https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/en-USTelligent Community 10https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/mailing-lists/8448/creating-a-newsletter-that-promotes-you-and-your-bookWed, 27 Aug 2025 20:01:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:ded09044-bb4b-4c7b-9cc9-5a10446e22e3Cathy FyockNewsletters are a powerful way to stay connected with your readers, grow your platform, and promote your book—without feeling salesy. In this recorded session with author and book coach Cathy Fyock, you'll learn how to get started with your author newsletter, set a realistic publishing schedule, and build a simple yet effective content plan. Cathy covers must-have elements for every issue, shares a plug-and-play template, and offers tips for creating a reusable content library so you're never starting from scratch. In addition, you'll learn how to grow your email list and get readers engaged. Here is the handout referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Creating-a-Newsletter_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../CreatingaNewsletterThatPromotesYouandYourBook.mp4 About the Presenter: Cathy Fyock is The Business Book Strategist, and works with professionals and thought leaders who want to write nonfiction books as a business growth strategy. She is the author of 12 books, including “On Your Mark”, “Blog2Book”, “Authority”, “My New Book: The Upcoming Message that will Change the World”, and her newest book, “Writer Crisis Hotline”, co-authored with Allie Pleiter. Cathy's book, “The Speaker Author: Sell More Books and Book More Speeches”, became a #1 international bestseller in public speaking and speech writing, authorship, business consulting, publishing books and more. Since Cathy started her business in 2014, she has helped over 250 professionals become published authors. She believes that authors change the world, one word at a time.fictionNonfictionSubscriberRecorded Webinarhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/crowd-funding/8440/how-to-fund-to-a-book-with-kickstarterTue, 08 Jul 2025 19:49:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:d9cdb159-1029-4865-bcee-5522a3bc7b0fRussell NoheltyKickstarter is a platform on everyone's lips these days after Brandon Sanderson used it to raise $41 million dollars. Authors like Will Wight and Sherilyn Kenyon have joined staples Dean Westly Smith, Michael Sullivan, and many others in expanding the platform to more authors, but how do you use it effectively? Join USA Today bestselling author Russell Nohelty, who has raised over $325,000 for publishing projects on Kickstarter, as he goes through the ins and outs on how to crush it on Kickstarter. Here is the handout referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Nohelty_5F00_Kickstarter_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../HowtoFundtoaBookWithKickstarter.mp4 About the Presenter: Russell Nohelty is a USA Today bestselling author, and speaker. He runs Wannabe Press (www.wannabepress.com) and is the Co-founder of Writer MBA and The Future of Publishing. Russell is also the host of The Author Ecosystem and Kickstart Your Book Sales podcasts. He is the author of many novels and graphic novels including 'The Godsverse Chronicles', 'The Obsidian Spindle Saga', and 'Ichabod Jones: Monster Hunter'. Russell is the Editor of The Author Stack, an online magazine, and has exhibited at over 150 events during his career.fictionNonfictionSubscriberRecorded Webinarhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/mailing-lists/7221/author-newsletters-what-to-include-and-what-to-avoidTue, 10 Dec 2024 15:14:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:eaad2ac8-98dd-43bf-84e9-70b05902d361Author Learning CenterWhat you put in your author newsletter has a big impact on whether or not it will engage readers, and creating and maintaining a newsletter that gets results can be challenging. To reach your audience and keep them interested, you need to understand what to include in an author newsletter, tips and tricks to maximize your impact, and what to avoid. Before diving into newsletter content, we recommend reading 5 Steps for Starting an Author Newsletter . "Creating a great author newsletter means making decisions about what to put in and what to leave out." Author newsletter basics Newsletters are different from other marketing emails. They do not focus on selling or promotion. They're not transactional. And they are not just a compilation of recent blog posts. A newsletter is a unique message sent on a fixed schedule that helps you stay in touch with your readers. The content can cover a wide range of topics, including everything from product news to press coverage to articles. What to include in an author newsletter The goal of a newsletter is to grow and nurture your relationship with readers. So, think about your readers when you decide what to put in your author newsletter. Here are some general guidelines to follow regarding what to include: Mostly educational content Newsletter content should be 90 percent educational and 10 percent promotional, according to HubSpot . One mistake authors make is to craft their newsletters to be entirely self-focused. Yes, your readers signed up for your newsletter because they like you and your books, but they will quickly tire of hearing only about you. Include mostly informative content that helps and educates your readers to keep them interested. Consistent template Your newsletter should have the same basic layout each time you send it. Create buckets for content you can fill with new information with each newsletter, and stick with it. (That said, if something isn't working, it's time to make improvements.) A mix of topics…but not everything Creating a great author newsletter means making decisions about what to put in and what to leave out. When newsletters cover everything, it tends to overload the readers. Pick the content that most interests your readers. Author newsletter ideas The following list includes newsletter ideas to spark your creativity. Don't include everything, or you'll overload your readers with too much information. Choose what works best for you and your audience. Consider what kinds of content you can produce with each send on a consistent basis. Message from you: Readers love seeing a personal message directly from their favorite authors. Q&A: Include a few answers to reader submitted questions or create your own questions. You can answer new questions in each newsletter or answer the same question each time, such as what you are currently reading, listening to, or watching. Article: Write a brief article just for your newsletter, such as one that ties into your expertise, a funny story that happened to you, or an inspirational message you wish to share. It can be anything that provides entertainment, education, or inspiration to your readers. Timely/interesting photo: Photos are an opportunity to give readers a glimpse into your personal life. Just remember to keep it professional and stay in line with your author brand image. Post a picture of yourself in your garden in the spring, or bundled up in your winter coat on a frosty day. Or share a photo that ties into your main newsletter article. Social media posts: Include some of your most popular posts from Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. These posts are an excellent opportunity to shine the spotlight on your fans. Blog post: Feature one of your most recent blog posts or dig into your archives and link to an old favorite. But remember, your newsletter isn't a blog digest. You need to include unique content, too. Exclusives: Let your newsletter subscribers be the first to know exclusive details about your upcoming book, such as the title, cover artwork, or snippets from chapters. Freebies: People love getting free stuff. You can give away any number of things, such as a free signed copy of your book, merchandise, swag, or tickets to one of your events. Bonus content: Prequels, deleted scenes, chapters, or characters from your book make excellent bonus content to share with your fans. Other ideas include creating book club questions for your book, or downloadable guides, check lists, and printouts. Press coverage: When you are in the news, include links to any articles or interviews about you or your book. Events: Let subscribers know about your upcoming appearances, speaking engagements, workshops, and book signings. Newsletter tips and tricks: essential author email elements "Unlike a blog or social media post, you can't edit a newsletter after it's sent. Make sure to edit your newsletter thoroughly..." Sometimes it's the smallest things that have the biggest impact. There are several important details to consider before sending your author newsletter: From: The from field of an email can be just as important as the subject line in terms of whether or not someone opens your email. Ideally, your newsletter should be sent from you, using your name and a unique domain URL. Sending from a Gmail or Yahoo domain, such as janesmith@gmail.com, will trigger spam filters and likely send your newsletter straight to subscribers' SPAM folders instead of their inbox. If you don't have your own domain email address, you can purchase one on your own or directly through your email program, when offered. Subject: A good subject line is unique, not simply the same subject each time with an updated newsletter date or volume number. It should describe the incredible content within your newsletter. A longer subject line will be cut off, especially for users on mobile devices. To ensure people can read your entire subject line, keep it to 50 characters or less. Preview/Snippet: The “email preview text”, also called a snippet, is almost like a second subject line—it appears to the viewer before the email is opened, right under or after the subject line. Make sure your content for the snippet and subject work well together. It shouldn't just repeat the subject. Also, keep your most important words toward the beginning of the snippet, because it will be truncated based on the device and email client used by the subscriber, somewhere between 35 to 100 characters. Links: Using hyperlinks in your newsletter is how you'll point to articles, sign-up pages, and videos posted elsewhere. In order to track newsletter traffic, you can use Google Analytics and add UTM variables to the end of your links. Here's Google's Campaign URL Builder and a tutorial on how to use UTM codes . Some email service providers, such as Campaign Monitor, offer automatic link tagging that integrates with Google Analytics. ALT text: If your newsletter includes images, make sure to fill out the ALT text for the image. That's the text that appears when the image doesn't load, or you hover over the image. It's important because people often read or browse an email without downloading the image (to conserve their data or speed up the process). Since images often contain a headline or other important text, your subscribers will miss out on your message if you don't include ALT text. Copyediting: Unlike a blog or social media post, you can't edit a newsletter after it's sent. Make sure to edit your newsletter thoroughly, including the subject line. Unsubscribe link: To stay CAN-SPAM compliant , you must give people a way to unsubscribe from your mailing list. Most email programs have a simple way to insert an unsubscribe link in the footer of your email. Mailing address: It might seem a little old-fashioned, but you are required to include a physical mailing address in your email in order to stay CAN-SPAM compliant. If you don't have a business address, you can protect your privacy by renting a PO Box through the US Postal Service or UPS. Boxes can run as little as $5 per month. Things to avoid in your author newsletter "There are some words that may send your email to the junk folder instead of the inbox." All caps: Typing in ALL CAPS is considered shouting. There is little, if any, reason to use all caps, especially in the email subject line. Doing so may cause the recipient of your email to mark it as SPAM. Excessive exclamation points: Exclamation points, like all caps, imply a high level of excitement and volume. Exclamation points can be especially offensive when used in the subject line. Don't use two or three!!! Pay attention to how many you use throughout your newsletter. Too many fonts or text treatments: Fonts are part of the design of the email. They affect the tone and appearance. Using many different fonts and font treatments, such as different colors, italics, or underlines, creates a cluttered, unprofessional look that screams SPAM. A clean design with plenty of white space and a minimal number of fonts is preferred. Call to action overload: Most email marketing should contain one single call to action, or CTA. The CTA is the goal of the email, or what you want the recipient to do. However, having only one CTA can be tricky in a newsletter, since it covers many different subjects. To solve this issue, pick one CTA as your most important, main goal. Make it visually obvious that it's the one thing the reader should do when they open the email and the rest of the CTAs are bonus material, not competing with the main goal. Shop talk: In general, readers aren't interested in the business side of being an author, including the writing craft, publishing drama, or marketing costs. True, there are some readers/aspiring writers who are extremely interested in these topics (perhaps you can write a special newsletter just for those fans). Focus on what your readers do want to hear about instead. SPAM trigger words: There are some words that may send your email to the junk folder instead of the inbox. It can be hard to avoid all trigger words, since some are pretty common. SPAM filters do consider the context of a word, but it's wise to avoid using too many trigger words throughout your email or in your subject line. Here is HubSpot's list of SPAM trigger words . Misleading information: Your subject line should accurately describe what's in the email. If your subject line is "10 Tips to Wake Up Smiling," then those tips should actually be in your email. You don't want to trick your readers into opening your email – it's a violation of the CAN-SPAM Act. Start your author newsletter Now that you have some ideas about what to put in your author newsletter, it's time to get started brainstorming and drafting your first newsletter. Create an editorial calendar and plan ahead. For information on how to set up, send, and manage your newsletter, be sure to read 5 Steps for Starting an Author Newsletter .articlefictionNonfictionhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/crowd-funding/3618/the-reputation-of-crowd-funding-_2d00_-podcast?CommentId=a8dd6d50-cc4c-427b-870b-b393f53ed03eFri, 11 Oct 2024 11:37:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:a8dd6d50-cc4c-427b-870b-b393f53ed03eAuthor Learning CenterYou just need to set up an account and project on a site like Kickstarter and run a campaign - here is a more detailed article on how crowdfunding works: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../how-can-an-author-use-kickstarter-to-fund-a-self-published-book-besthttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/crowd-funding/3618/the-reputation-of-crowd-funding-_2d00_-podcast?CommentId=2cac3a3a-e921-4af9-9554-9d4192f18149Thu, 10 Oct 2024 10:46:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:2cac3a3a-e921-4af9-9554-9d4192f18149Abigail ValentiWhere and how do I pitch my story to crowdfundinghttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/guerrilla-marketing/2404/unleash-guerrilla-marketing---articleFri, 13 Sep 2024 20:33:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:9b1fca7d-25cf-44d6-a11c-c6b9fe2e298aAuthor Learning CenterYour book faces stiff competition in the marketplace. It must compete with books that are backed by major corporations with deep pockets for marketing campaigns. How are you going to compete with them? The way to compete is by using an unconventional, creative marketing strategy. With a maximum of impact and minimum of expenditure, guerrilla marketing does, however, take time, energy and imagination. Only some authors have these three things in abundance. Ask yourself if you can commit to this kind of intensive marketing campaign before moving forward. Have you decided to go forward? One common form of guerrilla marketing calls for you to reach out to your network in a creative way. If you can devise a way that causes those in your network to become personally involved with your book or website, you may be able to hook them. Try an interactive blog with quizzes, a place for reader stories or games and giveaways. What you need is 250 people who will rave about your book. You want them to tell all their friends to buy your book because it is great. If you can achieve this kind of following, you will ultimately reach over 60,000 people, who, in turn, should become an army of free promoters. "In exchange for speaking, ask to use copies of the group’s newsletter that mentions your talk for clips in a portfolio." Another popular way to reach readers is with “free talks.” You start small and local -- clubs, civic organizations, religious groups, libraries, etc. In exchange for speaking, ask to use copies of the group’s newsletter that mentions your talk for clips in a portfolio. A portfolio, in turn, should help you land more talks. You can also ask for a testimonial letter or the chance to sell books at an event. As you move forward, you might even begin to receive fees for you talks, and thereby generate a supplemental income. Original ideas are important and will elicit participation. Perhaps you are intrigued by guerrilla marketing and want to look into it. For inspiration, look at Creative Guerrilla Marketing’s features for a variety of products. You might also consider reading author David Hancock’s book Guerrilla Marketing for Writers . It’s a solid resource for this type of marketing campaign. You might also want to check out Hancock’s free podcasts for more information. Remember, this marketing strategy is all about investing your time and energy and letting your imagination run wild. Only open your pocketbook if absolutely necessary.articlefictionNonfictionhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/grassroots-marketing/8389/unwrap-success-holiday-marketing-strategies-for-authorsThu, 05 Sep 2024 13:24:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:579a0670-f054-48a1-a948-979a70164c15Stephanie Feger‘Tis the season to make your book shine and stand out in the holiday marketing frenzy! Looking to spread some literary holiday cheer and boost book sales during the festive season in the coming months? Join Stephanie Feger, chief strategist of the emPower PR Group, for an engaging and informative workshop designed to equip authors with creative and effective holiday marketing ideas to help them stick out amongst the tinsel and glitter and reach readers during the season of gift giving. During this workshop, Stephanie helps attendees: • Unleash the holiday magic by embracing the marketing season and leverage the festivities as your book’s marketing boost. Infuse the holiday spirit into your book’s narrative and explore the art of a holiday brand makeover through creating eye-catching designs to ensure your book and its message resonate with your audience this season. • Draft marketing content that connects with the season and aligns with purchasing behaviors. Identifying holiday-themed content and promotions will generate excitement for your book and encourage organic, word-of-mouth marketing efforts. • Create memories their readers won’t want to miss. The holiday season is one built on memories, and through value-add opportunities, bundles and more, you can offer current and/or potential readers a unique memory they will cherish. If you’re looking to boost book sales during the holiday season, enhance your marketing skills with a festive twist and uncover effective holiday marketing strategies to put to work in the upcoming months, don’t miss this workshop. Here is the handout referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Holiday-Marketing-Workbook_5F00_ALC-Handout.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../UnwrapSuccessHolidayMarketingStrategiesforAuthors.mp4 About the Presenter: Stephanie Feger, owner and chief strategist of the emPower PR Group, is passionate about emPowering nonfiction writers, authors and authorpreneurs with laser-focused marketing strategies and tactics to help them write books that sell, promote their books to those who need and want them most, and build a meaningful business from a message that is emPowering. As an author of two books herself, Stephanie merges her love for writing books and her skillset in marketing them, to help nonfiction authors make their author emPact. She doesn’t believe in movement without strategy, and always keeps strategy front and center. She has also seen how emPowered people emPower people. In fact, her business is built around it! Learn more at www.emPowerPRGroup.com.fictionNonfictionSubscriberRecorded Webinarhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/mailing-lists/8063/email-marketing-building-your-reader-email-list?CommentId=b2e19559-a0d0-48b6-87a0-e0b6a86ab9e7Mon, 29 Jul 2024 12:08:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:b2e19559-a0d0-48b6-87a0-e0b6a86ab9e7Author Learning CenterWe are so glad you found this recorded webinar helpful! Here are some more recently posted book marketing resources you might find beneficial: https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/b/ask-keith/posts/how-can-i-get-more-traffic-to-my-website-where-people-can-see-my-book https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/b/ask-keith/posts/how-can-i-create-an-effective-social-media-presence-while-keeping-it-manageable-and-easy-to-maintain-long-term https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/b/ask-keith/posts/what-are-some-budget-friendly-ways-to-promote-a-book-that-is-already-publishedhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/mailing-lists/8063/email-marketing-building-your-reader-email-list?CommentId=4ab3f790-3a25-4d23-95bb-0ae78d3697bbThu, 25 Jul 2024 20:18:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:4ab3f790-3a25-4d23-95bb-0ae78d3697bbDarline RootI have published two books with Author House. One was done many years ago, while the other was recently. I feel my writing has really improved. These books are part of a series. While Author House did a website for me, I have not been sure how to proceed with my own marketing list, etc. Actually, making some money, and reading followers would be great. After listening to your presentation, I have a better idea on how to proceed. I like the email idea very much. Thank you for your helpful tips.https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/mailing-lists/8063/email-marketing-building-your-reader-email-listFri, 14 Jun 2024 16:40:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:58c64c45-4a20-48e3-82d6-240b4d45980fRussell NoheltyYou've heard that you need a mailing list in order to grow your author business, but how do you even get started building one? Join USA Today bestselling author and mailing list expert Russell Nohelty as he walks you through the basics of setting up an email service account and getting your mailing list off the ground. Here is the handout referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../Nohelty_5F00_Email-Marketing_5F00_ALC-Handout-24.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../EmailMarketingBuildingYourReaderEmailList24.mp4 About the Presenter: Russell Nohelty is a USA Today bestselling author, and speaker. He runs Wannabe Press (www.wannabepress.com), and is the author of many novels, including 'The Godsverse Chronicles', 'The Obsidian Spindle Saga', 'Sorry for Existing', 'Invasion', 'The Vessel', and 'My Father Didn’t Kill Himself', along with the creator of the 'Ichabod Jones: Monster Hunter', 'Pixie Dust', and 'Katrina Hates the Dead' graphic novels. He also edited the 'Monsters and Other Scary Shit' and 'Cthulhu is Hard to Spell', and 'Cthulhu is Hard to Spell: The Terrible Twos' anthologies, and has exhibited at over 150 events during his career. In addition, he is the is the host of The Complete Creative, a 200 episode podcast.fictionNonfictionSubscriberRecorded Webinarhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/mailing-lists/8367/the-importance-of-messaging-and-consistency-with-an-author-newsletterFri, 15 Mar 2024 18:14:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:d79088e9-f35b-48c2-b52a-f7d175544bb0Caren WolfeAs Vice President of Marketing with W Publishing Group, a commercial nonfiction imprint of Thomas Nelson, Caren Wolfe sees how important content and consistency are when it comes to email marketing for authors. Per Wolfe, the key messages authors need to share include allowing your followers to connect with your book before it even launches. You want to share just enough to intrigue them , she says, so they will already be invested when you launch and will be ready to buy. In addition, she encourages authors to give followers a behind-the scenes look at your writing and even your life if you are comfortable. These individuals are willing to give you an email address, meaning they like you and want to more about you. Just as important as your messaging is how consistent you are with sending the newsletter. Whether you send it weekly or monthly, you need to be consistent with frequency, Wolfe says. It takes some effort, but the payoff is worth it. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheImportanceofMessagingandConsistencyWithanAuthorNewsletter.mp4fictionNonfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/mailing-lists/8368/the-importance-of-a-lead-magnet-in-building-an-email-newsletter-mailing-listFri, 15 Mar 2024 17:50:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:c9d62748-ef84-44b1-b6c7-f6f4f5ab2ad1Caren WolfeEmail marketing continues to be one of the best ways for authors to grow their readership. Building an email list can take time and effort and per Caren Wolfe, Vice President of Marketing with W Publishing Group, one of the best ways to get potential readers to sign up to your email list is to offer what's called a "lead magnet". By definition, a lead magnet is a free item or service that is given away for the purpose of gathering contact details. For authors, Wolfe says this incentive can be a lesson from your book, a short story, or other offering that addresses your target readers' felt needs. Your lead magnet needs to be enticing enough to get someone to opt-in to your list and agree to receive emails on a regular basis from you. Wolfe encourages authors to promote their email list sign-ups on social media, Google, and their websites. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheImportanceofaLeadMagnetinBuildinganEmailNewsletterMailingList.mp4fictionNonfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/crowd-funding/6237/how-crowdfunding-for-authors-works---article?CommentId=4859ad6b-aae5-4515-81e7-82c19e94897eMon, 19 Feb 2024 13:50:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:4859ad6b-aae5-4515-81e7-82c19e94897eAuthor Learning CenterYou're welcome. We do not recommend buying email lists. These are not vetted, the emails may be bad, and the contacts are likely not your target reader. If you would like to build an email list organically to start sending communications about your work, you can review these ALC resources: https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/b/ask-keith/posts/how-can-i-start-collecting-people-s-email-addresses-for-email-marketing-purposes https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/mailing-lists/8063/email-marketing-building-your-reader-email-list https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/mailing-lists/7198/5-steps-for-starting-an-author-newsletterhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/crowd-funding/6237/how-crowdfunding-for-authors-works---article?CommentId=ee300722-fc34-47c7-b81c-269d4baec3e6Mon, 19 Feb 2024 13:44:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:ee300722-fc34-47c7-b81c-269d4baec3e6Joseph BelfieldThank you for all this information. I am lost but the first clue it when they want $250 for this "secret" donor listhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/crowd-funding/6237/how-crowdfunding-for-authors-works---article?CommentId=86701a38-2d4c-4ef2-8afd-00434784779dMon, 19 Feb 2024 13:28:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:86701a38-2d4c-4ef2-8afd-00434784779dAuthor Learning CenterWe also encourage you to attend our upcoming webinar session on recognizing and avoiding publishing-related scams: https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/webinars/c/e/2083https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/crowd-funding/6237/how-crowdfunding-for-authors-works---article?CommentId=eb779cef-f8f3-4ecc-9bee-bb56863af3f7Mon, 19 Feb 2024 13:27:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:eb779cef-f8f3-4ecc-9bee-bb56863af3f7Author Learning CenterUnfortunately, scammers are everywhere, preying on authors. A couple of things you can explore: -There are publishing paths that require less money up-front such as traditional publishing and online DIY publishing. You can learn more about these publishing options here: https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/publishing/preparation/w/choosing-a-path/7247/4-ways-to-publish-a-book-in-2024 https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/publishing/self-publishing/w/picking-a-publisher/8079/self-publishing-service-providers-understanding-your-options You will still want to invest in some professional editing with either of these paths, but here is an article on finding an editor on a budget: https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/b/ask-keith/posts/how-can-i-get-my-book-edited-without-shelling-out-a-fortune You can also explore direct selling platforms such as Patreon or Substack, where you build a following over time through paid subscriptions and share content in pieces. Your earnings can be used to help compile this content into a book: https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/crowd-funding/8227/introduction-to-direct-selling-for-authors-crowdfunding-vs-subscriptions You can explore applying for grants where you get paid to complete your book: https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/writing/managing-your-writing-life/w/education-and-craft/8055/contests-grants-fellowships-and-residencies-for-authors Or, submit your writing in shorter pieces to paying markets such as journals and magazines: https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/publishing/traditional-publishing/w/submission-process/8350/secrets-of-getting-traditionally-publishedhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/crowd-funding/6237/how-crowdfunding-for-authors-works---article?CommentId=052bda03-4ea7-47fd-b93b-fca4887d9d01Sat, 17 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:052bda03-4ea7-47fd-b93b-fca4887d9d01Joseph BelfieldI have started a kickstarter as well as as gofundme in the hopes to gain the money I would need. First thing I have learned real quick is kickstarter is a breeding ground of scammers waiting for us newbies to hand over our money. All in the promise of this secret email list of donors. What us a good way to raise money and to avoid these issues? I am so close to the end of my book and would like to see it in print helping others deal with the same issues I did.https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/mailing-lists/8324/keys-to-a-successful-author-email-newsletterThu, 21 Dec 2023 14:25:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:13e42092-8ce4-4ec5-8253-eb0d958e49b3Pete NikolaiPete Nikolai, Director of Publishing Services at HarperCollins Christian Publishing, believes it's critical for authors to have an email newsletter. It is a cornerstone of an author's platform, which is their ability to reach readers. The first step in creating a successful one, he says, is identifying your audience's felt need. Why will they want to hear from you on a regular basis? If you can pinpoint and address this need consistently, they will be eager to receive your newsletter and follow you long-term. Nikolai recommends finding a consistent schedule for your newsletter, whether that's weekly or monthly, so followers know what to expect. To build your email list with new followers, Nikolai recommends finding online groups that are interested in your topic, and let them know about how and where to sign up. You should also make sure your website and marketing materials point to where readers can sign up. The length of each newsletter you send will depend on your audience's needs. It can be as short as 200 words with one gem, or much longer if you are sharing an exclusive short story. The key is to know your audience, and what they will benefit from most. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../KeystoaSuccessfulAuthorEmailNewsletter.mp4fictionNonfictionvideohttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/mailing-lists/7294/the-value-of-newsletters-and-email-marketing-for-authorsWed, 09 Aug 2023 19:27:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:dabf9b76-e99a-4233-8637-0f355331def7L.E. PerezA newsletter list is one of the best ways for authors to connect with their readership. Email marketing is even more effective than social media networks and can help an author build lasting relationships with his or her audience. An email list should be a priority for writers and is essentially the foundation of an author’s platform. In this webinar, author and publisher L.E. Perez reviews the basics of starting and growing an email list that will engage readers long-term. Authors learn: • How to choose the right email management provider • What to include in a newsletter • The importance of automation • How to build and grow their lists Here is the handout referenced in the session: www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../ALC-Handout-_2D00_-Email-Newsletters_5F00_Perez.pdf www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../TheValueofNewslettersandEmailMarketingforAuthors23.mp4 About the Presenter: Laura Perez is an author/publisher with Palmas Publishing and Manra Moon Press . She spent fifteen years working in Corrections and Victim Services while privately working on several novels. In 2010, she was given the opportunity to pursue two passions in life, writing and martial arts. She is a 4th-degree black belt who loves to write fight scenes and act them out for realism. She has published eight full-length novels and multiple short stories, has spearheaded several thriller anthologies with a group of Indie Authors called 'The Thrill of the Hunt' and 'The Thrill of the Heart'. In addition, LE is a Freelance Writing/Publishing Consultant for Macmillan and hosts the Legion of Writers Podcast.fictionNonfictionSubscriberRecorded Webinarhttps://www.authorlearningcenter.com/marketing/self-promotion/w/mailing-lists/8246/using-email-marketing-to-strengthen-your-author-brand-and-make-connectionsFri, 30 Jun 2023 23:59:00 GMT809ccca5-04d2-44bf-8f5c-ff0a6d33c80b:5eaacebc-0677-4f01-9c67-e9e23d4c1991Cara C. PutmanAward-winning, bestselling author Cara C. Putman says as much as you might not like it, book marketing needs to be a priority for authors. Many authors struggle with finding time to market their books and Putman is no different. As a college professor and practicing attorney with a busy family and writing life, she finds it challenging to do it on her own. All of her 40+ books have been published, so there is a need to continue nurturing them if she wants to sell books. Even if you collaborate with a publisher, she says, the majority of the marketing work is up to the author. Putman advises authors to find what you enjoy most about marketing and focus on that. For her, an author newsletter is essential because she can manage the content and the distribution. With social media constantly changing, email marketing is one thing that she can control. By hiring out help with her social media management and podcast production, Putman is able to put time into strategizing her overall author brand and platform. She can control the messaging she wants to communicate to fans on her email marketing list and when. She believes that focusing on these types of connections adds greater value than daily social media posts. www.authorlearningcenter.com/.../UsingEmailMarketingtoStrengthenYourAuthorBrandandMakeConnections.mp4fictionNonfictionvideo