Goodreads is the answer to all avid readers who love social media and reading. However, there isn’t much literature on the Internet about how to make the most of your Goodreads profile and on how to expand your virtual literary community.
So, how do you get more friends on Goodreads? This is where optimization and networking come into play.
First, add me as a friend. Then, read how I continue to grow my friends list on Goodreads.
Optimize Your Profile
Think of your Goodreads profile as the handshake that starts your virtual friendship. By filling out your profile in full, you are more likely to gain the trust of the Goodreads community.
- Tap the drop-down arrow in the top right corner of the screen next to you profile pictures.
- Select Edit Profile.
- Within the Profile tab, fill out all tabs that will help current friends or those with like reading interests find your profile, including:
- First and last name
- Username
- My Website
- My Interests
- What Kind of Books Do You Like to Read?
- About Me
- Make sure to select an option for the following:
- Show my last name to
- Location Viewable By
- Don’t forget to upload a photo of yourself. This will assure future friends that your profile isn’t a fake account and that you’re a regular user of Goodreads.
Remember: When filling out My Interests, What Kind of Books Do You Like to Read? and About Me, try weaving in words that users would use to search for friends. For example, if you are an avid reader of science fiction, make sure to add keywords like “science fiction” and “sci-fi” as well as key science fiction authors and book titles to these sections.
Invite Your Own Friends
Before searching for new friends on Goodreads, connect with your current group of friends on this social media platform.
- Tap the drop-down arrow in the top right corner of the screen next to you profile pictures.
- Select Friends.
- Underneath Find Friends From, you can find your existing friends by selecting the following social media or email account for Goodreads to search:
- Gmail
- Yahoo
- Friends of friends (on Goodreads)
- Fill in the search box with your friend’s name or email address found below Find Friends From to find friends you’re not connected with in the above way. Then, click search members.
Add Books to Your Bookshelves
A bookshelf is Goodreads’ equivalent to a book list. To get more friends on Goodreads, you must show that you’re an avid reader. Not having any books on your lists gives a warning that your profile may not be active or that it’s not managed by a real person. Start by filling out the default bookshelves:
- Read: What books have you read in the past?
- Currently Reading: What books are you reading now?
- To-Read: What books are on your bucket list?
I chose not to add books to my Read bookshelf until I finished the book from my Currently Reading list because I wanted to keep track of how much I was reading since I created my Goodreads profile. Many of my Goodreads friends chose to update their Read bookshelf with books they’ve read years before they created their Goodreads account. It’s all about preference.
You can also create a bookshelf that best fits your profile style or brand.
Promote Your Goodreads Profile On Your Websites
Give a shoutout to your Goodreads profile on your other social media websites. Send a tweet, post your Goodreads profile link in a Facebook post, or mention it in a blog post.
Have a website? You can add widget that previews the books you’ve recently finished reading. This encourages your website readers to be your friend on Goodreads.
- Tap the dropdown arrow in the top right corner of the screen next to you profile pictures.
- Select Edit Profile.
- Within the Widgets tab, a preview of what you widget will look like appears. You can customize what shows on your widget by updating the information below Customize Your Widget
- Copy the HTML code and paste it onto your website. For WordPress users, there is a Goodreads widget that allows you to enter your profile information without the need to copy and paste the HTML code.
Join Groups and Book Talk Discussions
Want to talk about your latest read? Simply have a question to ask about your current novel?
Welcome to your virtual book club. A variety of conversations, from authors and specific books to genres and book events, can be easily found within Groups and Book Talk Discussions. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Start your own group or discussion.
Groups and Book Talk Discussions are a great way to introduce yourself to this literary community. Once you have a presence and engaged in thoughtful conversation, you can add friends you have made through these outlets.
There’s even a discussion about getting more friends on Goodreads!
How do you get more friends on Goodreads? Share your strategies below.