Thursday, April 4, 2013

GOODREADS? AMAZON?


A favorite social media site of mine is Goodreads. I enjoy it not as a place to promote my own books and stories, but as a reader. I am a reader on Goodreads. It’s where I track my own reading. My reviews there are basically for my own benefit and rarely include more than a sentence or two. It helps me keep track of what books I have read and what books are still on my TBR pile. 

The most valuable place there for me are the book recommendations.  Based on my reading habits, I get lists of books that are ‘similar’  to what I enjoy. I’ve been introduced to a number of new authors that way. 

I also participate in a few 'book clubs.’ I love chatting about books. The members there don't even know I'm a writer  or if they do, I never promote there.  It has been my one 'safe' place where I didn't feel I had to promote every second. On Goodreads I'm a reader first, writer second. 

I’m not a visual person, so Pinterest pretty much bores me. Facebook is good, but sort of functions for me as a website. Goodreads is the place I feel I can ‘hang out with my peeps.’

Therefore I’m not altogether cheered that Amazon has purchased this massive site. If Amazon has all my preference info now - along with the names of the 50+ books I've read,  will I be inundated with ads? Probably. It’ll become one more site where I’m bombarded with marketing and feel I have to promote my own stuff or drown. 

I got off Shelfari for that very reason. 

Here are a few more links about the acquisition of Goodreads: 



http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/04/the-simple-reason-why-goodreads-is-so-valuable-to-amazon/274548/
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4 comments:

  1. Mystery and MayhemApril 5, 2013 at 9:02 AM

    I'm concerned about it, too, Linda. I am bombarded by ads that reflect my recent internet viewing and I don't like it. I wish I could remove whatever cookies are in my computer than tell everyone what I've looked at. Hey, Amazon, GR, just because I looked at a hotel website doesn't mean I will rent a room through YOUR marketing efforts!

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  2. Linda HallApril 5, 2013 at 9:23 AM

    I hear ya, Barbara. Happens all the time with Facebook. I get periodic Amazon email newsletters, because, yes, I am interested in books. But if I'm looking for anything, you can bet I'll get an email from Amazon advertising those particular products. I'm sort of in the market for a small food dehydrator - so I thought, I'll look and see what Amazon has. That was 2 days ago.

    Well, this morning wouldn't you know it - an email from Amazon with a bunch of food dehydrators, plus food processors, etc.

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  3. Gail MacMillanApril 5, 2013 at 3:02 PM

    Good post, Linda. Lots of excellent points. We'll have to wait and see what comes of all these changes Amazon is making. Gail

    ReplyDelete
  4. Doris-LeeApril 7, 2013 at 2:26 PM

    Linda, this is true. I went on Amazon to buy boots to support my bad ankle. I get mail all the time now. It is annoying but I'm thankful for the delete button. Doris

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