A Simplified Approach to Newsletters for Authors
Whenever I talk about newsletters on social media, our blog, or podcast, it’s - by and far - the least popular topic I share. It’s kind of crazy because a newsletter is one of the most important tools an author can have in their marketing toolbox. And even when I’m consulting or coaching an author, once we get to the topic of newsletters, more often than not they say, “I just don’t have time for a newsletter. I can’t add one more thing to my to-do list!”
But the truth is, newsletters are quite easy to incorporate into your marketing. They actually take less time than you think. So I wanted to show you how easy it can be.
Below is a straightforward approach that you can put to work today.
Use What You Already Have
You don’t have to come up with new content for your newsletter - use what you already have! It’s important to remember that all of your readers might not see everything you post on social media, or they may not be aware that you have a new blog post. When you publish a new blog post you can simply share a brief personable message in your newsletter setting up that post, including a link for them to read it at the end of the email.
If you have pictures, a fun story, or some inside information, you can use your newsletter to share it with your subscribers.
If you’re looking for other ideas or what you can include in a newsletter, click here.
Start Simple, Get Fancy Later
The biggest hang-up that I see authors have with their newsletter is consistency. That’s the first thing you need to consider. Start off doing a newsletter once a month, and then you can move to doing it twice a month, then weekly. Start simple and add to it. Don’t feel like you need to go full speed with a weekly email right off the bat. Focus on consistency first and add to it as you go.
Focus on “Give, Give, Give, Ask”
If you’ve heard me talk about newsletters before, I’ve mentioned that this is where you have permission to sell. But you don’t want to be slimy or constantly asking them to buy. So the best approach is this: give, give, give, ask. Here’s what I mean by that:
When it comes to your newsletter content, focus on giving them valuable content first. That includes information on a topic you’re an expert in, answer a problem your readers have, or if you’re a fiction writer I have 100 blog post ideas that can help you provide valuable content for your readers.
As you are mapping out your newsletters for the month, share three emails with this valuable content, and then on the forth email include an “ask.” This could be an ask to buy your book, leave a review, share one of your posts with a friend - whatever you’d like your readers to do.
Once you’ve made your ask, start the cycle over again - give, give, give, ask. Because you’re mostly giving valuable content to your readers, you can ask without them feeling like you’re constantly selling to them.
Keep it Short
One of the biggest misconceptions about newsletters is that they have to be a magnum opus. I think that’s because there are so many newsletters that do just that - they go on and on and on.
Put yourself in your reader’s shoes - if you wouldn’t read a long newsletter, neither will they. As you’re starting out, keep your newsletters short and personable. That way writing them won’t feel like such daunting task, and your readers will more likely continue to open each of your emails to read what valuable things you have to say.
Incorporating a newsletter in your marketing strategy doesn’t need to be time consuming or complicated. It’s too important not to have. Take these tips and apply them to your marketing strategy. Your newsletter just might become your favorite thing to do each week!
If you want to go a step further and get all of the tools, resources, and help that you need to market your book, grow on social media, and sell more books - join The Author Circle membership!
