This week is episode number 36 and we decided to talk a little more indepth about the kind of content you might provide in your newsletter for your subscribers.

They’ve signed up to your list, now what? It’s all very well being told that you need to write to your email subscribers regularly – but what on Earth do you write to them about? Your latest doctor’s appointment? Which politicians you hate most? NO! That’ll just get you a nice high UNSUBSCRIBE rate.

We give you a whole bunch of ideas on the best way to connect with your readers, how to keep them engaged and interested in you and your books, and how to figure out what they will be most interested in reading about. Enjoy!

How can you connect with your readers and keep them opening your email newsletter?

When you start, keep it short and simple. Check out what other authors put in their newsletters, which ones have appealed to you. Make sure you would be interested to read the content you are putting out there. Look at it like corresponding to a friend.

Make the title of the email simple but engaging. Don’t put spam words in there, like free, buy now!!

Spend some time planning your year. That’s only twelve emails, so break it down in your calendar. You could do a few new releases, a recipe, recommend another authors book etc. It looks less daunting if you plan it out beforehand.

DON’T continually try to sell your books.

DON’T overload the email with content so the reader gets confused.

Be consistent. If you say you are sending out an email monthly, then make sure you deliver. Some people just do new release alerts, and when you’re starting out this can be less daunting.

Make it visually attractive.

Don’t over design it. You don’t need to put to many graphics in, because often that will trigger a spam filter, and make it slower to open. White spaces between text seem to work well.

This is your direct line to the reader, you never want to jeopardise that. So write your email letter as if it is from you to them, not to the entire list.

A lot of authors are quite shy, but you need to remember that these people are often signing up to your email newsletter because they are interested in your books, and in you as a person. Be confident, and find the right tone that will match your books, and give them what they want without apologies and excuses. Remember at any time they can unsubscribe.

Start as you mean to go on!

Content

If you don’t have a new release, or you are just starting out, you can always promote another writer.

New Release

Progress reports on your books

Excerts from your books

Your story writing process

Short stories

Deleted scenes

Giveaways and contests (its nice to do an email newsletter subscriber giveaway only)

Maps (from your books)

Family Trees (from your books)

Personal pictures or holiday snaps

Recipes or craft patterns (sometimes these can link to your books)

Offer them to a chance to help you name a character, this helps to engage readers

Posting reviews about your books

Links

Mail chimp http://mailchimp.com/

Mad Mimi https://madmimi.com/

A Webber http://www.aweber.com/