Despite an overabundance of social networking sites clamoring for a writer’s attention, I thought I’d take a look at a site very similar to Goodreads. Have you heard about LibraryThing?
LibraryThing (LT) is much like Goodreads (GR), except LT seems to focus more on data and stats. Perhaps it’s the way the sites are designed. GR feels more personable and light; I see pictures of people next to the book covers. LT feels more introverted and eccentric (in a fun way).
Both sites allow members to rate and review books. Where GR allows members to create and participate in polls and lists, LT allows users to add tags to books.
Both also offer author programs. In addition to setting up your profile and adding your books and information, authors at LT also can add book events and chat with other authors and readers.
But there’s one colossal difference between the two sites’ author giveaway programs. LT allows ebook giveaways! (Someday, GR will tiptoe into the 21st century and embrace ebook giveaways. Maybe.) If you check out the LT members giveaway page, you’ll notice books by indie writers alongside traditionally published paper books.
As a reader, what I like the most about LT so far is the recommendations feature. You rate a handful of books, and LT generates a list of books you might enjoy. Some are written by the same authors you’ve already rated. But other books recommended will be completely new to you. LT will allow you to find other members with similar bookshelves to your own, too. Pretty nifty!
You can also purchase LT merchandise, including shirts, mouse pads, stickers, bags, and even “The LibraryThong” with the LT logo and motto on it. Clearly, people who love LT really *love* it. I just don’t see GR offering a thong for sale, since apparently ebook giveaways are too forward for them.
LT is a considerably smaller fishbowl than GR. Founded in 2005, LT has more than 1,500,000 members and 50 million books in its system. GR, founded in 2007, has more than 7,600,000 members and 280 million books.
If you’re interested in getting a better look at LT, visit the site’s short introduction .
It’s Your Turn, WG2E-Land: Are 50 million books, 1.5 million members, and a LibraryThong enough to capture your attention?
The Best of WG2E Goodreads and Library Thing Wishes — Tamara Ward
I’ve used Library Thing for the author giveaways, but I have to say that the ratio of books given away resulting in reviews has been VERY low, unfortunately. Still, I probably would use it again in the future
Thanks for the scoop, Sibel.
Great scoop today, Tamara! And thanks sooo much for sharing it with us.
The Giveaway feature definitely has me interested…not the “thong”…LOL!
And speaking of Giveaways, Sibel, we just had a conversation yesterday on RG2E encouraging our readers who’ve received Free Ebook Gifts from us to then go ahead and review the ones they luuuvvv.
It’s been really interesting “talking with” and getting to know our RG2E Ereading Peeps…for example, they let me know that the reason they don’t leave reviews is because they feel like they have to write a dissertation-length evaluation in the written section when all they want to do is be able to star-rank it and move on (like they can do on B&N). After I showed ‘em they could just use one sentence in that section and even gave ‘em sample sentences…they’re good to go and at least five of ‘em began reviewing for the first time yesterday.
I think what the Giveaways do – if you couple them with superfab fun ways to then get to know the readers you’re giving to too – is allows you to develop relationships with your readers that they “like you” enough to then go ahead and review your book.
I don’t know that Giveaways work as well anymore without a reason along with them for the reader to get to know you and a place in which for them to do so (like RG2E and/or your own website)…does that make sense?
Building a community, using the Giveaways as the invite…now that works!!!
That’s great news, D.D., about the reviewers beginning to post reviews. Sometimes I find myself not doing things that are relatively easy just because I’m not sure how to do them. Then, once I try something new, I wonder why I didn’t do it earlier because it’s so easy! Thanks for encouraging new reviewers.
Also, you’ve got a solid point about building a community. Developing relationships, coupling a giveaway with another site – this takes more time than just doing a giveaway, but it sounds like the community building is significantly more successful in building long-term readership than just a giveaway.
DD & Tamara, I think part of the problem with reviews is that we’re all writers so writing comes naturally (pls note I didn’t say easily!) to us. “Civilians” have a harder time with the written word. They feel intimidated, blocked, concerned about making a “mistake” & on top of that older people in particular fear the computer…Jane Friedman wrote an excellent post about puter phobia yesterday…so I think that, too, is a hurdle.
DD, your technique of offering sample sentences is brilliant…will go a long way in helping people get over the hurdles.
Tamara, thanks for the info about LT & ebook giveaways…didn’t know that. Valuable blog as usual!
Thanks, Ruth! Even though I’m a writer, I feel intimidated sometimes writing to another writer or to my editor. I’m hyper-sensitive about my grammatical mistakes in emails I write to my editor, even though she’s a super friendly gal. Thanks again, Ruth.
Thanks for the information about Library Thing! I had no idea that they offer the ability to do ebook giveaways. I’ll have to check it out. I really wish Goodreads would do the same, but in one of the author groups they said they’re working on it.
By the way, Goodreads offers recommendations, too. Next to the box that tells you how many books you’ve rated is a link to “Check your recommendations.”
Thanks for sharing the info, Delaney! I’ll have to check out my Goodreads recommendations – you’ve taught me something new about the site. And it’s great to hear that Goodreads is working on the ebook giveaways. Now if only they could get together some good merchandise! (Just kidding.) Thanks again.
Tamara- this is awesome info! Thank you:)
Thanks, Lois!
Thanks for posting this information. I hadn’t hear of LT before!
Glad to spread the word, Sheri! Thanks.
Thanks for the great post, Tamara. I had heard about Library Thing, but it remained a vague notion until now. I’ll go check it out!
Hi, Kristine, and thanks. It’s definitely worth a look.
Thanks much for this useful info, Tamara! I’d heard some mentions of LT, but hoped I could ignore it (one more thing that takes time away from writing) but this one sounds useful. Ebook giveaways are a big plus, even if they only get a review or two.
Hi, Anne. Finding time for both writing and marketing – or maybe finding the balance between the two – is always tricky for me. Ebook giveaways seem so logical… and have been successful at the RG2E, too.
I’m on LT as an author and have imported all my reads from GR, but for some reason, I just can’t seem to get into it. I dunno… I’ve just found more of my social circles on Twitter and FB use GR. Thanks for the tip on the ebook giveaways, though!
I hear you, Talli. FB and GR, and even Twitter, these seem more face-driven/personal-interaction inspiring. LT seems more data-driven. Thanks!
Hi Tamara,
I always enjoy your posts because I learn something new every time especially about navigating Goodreads. As Dee Dee says it’s all about getting a dialogue going with the reader. A friend of mine, author Diane Capri, has her website set up so that when peeps subscribe it automatically sends them a free story. And I think that’s a really cool idea.
I’m on the usual streams like twitter and facebook with an author page now up on Kindle with links to everywhere. Managed to get my book up on Goodreads and linked it too. Probably need to load up more buttons when I have a minute.
And just wanted to let you all know my first novel, Reckless Nights In Rome – yep, it’s a romance – came out last Monday. Still trying to get to grips with the ‘marketing’ side of things which is a learning curve straight into the stratosphere! But the info you guys share on here has been simply amazing. I’m hoping to contribute here a little more now that I’ll have something to say!
Just wanted to mention Pinterest. Don’t know if you’ve dipped your toe in that particular pond but I’ve loaded up storyboards of my four completed works and what’s in the pipeline along with inspiration boards. Peeps, I’ve had thousands of likes whizzing into my inbox. Only time will tell if they convert into sales.
And I love RG2E and will definitely leave likes and reviews once I get through them. My brain feels like it’s been through a blender.
Christine
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Reckless+Nights+In+Rome
http://ccmackenzie.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/whats-in-a-name/
http://pinterest.com/christineauthor/reckless-nights-in-rome-storyboard/
Hi, CC! Just followed your Pinterest board. I must say, that is super cool. Wow! Love it, love it, love it! What a fantastic idea!
Meant to add *head slap* that I’ll definitely check out LT, Tamara.
Thank you for a great post!
Thanks, CC! And thanks for the great storyboard/Pinterest idea!
GREAT post! One of my author friends Robert B. Lowe wrote about his experience on doing a LT giveaway on my blog here: http://www.30daybooks.com/librarything-giveaways-some-tips/
Hopefully it helps others navigate the waters a bit – it’s got some great tips!
And MEGA lol to the Library Thong!
Thanks, Laura! That’s an excellent link with great info and tips.
Great post, Tamara.
I’m so bummed that I missed reading this earlier. I love both GR and LT. You’re right. They are very different animals.