Establishing your online author presence

If you are a self-published author like me, you will soon understand the importance of establishing your author platform. This can include building an author’s website as well as social marketing through vehicles such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

Another vital part of your author’s platform is an author’s newsletter. This is especially important as a self-published author because most of your interaction with your readers can take place through Amazon.com. This is not really a bad thing, just a statement of fact. However, if you were to leave Amazon.com or, while it is quite unlikely, Amazon was to go out of business, they would have the list of your most loyal readers … not you.

It is vital to maintain an accurate and growing list of readers. An author’s newsletter allows you to do precisely that.

Benefits of an author’s newsletter

There are many benefits to creating an author’s newsletter, and they are worth the bit of extra work needed to set one up and keep it going.

• Perhaps the most crucial benefit is that regular email contact with your readers helps you create an additional connection with them, a relationship that goes beyond your books and your social media presence.
• A regular newsletter keeps you in your readers’ minds and provides insight into who you are as an author and a person. After all, who doesn’t love to ‘meet’ the person behind the books they like to read and get a peek into the author’s life and creative process?
• Your author newsletter is also one of the most valuable book marketing tools you have. It helps you get the word out there about your current and upcoming books. It also provides a natural path for readers to click through to purchase your novels.

How frequently do you send your news letter?

I started out with a quarterly newsletter and have published three to date. However, experts say that monthly is the safest option and really hits the sweet spot. Too often and you are spamming your readers. Not often enough, and your readers will lose touch with who you are. Starting in May, I am shifting to a monthly newsletter schedule.

I use MailChimp, but there are several platforms out there that make it fairly easy. Just do a little exploring and see what best meets your needs.

A word on content

You should try to include an exciting balance of content in your author’s newsletter. It shouldn’t be all about you. Of course, your readers want to know about what you are doing if they’ve signed up, but a bit of variety is better and more enjoyable.

Try to include things your readers might find helpful, entertaining, or insightful. Draw on your own interests and expertise to diversify the content you provide.

For example:

• Recent goings-on: An update on what’s happening in your writing and personal life.
• For the fans: A section for fans and readers of your books.
• For the Dreamers: A section on tips about writing and publishing
• Upcoming Events: A calendar of author events

You can also do things like:

• Exclusive reveals
• Upcoming events
• What you’re reading
• Writing advice and insight
• Freebies and bonus content

Promote you newsletter

Promote your newsletter with links on your website, in your social media marketing, and in other ways. Are you having a book signing? Have a newsletter sign-up sheet and a pen on your table.

I hope you found this useful …

If you are interested in seeing what my newsletter looks like, click here to sign up. My next newsletter will be out on May 25th.