Build an Author Newsletter List That Lasts: Your Guide to Optimal Growth

Let’s talk about something every author needs: a solid newsletter list. In a world where social media platforms might disappear overnight, your email list is something you own. It’s a direct line to your readers, and it’s more important than ever to cultivate it. Ready to learn how to build a newsletter list that grows and lasts?

Why Your Author Newsletter is More Important Than Ever

The Uncertain Future of Social Media

Think about TikTok for a second. What if it gets banned? If you’ve built your entire marketing strategy around it, what happens next? It’s a scary thought, right?

The same goes for Instagram, Facebook, and whatever new platform pops up tomorrow. You don’t control those platforms. You’re borrowing their audience. If they shut down, or change their algorithm, you lose access to all those followers.

You Own Your Newsletter List

Here’s the beautiful thing about your email list: you own it. You can export it as a CSV file and move it to a different provider whenever you want. Can you do that with your Facebook followers? Nope. Those are Facebook’s followers, not yours.

Think of it like this: your newsletter list is like owning the bookstore. Social media is like renting a shelf. Which one gives you more control?

The Core of Your Marketing Strategy

Your newsletter isn’t just an afterthought; it should be the core of your marketing strategy. Think of your marketing strategy as a plan, not just a bunch of random things you throw at the wall.

Author Bonnie from Finding Your Indie recalls when she first started. She used her Gmail account to send emails! Now, things are different. It’s all about automating the process to make things easier for you and your subscribers.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Newsletter List

Part of Your Marketing Strategy

Treat your newsletter like the VIP section of your author platform. It’s not just a side project. It’s a central hub that drives everything else.

Automate everything you can. This makes life easier for you and creates a better experience for your readers. They’re signing up because they want something: a reader magnet, bonus content, or just to hear more from you.

Don’t Ignore Your Subscribers

Bonnie shares a story about neglecting her newsletter list. She had over 12,000 active subscribers with amazing open rates. Then, life got in the way, and she stopped writing. She ignored her list for over a year! Now, she has to “warm up” the list again, and she’ll probably lose a lot of subscribers in the process.

On the other hand, she had another pen name where a VA kept the list engaged. Even after a year and a half of no new releases, that list was still active, with people asking when the next book was coming out. That’s the power of consistent communication.

Ideas to Build Your Newsletter List

Ready to grow your list? Here are some ideas:

• Offer a Sample: Give potential subscribers something valuable in exchange for their email address. This could be a:
  • Prequel to a series
  • Bonus epilogue
  • Bonus chapter
  • Printable bookmarks (great for after a reader has been warmed up)
  • Quizzes (“Which alien romance are you?”, “Which dark romance are you?”)

The key is to make it feel like a gift. What would your ideal reader love to receive?

• Give Treats to Already Signed Up Subscribers: Don’t forget about your existing subscribers! Surprise them with exclusive content, like those printable bookmarks. Give them things they’ll genuinely enjoy.
• Automations are Important: Make sure your reader magnet leads into an automation or drip campaign. This is a series of emails that are automatically sent to new subscribers. Each email should have a goal. For example, getting them to buy your book. Your newsletter should be the hub of your marketing efforts.
• Use Tags: Segment your list based on subscriber interests. This way, you can send them relevant content. For example, if someone signed up through a quiz and selected MM romance, tag them accordingly. Then, don’t send them MF romance content!
• Analyze Activity: Pay attention to what your subscribers are clicking on and responding to. If they loved a particular image, use it in your social media marketing.
• Reader Magnet Successes: What kind of reader magnets work? Here are a few ideas:
  • Standalone follow-up chapter from another point of view. Maybe from the victim or the murderer.
  • Prequel to the rest of the series.
  • A bonus proposal scene. Author Bonnie used this for her Romancing Redemption series, and it led to more box set sales.
  • Community Cookbook: Author Bonnie also did a Clearwater County cookbook where she invited subscribers to share recipes.

Making Your Newsletter Work For You

Consistency and Brand Knowledge

Building a newsletter takes consistency and a deep understanding of your brand. If you know your goals, your newsletter can be one of your most powerful marketing tools.

Resources to Help You Grow

Finding Your Indie offers a course pair that can help you:

• How to create a reader magnet that attracts the right fans
• How to turn ads into growth to boost your reader magnet

You can check out the reader magnet course pair here.

They also have a free Facebook group where you can ask questions and get support. Join the Finding Your Indie Facebook group.

Closing Thoughts

Building a thriving newsletter list takes effort, but it’s worth it. It’s a direct connection to your readers. It’s something you own. And it can be a powerful engine for growth.

Got questions? Ask them in the comments below!

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