Do you subscribe to authors' newsletters? Why? What motivates you to sign up?
I've been striving to increase my subscribers. Giveaways attract new readers, but then there's a bunch of unsubscribes when they don't win or if you don't offer another giveaway in the next newsletter.
Right now, I offer new subscribers an ebook (The 13th Floor Complete Collection) as a thank you for signing up. I'd prefer to have readers buy the book, though.
I've been considering writing a new short story or novelette and offering that exclusively to new subscribers. I want my readers to know they're special, and I hope this lets them know they are. That way they'll stick around.
I want to know what you think. Would a new and exclusive story motivate you to sign up for an author's newsletter? What do you think is the best way to appeal to subscribers?
I think an exclusive story is a good idea. Why give away an entire collection of stories? Besides, exclusive stuff is how people are enticed to support others on Patreon.
ReplyDeleteI like newsletters that aren't sent out too frequently, otherwise they start to feel like spam. I think access to an exclusive story is a nice treat for new subscribers. Cheers - Ellen
ReplyDeleteTry an exclusive story and see what happens. Also, go read Elizabeth Craig's post today on newsletters, or any of her posts on the subject.
ReplyDeleteI am the world's worse marketer. I trolled for followers via a newsletter for a year and didn't get a single follower...so stopped. I can see the value to the author. But I've never joined one. I don't follow specific authors much. I just read what comes up next on my carousel. (which takes me to my serious pet peeve...the saturation of free titles...why should ANYONE ever buy a book...I take a dozen free titles every month. There are too many free!!!)
ReplyDeleteNewsletter giveaways don't draw me in. I think having the exclusive story sounds good. I unsubscribe when I get them too frequently and they are just "post" type of emails. I'm subscribing to find out author news—about releases, signing, sneaks peaks, etc.
ReplyDeleteI do think an exclusive story versus one that can be purchased would be more incentive to sign up for a newsletter. Makes the subscriber feel more special. :)
ReplyDeleteAlex, how true!
ReplyDeleteEllen, so do I.
Diane, thank you. I'm off to check that out!
Mac, I sometimes feel that way too. I'm pulling back on my freebies just because of that.
Holly, me too. I like reading blogs for posts. Newsletters are just for special occasions.
Madeline, great! Thanks. :)
I'm signed up for your newsletter and I think a few others, but honestly, I scroll through, but never really read. Newsletters just aren't my thing. I do have my own and have been trying to figure out the same. I think an exclusive story is a nice thank you. Was it you I told in an email I wasn't sure how to deliver it?
ReplyDeleteI haven't quite yet figured out the point of a newsletter. I subscribe to several, but for me it's more about supporting the author than anything else.
ReplyDeleteI get notifications from Goodreads when a writer I like publishes something new, and that's all I really care about. Most of the author newsletters I'm subscribed to are non-fiction authors. I can't possibly sign up to everyone I like. It's too much to keep up with. I like helpful or entertaining content in newsletters. I feel like I can get other information somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteI have signed up for newsletters before just to be helpful or to get a free story, but I don't know that I've actually read one yet. I'm having a hard enough time keeping up with people's blogs and I think, like you, my reading time might better be spent on author's books than their newsletters.
ReplyDeleteI sign up for newsletters, but on some days I get so many that I can't possibly read them all. I do get yours!
ReplyDeleteI subscribe to the newsletters of authors that I know and want to support, like you, for example. Free stories and/or giveaways are nice, but they're never what motivates me. The exclusive story sounds like a good route to try out.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a good idea to offer up something exclusive for newsletter subscribers. You shouldn't worry too much about unsubscribes. After all, if they signed up only to get your free book and end up reading it, then they might become an avid fan and get more of your work. That's the hope. I like receiving newsletters, but sometimes they can be overwhelming, especially ones where people send out a newsletter often (one per week or more). I'm considering breaking up my list to people who want to receive info about new releases and sales and those who want that plus extras. I haven't gotten around to setting that up yet, but it's something I'm considering. That way the people who just want to know when you have a new book out don't have to feel spammed if you just want to tell them new information but don't have a new release.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat as you. I've pretty much quit sending out a newsletter as it didn't seem to be having any positive impact, and I actually began to worry it was having a negative one--that readers thought I was pushy or boring or something. Like you, a giveaway got me lots of subscribers but I'd see a big unsubscribe once it was over. One person even reported me as spam!
ReplyDeleteI've considered an ongoing story that would only be in the newsletter. Could be fun . . .
I have my doubts about newsletters. I subscribe to a few but not many. I love the ones from local theaters that tell me what they are going to produce so I can see it working. I do think a standalone story might be the way to go.
ReplyDeleteI think exclusive to subscribers if the best draw. I don't really like those that send me a whole library free and I seldom read them all or not any sometimes too much choice,
ReplyDeleteI read a free perma to first book in series with links to subscribe to newsletter include inside works for some too.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
I'm subscribed to a few. I don't mind reading them but I do think they need to have some content that you don't get elsewhere. Still trying to get it together to start my own. I like M's suggestion of an ongoing serial story, but I suppose it depends on how much work is involved and whether you think that's worth it. Adding to that, how about getting readers to email suggestions of where the story should go and offering small swag prizes to those who "win"? Make it interactive. The possibilities are endless and like anything creative, it can be whatever you make of it.
ReplyDeleteI subscribe to aid the author, but attracting readers? Good question. I'll follow your survey and see what answers you get. I haven't done a newsletter, yet.
ReplyDeleteI do not sign up for newsletters simply because of time.
ReplyDeleteHi Christine - I sign up to support the blogger ... but rarely get a chance to read - also they probably come through via Feedly.
ReplyDeleteI think you went over to Elizabeth Spann-Craig's post of yesterday ... that was really helpful and interesting I thought ...
Cheers Hilary
I have and almost always cancel if they come too often or are full of filler rather than interesting articles.
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
I have to admit I'm bad about newsletters. I sign up, mainly to support the author, but rarely read them in depth, mainly because I spend SO much time on my email that I don't have time for it :/ I feel poorly about this, and don't enter competitions because of it. It's bad for my own newsletter, that's often totally infrequent and I struggle with as I don't often feel like I have anything worth sharing. Anyhow, this is just a rambling comment to say that I wish I had a clearer though on the matter :)
ReplyDeleteI do agree, offering something exclusive would be great, but the hard part is doing this on a more consistent level to keep subscribers interested. Have you though of doing a survey with your subscribers, asking them what they want to see more of? You can do that via Survey Monkey and link it to your newsletter. Works great. Another option is to come up with a regular post that is unique to just you... so maybe once a month or fortnightly. I started my Kick-Ass Mythology, sending it out fortnight, and each time I send it out I get more and more engagement... I get so many people emailing me saying they love reading about the myths. Hence I'm sharing what I love and find in my research. Maybe you could come up with something along those lines... Or even sharing recipes that related to your books? Something that readers will look forward to reading and isn't just a book push.
ReplyDelete