How to Get Your Book on Virtual Shelves

Emily Osburne — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:54:29 +0000

As a writer, your goal is to place your book on as many shelves as possible. That should include virtual shelves! In this post you will learn how to use Shelfari to not only promote your book online for free, but also find reviewers, keep up on trends and improve your blog.

Shelfari is “a gathering place for authors, aspiring authors, publishers, and readers, and has many tools and features to help these groups connect with each other in a fun and engaging way.”

Shelfari facilitates discussion and recommendations for book lovers. Members have a virtual shelf with books they are reading, books they recommend and books they plan to read. The type of readers who use Shelfari are the type of readers who recommend books to many people.

5 Ways to Use Shelfari

#1 Stay Up-to-date with Current Trends within your Genre

Join a group that discusses and makes recommendations for the type of book you are publishing. This is a great way to get feedback on readers’ preferences.

#2 Find Reviewers

You are likely to find potential buyers, bloggers and book reviewers in your reading group. Become an active member and develop rapport before requesting a book review.

#3 Decorate Your Blog

Shelfari has developed a popular widget that can display your Book Shelf on your blog for interested readers. Here is an example.

#4 Promote Your Book / Develop a Following

If someone has not already written a description for your book, write it and send it to your friends. Invite other readers to post comments and thoughts.

Here is an example of a digital bookshelf on Shelfari

#5 Find a Book to Read at the Beach

If you are a writer, you are probably an avid reader. Shelfari users are always the first to know about great books, so you can stay ahead of the mainstream media by staying close to other enthusiastic readers.

If you have questions about how to use Shelfari, this group is available to answer your questions:

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