Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

I have 10 people reading, 568 that want to read my book and only 3 reviews after 2 months. Does the Giveaway work for anyone?

Tony, reviews take time after a giveaway. A lot of times, people are in the middle of a book already, couple that with a busy schedule and it makes for sometimes a long wait. You will need to be patient. Goodreads sends reminders to winners of the giveaways that they need to provide a review.

I just finished a giveaway about a month ago, and I keep myself busy with promotions so I don't focus so much on the reviews. You might solicit reviews from other platforms: Facebook, subscribers to your website, StoryOrigin. I'm having moderate success with StoryOrigin and only joined less than a month ago.

Donna

For the cost of setting up a giveaway to increase sales; not sure it is worth it. I've never understood why people don't take the effort to write a review. I met a young woman author once who stated she doesn't write reviews ever; and when it came down to it; she admitted she didn't feel she could write a competent review. Amazing. Each author needs to evaluate the cost of operations against the potential for revenue. Securing the most effective marketing paths is a difficult and never-ending task. Connecting with other authors, producers and agencies takes place one person at a time, one step at a time, and is time-consuming.

Thanks Colleen.

I gave away 12,000 books through Kindle Select and didn't see more than 5 reviews.

Terry wrote: "I gave away 12,000 books through Kindle Select and didn't see more than 5 reviews."

That's awful, Terry. Just awful. 12,000! Please tell me you don't need to give another 12,000 away to realize that method doesn't work. Please.

Donna

I really just want people to see my books, but no more freebies. I am getting wonderful reviews and numerous Indie awards, but little traction despite a ton of effort. They are very timely dystopian allegories (The Antunite Chronicles), but not what modern readers are looking for, I guess.

Thx for all the feedback .
Whereas the extremely poor response to Terrys book hurts it is understood that nobody wants to review because it is extra work for them. But we are a big family in Good Reads and should look for Quid Pro Quid Reviews. For example I offer to review any business and technology book provided I find an author from the same segment ……don’t know if it will work ? …..but worth trying.

To be honest I don't see the point of giveaways. I know it's supposed to generate sales, but reading the comments here it doesn't seem worth it. After working so hard to write the book, perfect it through editing, proof reading and so forth and then getting it published, if I'm going to let people read it for free, then I donate a copy to the library. So I've never done a giveaway, and my book sales are about the same as yours. Hoever, i know my books are being read as they are never on the shelves of the library when I go in.

The giveaway is a waste of time in my opinion, out of the five winners who were required to provide reviews for my book I think 2 actually gave one, and supposedly almost 2000 marked it a want to read and I don't believe any have as yet! Good luck and I'll never do another book giveaway!

Terry, keep writing what you know and inspires you. Your comments resonate with many authors who are frustrated at not being able to break through the noise. The reviews and awards you've received validate your talent as an author. As a friend recently told me (I think it is an old saying) - "There's a reason they call it the Bestseller's list and not the best written list..." This is all like fishing - No matter how many tips you get and how good your lures are, sometimes the fish ain't biting. Then on other days, out of nowhere, they're jumping in the boat.

Thoughts on the pluses and minuses of StoryOrigin?

Tony wrote: "I have 10 people reading, 568 that want to read my book and only 3 reviews after 2 months. Does the Giveaway work for anyone?"

Agreed.
My experience has been that there is an increasing number of "serial' giveaway applicants. The number requesting your book may be in the thousands, and your book may end up on many, many "want to read" lists as a result. But lots of reviews? Not so much.
The idea of a giveaway is sound, but it is an expensive form of publicity. This is especially the case for UK authors, given that giveaways are only open to US and Canada applicants and postal costs are high.

Thanks Craig, your words are wise and helpful.