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I’ll admit, I skimmed over the blog post and read the highlights. However, I’m book marking this to go back to once I set up my own newsletter as it looks like it has some excellent information. Thank you, Barb for taking the time to not only share the information with us, but to do so in such an organized fashion.
I’ve been hesitant about starting a newsletter, thinking, who would want to read it? But, the more I get into the writing business, the more I realize a newsletter may be essential to building my career.
Thank you for the tips!
ReplyAs many point out – there is an intimacy about communicating via email/newsletter that can’t be achieved in other ways.
Barb
ReplyUseful post, Barb. I obviously need your course as I freaked by what you say about putting text from Word through a text editor! Don’t really understand what this means.
My newsletter has a high open rate but low click through, I suspect because it’s mainly people who have bought my books and will probably buy the next but aren’t particularly interested in the stuff in between. (I write literary fiction so books come out at roughly 18 month intervals.)
Another question: are videos a no-no? I have assumed they might block up some inboxes.
Great, detailed blog. I’ve not got the biggest list (and it’s easy to feel bad about that with all the noise) but I’m actually pleased my open and click through rates are very good based on what you indicate. I do feel I could do even more/ better though so following. Thanks!
ReplyYou hit on so many great points that I am trying to get my arts group to understand – they are afraid to put all email addresses in “one” program, and then they can’t segment their list for other reason. I’m workin’ on it! Any help getting my group moving would be fabulous!
ReplyTotally understand and with the most recent changes in MailChimp there will be a whole bunch of upheaval yet again. I also volunteer with an arts group and even getting them to understand they need to use a service is like pulling teeth…
Barb
ReplyDefinitely, something I struggle with, though of course, it would help if someone signed up in the first place! Would love to win this, as I’m trying to learn a lot about it. 🙂
ReplyBarb,
Wow! What a thoroughly detailed post. Like Sarah, I do not have a newsletter but have bookmarked your guest post for future reference for myself and author pals.
Thank you!
Donna
I think you’ve covered some important points about getting started with an online newsletter. It’s essential but, for a lot of people, also easy to put as a low priority. I’ve heard authors say the few words of a welcome email are harder to write than the thousands of words in their WIPs. Part of this, I think, is lack of familiarity with what’s needed. Articles like yours will help to change that, and I thank you for writing it.
Sincerely,
Dana Lemaster
Hi Dana,
I agree – newsletters are WAY harder to deal with than writing an entire book 🙂
Barb
ReplyFantastic post. Had no idea about copying/pasting into my email template from Word! Also love what you said about great content being a combo of art and science. Truth! Would love to win the giveaway as I’m working hard to improve my newsletter and build my audience. Thanks for the opportunity 🙂
ReplyGreat advice! I have a list that I am constantly trying to improve, from the signup page to the messages I send out each month. Would love to win to improve my game even more!
ReplyLike Sarah, I skipped over it, a lot of it because I felt I was reading a point and then it would drift into a totally different point. E-Mail Newsletters are supposedly necessary but to be honest I’ve come to the realization that I haven’t been doing it right and have no clue what goes into an e-mail list. Also confused on the scheduling of how often one should post a newsletter. You stay the basics but then you get into all the technical aspects of it and I get it but at the same time I don’t. Well written article just a bit too wordy and technical for me.
ReplyThe newsletter is something I’m working on doing consistently. It just takes time, but it’s invaluable. This was a good reminder to get one going.
ReplyOh boy. I knew I was getting the newsletter thing wrong. I came late to the whole idea of NLs, right on the heels of the GDPR thing and I sort of threw my hands up in the air. I have fewer NL members than I do subscribers to my blog, so it’s hard sometimes when I send out a NL not to feel a bit like Noah releasing doves from the Ark in hopes of getting some evidence of dry land out there.
I also have a hard time knowing what to put in my NL and how often to send one. I just don’t have that much news to share that often! And while I like blogging, I find putting together a NL frustrating. Probably because I had to teach myself everything and I’m probably missing some easy shortcuts. Personalize your emails? Heck. I’m going to have to sit down with someone to figure out how to do that…
ReplyHi McKenna,
I hear you! Newsletters are a different animal than blogging. You will get into a groove, though…
Barb
ReplyHmm, I got rid of my double opt-in some time ago but I see now I need to re-think that! I’ve been having “fun” weeding out spammy email addresses but hadn’t made the connection that the double opt-in would solve that…
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