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Managing Your Goodreads Author Settings

Posted by Cynthia on June 8, 2018

You've claimed your author profile on Goodreads, updated your bio and uploaded a flattering picture, enabled Ask the Author and fielded some questions. You're eager to engage with readers on Goodreads, but before embarking on a massive book reviewing spree or setting up your first book giveaway, it's important to review some of your fundamental account settings as a Goodreads Author.

Adjust your settings so your first and last name shows up in readers' feeds.

Your personal profile preferences stay as they were before you claimed your author profile, which means that your newsfeed updates might only show your first name. Considering how much your full name becomes a brand when you publish, you want to make sure your settings show both you first and last name – after all, "Jonathan" or "Jennifer" could be anyone of your friends; "Jonathan Franzen" or "Jennifer Weiner" on the other hand are very particular people!

To check these settings, click on your picture in the top right corner to show the dropdown menu, then click on "account settings." From there, make sure your Display Name shows your full name; if it doesn't, add your last name in the corresponding field.

Customize your URL.

While you're on your profile tab, you might want to think about customizing your Goodreads URL. This allows you to share a readable link, which looks better on your business card or your book jacket than the standard URL and can feed into your author branding. A great custom link is one that is consistent with your other social media accounts and instantly recognizable, for example: goodreads.com/rgay is consistent with Roxane Gay's Twitter handle (@rgay)

Under the 'profile' tab under settings, type in your preferred User Name. Assuming it isn't already taken, start sharing that URL and invite readers to follow you on Goodreads.

Use a Goodreads widget on your website.

Letting people know they can find you on Goodreads is one of the fundamental ways to get more followers. Goodreads makes it easy to show off what you're reading—whether it's in your email signature or on your website. Widgets will automatically update the information when you make edits to the shelf, which allows you to amplify your activity.

Find customizable widgets under the 'Widgets' tab under account settings, then copy and paste the one you want to use to your website or email signature (you'll find more directions on the Widget page).

Make every activity count.

While readers are most interested in seeing what books an author has read and recommends, there's a ton of activity that you can do on Goodreads that will populate your profile and your friends' update feeds. Go to the "Feeds" tab to review what activity you're sharing – at minimum, make sure you've checked "Add a book to your shelves."

Sign up for the Author Newsletter.

The Goodreads Author Newsletter is a monthly newsletter that includes links to news, interviews, and marketing advice exclusively for Goodreads Authors. You can make sure you're subscribed by checking the "Emails" tab and scrolling to "Newsletters and Other Mail." While you're there, subscribe or unsubscribe from any other updates you wish to receive from events, discussions, or groups that you're in.

While you're in your Settings, explore the other tabs to review your other preferences: you'll find everything from your preferred book vendors and Deals notifications to other apps you might have linked to your account.

Questions about your settings? Leave it in the comments below or contact our customer support team at support@goodreads.com

Next: Your Goodreads Marketing Checklist

You might also like: Optimizing Your Goodreads Author Profile Picture

Goodreads Authors can subscribe to the Monthly Author Newsletter by editing their account settings.

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