I have to be honest. Since I joined Goodreads this past year, I had my doubts if it was worth my time. I just didn’t see the benefits of investing the little extra time I had in it. I wondered if people really hung out there enough to read updates and reviews from their friends, or if those updates scrolled down the page, never to be heard or seen again.
But before I made my final judgement call on this social media, I decided to hold a one-week giveaway of Real Virtue. (Click here to enter if you would like.) And so far, I have to say, my opinion is being swayed toward the positive.
First of all, readers are adding my book to their libraries constantly. (So people are hanging out there) Whether they will buy it is another study, but more people are seeing the ad and having to respond in some way to it versus other (PAYING) ads where they glance over it and move onto the next thing. And notice I said PAYING ads. The Giveaway is free, minus the book, of course.
And second? It was easy. I like easy. Plus, once I sign up, Goodreads takes the campaign from there and gives me the tools to get the word out on my end…as I’m sure all my Facebook and Twitter friends can attest to. But honestly, I would LOVE it if one of my followers won the free copy.
When you are reading this on 12/16/12, I will still have another two days left of the giveaway, and won’t be able to give concrete numbers, but at the rate I have seen action, I’m pretty positive it’s not going to let up. I’m thinking as it crunches down to the final seconds, more and more people will see it and make the decision to enter and add it to their lists.
The Unlocked Secret: In the end, it’s not about numbers of sales for me, but rather the chance to bless someone with the message of Real Virtue. But if no one knows about the book, that will be hard to do. I know God gave me a story to tell, and He’s not going to leave it on the shelf. It’s nice to know there are sites like Goodreads that want to help me get it out there.
Question: Have you done a book giveaway? How did it help you spread the word? Or did it?
AND DON’T FORGET TO ENTER!
Writing Secrets of 7 Scribes 
Katy, It is wonderful that your book is being read, however the story gets out there. Your post is encouraging. Sales will go up. Remember my email yesterday, and that cross in-between the clouds? God knows, God sees, God is watching.
Unfortunately, my email is down…again! But I look forward to receiving your message when it’s fixed! Hope your time away is full of blessings!!!
Katy, thanks for the GR tip. I just entered your giveaway. I’d love to read your book, so if I don”t win, I’ll just order it.
Awesome! Glad to hear it! Enjoy and be blessed!
I’ve done GR giveaways with a couple of my books, and although it hasn’t led to immediate sales, it’s great exposure, and I wonder how many of those folks who put the book on their TBR list will go back later and give it a second look or buy it at a later date. It’s not uncommon to have your book added to hundreds of TBR lists during a giveaway. For free advertising, that’s a good response. Glad to see you jumping into the promo pond! Good luck!
And the fact that all their readers see that they added it…if they read the updates. So more exposure.
I entered your contest Katy! I love goodreads. I check it out to find good books to read.! think it would be worth it to be on there. Thanks for the chance to win.
joeym11@frontier.com
Awesome! So glad to hear it. 🙂 And make sure you enter through GR…noy by leaving a message on this post. (Just in case) 🙂