Oops! Lost in the Bookshelves

Fear not, fellow author, even the most epic quests hit a snag. But don’t despair! The Book Marketing Club blog is brimming with wisdom and knowledge to aid you on your Author’s Journey.

4 Things ALL Online Articles Must Have

4 Things ALL Online Articles Must Have

Articles are a driving force in bringing traffic to a website. Not only through articles posted on the site itself, but through guest posting on other people's sites, as well. Articles are a major factor in giving sites high rankings on search engine result pages. The...

Author Newsletter Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Author Newsletter Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Author newsletters are a great way to connect with readers and build an author brand. But you might have some questions about email marketing in general and creating an effective author newsletter specifically - and that's perfectly understandable. Here are answers to...

Whether you like it or not, book marketing is a crucial part of an author’s journey to success. However, there are a lot of false beliefs that authors can have about this keystone activity. In this blog post, I’ll debunk ten common misconceptions about book marketing and provide you with a reality check. Armed with these insights, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the world of book promotion, select the right tactics for you and your audience from the book marketing buffet, and set yourself up for success.

Book Marketing Myth #1:

If I write a great book, it will sell itself

While writing a great book is undoubtedly essential, relying solely on the quality of the writing for book sales is a misconception that many authors fall prey to. In the early stages of their writing journey, many may harbor the hopeful belief that their exceptional storytelling and captivating prose will naturally draw in readers, creating a snowball effect of organic sales. However, the reality of the publishing world is far more complex.

I like to call this myth the “Field of Dreams Syndrome,” inspired by the famous movie quote, “If you build it, they will come.” Just like the character in the film who constructs a baseball field in the middle of a cornfield, hoping that legendary players will magically appear, some authors expect their masterful creation to sell itself without any active efforts in book marketing.

If you write a great book ... you still have to market it

I know from experience that this couldn’t be farther from the truth. My book Public Speaking Super Powers is the best book I’ve written to date. And although it has done well — it hit bestseller in three Amazon categories and won three awards — if I don’t continually market it, sales drop.

Perhaps one of the most disheartening aspects of the publishing world is seeing mediocre or even poorly written books soar to the top of bestseller lists due to savvy marketing strategies. On the other hand, exceptional books may languish in obscurity simply because their authors did not invest enough effort in promoting them.

While it might seem unfair, it highlights the immense power of effective book marketing. A book with a well-crafted marketing message and well-executed marketing plan can generate buzz, create excitement, and reach a sizable audience, even if the content itself falls short of brilliance. In contrast, a superbly written book that lacks marketing support may struggle to find its readership.

Understanding the importance of book marketing doesn’t diminish the value of writing a great book. On the contrary, it should inspire authors to strive for excellence in their craft while acknowledging that a strong marketing strategy is a necessary companion to success.

By combining exceptional storytelling with strategic marketing efforts, authors can unleash the full potential of their work. The key lies in finding a balance between honing your writing skills and mastering the art of promoting your book.

In today’s competitive market, where countless books are published every day across various platforms, even fantastic books need strategic marketing efforts to reach the right audience and gain the necessary visibility. Think of your book as a gem hidden in a vast sea of stones; without proper promotion, it might remain undiscovered.

Book Marketing Myth #2:

I can just rely on social media for marketing

Don't put all your book marketing eggs into the social media basket

Social media has emerged as a prominent force in book marketing, offering authors an unparalleled opportunity to connect directly with readers, share their stories, and build an engaged community around their work. While it can be a powerful tool for book promotion, relying solely on it as the primary marketing channel is a bad idea that can limit an author’s potential for success.

However, while social media offers big benefits, it has inherent limitations, too. The constantly changing algorithms and organic reach challenges mean that not all of an author’s followers will see their posts. As a result, relying solely on social media can lead to missed opportunities to connect with potential readers who might not be active on those platforms.

Additionally, social media is just one piece of the marketing puzzle. To create a robust and effective marketing strategy, authors should diversify their approach and incorporate multiple channels and methods to reach a broader audience.

Successful book marketing involves a comprehensive and multifaceted approach that includes a combination of platforms, strategies, and offline efforts. While social media can be the backbone of an author’s online presence, it should be complemented by other tactics to maximize reach and impact.

By embracing a holistic marketing approach that combines the power of social media with various other strategies, authors can create a more robust and sustainable marketing plan. Diversifying marketing efforts ensures that authors connect with different segments of their target audience, expanding their readership and establishing a stronger presence in the publishing landscape.

While social media remains an essential tool in a modern author’s marketing toolkit, it should not be seen as the sole solution. A well-rounded marketing strategy that incorporates various platforms and methods will empower authors to make a significant impact, ultimately propelling their books to greater heights of success.

Book Marketing Myth #3:

Traditional publishing houses handle all marketing

It is a common misconception among authors that if they secure a book deal with a traditional publisher, their marketing worries are over. While it is true that publishers provide some marketing support, authors must recognize that they play a crucial role in actively promoting their books.

Traditional publishers have limited resources and their marketing efforts often focus on their most prominent releases. Authors who actively engage in marketing their books demonstrate their commitment to success and can significantly enhance the book’s visibility.

You will always be your book's best marketer

Successful book marketing becomes a collaboration between authors and publishers. Authors should work with their publishing team to create a marketing strategy that aligns with the book’s target audience, and they should be ready to participate in events, interviews, and social media campaigns to promote their work effectively.

Book Marketing Myth #4:

Book signings are the most effective marketing tool

Book Signings are just one entree on the Book Marketing buffet

Book signings have long been considered a classic way for authors to interact with readers, sign copies, and build local support. While they can be valuable for connecting with fans on a personal level, relying solely on book signings as the primary marketing method may not be the most effective approach.

Book signings are just one entree on the marketing buffet — in fact, it is probably more of a side dish. To maximize the book’s exposure, authors should complement in-person events with a broader range of marketing strategies. This can include online promotions, social media campaigns, email marketing, book reviews, and collaborations with influencers or book bloggers.

While book signings primarily attract local readers, online marketing efforts can extend an author’s reach to a global audience. By combining traditional and digital marketing methods, authors can connect with readers from diverse backgrounds and interests, ultimately leading to increased book sales.

Book Marketing Myth #5:

I can’t start marketing until my book is published

Waiting until the book’s release to begin marketing is a missed opportunity that many authors fall victim to. Pre-launch marketing activities can significantly impact a book’s success. In fact, I’ve already begun dropping marketing seeds about my forthcoming book, and I haven’t finished researching it yet!

Authors can start building their author platform long before the book’s release. Establishing a website or blog, creating a presence on social media, and engaging with potential readers can lay the groundwork for a dedicated fan base eagerly awaiting the book’s arrival.

Teasers, cover reveals, and sneak peeks can generate excitement and anticipation among potential readers. By teasing elements of the book, authors can build interest and curiosity, leading to higher initial sales and sustained interest after the launch.

Never miss an opportunity to market your book, even if it isn't finished yet

By starting marketing efforts early, authors can engage potential readers, build relationships, and foster a sense of community. This early interaction can translate into a more loyal readership and a stronger launch for the book.

Book Marketing Myth #6:

Book marketing is expensive and beyond my budget

You don't have to break the bank to market your book effectively

While some book marketing strategies may require a budget, it is a myth that effective marketing is exclusively reserved for those with significant financial resources. Many cost-effective and creative marketing options are available to authors at any budget level.

In my personal experience, I’ve found that investing a significant marketing budget for my book does not always yield the desired return on investment (ROI). Instead, I have had better success using low-cost guerilla marketing tactics.

Social media platforms offer a robust and mostly free way to connect with readers and promote books. Authors can use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads to build a following, share updates, and engage with their target audience without spending a dime.

Authors can leverage their professional networks and collaborate with fellow writers, bloggers, book clubs, and influencers to expand their reach. Partnering with others who share a similar target audience can lead to valuable cross-promotion opportunities without significant financial investment.

Many marketing tasks can be handled by authors themselves. Creating promotional graphics using a tool such as Canva, writing blog posts, and reaching out to book reviewers can be done without external costs.

By strategically using free or low-cost marketing methods, authors can effectively promote their books while staying within their budget constraints.

Book Marketing Myth #7:

I need to be on every social media platform

The fear of missing out (FOMO) can lead authors to believe that they need to be present on every social media platform available. However, trying to maintain a presence on all platforms without a focused strategy can be overwhelming and may not yield the desired results.

Instead of spreading themselves thin across numerous platforms, authors should identify the social media platforms where their target audience is most active. Focusing on a select few platforms allows authors to invest time and effort into meaningful interactions with their readers.

Consistency and quality content are more important than sheer quantity. Regularly engaging with followers and providing valuable insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes content can foster a loyal and engaged community.

Ubiquitous does not equal effective marketing

Each social media platform has its unique style and audience. Authors should tailor their content to fit each platform’s format and demographics, ensuring they connect with readers in a way that resonates with them. Yes, that can require a bit more time and effort, but it can also increase your success.

By strategically choosing the right platforms and tailoring their content accordingly, authors can make more impactful and meaningful connections with their readership.

Book Marketing Myth #8:

Only big influencers can help with book promotion

Influencers can be small but mighty

While big influencers can certainly make a significant impact, underestimating the value of smaller, niche influencers or book bloggers is a missed opportunity. Smaller influencers often have a dedicated and engaged audience within specific niches. Collaborating with these influencers can lead to more targeted and meaningful promotion, as their followers are genuinely interested in the genre or subject matter of the book.

Authors can build authentic relationships with niche influencers or book bloggers, fostering a sense of partnership rather than a transactional promotion. Sincere recommendations from influencers who truly enjoyed the book can carry significant weight with their audience.

Book bloggers and reviewers can provide valuable exposure and feedback for authors. Offering advance review copies and seeking reviews from relevant bloggers can boost the book’s credibility and attract more readers.

Book Marketing Myth #9:

I can only market my book during the initial launch period

Book marketing should not be limited to the initial launch period; it should be an ongoing effort that spans long after the book’s release. Continuing to promote the book after the initial launch helps sustain interest and keeps the book relevant in readers’ minds. It can also keep Amazon’s algorithm awake when it comes to your book. Consistent marketing efforts ensure that the book stays visible and continues to attract new readers over time.

Marketing efforts after the launch should focus on nurturing relationships with existing readers. Engaging with them through social media, email newsletters, and author events can turn them into loyal fans who eagerly anticipate future releases.

When it comes to book marketing, go for the long haul

Authors can capitalize on milestones, such as anniversaries or awards, to reignite interest in the book. Additionally, participating in events like book fairs or literary festivals can keep the book in the public eye and introduce it to new readers.

Book Marketing Myth #10:

I don’t need to track my marketing efforts

What's not measured, cannot be improved

Measuring the effectiveness of marketing strategies is crucial for refining an approach and understanding what works best for the book. For example, you notice an increase in your Amazon royalties. What did you do three months ago that caused the blip? If you haven’t been tracking your efforts, you won’t know and you won’t be able to do it again.

Tracking various metrics, such as book sales, website traffic, social media engagement, and email open rates, provides authors with valuable insights into which marketing efforts are yielding the most significant impact.

By analyzing the results, authors can identify what is working and what isn’t, allowing them to adapt and refine their marketing strategy over time. This iterative process helps authors make informed decisions and optimize their efforts for better results.

Tracking marketing efforts helps authors allocate their resources more effectively. They can focus on strategies that deliver the highest ROI and eliminate or modify those that may not be yielding the desired outcomes.

Casting Off the Illusions:

Embracing Effective Book Marketing

Dispelling these book marketing myths empowers authors to approach marketing with a more realistic and strategic mindset. By understanding the truths behind these myths, you can create effective marketing plans that maximize your book’s potential for success. Whether it’s navigating social media, collaborating with influencers, or sustaining marketing efforts over time, authors can build a strong marketing foundation that leads to increased visibility, engagement, and ultimately, more book sales.

Remember: Book marketing is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Different authors have different goals and objectives when it comes to marketing their books, and the tactics they choose should be tailored to meet those objectives. In other words, we all saddle up to the book marketing buffet, however, what we bring back to our table is unique for each author.

Your Next Best Step

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Do you want to elevate your book marketing game and stand out from the competition?

Join the Book Marketing Club’s exclusive Maverick Marketing Mastermind community today and discover the secrets to consistent and sustainable book marketing success.

Click the button to claim your Marketing Maverick status now.

Articles are a driving force in bringing traffic to a website. Not only through articles posted on the site itself, but through guest posting on other people’s sites, as well. Articles are a major factor in giving sites high rankings on search engine result pages. The higher a site ranks the bigger slice of the traffic flow pie it gets. With greater traffic flow, there are more profits and more potential for other income-generating methods, as well. That’s why there are certain things your online articles must have.

But, you can’t just stuff your site with random content. Your written content needs to meet certain requirements too. These requirements must be met in order to obtain the maximum benefits of an article. A well-written article will catch the eyes and interest of your customers and keep them coming back for more, as well as recommend your site to others.

Here are some tips to help you create articles that satisfy their multitude of purposes. These tips are in addition to the “red hot” tips offered in a separate post. Below you will find four things that all articles must have to be successful and help your website earn more traffic.

1. Keywords and Keyword Phrases

An article must always pay attention to keywords and keyword phrases. As each website visitor goes to a site, there are those who are just browsing while looking for a specific something. When this happens, a searcher usually goes to a search engine and types in the keywords they are looking for (e.g. Toyota Camry, Meningitis, Tax Lawyer, etc).

The important thing is that you have an article that has keywords that are related to your site. For example, if your topic is “cat health,” you must have articles about cats and their particular health care issues. There are many tools on the Internet that provide keyword research services. You can use these tools to determine what keywords to use and write about.

Here are a few to get you started:

2. Keyword Density

Now that you have your keywords and keyword phrases, you must use them properly. An article must have good keyword density for a search engine to “feel” its presence. Articles should at least have 10-15% keyword density in their content for search engines to rank a site high in their search results. Getting a high rank is what articles do best for a website.

Keyword density is the number of times a keyword or keyword phrase is used in an article. The number varies depending on the number of words used in an article. An effective article must have a keyword density that is not too high or too low. With a very high density, the essence of the article is lost and may turn off a reader as well as the search engines. It comes off as overeager. A low number may be ignored by search engines.

But above all, the article must flow. In other words, the keyword density should be a natural extension of the article — otherwise what you are doing is called “keyword stuffing” which is bad and can get your website de-indexed.

There are tools to help you with this aspect of SEO, as well. If you are using WordPress, using one of these two plugins can make SEO easy:

3. Good Article Content

As what I stated above, you cannot just riddle an article with keywords. Your articles must also be regarded as good reading and the repetition of keywords or keyword phrases must be natural. Articles must be able to entertain people, as well as provide good information. Articles should be written well with correct spelling and good grammar. If you want people to trust you, make your work good and well thought out.

People respond well to figures, facts, and statistics. Try to get great information and as many facts as you can. A good and well-written article will boost your reputation as an expert in your chosen field or topic. As more people believe in you, they will trust you and your products.

4. Links

And another important thing to remember. If you are going to contribute your articles to newsletters and other sites, DON’T ever forget to include a link to your site. A little resource box with a brief description of your site should always be placed right after the articles that you have submitted. If people like your articles, they will most likely click on the link directing them to your site.

 

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on CarmaSpence.com in February 2008. I has been updated in January 2023.

Online content is only useful if it can be read. Therefore, if you want your content read, make your content good. Creating good content doesn’t have to be hard. There are some points you need to keep in mind and some guidelines you can follow. Here are seven writing techniques that will help ensure reader engagement.

1. Use short paragraphs

When paragraphs are very long, the words get jumbled in the mind of the reader. Just looking at a large chunk of text — especially on the web — can get quite confusing and too much hard work to read. The reader will just quickly disregard the paragraph and move on to much more accessible reading that is easy to look at, as well as read.

Paragraphs can be a single sentence, sometimes even a single word!

2. Provide Valuable and Readable Content

Crafting valuable content is the best way to hook your audience. Giving readers valuable information that is relevant to them helps establish credibility and trustworthiness. It also lets people know that you understand their pain points and the solutions they need.

It is also important to remember what level of understanding your readers are at when it comes to your topic. Finding the right tenor for your audience does take some finesse, but if you can match your audience’s understanding level it can make for a much more enjoyable experience for them as well as for you. Knowing your audience gives you the insight necessary to innovate and create engaging content that will speak directly to them.

3. Make use of numbers and/or bullets

As each point is stressed, numbers and bullets can quickly make the point easy to digest. As each point, tip, guide or method is started with a bullet or point, readers will know that this is where the tips start. It also provides white space, which can increase reading comprehension. Format your bullets and numbers with indentations so that your article won’t look like a single block of square paragraphs. Add a little bit of flair and pizzazz to your article’s shape.

4. Use Sub-headings to sub-divide your paragraphs on the page

Doing this will break each point into sections, but still be a part of one whole article. It also makes it easy for the reader to move on from one point to another; the transition is smooth and easy. You are less likely to lose your readers’ attention (unless the sub-heads are not of interest), as well as the point and direction of where the content is going.

5. Provide a good attention-grabbing title or header

If your title can entice a person’s curiosity you’re already halfway to getting a person to read your content. Use statements and questions that use keywords people are looking for. Provide titles or headers that describe your article’s content but also are short and concise.

Use titles like, “5 Tips for _____”, or “How to ______.” You could also use titles that command people, for example, “Make Clients Open Their Wallets in Six Easy Steps.” These types of titles reach out to a person’s emotions and make them interested.

6. Keep them interested from start all the way to the finish

From your opening paragraph, use real-life situations that can be adopted by the reader. Stories are a very good technique — people love stories. Make them have a universal theme… something that many people can relate to.

Use good descriptions and metaphors to drive home your points. Of course, do this tactfully… you don’t want to overdo it. Using metaphors and similes can make it easy for readers to imagine what you are talking about. Making the experience of reading your content pleasurable and enjoyable.

7. Use figures when necessary and not just ordinary statements

Using specific facts and figures can heighten your content because it makes it authoritative. But don’t make it too formal. It should be light and easy in theme and flow. Like a friendly teacher having a little chat with an eager student.

 

Editor’s Note: This article was first published on CarmaSpence.com in February 2008. It was updated in February 2020 and again in January 2023.

A lot of authors make common mistakes before and after they publish a blog post on their site or submit an article as a guest post on another individual’s site. These mistakes can often lead to lower-quality posts, which can hurt their credibility and their website’s search engine optimization (SEO), and poor content promotion, which can hurt engagement and visibility. Here are the three most common mistakes authors make in these areas, and how to avoid them.

1. Confusing the reason to promote the articles with the reason to write them.

Crafting quality articles is integral to your content marketing efforts. When done right, it can provide a trifecta of success – branding, lead generation, and promotion of what you have to offer. However, all these perks will not happen if the article fails to captivate its audience. Even perfect SEO placement or an impeccable Call to Action (CTA) script won’t help one bit without compelling content that prompts people to read in the first place! The key? Put reader engagement front and center when crafting each blog post and article – only then will you be able to unlock those invaluable benefits.

2. Failing to maximize promotional opportunities.

Once an article is posted on your or another’s site, how do potential readers find it? The most common ways are:

  1. Search engine traffic
  2. Social sharing

Search engines, and the potential readers using them, find your posts when you have optimized the content for the keywords they are using. This means that you have the right number of mentions of your keyword (not too many times, not too few times), and those mentions are strategically placed in headers, bold font, and general content.

Distributing your content on social media platforms also helps. And, if you do it right, other people will share your content with their networks, as well. However, to maximize this opportunity, you may have to use slightly different strategies on each platform, and for some platforms, you may take a pass on.

Start out with a plan and see to it that your article will serve the function that you intend it to have.

3. Publishing an article that does not help your readers.

Remember always that the article must serve its primary audience: The reader. If you don’t care about the reader, it will show. Don’t get caught up only in getting links back to your site.

Be aware that not all fellow bloggers and online magazines are going to accept your content automatically. Oftentimes, they have guidelines and specifications for the articles they accept. This most likely includes the criteria of a well-written, informative article.

Write the articles that publishers want in their publications if you want your guest posting to work most effectively for you.

Remember to obey the standard guidelines, spell-check your copy, research your topic, and, if necessary hire a writer to produce the content for you.

In the end, it is all really a matter of choice on your part. You can start getting a little exposure from increased links back but on a very basic level. Or enjoy massive exposure from a little extra time making quality content.

 

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on CarmaSpence.com in February 2008. It was updated in February 2020, and again in January 2023.

Do you have questions about content marketing as an author? Whether you are a seasoned executive or just starting out on the path of self-publishing, it can be daunting trying to figure out how to build an audience and stand out in today’s crowded digital marketplace.
Authors often struggle to break through the noise in today’s online world. The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities for authors – both fiction and nonfiction – when it comes to successful content marketing strategies.
Read on as I answer some common FAQs about how content marketing works for authors and what best practices you should follow. With this information in hand, any author can boost their visibility online!

What is content marketing?

Content marketing is a powerful tool for building relationships with your target audience and driving traffic to your website. And, it’s an essential part of modern marketing. Here’s a definition of the term:
Content marketing is the practice of creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience with the goal of driving profitable customer action.
Let’s unpack that definition. At its heart, content marketing is not about selling. It is about providing content that your ideal clients find useful, informative, or entertaining so that they keep coming back for more. It is an engagement tool comprised of the following steps:
Z

Define your target audience and the action you want them to take.

Z

Identify the information your target audience is seeking related to that action

Z

Create valuable and relevant content based on the results of that research. Include a compelling call to action.

Z

Distribute the content so that potential readers can find it.

Z

Repeat this process consistently over time.

In general, content marketing includes blogging, guest posting, video marketing, audio marketing, and social media. For the purposes of this page, I will limit my answers to article-style content marketing, including blogging and guest posting.
What are the benefits of content marketing?
Content marketing offers many benefits for authors. It helps increase brand awareness by reaching new audiences through the content. When you create quality content that provides value to your readers, they are more likely to share it with their networks – which increases the reach of your business. Additionally, content marketing can help you build trust with potential readers and clients by providing them with helpful information they can use in their everyday lives. This trust can be invaluable when it comes time to convert those potential clients into paying clients.

How do I find the time to write blog posts and guest posts?

This is a very common question. Writing takes time and I’ve faced this challenge to varying degrees of success. Here are some tips that I’ve found helpful in making room in my schedule for content writing.

Devote a single day or two to this task.

The thing with writing is, the more you do it the faster and better you become. If you devote a single day or weekend to doing nothing but writing articles that you will post over the next several weeks, months or even the year, you’ll be surprised at how many decent articles you can pump out.

With this method, applied about once a month, you can produce a month’s worth of blog posts and even re-purpose some of the content for social media.

Schedule 30-minutes to an hour each day for this task.

If you make a habit of writing articles for 30 to 60 minutes every day (or at least a few days a week), you’ll not only get better at writing articles, but you’ll also get faster. Once you’ve got your groove, you can write a 300-500 word article on a topic you know well in about 15 minutes.

If you use this method, I recommend scheduling it at least three times a week. So, for example, you’ve decided to set aside 30 minutes for this task on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Monday, you’ll do the set-up research. Do some keyword research and come up with some article titles, and maybe even find some resource material online. On Wednesday, you’ll write your articles. And, on Friday, you’ll proofread the articles and post them.

Hire someone else to write the first drafts.

I don’t use this method, but I do know business owners who do. The key here is that you will be proofing and editing what the hired writer writes. Since your name will be on the article, you’ll need to make sure that the writer gives you the right to do this. And you need to make sure that the article remains in your voice.

If you use this method, there are several ways you can do this.

  • You can purchase PLR (private label rights) articles. Be careful … most of the PLR articles out there are badly written and you’ll have to do a major re-write. Also, many websites will not accept PLR content, so you’ll have just to use it as an idea jumping-off point anyway.
  • Hire a writer through a service like Elance.com. You can find writers who will work for a very small fee and provide you with exclusive content. Again, you get what you pay for, so the writing may not be very good.
  • Hire a professional ghostwriter. This is the costliest option, but it will provide you with the best quality articles. And, after you’ve developed a relationship with this writer, you may not need to do as much proofing and editing as you did in the beginning.

Of course, you can also mix and match all of the above techniques!

Use AI Tools to Help You Write Faster

There are a number of artificial intelligence tools available that can help you write blog and guest posts. I use Jasper and QuickWrite. I find that they help me find topics and write content more quickly.

Can I use content marketing to grow my email list?

Absolutely! Here’s the process in a nutshell:

  1. Create an opt-in incentive on a topic that is related to what you do that you can also write a number of articles about.
  2. Publish the some of the articles on your blog and pitch the rest to be published on other websites.
  3. At the end of these articles, mention your related opt-in incentive. Read my answer to the question, “How do I write an author bio that will get readers to click through to my site?” for an example of how to do this.

If you implement this process correctly, you’ll grow your email list with subscribers that are interested in what you have to offer.

Although not a “build your list fast” technique, content marketing following this process can be a powerful way build your list and grow your perception as an expert over the long term. I’ve used it to build highly targeted lists for some of my websites and am always surprised at how well it works.

How do I write an author bio that will get readers to click through to my site?

Great question! If the “About the Author” or “resource box” is not written well, you won’t get the traffic you are seeking.

The most common mistake is taking this piece of the article marketing puzzle at face value. Although you want to provide some biographic information, if you want to get clicks, you need to make this paragraph more about the reader than you. Readers don’t really care who you are as much as they care about what you can do for them. Tell them in the resource box!

Your “About the Author” section must grab the attention of the reader… just as the title and article did. It can contain your name as the author, and even a brief bio describing why you were the right person to write this article. But it must also include a brief description of the website you are sending them to and a link. To do this, you should make them a compelling free offer using keywords that speak to why they read your article in the first place. While the About the Author section takes up only a small space, including the right keywords and content will provide a more compelling reason for the reader to go to your site.

But I want to sell something, you say. Why a compelling free offer? Because you lure flies better with honey than with vinegar. Don’t go for the immediate sale. Offer something related to what you sell for free, capture the reader’s name and email address on your landing page and sell to them once they are on your list.

Your “About the Author” section is small… so use the space wisely. Capture the attention of your readers with words that promise desired benefits.

Be creative. You only get three to five sentences for this section so make the most of it. Try to catch the attention of your reader with content that makes them give it a second look. Unlike TV ads, you don’t have visual aids to drive your point home. But you do have the power of the reader’s imagination. With the right content, you can make them think and be intrigued.

This should go without saying, but your compelling offer, your keywords — your entire copy — has to be related to your landing page. Do not mislead your potential website visitors or your credibility will be destroyed. In other words, if your article is about the breeding habits of sea turtles, don’t send them to a freebie about the feeding habits of jackrabbits.

Example:

“Your brand is only one piece of your author platform,” says Carma Spence, an award-winning, bestselling author, and creator of the world’s first Author Diagnostic System. “But it is the foundation.” If you would like to gauge the health of your overall author platform, take the free “Is your Author Platform Healthy?” assessment at authorneering.com/ready.

Can I save time by re-using blog posts to submit as guest posts?

No, and yes.

Here’s what I mean by “no”: If you are pitching article ideas to other websites, they are expecting you to provide unique content (unless they say otherwise). Therefore, you can’t use the same content if it is verbatim or too similar.

However, what I mean by “yes” is that you can take the topic of a post you’ve written and give it a new perspective or twist. Use different stories. Make a new version that doesn’t read like a simple re-hashing or spinning of the same content.

For example, I could take my post 5 Author Branding Myths Busted as a leaping-off point for a guest article:

  • I could pitch guest posts about each of the 5 myths – that’s five ideas right there!
  • I could turn the concept around and pitch a story about the 5 branding mistakes that hold authors back
  • I could use the information to create an article about the 5 author branding concepts you must embrace for success
  • If the website has a specific niche audience, I could tailor the post for that audience. For example, perhaps the website targets writers of memoirs. I could then write an article called “5 Mistakes Memoirists Make with their Author Brands.”

None of those articles will be too similar to the original, but I am re-using the brain power I’ve already expended to create more content for different audiences.

How do I measure the success of my content marketing efforts?

The best way to measure the success of your content marketing efforts is to:

  1. Establish the goals you want to measure.
  2. Track the metrics of each piece of content to understand which ones are performing well.
  3. Analyze the results.
  4. Repeat what works.

Let’s dive into this a little deeper.

Establish Your Goals: What metrics will you measure?

The first step is to define what you want to accomplish and then identify how you would measure whether you reached that goal or not. The following table provides some potential goals and the metrics that would measure success for that goal.

Content Marketing Success Measure Table

Some metrics are easier to measure than others, but understanding the goal will help you not only identify what you need to measure, but also set up systems that will make that metric easier to measure.

Track Your Metrics

Once you’ve established what you will measure and how you will measure it, the next step is actually to measure it! Pay attention to metrics such as page views, bounce rate, time on site, average session duration, and social media engagement (likes, shares, and comments). These metrics will give you a better idea of how people are engaging with your content. You should also keep track of the number of conversions (sales) that can be directly attributed to the content that was created.

Analyze Your Results

Once you’ve tracked your analytics over a period of time—ideally 6 months or longer—it’s time to analyze the results. Are there any patterns in terms of which pieces of content were more successful than others? If so, why do you think that was? Was it due to the headline or call-to-action used in the piece? Were there any topics that resonated more than others with readers? Answering these questions will help inform future content creation decisions and ensure that each piece is tailored toward achieving specific goals.

Is Your Question Not Answered on this Page?

If you still have an unanswered question about content marketing as it related to articles posted on your or other people’s sites (blogging or guest posting), send your questions to charlies@dragonwyze.com so that it and my answer can be added to this page. You will be notified once it is added.

If you pay attention, you can get marketing ideas for your book and your book-centered business pretty much from anywhere.

Case in point: Not that long ago I ordered some protein powder. And inside that jar of protein powder, I found this plastic card. And on the plastic card, it said: “Claim your free prize at this URL.”

Who doesn’t want a free prize? So, I went to that URL and found a Google Doc form that claimed if I completed the form, they’d send me my prize. So, of course, I fill out the form.

Several weeks later, my prize was delivered to my door in the mail. It was a keychain in the shape of their logo!

Now, what does this have to do with book marketing? I’ll tell you!

I propose that you could use this same system or idea to help you leverage your books to market your business. Let me explain.

From Your Prospects Point of View

Touch point 1: At a live event or when they receive a book from you (in person or shipped), they receive a plastic car in the shape of a credit card that offers them a downloadable prize or gift if they go to a specific URL.

Touch point 2: When they go to that URL, they find a form that asks them for their name, email address, and shipping address, in exchange for their downloadable prize or gift.

Touch point 3: When they provide the information, they receive (as immediately as possible) the promised downloadable prize or gift.

Touch point 4: A few weeks later they receive a surprise physical gift from you in the mail.

How to Implement This System

Here’s how you can create this experience for your potential clients:

Step 1: Identify an enticing downloadable prize or gift that is related to your book. It should be something that takes them one step further or deeper into the content of the book.

Surprise and delight your prospects with a physical gift
Create a system that wows your prospects

Step 2: Create and order a fun, low-cost, physical gift that you can send in the mail. Good options include pins, pens, keychains, booklets, and stickers. If you’re really ambitious, T-shirts or ball caps are good, as well. Vendors I recommend include VistaPrint.com and StickerMule.com.

Step 3: Set up the system. This is what you’ll need:

  • A landing page with the form prospects will hand out. This can be easily created with Aweber or on your website. You can also, as the protein company did, use a Google form.
  • A downloadable prize or gift delivery mechanism. This can be a download page or an email that provides the download link.
  • A process for shipping out the gifts. You can do this yourself, hire a Virtual Assistant to do this, or find a vendor that will automate it for you.

Step 4: Create and order plastic cards that offer the bearer a downloadable prize or gift when they go to the URL of the landing page set up in Step 3.

Step 5: Start distributing those cards! You can hand them out at live events. Insert them in books you sell personally. Offer them in exchange for a shipping address (doubling the mailing to their home touch points) on social media.

Additional Ideas

In this video, I provide an overview of this system and include some additional ideas not included in this post.

Caveats

WARNING: Don’t use this system if all you’re selling are books, and other low-priced products and services. It will get too expensive.

This system works best if you’ve got a pipeline of higher-end products. This system is a way for you to encourage and nurture the relationship with your book buyers so that they will buy your coaching, enroll in your courses, and so forth. It is a great way to build up goodwill and nurture that relationship.

Bare Minimum Book Marketing Essentials

FREE Cheat Sheet Shares the 4 Assets You Need to Start Marketing Your Book

When You Have Little Time and Little Cash

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet a lot of amazing people. One of those is Lee Pound, a writer and editor with a lot of wisdom and an unassuming demeanor. In this post, I’ve gathered the tips and pearls of wisdom I’ve gleaned from seeing him speak several times. Enjoy!

The Mehrabian Myth

​In 1971, psychology professor Albert Mehrabian published a book called Silent Messages: Implicit Communication of Emotions and Attitudes, which discussed his 7-38-55 Rule. The rule states that, when communicating emotions, 7 percent of meaning is communicated through spoken word, 38 percent through tone of voice, and 55 percent through body language.

This rule has been misquoted and misused to support the idea that actions are more important than words. However, this is not always the case. Mehrabian’s model addresses the communication of emotional content, not all content.

At an event called Market Your Way to Wealth in 2009, Lee spoke about the Mehrabian Myth and how a true understanding of the model can help when making a presentation.

How to Use the Mehrabian Model in Your Book Marketing

When speaking about your book online or on stage, ensure that your words match your body language. When you speak with enthusiasm about your topic or your book, let your body communicate that emotion as well. Here’s a video example of what I’m talking about.

The 7 Keys of Interesting Content

Also at Market Your Way to Wealth in 2009, Lee said there are only two types of writing: Interesting and boring. And you only need to master one!

The keys to creating interesting writing, in fiction, in marketing, and in the news, is to include the following 7 keys:

1. The hook

This is your intriguing start. If your readers lose interest in the first paragraph, do you think they will read any further? Although he didn’t mention this specifically, hooks don’t only occur at the beginning of a piece of work. The longer the content, the more hooks it will need to keep readers reading. When writing a book, each chapter should have its own hook that is like a sub-hook to the book’s overarching hook.

2. Powerful characters

People love to read about powerful characters. Pick up the newspaper or the latest issue of your favorite magazine. Which stories do you want to read? Is it the one about the small business owner who created a flood of new business while raising money for charity? Or is it the one about the small business owner who earned an award? Which one tells you about a character? As you can see, characters don’t only appear in fiction. Nonfiction is filled with them, but not always as obvious.

The longer the content, the more hooks you'll need
Writing should evoke an emotion

3. Create strong desire

Your writing must move people with some sort of emotion, or they won’t continue to read. Make your readers laugh, cry, get angry … anything but a yawn! This calls to mind my motto “If you don’t inspire, you expire.” Eliciting an emotional response in your reader is the key to keeping them reading.

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4. Incorporate credible problems

In fiction, these are the obstacles the heroine must face. In marketing copy, these are the obstacles your ideal clients must face. Either way, these obstacles must be believable. When writing sales copy, be sure that you address those obstacles that your product or service will help your ideal clients solve. And when writing a non-fiction book, address the obstacles your readers face when attempting to achieve the result your book promises to help them with.

5. Plot it out

Your writing must have a logical flow, a journey that your readers follow through the copy. Include all the pertinent information that will help them reach the conclusions you hope for. This is why creating an outline before you start working on your book is so important and may be the key to its success.

6. Resolution

Wrap it up with a call to action. In fiction, this is the part where the heroine saves the day. In marketing copy, this is where you tell the readers what you want them to do. Buy this. Subscribe to that. What action do you want them to take? In a book, these calls to action and resolutions are sprinkled throughout the entire book, and, most importantly, in its conclusion.

7. End

Restate the lesson or call to action again. You’d be surprised by how often people don’t hear your call to action the first time. Repeat it in your P.S. Re-phrase it for another learning channel. (This is why authors sprinkle their call to action throughout the book!)

Your writing must have a logical fl

Solve a Problem

People are always looking for ways to solve their perceived problems. When you can do that, with your product, service, presentation, or book, you will attract clients and readers. And, when it comes to marketing your business with a book, that problem should be specific and related to your business. Don’t solve too many problems with your book or it will become diluted and uninteresting.

be relatable. Speak your target market’s language

Become an Insider

Becoming an insider is just another way of saying “be one of the fold.” In the context of speaking, Lee was referring to being visible and making business connections. But in the context of your business overall, and most especially your books, I’d say that it means be relatable. Speak your target market’s language. If you speak over or below them … or in jargon they are not familiar with … you’ll lose them.

How to Get Invited on Other People’s Stages

Leveraging other people’s audiences by speaking on their stages about the topic of your book if a very powerful way to sell more books and grow your business. In June of 2012, Lee spoke at District 1 Toastmaster’s Speaker’s Bureau bout “Creating Your Own Opportunities.” In his presentation, he listed the things you should have in place if you want to start getting invited to be on other people’s stages:

  • Get to know them
  • Attend meetings
  • Solve their problems
  • Show them what you’ve done
  • Be present and findable on the Internet
  • Write a book
  • Offer products

This list is still valid today. And the beauty of them is that they are all achievable, especially when you take them one step at a time.

Get to know them and attend meetings

These two points go hand in hand. Network. Get out there and “press the flesh” so to speak – even if you have to do it virtually. Be personable. Continuously work on improving yourself, your skills, and your knowledge. You’ll never know where your golden opportunities will come from. For example, many years ago, I purchased a web property called Women’s Business Gallery in the hopes of building a business with it. That didn’t happen in quite the way I envisioned, but that purchase lead me to meeting some very important people in my life.

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Solve their problems

Again, if you aren’t solving someone’s problems you aren’t going to attract clients, projects, or opportunities. And, by the way, boredom can be a problem, so entertainers solve problems!

Show them what you’ve done

If your potential clients and JV partners have no idea what you are capable of doing, why would they want to work with you? You need to find ways to showcase your talents and the results of your work. Testimonials, case studies, and portfolios of your projects are all ways to do this.

How often should I send an author newsletter

Be present and findable on the Internet

This is where I do pretty well. As of July 2022, when you Google “Carma Spence” there are 45,600 results. If you scroll through the pages (which most people won’t), you don’t come across a non-advertising link that isn’t mine until page 5 (and only one link on that page isn’t mine!). When I first started out, my aunt (who also goes by Carma Spence) was on the first page (she’s mentioned on that one link). Also, when I started, random pages that weren’t relevant (such as my name being aboard the Cassini probe to Saturn) showed up. But with time, persistence, and constant experimentation, I’ve developed a pretty decent online presence and I’ve helped my clients do the same.

Write a book

Frankly, I have way too many books in me. At present, I have 12 titles authored only by me, 6 titles I’ve contributed to, and numerous ideas in the hopper. Being an author, regardless of whether you are published by a publisher or are self-published, gives you credibility. In part, because it takes time, confidence, and a touch of chutzpah to write and publish a book. So, get one done, OK? (I can help!)

Offer products

If you don’t have something for people to buy, how do you make money? And if all you have to offer is your time … you are limiting your income and your reach. Package what you know into products so that you can reach more people with your message … and it makes you more attractive to meeting planners and joint venture (JV) partners.

In Summary

Getting on someone else’s stage doesn’t need to mean an actual stage. It can mean getting on their radar so they know you exist and getting into their wallets, so they buy what you have to offer. You can do this! You can get onto the stage of the world and reach a larger audience hungry for not only what you have to offer but how you have to offer it.

Your First Draft Will Be Terrible – Write It Anyway

One thing you have to realize, says Lee, is that the first draft of your book will be horrible. Get over it and write it anyway. That’s why there are professional editors and proofreaders in the world … to help you transform that terrible first attempt into something worth reading. And, if you do some planning up-front, you can make the first draft not-so-terrible.

The Four Steps to a Not-So-Terrible First Draft

There are ways to make your first draft less horrible. Here is the four-step process for creating a decent first draft that I gleaned from Lee’s presentation at Market Your Way to Wealth 2009.

1. Choose your topic

What are you going to write about?

2. Narrow your topic

Focus on what aspect of that topic your book will cover.

3. Outline your book

Create a roadmap for your final book so you won’t get lost along the journey.

4. Write your book

Put your cheeks in the seat and let your fingers fly!

Get More Clients

There is a simple formula for getting more clients:

Writing + Speaking = Clients

When you have a book, it is easier to get speaking gigs because you’re seen as an expert. Also, when you speak, having a book gives you something you can sell at the back of the room or give away as a gift to keep you top of mind.

In Conclusion

When you find someone whose wisdom you resonate with, I recommend taking advantage of every opportunity to hear them speak. It was because I did this that I was able to learn so much from Lee. I hope you found these tidbits as helpful as I have.

Bare Minimum Book Marketing Essentials

FREE Cheat Sheet Shares the 4 Assets You Need to Start Marketing Your Book

When You Have Little Time and Little Cash

Editor’s Note: This content was compiled from three posts originally published on CarmaSpence.com in 2009 and 2012. They have been updated for content.

Author newsletters are a great way to connect with readers and build an author brand. But you might have some questions about email marketing in general and creating an effective author newsletter specifically – and that’s perfectly understandable. Here are answers to some common questions you might have about author newsletters.

What is an author newsletter?

An author newsletter is simply an email (or series of emails) that you send to your subscribers on a regular basis. This could be once a week, once a month, or even just a few times a year, but most successful author newsletters are sent monthly. The key is to be consistent so that your audience knows when to expect your emails.

As an author, you can use your newsletter to share news about your latest book release, give sneak peeks of upcoming books, share exclusive content, and more. Basically, it’s a way to stay in touch with your readers and give them a behind-the-scenes look at your author’s life.

Readers can sign up to receive your newsletter on your website or social media platforms, and they can unsubscribe at any time.

Do authors really need to send out a newsletter?

If you want to grow your readership and sell more of your books, both present, and future, having an email list of interested readers is your best and most cost-effective asset. Here are some benefits you gain by maintaining an author newsletter:

  • You build a connection with your readers beyond your books.
  • Receiving regular newsletters from you keeps you and your work top-of-mind.
  • You have a direct line to your readers that belongs to you, unlike connecting with them through social media.
  • It is quicker and easier to identify what content is working and what is not working with email analytics than with social media or website analytics.
  • Newsletters give you more space to share information than social media.
  • Newsletters give readers a feeling of exclusivity they can’t achieve on social media.

All of this can lead to increased book sales. And, if you offer other products or services beyond books, this newsletter will help sell those, as well.

6 Benefits of Sending an Author Newsletter

But the question is do you need one? Like with all marketing methods, no. However, you are leaving money on the table if you don’t use this strategy. Although there are plenty of ways to market a book, email marketing is consistently one of the best. Here are some email marketing stats if you aren’t convinced yet:

  • Email generates $42 for every $1 spent, which is a mind-boggling 4,200% return-on-investment (ROI).
  • Constant Contact found that emails sent by independent artists, writers, and performers have the highest open rate at 34.4%.
  • Don’t think people want email? Think again! According to Bluecore, 74% of Baby Boomers consider email the most personal channel to receive communications from brands. This is followed by 72% of Gen X, 64% of Millennials, and 60% of Gen Z.

How do I develop an effective email strategy for my readers?

Developing an effective email strategy is a process. Here is a suggested step-by-step method you can use to develop your email strategy.

Get clear on who your ideal readers are.

What kind of content, that is related to your books, would engage them? How often would they welcome you into their inboxes? For example, if your ideal reader is a work-at-home mom who likes reading your mysteries in part because they take her around the globe, you’ve got some clues as to the content that would keep her reading your newsletter. You could feature information about the places that appear in your books and share your own travels. In addition, because she’s a busy person (working and raising kids at home takes some time!), you’ll want to set a lower frequency, such as once a month.

Get clear on what you can handle in your schedule.

You may be a busy person, too! If you don’t think you can handle sending out a good, quality newsletter on a weekly basis, don’t choose that frequency! Also, think about the type of content you will include and keep in mind the time you’ll need to create that content.

Decide on the types of content you want to include.

There are lots of things you can include in your newsletter, and it’s O.K. to mix and match. Each issue doesn’t need to follow the same format. You’ll find some ideas for content further down this page.

Develop your email newsletter plan.

With these three parameters in mind, you can now develop a solid editorial calendar. I recommend creating your plan for the year in November or December, realizing that it may very well get tweaked along the way. Developing at least a three-month content plan is also a good idea. And your email plan doesn’t need to be separate from your other content plans. In fact, it is better to have a comprehensive plan that includes your blog, your newsletter, your social media, and any other content you create. That way it is easier to make sure that they are supporting your main business goals.

What software should I use to send my author newsletter so that I remain compliant with email marketing laws?

I’m glad you’re asking that! Using an email marketing provider is a wise decision. Not only is sending emails from your personal email account make it hard to manage your list, but it can get you into some legal hot water, as well. In addition to the CAN-SPAM law in the United States, there are additional laws that affect your subscribers in Canada and the European Union. Most, if not all, email marketing platforms make sure you remain compliant without having to think much about it.

True, there are a lot of email marketing platforms to choose from. Some are focused on email marketing alone, others include other functionality, as well. If you are just beginning, I think a safe bet is Aweber. That’s what I use. MailChimp is also a good choice. Both offer a very good free level.

Author Newsletter Q&A

When should I start building a list and sending out my author newsletter?

There is no hard and fast rule about starting an author newsletter. A good rule of thumb is as soon as you have something to say. For some authors, that could be months or years before their book comes out. For others, it is much later. I believe that the sooner you start the better. This gives you time to build your list so that once your book (or next book) is available, you’ll have a sizable list of people who will probably buy it.

How do I set up my author newsletter?

Once you’ve chosen an email service provider, there are several things you’ll need to create to make sure everything goes smoothly, and you’ll be set to grow your list over time.

There are two things you’ll need outside of your email marketing platform to successfully grow your email list.

The first thing is a relevant and useful opt-in incentive. This is the thing you offer prospective subscribers in return for their email address. One good incentive is a sample chapter of your book. But there are lots of other things you can use as well. You’ll find some suggestions further down this page.

The second thing is a place to host your opt-in form (which I’ll go into in a moment). Ideally, this will be your website. There are also ways to integrate an opt-in form with social media and some email marketing platforms (such as Aweber or MailChimp) offer landing pages you can use, as well. However, for best results, you want to have an author website.

Now you can go into your email marketing software and set up your newsletter. Here’s what you’ll need to create to make sure you’re set up for success:

gold 1

An opt-in form

This is the form your prospective subscriber will fill out in order to request your opt-in incentive and be added to your list.

gold 2

A welcome email sequence

This is the series of emails that welcome your new subscriber to your list, delivers the opt-in incentive, and sets their expectations on what they’ll see in your newsletter. You can also add emails to the sequence that encourage them to consume the incentive, to engage with you, and even to buy something from you.

gold 3

A newsletter template

You want to be consistent with the look and feel of your newsletters, so setting up a template that you can use over and over again is a wise thing to do. You can create one from scratch or modify one of the many templates your software provides.

Those are the basics. There are other things you can do to improve effectiveness, but I don’t have the space to go into those details on this page.

How often should I send out my author newsletter?

There is no set frequency for author newsletters, but once a month is a good general guideline. The most common frequency I’ve seen for author newsletters, beyond monthly, is weekly. The next most common frequencies are twice a month or daily. Which one is right for you and your list? Only you can say. Choose a frequency that you can consistently keep to, and that won’t irritate your readers. You can always adjust the frequency based on how often you have new content to share and how often your readers seem to engage with your newsletter. See my answer to how to develop a strategy above for further clarification.

How do I grow my author newsletter list?

There are so many ways you can grow an email list! Below are just a few that can be effective for authors. However, before you start using them, make sure you have an opt-in incentive that is compelling to your ideal readers. If you offer them the wrong thing, they won’t sign up regardless of how many of these tactics you use.

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Post your opt-in offer on your website’s home page as close to the top as possible.

How often should I send an author newsletter
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Post your opt-in offer on a splash page that someone gets the first time they visit your website.

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Post your opt-in offer in the sidebar of your blog.

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Integrate your opt-in offer with your Facebook page and other social media accounts.

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Include your opt-in offer on the back of your business card.

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Include a link to your opt-in landing page, along with some compelling copy, in your email signature file.

I

Do you participate in online discussion groups? Add your link to your opt-in landing page, along with some compelling copy, to your signature file.

I

Write guest posts on other people’s blogs and include an invitation to your opt-in in your bio.

I

Contribute to or purchase advertising in a newsletter that goes out to people who might enjoy your work.

I

Participate in a link exchange with a fellow author in your genre. Each of you gives a shout-out to the other in their newsletter.

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Include a note in your newsletter that encourages your subscribers to share the newsletter with their circle of influence.

I

Participate in relevant giveaway events.

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Host a viral giveaway or contest. You can do this in a limited way for free using GoViral or for an investment, use KingSumo.

There are probably a lot more, but those should get you started on the right foot.

Opt-In Ideas for Authors

What kind of opt-in incentive should I offer?

The best opt-in incentives provide the new subscriber with a quick win. That gives them a nice dopamine surge and helps them start on the path of liking and trusting you. Here are some ideas:

  • A sample chapter from your book
  • A short study or readers’ guide for your book
  • A checklist or cheat sheet that helps them implement a concept in your book
  • A short video of you explaining a concept in your book
  • A 3-7-day email course or challenge that helps them implement a concept in your book
  • A quiz that helps them identify what parts of your book they should focus on

Do you see a trend here? Your opt-in incentive needs to be a taste of what you offer, and it needs to provide quick, easy-to-digest, actionable, and valuable information. Which one is right for you depends on what your book is about, what you can reasonably implement given your current situation and your personality.

What content should I include in my author newsletter?

The content you provide in your newsletters should be engaging and relevant to you and your work, as well as to your readers. Providing a balance of different kinds of content is a good idea, too. Here are some suggestions.

  • News about your latest project
  • Links to your blog posts, podcast episodes, Facebook Lives, and other content you create
  • Tips related to your book
  • Reviews and recommendations for books, products, and services they might find valuable and are related to what you do
  • Updates on relevant and interesting industry trends
  • Interviews with or profiles of people they should know (or characters from your book!)
  • Case studies of your clients
  • “Fan of the month” interview or profile
  • Announcements of upcoming appearances or events
  • Exclusive reveals – for example, the cover of your forthcoming book
  • Day in the life information – what you’re reading, fun things you’re doing, etc.
  • Advice and insight
  • Details about the research you’re doing for your next book
  • Reader Q&As

And, of course, links to your book and social media pages!

Author Newsletter Content Ideas

Your newsletter is a way for you to keep you and your work top-of-mind. It doesn’t need to be a big production. Short, simple, and valuable content will do the trick. Use what you do best to provide this service. The key is to provide value for your readers and give them a reason to stay subscribed.

How do I continuously improve my author newsletter?

Once you’ve got some subscribers and are on a regular schedule, you can start making small changes and testing them to see what works best. Here are some ways you can improve the results you get with your newsletter.

Improve open rates by testing subject lines.

Use the A/B testing feature of your email service to test which types of subject lines get the best open rates. This feature lets you send a percentage of your list one subject line and the rest another.

Improve opt-in rates by testing your invitation headline and copy.

Switch out your headline or your copy once in a while to see if you get increased opt-in rates.

Send your readers a survey or poll to find out what they like.

Give them some suggestions to choose from and go from there.

Read up on best practices and start implementing the ideas.

Test them out to see what works for your list.

Use services like OptinMonster or Sumo to increase opt-in rates.

These services let you do fancy things with your opt-in offer so that people visiting your website actually notice it.

How do I build my author platform with an email newsletter?

An author newsletter is a great way to connect with your readers and grow your platform. By providing valuable content and building relationships with your subscribers, you can create a loyal audience of readers who are interested in what you have to say. And that, essentially, is what an author platform is.

Did I miss your question about Author Newsletters?

Submit your question here and I’ll do my best to answer it.

Want help setting up your email marketing system?

I’m developing a virtual weekend workshop called Aweber for Authors. To learn more and get on the early notification list, visit this page.

Bare Minimum Book Marketing Essentials

FREE Cheat Sheet Shares the 4 Assets You Need to Start Marketing Your Book

When You Have Little Time and Little Cash

Editor’s Note: This post originally appeared on CarmaSpence.com in December of 2020. It has been updated for content.

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