For authors, book reviews are more than just feedback from readers—they're a critical component of a book's success. Reviews impact algorithms on platforms like Amazon, influencing potential readers' purchasing decisions. All of this may appear to be common knowledge but did you know reviews even play a significant role in whether retailers choose to stock a title. In this article, we'll explore best practices for generating reviews and dive further into the ways they help promote your book and brand.

Marketing is a constantly evolving landscape, often marked by unpredictable shifts in trends and strategies. At Greenleaf Book Group, our team is dedicated to equipping authors with best practices they can implement independently while also offering services to support the ongoing promotion of their books and brands. In this final Learning Center article of the year, we’ve highlighted four essential strategies and changes to prioritize as you prepare for 2025.

As the social media landscape evolves, new platforms continually emerge to challenge established giants. One such contender is BlueSky Social, an invitation-only platform that has garnered significant buzz as a decentralized, community-focused alternative to X (formerly Twitter). BlueSky reached an all-time spike in sign-ups during the few weeks following the 2024 election. But will BlueSky continue to grow, and should authors—fiction and nonfiction alike—consider it a viable marketing platform to expand their reach and promote their books?

As the year comes to a close, authors have a unique opportunity to capitalize on the momentum of the holiday season and the anticipation of the new year. Whether you’re trying to increase sales, connect with readers, or simply gain more visibility, the final months of the year are a great time to implement fresh marketing strategies. Here are seven actionable ideas to help you end the year strong and prepare for the next one.

Goodreads is the world's largest community of book lovers, with over 135 million readers and members. And the best thing about it? Everyone on there wants to talk about books. Goodreads is great at helping readers discover the next book they will love. Additionally, it is a wonderful site for publishers and authors to connect with potential readers.

Goodreads has created tools and profile pages that allow authors to talk to readers and promote their books in a unique way. This is what Goodreads is about building a strong reader community. What you may not realize as an author is that there is a role for you in this community as well.

Many authors want the distinction of being labeled an Amazon bestseller but aren't sure how to get there. Trying to become a bestseller can seem like a complicated or elusive process when you're doing it alone. Here are some tips that we’ve learned over the years for how to set yourself up for success when you’re working towards bestseller status.

For centuries, book clubs have been a cherished tradition among readers, offering both an excuse to socialize with friends and the motivation to hit reading goals. Whether they're neighborhood meet-ups or celebrity-endorsed institutions, book clubs have evolved dramatically over the years. In recent times, they’ve grown in visibility, popularity, and diversity, emerging as an essential way for readers to connect over shared literary experiences. For authors, this surge in popularity offers a unique opportunity to expand reach, garner reviews, and drive discussions around their books.

Now, Amazon is stepping into the book club arena with a new feature poised to change the way readers and authors connect: Amazon Book Clubs. This new platform, while still in its "early access" phase, has the potential to be a game-changer for both readers and authors alike. But how can you, as an author, leverage this new feature to help get your book into the hands of more readers?

Have you heard of Meta’s latest Twitter competitor, Threads? Threads is a new application developed by the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The interface bears a resemblance to Twitter (now X), featuring a feed predominantly composed of text-based posts. Though users also have the option to share photos and videos, allowing individuals to engage in real-time discussions.