviews is a great way to start conversations with people and support other authors while you’re at it. And you can comment on other member’s reviews that you find helpful.
Have fun!
Sonja
Hi, Sonja! Thanks for the great article!
Although I find Goodreads a little less user-friendly than I’d like, and the pages are bogged down with everything from new reviews to BMB’s to publisher promotions, I use the site for two main reasons:
The giveaways are a blast. I love them, both for entering, and for giving away books. I have had three giveaways on the site so far, and each one garnered hundreds of entrants. Some of the winners have emailed thank-you notes, others have left reviews, while others (I think) try to re-sell the signed books on Amazon, which is fine by me. Whatever gets a reader to my door!
Aside from giveaways, I try to remind myself that connecting with readers is what Goodreads is about. Yes, it is there to bring people to your own books, but it is also there to share ideas in the name of literature. I have connected with some awesome people from all over the planet. I feel like we’re hanging out at an oversize Starbucks in the center of a galactic library.
Even if it seems like you may get lost in the Goodreads slush pile, enjoy it for the most important reason it is there to begin with: Meeting those who share your love of books!
: )
Hi Leslie,
Sounds like you could have written this post yourself! I’m happy you’re already in the choir I’m preaching to. Off to Goodreads to find you!
Sonja
This is a great reminder of the importance of Goodreads. This post inspired me to give it another try. Thanks!
Alessandra,
Hope your experience there is a fruitful one!
Sonja
Put me on record as an author that loves Goodreads. I’m quite active there. I try to visit for at least a few minutes daily. There are a couple of genre groups that are active that I follow and sometimes comment in but it’s mostly readers talking so I try to only comment when I’m interested in the book they’re talking about.
One of the big benefits for me has been being in the Goodreads Author Feedback group. The best bang for your buck book promo discussion thread we’ve had going for a couple of years or more now really rocks and, librarians hang out in the group too and have proved immeasurably helpful getting things corrected/listed properly.
One thing really stands out for me though. I’m a writer of LGBT themed fiction and a member of that community. The books aren’t for everybody and I get that. I try to make sure people know what they’re getting so there are no surprises. Every once in a while a reader throws up a one star review on an otherwise highly rated book with no explanation. I roll with those…most of the time. One time, a reader hit several of my books with them all on the same day. It’s easy to do a little digging on Goodreads. I found out she was a fellow author. She’s in/from Ireland and writes books based there. She had spent 3-4 days going through Goodreads rating hundreds of books a day. Ones by Irish writers got 5 stars and no remarks. Anything LGBT themed at all got 1 star, also with no remarks. Overall, she rated more than 2,300 LGBT themed books 1 star.
After a discussion in one of my groups about this (a few other authors in the group were hit also), several of us reported the author/reader. All of her one star reviews were removed by Goodreads. She eventually made her own account private or they did. Regardless, they’re far more responsive to author concerns than some of the publishing sites are.
Hi Anne,
I’m so pleased you have found a home at Goodreads, although your story of the Irish troll (some fairy tale!) is disturbing. I cannot fathom how people who behave this way can sleep at night. Perhaps they don’t.
I wish you and other authors (and readers) wouldn’t have to waste your time hunting down these hateful reviewers who contribute to some of Goodreads’ dubious reputation. Goodreads made the right call, thank goodness.
If you see me around Goodreads, say hello!
Sonja
Except Anne said this troll wasn’t a reviewer but another author.
Iola,
I didn’t mean to be confusing. Authors on Goodreads wear two hats, I suppose. In my view, as soon as they click a star-rating, they are a “reviewer.” I take your implied point, however, that when an author is a troll, it’s particularly egregious.
Sonja
I love Good Reads and spend probably way too long on there. I am a top 100 UK reviewer, have almost 1100 reviews and run a group on there called Book Vipers. It has its flaws, what site doesn’t, some of which they have addressed; i.e. re-reads, and some that they haven’t yet, i.e. half star ratings.
Paul,
Yes to the half-star rating! I’ll have a look at Book Vipers.
Sonja
I love GoodReads and I’ve never had a bad experience there (knock wood). I think posting honest reviews about the books I’ve read is key to gaining respect from GR users. No one trusts you if all your reviews are 5 star. I know it’s supposed to be “not done” that one author gives another author a critical review. But my reviews are honest and fair. I never attack anyone personally. And since I usually just stop reading a book I don’t like, the lowest rating I usually give is 3 stars (although I have a couple 2 stars reviews for books I finished only because they were for by book club). My GR friends (who are also my readers) often thank me for my reviews or comment on them. I’ve definitely built relationships on GR. I DO use the “Events” feature to announce a new book release. I’ve only had one person complain.
S.W.,
Every author chooses his/her own way and that’s great. I agree that only rating five-star books isn’t ideal, but I do understand. And I certainly didn’t mean to imply that announcing a new book release using the Events feature isn’t acceptable; it’s an effective way to get the word out. I only meant to say that overuse of the feature will make members turn a deaf ear.
Thanks for you comment!
Sonja
Welcome to WU, Sonja! I believe book reviewers must be honest about their star ratings so potential readers can learn whose taste they align with. As to 5-star only reviews by authors, though, I like the idea of an author using Goodreads for the purpose of displaying what she loves—as if inviting visitors into their own home, since you wouldn’t keep books you don’t love there, either. This way you are “showing not telling” about your tastes, visitors are getting to know you better, and you haven’t made any enemies among your author colleagues.
That’s an excellent way to frame it, Kathryn, and makes perfect sense.
Sonja
Thanks, Sonja, I do have my book of short stories on Goodreads and my profile etc. Ran one Give-Away. And whenever I read a book I review it. At first I found the site very confusing, but I know using it more will solve that problem. Now if only I could get off twitter…
Beth
I hear you about Twitter, Beth. It’s my water cooler. Thanks for your comment!
Sonja
I am new to Good Reads and am still confused about how to promote because the rules seem to say authors cannot promote themselves. I could not figure it all out in my first year, and so I focused on some other forms of social media marketing.
I am about to release an audio book version of Mister B: Living with a 98-Year-Old Rocket Scientist and I’d like to try that… with trepidation. When you do a Give-Away event, can you tell me how many you expect to give away? It would help to know how to plan for that financially.
Thanks, Sonja, for giving me a shot in the arm to try a few new paths on GR.
You are, of course, right Sonja. But one must monitor the hours of the day, which seem to get fewer with each passing day. One must choose–what is the best use of my time? Shall I read this brilliant book I discovered as I sought out research sources, or shall I dwell on the idiocies, small-minded obsessions, and rancorous jealousies of the “readers” who “review” my work.
I do not doubt the wisdom of your words. But life is short, my time to write and read is limited. I’ve made my choice, and can live with the consequences.
David,
Absolutely. Writing and reading come first and second, or second and first, and Goodreads is not everyone’s jam.
Sonja
I’ve come to expect the “I saw your profile and want to know you, looks not important” comments on Goodreads and in other places. It’s simple enough to delete them and go on my merry way. But the last time I tried to delete one from Goodreads, the system told me I’d have to wait for administrator approval, usually given in 24-48 hours. That’s when I deleted my Goodreads account.
Hi Sonja – I avoid Goodreads and swear by librarything.com. First of all, they are not owned by the Amazon megalith. Secondly, a dearth of advertising.
Eileen,
Librarything is wonderful! I hope more readers to discover it.
Sonja
I’m new to Goodreads and unsure how it works, so will follow up these tips. I have followed Sonja but should I have friended? Or is that not cool? So many traps for the unwary!
If anyone would like to be friends there – please do!
Sue,
Welcome to Goodreads! Thanks for the follow; you can send me a friend request, too, if you’d like. Don’t worry too much about doing the wrong thing. Most members don’t bite!
Sonja
This is a useful post. I’m running my first Goodreads giveaway next week. I like Goodreads and haven’t had any bad experiences there yet, but I find the groups rather overwhelming. It’s impossible to keep up with belonging to too many of them so I just end up with a pile of unread notifications.
Good luck with your Goodreads giveaway, Elise. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the response you receive and I hope you get some good reviews as a result.
I got so fed up with Goodreads I closed my author account a few days ago. Admin rarely responds to complaints about trolls, especially those that 1 star bomb books. Their latest response to me defended them. To me, that was the last straw. Goodbye GR, or as I call them, Troll Swamp.