goodreads: the platform that can make your career michael j. sullivan riyria revelations ● riyria...
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GOODREADS: THE PLATFORM THAT CAN MAKE YOUR CAREER
Michael J. Sullivan
Riyria Revelations ● Riyria Chronicles ● Hollow World
GETTING PRESENTATION SLIDES
Will be posted to my blog on Monday: www.Riyria.com
Along with links to some of the resources I’ll speak about today.
Both this presentation, and my presentation on Author Branding given in yesterday’s PRO session
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MYSELF
Author Riyria Revelations, Riyria Chronicles, Hollow WorldHalf a million English Language Books Sold20 Foreign Language ContractsSelf, small-press, and big-five
At BEA (Book Expo America) Goodreads presentation used me as a case study for an author who “does Goodreads right.”
#48 Most followed last 12 months; #43 Most followed last week (out of 78,000 authors + millions of readers)
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU
How many of you were at my session yesterday on branding?
How many have published at least one book or article?How many are still in the pre-publication phase?How many are or want to be traditionally published?How many are or want to be self-published?Are there any hybrid authors in the audience: who both self and traditionally publish?
THREE THINGS THAT MADE MY CAREER
Wrote books that people wanted to readConnected with book bloggers to get reviews/interviews
Early adopter of GoodreadsMember since October 200819 Giveaways2 Publisher funded marketing campaigns3 Goodreads Choice NomineeFeatured in Goodreads NewsletterFeatured author in “Ask the Author” rollout
NO MATTER HOW YOU PUBLISH – USE GOODREADS
It’s where the readers are (twitter, pinterest…etc all kinds of “stuff” but goodreads is JUST books
2013 BEA Presentation (May 30, 2013)18 million members570 million books shelved24 million books reviewed11 million books discovered (added “to-read” shelves)
74,000 authors
WHAT WE CAN DO TODAY
I’ve written volumes of information on this subject
Can only scratch the surface in 50 minutesGoing to hit the highlightsLots of time for Q&ALots of resources for further study after you leave the conference
MANY AUTHORS FIND GOODREADS DIFFICULT
An Author’s Guide to Goodreads (reddit)Goodreads 101 - Part 1: Setting up your profileGood Reads 101 - Part 2: Tell me about your bookGoodreads 201: Part 3: Introducing yourselfGoodreads 201: Part 4:Introduction emailsMeasuring your Goodreads ResultsPutting your best foot forward
http://www.reddit.com/r/Write2Publish/comments/1aqlo5/an_authors_guide_to_goodreads/
GOODREADS HELP
Slide share – 22 PresentationsGoodreads 201 – Advanced TechniqueMarketing your books on GoodreadsBuilding a Platform on GoodreadsYour Guide to Giveaways Your Guide to Author Promotionshttp://www.slideshare.net/GoodreadsPresentations/presentations
On the siteGuidelines for AuthorsAuthor Program How to
GETTING STARTED WITH GOODREADS
Optimize your Goodreads Profile PageClaim your pageMake sure all your books are showingLink to your blogPost some sample chapters
Find appropriate groupsPost a book in “author’s section”Create some email templatesDo a giveawayTrack your results
AUTHOR PROFILE
AUTHOR PROFILE DETAILS
Identifies you as a Goodreads Author Use your “long bio” like discussed in yesterday’s session
Use italics, bolding, and pictures to make it standout
Automatically adds blog posts to GoodreadsNEW: Ask the author – Q&A with readers
GROUPS: THE MOST IMPORTANT PLACE ON GOODREADS
Few authors seem to know or use them
Check the rules!!Find groups that match your genreUsually have a section for author’s to post
Usually do monthly polls to choose “to read” books
BE A MEMBER FIRST
GROUPS: AUTHOR’S SECTION PROMOTION POST
Thank them for opportunityGraphic or book cover15 word “headline” (from yesterday’s presentation)
One paragraph “back of book blurb”Reviews (with links)Any accolades Most anticipated booksBest book of 2013
PRIVATE GROUPS
By invitation onlyExclusivity = desirabilityPart of the “in-crowd”
Secret - what is said in the group stays in the group No posts are sent out to the person’s feeds
Give them special things they can’t get anywhere elseShort story, afterword, playlist used when writing books
EMAIL SIGNATURES
EMAIL SIGNATURES
Shows pictures of your booksLinks to Goodreads pagesCan create links to books not yet publishedDo a “search” on the book titleUse the “Manually add book” on the far right
Eliminates need to “push” your book
GIVEAWAYS
Choose your categories wellDoesn’t have to be a ton of books 1-2 is fine
Make a compelling descriptionStart early (pre-order)Run for about 30 daysUse the widget to advertiseCan run several for the same book
GIVEAWAYS: DO THEM OFTEN
TRACK RESULTS: AUTHOR’S DASHBOARD
Summary of all your booksOverall rating – how much people like your booksHow many people are shelving and have read the books
TRACK RESULTS: BOOKS ADDED TO SHELF
TRACK RESULTS: UNIQUE READERS (ADD TO SHELF)
TRACK RESULTS: MONTHLY
IN CONCLUSION
You build an audience one reader at a time…goodreads is where you connect with them.
Be a “member” firstYou get what you giveEven a “small-fry” can be a starKeep at it…you’ll build over time
CONNECTING WITH ME
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @author_sullivanWebsite: www.riyria.comPublishing articles: Amazing Stories Magazine
Reddit: /r/fantasy /r/writing /r/write2publish