Tips for starting, growing, and maintaining your mailing list:
Tip #1 ~ It’s never too early to start your list. Not published yet? No problem. If you want to have a great launch, having a mailing list already there can help!
Tip #2 ~ Explore your options. When starting a mailing list, check out companies like MailChimp and Constant Contact. Ask your friends or random twitter followers about their experiences, and then choose the one that is the right fit for you.
Tip #3 ~ Give away something for FREE to people who sign up. It can be a short story or even a set of blog articles. People love getting free stuff and the more helpful, the better! Don’t worry if someone signs up just because they are getting something out of it. They’ve invited you into their email inbox so that when you do catch their eye with your latest release, they just might buy it.
Tip #4 ~ Spread the word. Tell people what they can get for FREE when they sign up for your mailing list. Switch up the free item every 4 to 6 months or so, so when you tell people the new freebie they can get for signing up, it doesn’t feel like spam—it feels like a favor. (Also, send the freebie to your loyal members as well!)
Tip #5 ~ Send out the occasional newsletter so that you stay relevant, but not so many that people start to ignore you. Once every month or two keeps you on their radar without being bothersome. Keep the letter informative, interesting, and engaging, and they’ll keep coming back for more. It’s like blogging, but better, because it’s less frequent.
Tip #6 ~ At the end of your published works, add a short message that includes a link to either your mailing list or your website (where they can sign up for the mailing list in the side bar)
Tip #7 ~ Don’t make every email an advertisement for your books.
Tip #8 ~ Don’t spam. An email every day or every week soon gets deleted without being read.
Tip #9 ~ Don’t add people to your mailing list without their permission. This is against mailing list etiquette rules, and can even get your account deleted if you are reported.
Tip #10 ~ Don’t be afraid to get started. The sooner you begin, the better!
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