I recently became aware that my time writing and researching the author business has enabled me to be help other entrepreneurs. I thought I would begin posting monthly a short blog about best current practices, often reviewing a helpful book you may want to add to your arsenal. The first resource I want to review is Newsletter Ninja, which helped me answer the question, Why do I dread newsletters?
Why should you write newsletters?
If you dread writing newsletters, you may easily convince yourself to skip it. I have done so myself. As an author, I spend my time writing words and making my words tell stories in a book form that will help others by either entertaining or teaching, sometimes both. Why on earth would I want to take out time from that important endeavor? Other tasks in each of our businesses take enormous amounts of concentration and stopping to write an email seems superfluous–maybe even outdated. Isn’t everyone sick of spammy newsletters clogging up their inbox?
But, I have become convinced by experts that I need to have an authentic way to connect with my ideal readers. After all, social media, one of the ways I originally connected with readers, has become increasingly pay-to-play. Platforms like Facebook have buried organic reach, making it harder and harder for people to see a post unless we are spending money to create ads.
But, good grief, I have spent years overthinking every newsletter I was writing. I was working hard, but getting no-where. So when I heard this awesome interview with Tammi Labreque about her book Newsletter Ninja, I decided to spend a few dollars and check it out. And you know what? Things are starting to come together for me.
Do you dread writing newsletters?
If you are convinced that you need a way to develop a relationship with your ideal readers or customers, this book has some amazing insight into how to do so. Tammi uses her great sense of humor (and some profanity, if that bothers you) to share years of helpful experience.
While reading the book, I realized why I’ve been dreading writing my newsletters. I’ve been viewing them as a frustrating and useless interruption to writing. But Tammi’s suggestion to re-imagine my perfect reader and invite them into a fun conversation each month changed my perspective.
So, I did. I thought of who would love to purchase my product, in my case, my current series. What would we have in common? What other things would this imaginary-but-not-imaginary-friend enjoy that I might be able to discuss monthly?
This month’s encouragement: Stop dreading writing newsletters
There is so much wonderful information in this book, that I highly recommend it. It can literally help you stop dreading writing newsletters and instead enjoy it! Tammi shares criteria to help you choose an email provider, how to keep your newsletters from going to the spam folder, why and how to create an automated onboarding sequence, and most importantly, she reminds us to always provide something worthwhile to your reader. I have not yet implemented everything in the book and it may take another business year to get it all right. But you know what? I’m not dreading writing my newsletter anymore!
So, this month, I want to encourage you to have a little fun. Make a date with yourself and create a profile of your favorite kind of reader. Don’t just imagine yourself with a new name. Tammi is pretty adamant that though we may like our own writing, we are not our ideal reader.
Dive deep and think about the kind of super-fan you would love to connect with. You might even poll your current readers through social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Stories all love polls right now). What kinds of shows would this ideal reader be drawn to? Is it mainly men or women? Single or married or divorced? With or without children? A person who binges Hallmark Christmas movies, or stands in line for hours to get the newest Apple product?
Ask those random questions and some targeted ones. See what comes up! Think it over carefully and then, write your newsletter to that very specific person. Have fun, ask at least one question that kind of person is dying to answer, and share something to make their life better.
Newsletters to check out
Now, I don’t know that I would have picked up the book Newsletter Ninja if the timing had not coincided with discovering two very different, but wonderful approaches to newsletters. I highly recommend you check out Susan May Warren and Erica Baldwin to see helpful and fun examples of writers who make it a pleasure to open your email. Also, if you know of a writer whose newsletter you love, share it in the comments or on social media so we can follow along and learn.
Of course, I’d love to have you on my newsletter if you enjoy fairytale retellings, or just want to subscribe for a few months to see how I’m implementing what I’ve learned. My onboarding sequence will first take you to my freebie, which is a novella you can find here.
Next month, I will be reviewing another helpful resource. What would you like me to tackle next?
JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author consultant, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free author assessment to learn what steps you should take next now.
Author of The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, and Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, which chronicles her battle with chronic pain and depression, JacQueline uses her writing to share stories of hope and joy.
JacQueline currently lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All of her writing is from her own experience and based on her opinion. It should never be substituted for a professional therapist.
photography: Kaitlyn Baker and J. Kelly Brito
Graphic Design for Social Media: JacQueline Vaughn Roe. Contact her for help with graphic design or other author services.