As a book publicist I am always on the lookout for effective inexpensive ways to reach book buyers. One way is to tap into the power of Goodreads by using Listopia lists. How?
Listopia is a free tool through Goodreads for authors to see how people rank/rate your book and for readers to see all the riveting published work on the site. It is ideal for authors to list their own book on their list along with other books in the same genre to gain from their popularity and association. For example if you have a book similar to Gone Girl then listing that book along with your book and other similar books, your book can benefit at as it may show up on Google, Bing and Amazon searches.
Here’s how to create a Listopia list on Goodreads:
- Click the “Create a List” button on the top right-hand corner of the page.
- Sign in or Sign up to create a Listopia account.
- After you Create or Sign in to your account, Click on the Explore drop down menu and hit the Listopia tab.
- Click the “Create a List” link.
- Provide the requested information for your list and click the Preview button to review your list and Publish list when you are finished.
Here’s the information you’ll be asked to enter:
- Title of Your List: Make it searchable by keywords, other bestselling authors’ names or book titles
- Description: Create a summary of what your list contains.
- Add tags: This allows you to add keywords that help others discover your list.
- Add Your Book: This is the core of your list. You can add anything from the book listings on Goodreads; (you can add books from your Amazon account too)
“I added my book Fireflies to a bunch of lists on Goodreads, and I was fortunate enough to have it voted as the number one spot on the Indie Fantasy List,” said P.S. Bartlett, author of Fireflies and The Blue Diamond.
“A review is worthless unless you say what you really think,” said Neina Campbell, author and reviewer on Goodreads. She went on to say, “I think the best reviews come close to capturing the ‘qualia’ of reading a book, and portraying what it meant to you.”
“I never knew about Listopia and have now added my book (Chocolatour) to an existing list about Chocolate books and have created a new list,” said Doreen Pendgracs, author of Chocolatour.
According to Lisa Ruefenacht, writer at PCmag.com, “Goodreads expands your literary community, it’s easy to use, and the recommendations come from your friends not from an automated database.”
Most authors are unaware of this inexpensive and valuable promotional service but should become familiar with it. By creating a list, and adding their own book, the author should also add their competition to the list. It is ideal for the author to create a list with his or her book listed along with the genre competition before someone else creates a similar list without that particular author’s book listed.
“If you’re a big reader with a circle of friends who are too or if you’re looking for a like-minded community—you owe it to yourself to check out Goodreads” adds Ruefenacht.
Interesting details to note about Listopia lists are as follows, First, the lists are public, everyone can vote on them so it is important to create a generalized title rather than a personalized one. For example, instead of “Denise’s Favorite Cook Books,” title it as “Delicious Cook Books.” Second, if a list already exists, they will be eventually merged together. Third, capitalize all list titles. Last, the Goodreads user can only create one list per day.
Whether you are a well-known author or self-publishing your first book, Listopia is an economical way for you to promote your book.
The Bottom Line: Listopia gives authors free exposure leading to more sales and recognition. Make a Listopia list TODAY! If you don’t want to do it, ask your friends to create a list and include your book.
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it’s their first book or their 15th book. He’s handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at http://www.Book-Marketing-Expert.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist
