As an independent author, social media is incredibly helpful in getting your book and you as an author known to millions of readers. Here are the reasons why.

Firstly, Goodreads is a dedicated social media site exclusively for lovers of books and is a place where they can interact. What more could you ask for?

You need to register to become a member of Goodreads, but to do so is free. Once you are registered you then need to upgrade your membership to that of a Goodreads Author, but again this is free and easy to do. Once registered as a Goodreads author, you will be able to use the many benefits of being an author on the site.

You automatically get your very own dedicated author page where you can create your author profile and biography. So in essence you can tell any potential readers a little about your background, family and writing experiences. This can be information that they might not find on other social media sites. You also have the option of uploading videos and photographs as well as an author profile picture.

It is recommended that you upload a profile image as readers like to connect with the author and it is easier to do so if they can see your face. The uploading of videos feature is fantastic if you have a book trailer as this can be uploaded onto the site.

What you can also do when creating your profile is add a blog. This can either be a new blog created on the site or you can link an existing blog that will automatically post onto the site, gaining you more traffic to your blog site. So this is most certainly worth doing.

What is really important is that as well as listing books that you have read or are currently reading, you must add a list of your own published books. You can also add book cover images and visitors to your page will be directed to where they are sold. There is also an add eBook feature which you can use to upload your books in PDF and ePub format. You are also able to sell your eBook with this feature on Goodreads.

Goodreads Events is also an excellent tool to use and you can promote events like book launches, book blog tours and Q&A events. You can contact friends on your ‘friends list’ as well as posting the event on your wall.

The book giveaway is also a must for a Goodreads author. This is where you can give away a number of your print copies and hopefully by doing so will receive a book review in return. You do not choose the recipients as Goodreads will randomly choose winners and will send you the names and mailing address. You however have to post the books.

So Goodreads is free promotion for your books and you can chat to fellow readers and authors, so why not give it a go?