Want to know what’s new at Goodreads or what’s new with an author on Goodreads? The books-meets-social-media website has a couple different ways us authors (and readers) can keep up with almost everything.
There are three main ways I stay in touch with new developments on Goodreads, in addition to frequenting the site:
1. The Goodreads Blog at http://www.goodreads.com/blog. It’s here I just learned that Oprah’s book club is a new group on the blog!
2. Email updates and newsletters. Goodreads allows you to receive email updates from the site, so even if you don’t visit the site daily, you can find out almost instantly when somebody requests to be your friend, comments on your book reviews or status, or sends you a message.
To access your options for email notifications, click “edit profile” under your photo on the upper right bar at Goodreads. Then click the “emails” tab. You’ll be presented with a whole bunch of buttons to push.
It’s here that you can opt in for Goodreads to email you additional notifications, under “newsletters and other mail.” This includes a monthly newsletter with author interviews, new releases, new Goodreads features, and even a weekly digest of blogs from authors you’re following.
Remember to click the button at the bottom of the page to save your settings if you make a change.
3. WG2E Street Team friends, as well as other writing friends. Just the other day I was spending some quality time on Facebook, and I ran across a post by a WG2E Street Team friend and author, Dale Amidei, who directed other WG2E Street Team members to a blog post about getting Kobo to pick up your Goodreads rankings. (Thanks, Dale!) Just a few months ago, another WG2E Street Team friend and author, Rhonda Hopkins, sent me some valuable info about the site. It’s wonderful being part of such an open and helpful community!
Your turn, WG2E land! Where do you go for tips on how to use social media sites?
The Best of Keeping Up With Goodreads Wishes — Tamara Ward
Tamara Ward is an Amazon Bestselling Romantic Suspense and Mystery Author. Storm Surge, the first novel in the Jonie Waters mystery series, released in 2011. Tamara is also a proud member of our WG2E Family.
Goodreads is a minefield of great stuff but finding it can sometimes be difficult, so this is a very valuable post! Thanks so much for sharing, Tamara
Thanks, Sibel, and good morning!
I love Goodreads, as a reader and an author. I was only a reader when I joined GR, and I use it as my reading ‘journal’ to keep track of the books I’m consuming, er, reading. I participate in a few of the forums that are slated to my preferred genres and it’s a lot of fun.
As an author now, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how supportive the GR readers are of authors on the site. So far, it’s the best interactive resource for authors that I’ve come across.
I just learned how to change out the book cover for one of mine that I’d already posted a few weeks ago, and consider that flexibility a bonus.
There are a couple new forums that were started just in the past few months that are specifically slated to supporting Indie authors, one of them is called ‘Featured Member-Authors’ and it’s a fantastic spot to get exposure for your books.
Thanks for the tip, Sheri! Now I’m off to check out the Featured Member-Authors forum.
For Goodreads, I go to you. And I wish you would do a Goodreads For Dummies because this dummy desperately needs it.
Great post!
First, you’re not a dummy.
What would you like the Goodreads for… er… Beginners post to touch on? Thanks and glad to oblige!
Navigation of the site and etiquette would be a good place to start. I do have email alerts to the groups I’m part of including RG2E book discussion group. I’ve found my readers on facebook, and occasionally one or two will ask questions etc on Goodreads and I always respond. So I do sort of manage to get around on there, but my brain does not find it logical.
Thanks for this informative post. I’m rarely on Goodreads and I know I need to get more familiar with it. I’m on Facebook more than any other social media site and base most of my “platform building” on FB.
I agree about a book (an e book): Goodreads for Dummies. But like anything else the more you use it the better you get at it.
And the WG2E Team is the Best!!!
Mitzi
Thanks, Mitzi! I always learn more about Goodreads the more I use it, just like the more I use Facebook the more I learn about it – how to turn off groups and adjust settings. Good morning to you, also!
I’m sadly Goodreads illiterate! Every time I go there, I have to work my way through the steps using the help files if I want to do more than the most basic things. |:-} I’m slowly muddling my way along there, and my biggest issue is, of course, time. If it takes forever to complete fairly simple stuff, I don’t have time to spend socializing there. Makes it sort of a toss-up.
Thanks for the info! Very useful and timely.
Kenra
It gets easier – I promise, Kenra! Keep at it and it will click and (strangely) begin to make an odd sort of sense. As I often find myself telling friends, if you can’t find the link on Goodreads, check the text link in the right sidebar, which is usually the last place anyone things to check! Thanks!
Thanks for this post, Tamara! Goodreads has just about everything…for the author and the reader. But, it’s like anything else, you get back as much as you put into it. Once you’ve “mined” the info out there for yourself, give back…engage in groups discussions…contribute, don’t just lurk on the sidelines. Let people know you’re there. Ask a question, offer information, or just leave a brief few words thanking someone for a post that was helpful to you. It’s the people who make this site so great…and it keeps improving!
You’re right on, Monica! Thanks!
I helped Tamara Ward with something? The world has indeed turned upside down.
What?! I’m laughing here, Dale! You surely did help me – and a lot!
Learning more about Goodreads is one of the items on my writing resolutions list for 2013. Thanks. You given me a great start.
What a great resolution! Good luck!
Maybe in 2014 – I just got on Hootsuite trying to navigate scheduling tweets! What a journey, but it’s nice to have people like you leading the way, Tamara. Thank you!
Thanks, Nancy! You can always dip your toe in Goodreads while diving in on Hootsuite! Good luck to you!
Hi!
I’m a new author, and I just changed my Goodreads page to an author page. It’s a great resource. Already, I’ve connected with several groups (there’s one for just about every genre or special interest), and have found valuable resources such as a list of reviewers for books like mine. You definitely want to be there!
I agree totally, Darlene! Thanks.
I certainly like dipping in and out of Goodreads and I do receive the monthly newsletter which come in handy sometimes.
Hi, Kiru! Yes, I enjoy the newsletter also.
Great post, Tamara. I dove into Goodreads last summer and several of the forums I subscribed to were taken over by authors hawking their books. I was buried with emails coming out of there and had to turn it off. Now I use their notifications button. But I still have to extricate myself from several more forums…
In #3, you said, “ale Amidei, who directed other WG2E Street Team members to a blog post about getting Kobo to pick up your Goodreads rankings.” Would you mind pointing me to that blog?
Peace, Seeley
For some reason the reply posted as a new comment (below). Thanks!
Great idea, Seeley! Of course! Here’s the link to Eric Kent Edstrom’s blog post: http://www.ericedstrom.com/2012/08/01/tutorial-getting-your-goodreads-reviews-to-show-up-on-kobobooks/
I also plan to do a post on this topic, and soon!
Great info, Tamara! Thank you for keeping us updated on Goodreads. And thank you so much for your help in getting my author page up there. I’m truly blessed to be part of the WG2E Street Team.
We’re blessed to have you with us.
Checking out the Goodreads blog, Tamara! Thanks for the info. Still so much to learn!
We’re always learning, right? I think that’s the best way to be.
How did I miss this post? I am a subscriber, yet I missed this. Thank you Rhonda Hopkins for pointing me in this direction. Of course I wouldn’t be in this Goodreads predicament if not for Christine Mackenzie, who sent me an invite to join her on Goodreads and now I have another site to learn how to navigate. I second her emotion. Please do write a Goodreads for Dummies Tameri. Or, you could elaborate on what you wrote on this post. I’m up for both! Thanks!
Hi, Karen! Thanks! I’ll do that soon… but this week I’m planning a post on how to get your Goodreads reviews on Kobo! In the meantime, good luck!