I recently read an interesting article on CBS News TechTalk that talked about how the Fifty Shades of Grey ebook by E.L. James went viral with the help of Goodreads, despite the absence of a major publisher and marketing machine, and with a shortage of paper copies.
“At least part of the explanation (for the book’s success) can be found in the social network for book worms, Goodreads,” wrote Chenda Ngak, author of the article.
Here’s what happened:
-After Fifty Shades of Grey was published, the book began getting reviews on Goodreads – good reviews, and lots of them.
-The book’s ratings garnered a nomination for the Best Romance award in the 2011 Goodreads Choice Awards. The contest nominees (15 books in 22 categories) were chosen by Goodreads; Goodreads analyzed members’ reading statistics, looking at popularity and average ratings.
-The nomination for the award resulted in additional interest in the book. Although Fifty Shades ultimately placed second with 3,815 votes to a novel by J.R. Ward with 5,009 votes, Fifty Shades beat out novels by Nora Roberts and others.
-Readers’ interest sparked more interest. As Goodreads members posted more reviews about the book on the site, those reviews were shared with those members’ friends who then read the book and posted their own reviews. The reading-reviewing-sharing cycle continued. When I last checked earlier this week, 51,063 Goodreads members rated Fifty Shades, and 10,549 reviewed the book. With an average 3.92 rating, the book had 3,309 1-star reviews!
-In the midst of everything, author E.L. James also visited Goodreads and answered fan questions, keeping the book’s momentum building.
In addition to Goodreads, simple word-of-mouth and other social media platforms helped and continue to boost the book’s sales. Why, just the other day at a garage party, one of my neighbors mentioned the book, recommending it.
Here’s a link to the CBS article:
Your turn, WG2E-Land: How do you keep momentum for your books going?
The Best of Goodreads Momentum Building — Tamara Ward
This is quite interesting, Tamara. I remember seeing the book in the Goodreads Choice Awards shortlist and wondering about it since I’d never heard of the author or the book prior to that.
During my recent trip to New York, I saw 2 people reading it on the flight, on each leg of the flight. These days you can’t miss it. It’s one of the first books I see when I walk into any bookshop.
Thanks, Kiru! And good morning! It does seem that lots of folks are talking about or reading the book. And to have seen folks with the book itself, reading it, on both flights – that’s something.
I’ve got it on my Kindle, Tamara and Kiru! Can’t wait to read it!!!
This success story was just fascinating, Tamara…I had no idea it was the Goodreads Community that basically “broke-out” this book and author!!! Cool!!!
Thanks bunches for sharing this scoop!!!
Also, I think what E.L. James did by chatting with her fans is what keeps that momentum going, and that’s exactly why spending quality time with readers is my number one method to maintaining and increasing my momentum.
Nothin’ beats treatin’ readers!!!
You sure know about treating readers, D.D.! I’m looking forward to chatting with readers and writers at tonight’s Twitter party at 8 p.m. with the #BeachBookBlast. While I’ve attended events at libraries and schools to talk about my book, the internet with Goodreads/Twitter/Facebook gives writers such a broader reach to connect with readers than a book signing at the corner store (though that’s fun, too). There’s so much potential to reach so many readers – and not just in one town – via Goodreads and other social media platforms. And also, if the internet reader interaction is archived, it’s even better, because that reach doesn’t end with the event itself.
I’m looking forward to the twitter party too, Tamara. Although it’ll be about 2am over here. But I agree with D.D. Interacting with readers is so important.
Wow! 2 am?! That’s dedication to reaching readers! I’m looking forward to chatting with you live!
I agree. I love talking with my readers. Making yourself accessible is so important.
Great post, Tamara! I think that Goodreads also was a big part of Amanda Hockings success. It’s amazing how fast things can go viral in the internet era. You can reach so many readers and you never know when you’ll find one that knows a lot of other readers and will pass your book on. I also agree engaging readers is key. I love that, and I know all of you here do to.
Thanks, Elizabeth. I fully agree with your comments. And you’re right, you just never know who you’re reaching. Plus, interacting with readers is just plain fun!
So many different ways to go viral and build sales and what works for one doesn’t work for another but it’s fun hearing the stories behind the successes!
Hi, Laura! I love hearing the different stories, too. Happy writing!
How do you chat with fans on goodreads? I have not yet figured out how to use goodreads.
Hi, Diana! Goodreads can take some time to figure out. You can set up an author Q&A on Goodreads. I tried this a few months back, and while I didn’t get much interaction, I also didn’t promote it as much as I could have. Here’s a link that talks about setting one up: http://www.goodreads.com/author/featured_groups.
thanks!
Anytime!
I shall have to mention this my epublisher. See if she can get the marketing people to use Goodreads for promoting my romance series, which will hopefully start end of June. She is looking for ideas for promoting the ebooks.
Hi, Julie! Here’s a page on Goodreads that talks about the author program: http://www.goodreads.com/author/program. One of the subheadings talks about ways you can promote your book: through a Q&A discussion, through paid ads, and through giveaways. I’ve heard good things about all of these methods of getting the word out about new releases.
Hi, Tamara!
What a good post – I had no idea!! I’d be interested in finding out more about all the opportunities available to authors on Goodreads, as well.
thanks,
Diane
Hi, Diane! Thanks! I’ll post the link that I just posted for Julie: http://www.goodreads.com/author/program. I think you’ll find this page very helpful as it talks all about the Goodreads author program. I’ve enjoyed participating as an author with Goodreads and often get more comments on my blog on Goodreads than I do on my blog site itself! If you haven’t yet, set up your author profile on Goodreads, and if you have a blog, you can link it on Goodreads so that Goodreads automatically posts updates when you update your blog! It’s a fantastic tool.
What a neat idea to create your own group on Goodreads, Tamara! I’ve followed your advice. Let’s see if anyone comes out to play.
I did! And I will! I’m actually in the midst of reading your book, Magic in the Storm! So far, I’m loving it. I can’t wait to get back to it, but unfortunately, I have a real-world deadline (gulp) and had to put away the Kindle.
Goodreads is such an invaluable tool. I just found out the other day that you can create a page for your book before it’s available. This could be a good way to build up some anticipation before its release. I sent out ARCs to my readers who are on my email newsletter list and let them know that the Goodreads page is up. Some of them have already added the book to their To Read list, and my fingers are crossed that they’ll review it or at least rate it once they finish.
I plan on creating discussion threads right there on the page as reviews start to pour in so that readers can ask questions. (It’s the first in a series, so I’m hoping to build up a long-term momentum and readership.) I’ve created discussion threads in the past but never got any replies, so we’ll see.
Fantastic, Elizabeth! That’s a great idea! I love series. I’m going to hop on over to Goodreads and check you out. Thanks!
Fab post, Tamara! I love Goodreads, but I’m still learning who to use it as an author. Thanks for these great ideas and tips.
See you tonight at our Twitter party!
Thanks, Alicia. I’m still learning how to use it as an author, too. See you in a few hours at #beachbookblast!
Until then…
tamara, nice article and info, thanks!
the # on the one star reviews for “grey” really was worth noting
re using Goodreads, does one have to have a hard copy (vs digital)?
or can both ebooks and say, a paperback, be eligible to promote?
thanks again, best wishes on the beach party
Hi, Adan! Yes, the number of one-star reviews was, for me, encouraging. It reinforced the idea that anything you write won’t be for everyone, that every reader is not one’s audience. We’re not always going to please everyone.
With Goodreads, you can have any form of book. You can have just paperback or hardback, you can have just ebook, and you can have both! It doesn’t matter. You can have one and then add the other later. But when it comes to giveaways, Goodreads only allows paper books! (Crazy outdated, I know.) LibraryThing does allow ebook giveaways.
Thanks for the good wishes!
you bet, thanks tamara
Thanks for the great information!