Authors – especially new ones – have a funny habit of promoting their books to other authors who are all trying to do the exact same thing. Their efforts would be much better directed getting the word out to non-author readers, some of whom might actually consider buying their books. Goodreads is an enormous source of potential readers, and one which authors should use to their advantage.
First, though, the bad news. You will never sell a single book pitching by pitching it on Goodreads. Everyone who’s ever published a book has pitched it on Goodreads, and Goodreads readers have learned to ignore them. Few things are less appealing than someone whose seemingly sole purpose in being part of a group is to try and sell something. The other members will lose interest in you almost immediately if that’s all you’re after.
Now the good news: there are things you can get from Goodreads if you’re willing to go about it the right way. Before you can go after them, though, there are things you need to do.
1. Join Goodreads groups. There are groups of readers interested in your genre; groups linking authors and readers; groups oriented to giving reviews – you get the idea.
2. Actively participate in these groups. Contribute discussion topics; comment on posts and threads, and just generally become recognizable to other members.
Once you’ve established your presence as a regular, you can begin asking for things. One of the best things you can ask for is reviews. It is important to ask for reviews as though you are soliciting help, rather than offering an opportunity no reader should refuse. People will help someone trying to get started; they’re generally less willing to help you sell books.
If you’re able to find Goodreads readers who are willing to consider reviewing your book, do not automatically send it. First, go to your prospective reviewer’s profile page, and look under their photo/avatar. There, you will see how many reviews they’ve done, and what their average rating is. If they haven’t written many, or even any, reviews, or if their average book rating is low, avoid sending that person a review copy. If they have done reviews, and tend to rate books highly, they’re worth considering. It helps if they’ve reviewed other books in your genre favorably.
Remember to ask your reviewers to post their reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, and anywhere else you can think of.
Another resource Goodreads readers can offer you is in helping to identify authors of comparable books, many of whom may be successful but unknown to you. Looking up those authors and their books, seeing how they represent themselves and their work, where they promote, etc., can give you ideas about how to promote your own book more successfully.
Joel Bresler is the author of Letters to be Read in a Heavily British Accent, Sunderwynde Revisited,Sunderwynde Revisited Againand The Moskowitz Code. His latest humorous novel Bottomless Cups is scheduled for release February 27, 2020.
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Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
There are forums – and dedicated threads for promoting your book, but do potential readers scroll through them? More than likely, not. There is a term I have seen around Goodreads: Bookwhacking – the constant “Here’s my book. Buy me book.” that can be seen.
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