I belong to a number of social networking websites such as Good Reads, Facebook or LinkedIn. I’ve heard a few people say they don’t have time for sites like that, and I can empathize and understand with that point of view. At the same time, it’s important to recognize the power of book marketing with social networking websites — especially with Good Reads!

In Facebook, I’ve noticed several poetry groups popping up. I’ve received invitations to join several. Recently, Ross White sent me an invitation to join his poetry press (Bull City Press) and Inch Magazine group on Facebook. Although I’ve declined a number of other invitations, I accepted his. Why? I am curious how he’ll use this group to market his press. I might borrow some moves. (I’m watching you, Ross!)

Good Reads, with its slant towards bibliophiles, seems an obvious social networking choice for a writer. I’ve seen people selecting their own books for their reading lists and think that’s a great idea. When writers choose their own book, they let their Good Reads friends know about it. Users of Good Reads can choose to have the book selections of their friends emailed straight to their in box. If you are posting your own book to your list, then you’ll be mailing info about the book to someone’s in box (with their permission).

Permission is so important. However, that topic is for another post.

If you want to market your book on a budget — and what poet is not on a budget? — Good Reads seems like a good way to use social networking and social marketing to get your book in front of people. Remember, it takes about 7 impressions before someone will buy an item, and you’ll do better if you have a variety of ways of getting the word out to the public.