Why use Goodreads for book promotion?
Goodreads is a popular platform where readers discover, review and discuss books. It offers authors a direct line to engaged book lovers and helps increase visibility. (One of my earliest Goodreads discoveries was a reader who went through and reviewed every book I had written.)
Examples:
- Author profiles showcasing your books and bio
- Reader reviews and ratings boosting credibility
- Goodreads giveaways to create buzz
Tips:
- Complete your author profile with a photo and bio
- Engage with readers by responding to reviews and questions
- Use giveaways strategically to reach new audiences
- Create a bookshelf of books you have enjoyed to make your profile look authentic
- Follow other authors to see how they engage with readers
- Link your Goodreads profile to your Amazon Author Central page
Step by step:
- Create a free Goodreads account if you do not have one.
- Search for your book and author name to confirm your titles are listed.
- Apply for Goodreads Author status.
- Add a profile photo, short bio and links.
- Add all your books and editions, check covers and metadata.
- Rate a few favourite books to make your shelves look real.
- Join two or three relevant groups.
- Plan one simple weekly action, like answering a question or posting an update.
Further reading: Goodreads for Authors by Jane Friedman
How do I set up an author profile?
Claim your author profile by searching for your books and requesting author access. Add a professional photo, biography and links to your website and social media. (After refreshing my profile with a new picture and updated bio, followers started to increase almost straight away.)
Examples:
- Detailed biography that tells your story
- Links to your blog, website and social media pages
- Author events and upcoming book information
Tips:
- Keep your bio concise and engaging
- Update your profile regularly with new content
- Include contact information for media and readers
- Add a short quote from a favourite book to warm the page up
- Upload high quality covers and images
- Add your blog RSS feed so posts appear automatically
- Switch on the “Ask the Author” feature for reader interaction
Step by step:
- On your book page, click “Is this you?” to claim your profile.
- Upload a square headshot that is clear and bright.
- Write a 3 to 5 sentence bio with one personal detail and one credibility line.
- Add links to your website, newsletter sign up and main social profiles.
- Check each book page for typos and correct metadata, including series information.
- Add your blog RSS so posts auto sync to Goodreads.
- Enable “Ask the Author” and write a short welcome note.
- Add one upcoming event or virtual appearance.
- Save, then view your page as a reader to spot any gaps.
- Set a reminder to refresh photos and bio every quarter.
Further reading: Creating a Goodreads Author Profile by Reedsy
How can I engage with readers on Goodreads?
Join groups, participate in discussions and answer reader questions. Being active builds rapport and encourages readers to support your work.
Examples:
- Joining book clubs or genre groups
- Commenting on reviews and discussion threads
- Hosting Q and A sessions
Tips:
- Be genuine and respectful in your interactions
- Avoid blatant self promotion in groups unless the rules allow it
- Share useful writing tips and insights rather than sales lines
- Post short updates about your writing process or progress on a new book
- Create simple polls to get readers involved, for example a cover vote
- Recommend other books in your genre to show you read widely
- Celebrate reader milestones and reply to readers by name when appropriate
Step by step:
- Search for three groups that match your genre and audience.
- Read each group’s rules carefully before posting.
- Introduce yourself briefly once, then join existing conversations rather than creating lots of new threads.
- Set a weekly slot to reply to comments and questions.
- Leave thoughtful comments on five reader reviews of your book per week.
- Start one poll this month, such as a cover or blurb choice.
- Open a two week Q and A window and pin it to your profile.
- Collect common reader questions and turn them into a short blog post or FAQ on your site.
- Keep a simple log of interactions and note which posts get the most replies.
- Thank readers who add your book or leave a review.
Further reading: Building Community on Goodreads by Jane Cleland
How do Goodreads giveaways work?
Goodreads giveaways allow you to offer free copies of your book to interested readers, generating excitement and reviews before launch. (One giveaway I ran led to a big spike in mailing list sign ups during the campaign.)
Examples:
- Offering print or ebook copies as prizes
- Setting a giveaway timeframe and number of copies
- Promoting your giveaway on social media and in your newsletter
Tips:
- Plan giveaways around key dates like launch, holidays or book-themed days
- Promote the giveaway on multiple channels to boost entries
- Follow up politely with winners and request reviews with links included
- Give away multiple copies to increase the chance of reviews
- Run smaller giveaways more often rather than one huge one only
- Pair a giveaway with a newsletter push to capture interested readers
- Consider the paid “Featured Giveaway” option if you want extra visibility
Step by step:
- Choose your goal: reviews, adds to shelves, or mailing list growth.
- Decide format: paperback, hardback or ebook, and how many copies to give away.
- Set dates: two weeks for ebooks, three to four weeks for print is common.
- Write a short, punchy description and include one review quote if you have one.
- Confirm territories and any age restrictions.
- Budget for costs: shipping for print and any promotional fees.
- Submit the giveaway and check it appears on your book page.
- Announce it on day one across socials, your site and newsletter.
- Post a mid campaign reminder and a 48 hour last call.
- Fulfil prizes as soon as possible when the giveaway ends.
- Send winners a friendly thank you with a link to leave a review.
- Add winners to your mailing list only if they explicitly opted in.
- Record results: entries, adds to shelves, reviews and any sales bumps.
- Repeat with adjustments based on what worked.
Further reading: Running Goodreads Giveaways by Mark Dawson
How else can I promote my book on Goodreads?
Beyond profiles and giveaways, Goodreads offers many other ways to stay visible and connect with readers.
Examples:
- Writing honest reviews of other books in your genre
- Creating themed lists and adding your book to relevant lists
- Posting blog updates on your Goodreads author page
- Sharing memorable quotes from your book through the quotes feature
Tips:
- Add your book to relevant Listopia lists that genuinely fit the content
- Share short excerpts or sneak peeks in your Goodreads blog posts
- Upload teaser images or behind the scenes notes about your writing process
- Collaborate with other authors for cross promotion on groups and blogs
- Encourage fans to add your book to their shelves and to mark it as read when they finish
- Test Goodreads ads with a small daily cap targeted at readers of similar authors
Step by step:
- Find two Listopia lists that fit your book and add it with a short rationale.
- Post one 150 word excerpt on your Goodreads blog to whet readers’ interest.
- Add three short quotes from your book to the quotes section.
- Each week, write a fair review of a comparable title in your genre.
- Set up an author swap with one other author: each of you mentions the other in one blog or group post.
- Launch a small Goodreads ad campaign with a daily cap and target by genre and related authors.
- Track clicks, adds to shelves and any change in followers for two weeks.
- Keep the ad settings that beat your average results and stop the rest.
Further reading: Marketing with Goodreads by Frances Caballo
How do I track my Goodreads promotion results?
Use Goodreads author dashboard analytics to monitor profile views, followers and giveaway entries. Analyse which activities drive engagement and sales so you can repeat what works. (Looking back over my own stats helped me see which updates attracted attention, and that made me change how I scheduled posts.)
Examples:
- Tracking follower growth over time
- Monitoring comments, messages and review activity
- Evaluating giveaway and ad performance
Tips:
- Review analytics regularly to inform your marketing choices
- Experiment with different post types and interaction styles to see what works best
- Set measurable short term goals such as new “Want to Read” adds or profile followers
- Compare Goodreads activity to Amazon or bookshop sales spikes to spot correlations
- Keep a simple spreadsheet to log actions and results so you can spot patterns
- Remember that Goodreads growth is steady rather than overnight
Step by step:
- Create a one page tracking sheet in a spreadsheet. Columns: Date, Action, Followers, Profile Views, Adds to Shelves, Reviews, Notes on Sales.
- Set three clear goals for the next 30 days, for example 100 new “Want to Read” adds.
- Each week, log your actions and record the numbers from Goodreads analytics.
- Mark specific campaign dates such as giveaways, ads and big group posts.
- After four weeks, compare which actions moved the numbers most.
- Stop anything that did not move a metric and reallocate effort.
- Double down on the top two actions next month.
- Every quarter, refresh your author profile and repeat this review.
Further reading: Analytics and Marketing on Goodreads by Amanda L. Smith
How do I plan a Goodreads book launch?
A book launch on Goodreads works best when it is timed and layered. Instead of relying on a single giveaway or one update, you combine several features to build excitement before, during and after release. (When I coordinated my launch across profile updates, groups and giveaways, my “Want to Read” numbers tripled in the space of three weeks.)
Examples:
- Pre launch teaser updates to build curiosity
- Timed giveaways ending just before release day
- Active group discussions leading up to launch week
- Follow up posts encouraging reviews and recommendations
Tips:
- Start preparing at least six weeks before your launch date
- Mix value posts (writing tips, book recommendations) with promo posts
- Line up at least one giveaway to end on or near launch day
- Keep interacting with readers beyond release week to sustain momentum
Step by step:
Six weeks before launch:
- Refresh your profile photo and bio.
- Add your upcoming book with full metadata, blurb and cover.
- Start a blog post series about your writing journey.
Four weeks before launch:
4) Join or re engage in two genre groups.
5) Create one poll about your book (cover choice or character names).
6) Announce a pre launch giveaway.
Two weeks before launch:
7) Increase activity in groups by answering questions and joining threads.
8) Share two to three short excerpts as teasers.
9) Encourage readers to mark the book as “Want to Read.”
Launch week:
10) Post a personal note on your profile blog thanking early supporters.
11) Run a final giveaway that ends within launch week.
12) Ask readers to share reviews on both Goodreads and Amazon.
Two weeks after launch:
13) Share reviews or reader photos in your blog feed.
14) Continue joining group conversations so you are not only promoting.
15) Record results in your tracking sheet and decide what to repeat next time.
Further reading: The Book Launch Blueprint by Tim Grahl
Frequently Asked Questions about Goodreads for Authors
What if I get a bad review?
Every author gets them. Do not argue with reviewers. Do not reply defensively. A mix of reviews looks more genuine than a page full of only five stars. Thank readers silently for taking time, then move on. If it is offensive or breaks site rules, you can report it.
How many giveaways should I run?
There is no fixed rule, but many authors find two or three per year work well. One before launch, one during release, and one a few months later to revive attention. Smaller, regular giveaways tend to keep you visible longer than one huge push.
Do Goodreads ads actually work?
They can, but results vary. Goodreads ads are most useful for visibility and shelf adds, less for direct sales. Test with a small budget. Target readers of similar authors. Track results in your sheet to decide if it is worth continuing.
How do Goodreads groups compare to Facebook groups?
Goodreads groups are more focused on books and reading, with stricter rules on promotion. They can feel slower than Facebook groups but the discussions are often deeper. Choose groups carefully and focus on genuine connection rather than constant promotion.
Should I review other authors’ books?
Yes, but keep it honest and professional. Avoid reviewing your direct competitors harshly. Stick to books you genuinely liked or found interesting. Readers notice when authors are active as readers too.
How can I get readers to add my book to their “Want to Read” shelf?
Ask gently at the end of blog posts or updates. Run giveaways, because every entrant automatically adds the book to their shelf. Share excerpts or quotes that spark curiosity. Be active in groups so people discover you naturally.
Is Goodreads still worth it in 2025?
Yes. Even if some readers now use TikTok or Instagram for book discovery, Goodreads remains one of the most trusted places for reviews and book lists. It functions like a permanent library catalogue of your work, so it is still valuable long term.
What if I do not have time to be active every week?
Set up the basics first: a good author profile, your blog feed, and one or two giveaways per year. Even without daily interaction, readers can still find your books. If time is short, focus on giveaways and a quarterly profile refresh.
Can I use Goodreads if I have only one book?
Yes. In fact, it is smart to start early. One well presented book page plus an active author profile can help you build connections before your next book is ready. Readers often enjoy following authors from the beginning.
Should I connect Goodreads with my Amazon profile?
Yes. Linking the two gives readers an easy way to move from discovery to purchase. It also strengthens your author brand across platforms.