Do you need a mailing list?
Every author needs to have a mailing list. Fact.
Even if you’re still writing your first draft, you need one.
Even if you are a debut author, with no published novel, you still need to have a mailing list.
Perhaps it’s only your mum on the mailing list, or your spouse or your sibling. That’s okay, it’s a start.
Do you need a mailing list?
But why do you need a mailing list?
The first reason for having a mailing list is so you can build a relationship with your readers. But I don’t have any readers, I hear you say. Not yet, you don’t, but one day you will.
Through your mailing list you will keep your readers up to date with how your draft is coming along. You can inform them on the editing that you’re doing.
Later, if you are indie publishing, you can tease them with cover reveals, snippets from your novel and behind the scenes glimpses into the “exciting” world of being an author.
Using email is a very personal way of getting in touch. Write to your mailing list as if you are writing to your best friend. Use a conversational tone that makes them feel part of the family and not just a faceless reader.
It’s this personal touch that encourages readers to reply to your email with encouragement or anecdotes from their own life. For example, if you’re researching WWII, tell your readers. Someone may just respond with a tale about their grandparent that will fit beautifully into your novel.
Ultimately, having a mailing list is a direct way of letting your readers know that your book is available for sale. You can encourage them to purchase it from their preferred retailer, to share it with their friends and leave a review after reading it.
What about your privacy?
I know a lot of you will be concerned about maintaining distance from your readers and having a degree of privacy. That’s absolutely fine. There is no need for you to share pictures of your kids or your family holidays or where you live or anything else you deem too close to home.
What you can share is photographs of your desk, the notes you’ve taken, interesting facts you’ve discovered while researching, inspiring quotes from other authors, books you’ve enjoyed, even times when you’re feeling frustrated and a bit lost with your writing. Readers enjoy these aspects, especially if they are not creatives themselves.
The life of a writer can seem very glamorous from the outside!
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Where do you start?
When it comes to building your mailing list I recommend using an email platform such as Mailchimp or Active Campaign. There are others out there, but I know that these two platforms offer free subscriptions in the beginning.
The next thing you need to do is have something to offer future readers in exchange for their email address.
Most writers use a short story to do this. You can also use a prologue to your novel, or even create a fun gimmick around your book.
For example, perhaps you have had drawings made up of the characters in your fantasy novel, or even a map. Perhaps you have a love letter somebody wrote before your romance novel begins. Perhaps there was a news clipping that led to a murder in your crime story.
I use a prologue as my “reader magnet” and send that to anyone who gives me their email address. Not only is it a free way of growing my mailing list but it also gives the reader a taste of my writing style and the type of story I tell. Hopefully, they will enjoy the short story and go on to read the novel.
What do you do with your mailing list?
I recommend you send a newsletter to your list once a month. This is often enough to remind them you are still there, still scribbling away.
But it’s infrequent enough so as not to intrude upon their mailbox. You know how it feels to receive too many emails in one day so you don’t want to bombard your new subscriber in the early days.
As you get closer to publication date you can increase the frequency with which you contact your list and tease them about your upcoming release.
The one thing you do not want to do is email them only when you have something to sell.
Remember that you are trying to build a relationship with your reader and turn them into a “raving fan”.
What about other social media?
In addition to your mailing list I highly recommend you choose one social media platform as a way of connecting with your audience. I predominantly use Facebook and nearly all of my social media is done there.
Perhaps you prefer Instagram or Twitter? Use either of those platforms to introduce people to your writing and you as a person.
Don’t try to do too much, stick with one platform for the time being.
Do you need a website?
The answer to this question is yes. You do need a website.
But it doesn’t need all the whistles and bells. It can be a simple one page website that contains all the information your readers need.
For example, a little bit of a bio, a photograph of you, the name of your upcoming book and how they can get in touch with you.
When your book is published, you can use your website as a way of either redirecting to an online seller or selling your books directly from your website (but that’s not something you need to worry about yet).
Where can I build a website?
Depending on your level of technical skills, you can either build one yourself using something like WordPress or one of the other providers.
But if you don’t want to have any involvement in the technical side, you can always ask a friend to do it for you (a millennial is always a good bet!) and it can be done easily on websites such as GoDaddy or Wix. They are easy to use and even have templates you can update with your own information.
You can then leave the page alone and not touch it until you are ready to update it with your first published novel.
How do I tell people about my website?
In the early days, before you are ready to invest in any advertising, you can simply put it on your social media bio or at the bottom of your email signature. That way you can let it grow organically.
Having an online presence and a website you can redirect people to is the perfect start and doesn’t involve too much work.
Still not sure why it’s important?
Relationships. That is the number one reason you must have an online presence and a mailing list. It doesn’t matter if you are going for a traditional publishing deal, or you want to be an indie author. In both circumstances you want to carve out and nourish an audience.
For example, if you are writing a non-fiction, how to book, a mailing list demonstrates to an agent or publisher that you have a following. Thi is a big help towards getting that deal.
If you are a fiction writer, being able to demonstrate you have readers keen to read what you produce is a bonus. It might not guarantee representation, but it won’t do you any harm either.
Schedule in some time to research a website host. Give yourself an hour to research some website hosts and then another hour to create your page. Remember, it doesn’t need to be complex, it just needs to be one page with your bio, your photograph and an email address.
If this article was useful, you’ll love:
If you’ve been working on your novel for years (perhaps even decades) the maybe it's time to consider working with a coach.
If you have multiple versions of your novel and you don’t know which works best, are scared nobody will like your book and don't feel like a 'real' writer, then my guess is coaching is the right next step for you.
Find out more and sign up for your free Clarity Call here: https://emmadhesi.com/personal-coaching/
Emma Dhesi writes women’s fiction. She began writing seriously while a stay at home mum with 3 pre-school children.
By changing her mindset, being consistent and developing confidence, Emma has gone from having a collection of handwritten notes to a fully written, edited and published novel.
Having experienced first-hand how writing changes lives, Emma now helps beginner writers find the time and confidence to write their first novel.
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