5 "Outside-the-Box" Ways to Find Your Next 1,000 Readers > Likes and Comments
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Thanks for your suggestions. I am interested in the list builder one. I am finishing my first giveaway tomorrow and I am new to Goodreads. Could you explain in more detail how I can contact those entrants where my book is now on their reading list? Also I did not understand TOS. Thanks for your advice. Art
Hi Art, TOS stands for Terms of Service. It’s the legal agreement between you and the platform (Goodreads). Since Goodreads is owned by Amazon, they are very strict about "spammy" behavior. If you break the TOS, they can shadow-ban your books or delete your author profile entirely.
You cannot direct message members now on Goodreads. Since you can't go to them via DM, you have to make them come to you using these three "legal" channels:
1. The Author Blog Update (The Most Powerful Tool)
When someone enters your giveaway, your book is added to their "Want-to-Read" shelf. Because they are now "following" that book’s journey, Goodreads' algorithm often places your Author Blog posts into their home feed.
The Move: Write a blog post on your Goodreads Author Profile titled "A special gift for everyone who entered the [Book Title] Giveaway!"
The Hook: In the post, thank everyone for the interest and offer a "consolation prize" (like a free short story or a character art PDF) available on your website. This moves them from Goodreads to your private email list.
2. The "Ask the Author" Feature
If you have this turned on, you can answer a question (or even ask yourself one!) like: "Where can I find more stories about these characters if I didn't win the giveaway?" * The Move: When you answer this on your profile, it often triggers a notification to people who have shelved your book. It’s a non-intrusive way to say, "Hey, I have more for you over here."
3. The "General Update" with a Hook
On your author dashboard, you can post a status update. If you use a specific "hook"—for example, sharing a teaser image of the book they just shelved—it will show up in the "Updates" feed of many of those entrants.
The Strategy in a Nutshell:
You are essentially broadcasting to a megaphone rather than whispering in their ear. Because they have your book on their "Want-to-Read" shelf, they are "tuned in" to your frequency. You just have to provide content (blogs/updates) that gives them a reason to click through to your site.
Thank you very much. What a complete and thorough answer. Much appreciated
1) The "List-Builder" Goodreads Giveaway: Don't just run a giveaway for the sake of it. When your giveaway ends, Goodreads allows you to see who added your book to their "To-Read" shelf. Reach out to the community (within TOS) by posting a "Thank You" update on your blog/profile specifically for those followers, offering a free prequel or character art in exchange for joining your newsletter.
2) Micro-Influencer "Niche" Outreach: Stop chasing the BookTubers with 100k subs; they are flooded with requests. Find the "Micro-Influencers" (5k–10k followers) on Instagram who specialize strictly in your sub-genre (e.g., "Cozy Paranormal Mystery"). Their engagement rates are usually 3x higher, and they are often looking for fresh content to feature.
3) The "Search-Engine-First" Blog Strategy:
Stop posting generic "My book is out!" updates. Instead, write a blog post on your website or Goodreads profile titled: "10 Books to Read if You Love [Famous Bestseller in Your Genre]." List 9 popular books and put your book as #5 or #10. When readers search Google or Goodreads for "Books like [Bestseller]," your list (and your book) will show up in their search results. You aren't "selling"; you're providing a recommendation to a reader who is already looking for a story exactly like yours.
4) The "Easter Egg" Strategy: Add a "hidden" page on your website mentioned only in the back matter of your book. Offer a "deleted scene" or an alternate ending. To access it, readers have to enter their email. This turns a casual reader into a "Super Fan" you can market to forever.
5) Local "QR Code" Guerrilla Marketing: Print postcards with a compelling hook and a QR code that leads directly to a free sample chapter or your Goodreads page. Leave them at local coffee shops, libraries, or even tucked into relevant non-fiction books at used bookstores (with permission!). Physical touchpoints stand out in a digital world.