Let’s be honest, writing the book is the easy part (okay, maybe not easy, but you get the point). Once that’s done, it’s time to actually get people to read it. And when it comes to building buzz, few platforms offer more opportunities than Goodreads.
If you’re serious about building a community around your writing, Goodreads for authors should be on your radar from day one. Whether you’re just starting out or prepping your tenth launch, using platforms like Goodreads, The StoryGraph, and even your own newsletter gives you a fighting chance at growing a loyal fanbase.
This guide walks you through how Goodreads works, how to use it to your advantage, and where it fits within a broader book marketing services strategy.
What Is Goodreads, and Why Should You Care?
In case you’ve never used it before, Goodreads is like a giant digital bookshelf where readers log the books they’ve read, want to read, and are currently reading. It’s packed with reviews, ratings, and recommendations, and yes, authors can use it too.
What makes Goodreads for authors so powerful is its community. People go there not just to talk about books, but to discover them. It’s like the world’s largest word-of-mouth machine, and it’s free.
Claiming Your Author Profile
First things first: you’ll need to claim your author profile. If your book is already listed (which it likely is, especially if you’ve published through Swift), you can apply for Goodreads Author status. This gives you access to:
- A custom author page
- Blog integration
- The ability to add book trailers (hello, book promotional video)
- Access to reader reviews and stats
- Tools to host giveaways and connect with fans
This is where you start building out your brand. Make sure your profile picture is professional, your bio is snappy (don’t forget that email marketing for authors works best when readers know who they’re following), and your links are all updated.
Run Goodreads Giveaways the Right Way
One of the best tools for discoverability is the Goodreads Giveaway feature. Authors can give away either eBooks or print copies, and in return, hundreds (sometimes thousands) of readers add your book to their “Want to Read” shelf.
That does two things:
- It boosts your book’s visibility in the algorithm
- It gives you a nice bump in pre-release hype
Use this as part of a wider book pre-orders strategy. Run your giveaway a month or two ahead of your official launch, then follow it up with an email push and some virtual book launch content.
Engage With Your Readers
You don’t have to be glued to Goodreads all day, but showing up just enough can make a big difference. Respond to reviews (especially the good ones), thank readers for adding your book, and join a few relevant groups.
You can also:
- Post updates about your writing journey
- Share blog posts or events
- Use the Q&A feature to talk about characters or themes
- Share your thoughts on ghostwriting ethics or publishing insights, if that fits your niche
Don’t worry about being “salesy.” Just be present and genuine. That’s what readers want.
The Power of Reader Reviews
Here’s a truth bomb: nothing sells a book like other people saying it’s brilliant. That’s why using reader reviews marketing is one of the smartest moves you can make.
Encourage your readers to leave a review on Goodreads after reading. You can prompt this gently in your email sequence or social media posts. If someone leaves a glowing review, quote it in your newsletter or repurpose it for your Swift page.
When possible, tie reviews into your wider strategy, feature them in your book media kit, quote them in your query letter if you’re pitching another book, or even reference them in book translation publishing proposals.
Goodreads Beyond Fiction
Think Goodreads is just for novelists? Think again. Non-fiction authors, poets, and even children’s writers can use the platform effectively.
Post updates about research, link to blog posts about copy editing vs proofreading, or share excerpts of your book’s most impactful takeaways. If your book includes strong visuals or layout, highlight your book typography tips or share behind-the-scenes posts.
And yes, you can absolutely list translated versions too. Book translation publishing is supported across many Goodreads editions.
Pair Goodreads with Other Platforms
While Goodreads is powerful, it shouldn’t be the only tool in your marketing shed. Use it alongside platforms like:
- Your personal website (for email marketing for authors)
- Swift Author Central (for data and rankings)
- StoryGraph or LibraryThing (great for niche readers)
- BookFunnel or Prolific Works (for ARC and sample distribution)
Together, these build a full-circle author platform. You’ll reach different types of readers across different stages of the buying journey.
Oh, and when pricing your book for giveaways or promotions, remember: pricing a self-published book correctly is key to balancing exposure with sales.
Tie It Back to Your Audiobook, Too
If you’re also releasing your book in audio, don’t leave that out. Add your audiobook edition to Goodreads so people can log it too. Highlight your audiobook narration styles in posts or run giveaways for audio codes.
And if you’re preparing for an audio release, check off those key steps, especially how to prepare a manuscript for an audiobook to avoid delays or format issues.
Beyond Goodreads: Building a Community That Lasts
At the end of the day, Goodreads is one piece of a larger strategy. It’s brilliant for discovery, visibility, and reader interaction, but it works best when paired with things like a strong mailing list, social media plan, and even book marketing services for more targeted outreach.
Whether you’re just learning how to write a query letter or mapping out your entire launch, putting in the time to understand how these platforms work will serve you across every book you publish.
From sorting out KDP Select vs wide distribution, to prepping for a global launch, to planning your next giveaway, Goodreads should be a go-to tool in your marketing toolkit.
Conclusion
Goodreads for authors isn’t just a reader’s playground; it’s your opportunity to connect, promote, and build your tribe. From claiming your profile to running giveaways, gathering reviews, and integrating with your broader strategy, it’s all about showing up in the right places.
And if all this feels like a bit much? Don’t worry. That’s where the pros step in. Swift’s book marketing services can help you craft campaigns that actually get results, Goodreads included.
