Today's topic requires lots of participation. From you!
That's right, whether you're an author trying to figure out how newsletters work or a reader who signs up for newsletters. Especially if you are the latter. I know I have lots of questions, and I'm sure others do as well.
Newsletters have been on my mind for the last month. I started one two years ago when I ran a
kickstarter to fund the cost of publishing
FADE INTO ME. I think I've sent 5 whole emails since then. I just didn't know what to put in those newsletters. They are supposed to be a good way to communicate with your readers, your fans, but what the heck do you write about?
Recently, another author (
Tamara Hart Heiner) opened my eyes to a new world of possibilities. Before I tell you what I learned from her, let me ask you a questions.
Do you have an author newsletter? What do you put in it?
Or
Do you sign up for author's newsletters? Why and what do you hope to see in your inbox?
My approach has always been not to send too many letters. I know I get so many emails that it's hard to keep up. When I do send email letters it's like tossing a paper airplane out the window. There is no response. I'd love to enter into conversations with my readers, find out what they want from me so I can try and accommodate them if possible.
However, here's what I learned from Tamara:
- Send a newsletter every week because you want to weed out the people who aren't really your fans.
- Talk about all kinds of things and only mention your books when something is going on.
- Use it as a way to share YOU with your readers
- Use automations (more on this later)
- Have a book that you can give away to people when they sign up for your newsletter
- Make sure you are sharing exclusives with your newsletter subscribers--make it worth their while
The more she talked about what she was doing, the more excited I got. I sat down and came up with weekly topics that I find fascinating--scientific advances, astronomy lessons, history of space flight, etc. Things that I love to research while writing. Things that others might find just as interesting, and maybe want to talk about. I came up with some personal topics as well--recipe shares and my 50 by 50 goal reports.
It will require a lot more work and focus on my part, but if it's entertaining for my readers it will be worth it!
So, my next question for you...
Do you really want to get to know your authors this well or not?
Or
What individual topics could you add to your newsletter that reflects you and/or your genre?
We will cover newsletter automation--what it is and why it's cool--Wednesday.
Want to sign up for my newsletter? Click
HERE.
NOTE: If you start looking at newsletter apps, look for one that offers free automation or at least really cheap. I signed up for mailchimp before I knew about automation and it's an extra cost with them.
Thinking about starting a newsletter, but not sure where to start?
