Authors ask me all the time: Do I really need a newsletter? My answer is always a resounding yes! Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, or children’s books, building your author newsletter and email list isn’t optional—it’s essential for your long-term career.
Here are six reasons why every author should have a newsletter (and how it helps grow your audience and book sales):
In today’s ever-changing digital world, you can’t rely on social media alone to connect with readers. If you post to Instagram, only about 7% of your followers will see it, and Facebook is even worse at 2-5%. And algorithms change (we’re looking at you, Instagram), platforms rebrand (R.I.P Twitter), or accounts get hacked and stolen.
Unlike social media, an email list is completely under your control. When someone subscribes, they’re giving you permission to slip that book news directly into their inbox.
Email can feel more personal than public social media. It lets you share exclusive content, behind-the-scenes stories, sneak peeks, and more, leading to loyalty and engagement.
You’re not just sending a newsletter—you’re building a community.
You don’t have to pay for ads or chase visibility on social media to announce your book news. And when launch time comes, this list is a ready-made launch team. That can look like . . .
The more you involve your readers, the more invested they become in your book’s success.
Readers who have signed up for your newsletter are more likely to buy your book. They’re already opted in to hearing from you, and so they’re much more likely to open emails and interact with you.
Plus, on average, people need to see a product at least seven times before they buy it. And seeing your book in your newsletter a few times leading up to launch does a lot to bring them closer to that magic number.
If you use a mailing service, you’ll also get valuable audience data. You can see your analytics, like open rates and click-through rates, which lets you know what resonates with your audience. For instance, did that recipe you shared get more clicks than the Spotify playlist based on your book character? That gives you insight into your audience! Armed with this insight, get ideas for future content, refine your message, and most of all, understand your ideal reader better.
Not only does having a newsletter do all these important things for your author career, it also gives you credibility. Having a newsletter shows readers, agents, and publishers that you take your career seriously. You know what you’re doing. You’re dedicated.
Having a growing newsletter sets you apart in a crowded market.
Now that we’ve convinced you that newsletters are important, you might be wondering: but how do I start? Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by offering something valuable that would appeal to your ideal audience—a free chapter of your next book, a nutrition cheat sheet, a worksheet for neurodiverse children. Make signing up easy and obvious on your website, social media, and at events. And make a consistent and doable schedule.
If you want to dive deeper into building your newsletter, check out our post: 5 Tips to Create a Successful Author Newsletter.
