WHERE STORIES TAKE FLIGHT: 11 Tips for Maximizing A Goodreads Giveaway

I am back, I'm marketing The Pet Washer again! My new edition has been released and the universe is ready to receive me! I had sales in the US and the UK last night. This morning I was ranked in the top 100 on Amazon in my sub-categories under childrens ebooks. Yeee Haaaaw, I might just have to saddle up my horse and ride into the sunset tonight!

Well, that's probably premature. Instead I will share with you 11 plus tips on running a Goodreads Giveaway with maximum results. You can read the article I read HERE for an in depth explanation. It was authored by Emlyn Chand, the president of Novel Publicity. I will give you a brief teaser of what you'll learn in her article.

11 Tips to Maximize Your Goodreads Giveaway!

You only need to offer one copy (unless your budget allows more)
Make it an autographed copy (in all caps)
Choose to end your Giveaway on a low-traffic day
Offer it to all countries for the most exposure
Use your reviews to pitch the reader
Congratulate the winner
Send the book promptly
Short giveaways pack more punch
Goodreads takes 1 to 2 days to approve the giveaway, so don't schedule it to start immediately--you lose time.
Books are judged on their covers--bring your best!
Become popular! The more reviews you get, the more "popular" you are, the more your Giveaway is promoted.

I will add--if your book is done and you have a nice proof, but you haven't published yet, you can run an ARC giveaway (Advanced Review Copy). Readers love to win ARC's. It creates a buzz and you can run it for just two days (because I know you can't wait to publish your new book!)

She also didn't mention THE WIDGET! Goodreads provides the HTML for a lovely widget to promote your giveaway on your website/blog. I posted my above. You can ask your friends to post one too. I also added a link to the contest on my Facebook pages.

I will be running Goodreads Giveaways often. I won't always make a big deal out of them with my friends, or on my site, and I'll be careful not to overdo it on Goodreads, but it's advertising that I feel good about. Why? It's free for me to implement and it offers a gift to others. It's the definition of a win-win!

And now you have two ways to win my new edition of The Pet Washer--name my fish, or enter on Goodreads--or both! Over 40 people have named my fish already between FB, KDP, and my blog--I would love to hear your ideas! Leave a name in the comments below and I'll enter you to win a $10 Amazon card and a copy of the new edition of The Pet Washer! (winners announced 08/01/12 on my blog).

To Do: Set up your Goodreads Giveaway today!