Newsletters are a great way for an author to stay in touch with his or her fan base. During the release of my series, The Circle of Friends, I had a monthly newsletter. I had a huge mailing list and it was a lot of fun.
Newsletters are voluntary though—you can’t just send one to everybody in your
address book.
Allow
fans to sign up for your newsletter on your website, and provide a way for
people to opt-out of this service. Remember, sending a newsletter to someone
who didn’t request it is called spamming. Send it only to those who sign up,
and let people know how often to expect your newsletter. Programs such as
Constant Contact allow you to manage and personalize your newsletter. These
programs are very valuable as your recipient list begins to grow.
Newsletters
require a time commitment. They need to be consistent. If your newsletter is
scheduled to go out quarterly, it needs to go out every three months. (Really, really!) Weigh
your options and decide if you have the time and enough material for a
newsletter.
A
newsletter should not contain just advertisements for your books. No one signed
up for an endless string of commercials. You can mention your books, events,
and latest accomplishments, but that should comprise only a small portion of
your newsletter.
You
can feature other authors that might appeal to your target audience. Invite
authors and experts to submit an article for your newsletter.
Perhaps
you can offer links to other resources. You can even call attention to causes
and events that are near and dear to your heart.
Do you have a newsletter or are you considering starting one?
So agree that if you're going to do a newsletter that it shouldn't just be a commercial.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I could add that extra layer... Besides, I wouldn't know how to begin to work one up.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips for newsletters. I know the ones I read completely follow these tips. I've subscribed to several newsletters, but after a couple of them I unsubscribed. They contained nothing but a rehash of what was sent in earlier newsletters.
ReplyDeleteI've been considering starting a newsletter for a while now, I just haven't had the time to fully engage in one, so I haven't wanted to start-and-stop. We use Constant Contact at work for our even blasts and it works amazingly well!!
ReplyDeleteUntil I actually publish something, I am not in the market for offering a newsletter. But, I think the idea is a great one!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't have one but I have considered it. I receive a few that I consider good examples.
ReplyDeleteMason, it always needs to be fresh.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I enjoyed it when I had one.
Hey, L. Diane,
ReplyDeleteGreat advice and suggestion! When the time comes and my book is finally published, I will certainly have a newsletter.
Thanks for sharing the link with us...
OFF to IWSG for your post!
I'm starting small with mine, but I'm enjoying it. Hope my subscribers are too! 3 monthlies out so far; looking forward to sharing my novel's cover art with them as soon as my publisher gives the nod.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great idea. I probably should consider it since my published short stories come out every few months. It would be a good way to let my family and friends know when a new one is coming out.
ReplyDeleteI think my blog is already a newsletter...
ReplyDeleteDiane, some great tips. It's a time commitment and one that requires thought as to layout and info. I've done some for business. It doesn't have to be long but does need to be interesting. That takes some thought.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it shouldn't be all about you, as the author, and all your books. I've read a few of those and unsubscribed. That's not to say you can't have a small section in it about your news but it shouldn't be the main focus.
When and if I do one, I'm talking to you. :-)
Sia McKye Over Coffee
I like the idea of a newsletter, but my email overfloweth already. I can't imagine adding more to it.
ReplyDeleteI've already been at IWSG. Great list of places to find reviewers.
A lot of newsletters get spammy, but I love the ones that bring value.
ReplyDeleteI did a sign up and promoted it, but got maybe 3 people to do it! I think people are tired of spam, despite my promises.
ReplyDeleteCan't blame them.
Tamara, that would be a great idea.
ReplyDeleteSia, if it's all about you, pretty soon no one cares.
Jay, that is the downside - some of us already get a ton of newsletters.
I like the idea of a newsletter if I could come up with a theme that would really tune into a reader's interest. Thanks for this great information.
ReplyDeleteI am considering starting one. In the early stages, trying to get my head together about it. Appreciate the info!
ReplyDeleteHi Diane,
ReplyDeleteI had my own newsletter and magazine on a site named Zimbio. It no longer has that application up and running.
Might consider setting up another one. In the meantime, we have the "IWSG" aka "I Was Seeking Gary" tribute page.
I think newsletters are a great idea and add a 'personal' touch between the fan and author, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteA newsletter is something I want to get going this year - I just need to find more info.
ReplyDeleteI've considered starting one. I didn't really want one around the time of my first book, because I didn't have much to post, but once I have several books out, I think posting news about old and new releases would make an interesting newsletter.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I always learn so much from your posts. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. Newsletters are fun and helpful. I've done this in the past, but never thought about a writerly newsletter. It's a good idea. Thanks, Spunk.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
Thanks for the info. I have a mail list, now, but had no idea what to send them.
ReplyDeleteI just had this huge revelation. I'm lazy. I didn't use to be. Now I'm struggling to get thru the day without taking a nap. I know that's more than you needed to hear. LOL. Diane, great post.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice and tips. I have one but very irregular!
ReplyDeleteMedeia, with several books now, you should consider one.
ReplyDeleteJoylene - LOL!
I do. I no longer send on a schedule. They go out when I have something to offer my fan base. Only then. I have multiple releases a year now, though, so they hear from me.
ReplyDeleteRight now I don't have enough readers to offer a newsletter but I definitely want to start one in the future. And I'll bookmark this post for when I do. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat tips Diane! I'm bookmarking in case I do decide to have one :)
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of a newsletter. The only challenge for me would be to find stuff to write in there that would be relevant not just to other fellow writers, but to non writing readers too.
ReplyDeleteI'm still in the trenches of first draft writing so I have time before I need to start thinking of that, but I definitely think it's important for a writer to have one!
I have considered it, but I'm not exactly sure about what I should put in, since everything goes onto my blogs.
ReplyDeleteI used to have one that was targeted for middle schools, and I had quite a few schools (around 300) subscribed to it, but that was around 15 years ago. It was published for six years. I've considered starting another one, but I can never decide if I would want it strictly an online newsletter or something to go out the old-fashioned way is well, snail mail. Because decisions are not my strong point, I suspect it'll be a while before I actually commit to either method. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm your newest follower, and I'm glad I found your blog. It definitely gives me some to think about. I'm looking forward to your future posts.
Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com
Thanks for the tips. At this point I don't have the time to put together a newsletter that's worth reading and a poorly done newsletter would definitely not be better than none at all.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips. I am going to bookmark this post for later :)
ReplyDeleteHi L! Just wanted to let you know that I linked to your blog today as part of my "Sunday Series: Meet a Blogger!" campaign. I hope you don't mind and also hope you get some added traffic!
ReplyDeleteI remember reading this in your book. Newsletters are a great idea. They're a bit of work, but if you have relevant, useful tips, they're a win-win for everybody.
ReplyDeleteI love newsletters! Sometimes you do have to unsubscribe because as you grow and move on, the content doesn't pertain to you and your interests.
ReplyDeleteBiggest thing I respect when I get a newsletter I'd forgotten about, is that link to unsubscribe. I hate not being able to unsubscribe!
LOL
Great post!