Although newsletters can be an invaluable part of book promotion to authors (since subscribers are most often your fans who are most likely to buy your book), I have to admit I've neglected expanding and using my newsletter. In fact, it's been so long since I last accessed my newsletter that I can no longer log into my previous MailChimp account. So I made a new one, and I'm finally starting to put new sign-up forms here (see the sidebar) and website. (I thought about doing a popup for the website, but I didn't want to do through MailChimp and didn't want to register with yet another service. Besides, popups are annoying, even though they're effective.) I'll have to update links in my books on a rolling basis when I have time.
To pique interest in my newsletter (and more importantly, my stories), I'll be giving away free copies of Scattered Seasons to all subscribers. This is Book Two in my fantasy Season Avatars series; Book One, Seasons' Beginnings, is permafree. Hopefully readers who finish the first two books will want to complete the series or try some of my other work.
I plan to use the newsletter for announcements of books available to order, sales, convention appearances, and so on. While I'll post this information on my blog as well, I may do giveaways or provide bonus stories to newsletters subscribers later on.
Do you use an author newsletter or subscribe to one? What do you like or not like about them?
I thought about doing a newsletter, but this late in the game and when I'm really not going to be writing much more, it wouldn't be worth it. However, I'm glad we started one for the IWSG. It's grown like crazy.
ReplyDeleteAnd I signed up for your newsletter, but don't send the books as I already own them.
ReplyDeleteMy newsletter has slowly grown over the last year to about 60 subscribers. It was annoying when Mailchimp stopped letting you use gmail and other free email service providers to send with.
ReplyDeleteThe IWSG newletter is pretty helpful, Alex, since I refer back to it as I write my monthly post. And thanks for signing up for the newsletter! Still waiting to see if MailChimp will send me a notification.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it's growing, Pat!
ReplyDeleteBTW if you haven't be sure to put an ad with a link in your books. I put mine right after the title page so people will hopefully see it.
DeleteI use to send my blog posts through MailChimp but it stopped suddenly because it didn't like some code I used in my posts.
ReplyDeletere: popups
I'm on the fence with popups. Every expert I've read insists that popups are the most efficient means to gain more subscribers, but I hate them too.
On the other hand, I'm so used to them, I almost always ignore them and move on to the post.
I've never sent a blog post through MailChimp, Maria. Probably when I start sending out issues, I'll keep them as simple as possible.
ReplyDeleteI have a newsletter with Mailchimp too, but have only used it a few times. I've also subscribed to some newsletters to get the free book, of course. If you ever want me to mention you in my newsletter, let me know.
ReplyDeletePat, I usually put my links in the back so they don't cut into the sample. I know some people like to make sure the readers see that information, though.
ReplyDeleteCindy, thanks for the offer! Maybe we can exchange shout-outs. I'll have to remember to contact you before I send out my first newsletter.