Newsletters – are they an important tool for an author??

Oh yeah!!
 According to what I was told back in 2006, a newsletter could be the most important tool of all. At the time, my webmistress urged me to start gathering names because the people who signed up to get my intermittent letters would be interested in me and my progress. They’d be my fans –happy for my success, supportive and hopefully proud.

 After visiting various workshops at the Emerald City (Seattle) Conference recently, I do believe that advice was solid. I’m happy to say that I took her seriously and I did start gathering my list.

 I opened my newsletter in a place called Your Mailing List where you can gather up to 1,000 names before the price of $3.99/mo kicks in. There are other places out there and I do believe one of the most popular sites is called Mail Chimp where you can have 2,000 on your mailing list for free (why didn’t I sign there???)  Mimi—pounding desk!! After further checking, it seems once the 2,000 range is reached, the cost increases significantly…hummm! Lifting head off desk, grinning…

 Unfortunately, since I haven’t been very active about garnering names, I probably won’t have to worry about slipping into the paying slot for some time. But that changes as of today. From now on, anyone I meet who touches my life in some way will be invited – notice I didn’t say begged – invited to join my mailing list.


Recently, I listened to a seminar on newsletters where the speaker strongly urged anyone who had a product for sale to send out letters at least once a week and always be prepared to reward the reader in some way for opening and reading the post. Giving the reader an incentive for reading my news made sense, whether it is a bit of humor to brighten their day or maybe a chance to win a gift certificate or even a free book. I could do that. But not four times a month.

Face it, there just isn’t that much to say between books and I’m lucky to get one released every couple of months. Myself, I do enjoy reading what some of my colleagues are working on but I wouldn’t be so interested if I became inundated with too many people sending me continuous updates. Therefore, I decided that a monthly letter would be sufficient. Now, all I have to do is make sure that there’s some excitement in my life so I can pass it on.
 And you know what?  There is. Lately, I’ve seen my income steadily rise from all the hard work I’ve put in. My books are becoming popular and have reached a lot more people than I ever dreamed they would. It’s brilliant to know that I have touched that many lives with my stories. It’s also wonderful to have made so many new friends in the industry.

 And here comes the fun part – Ahem!! Are you ready???

  Would YOU sign up for my newsletter?? There’s a hot little button on the right side and anyone who signs up in the next month will have a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Certificate.

 How did I do? Did you sign?? ***