As an author, you want to create an audience of readers or shall I say, “fans.”
How do you do this?
Let’s look at one person who is a genius, and has created a huge tribe of fans: Chris Guillebeau.
In my opinion Chris is likeable, down-to-earth, approachable, giving, innovative, extremely interesting and he’s tapped into a dream that so many of us have: to leave our cubicle job and follow something we’re passionate about. Carol Bodensteiner did that as well.
So how can you find readers and turn them into your fans? I believe there are many ways you can do this:
- Through your core message, and your personality. What is the main thing you want people to know about you?
- Can you help your fans in one way or another? As an author, does your story motivate people, inspire them to change, or give them step-by-step tips on a specific topic?
- Does your blog offer some “killer” content your fans are dying to read?
- Ask your fans to sign your guest book during your book events.
- Collect e-mails when fans sign up for the raffle.
- Ask fans to “like” your Facebook page.
- Start connecting with your Twitter fans.
- Connect with your fans on LinkedIn.
- Meet real people through networking, not just online fans.
- Your Book Club events.
- Your Library events.
- Your Meetup Group events.
- The Clubs you speak at like: Rotary clubs, women’s clubs, writers’ clubs etc.
- Through giving a FREE GIFT and asking people to subscribe in exchange.
But here’s the dilemma. What do your readers, fans, subscribers want to know?
When I read newsletters, many of them are requests to sign up for a webinar or a course, which I have to pay for, and how I’ll miss out big time, if I don’t.
So how do you make your newsletter fresh, exciting and different? Should you include the usual:
- Links to recent blog posts
- Lists of your upcoming events or workshops
- Photos of you at your events
- Other books you’re working on
- Your videos and podcasts
Do your readers want:
- Something new and different or the same?
Most of us receive tons of e-mails, newsletters, requests, etc., and
I believe readers want to know something about the author, his/her life, writing, goals, travels etc.
So why not ask your readers directly?
- What do you want to know about me?
I’ve collected e-mail addresses for months, but have not plucked up the courage to send out a newsletter. My dilemma is what to put in a newsletter that one of my kind fans signed up for?
I shall give a free copy of my book to anyone who asks me an interesting question with links back to them in an upcoming newsletter.
You can either ask your question in the comment section below, or e-mail me at sonia@soniamarsh.com. Thanks so much and please comment on your own experiences with newsletters you write or receive.
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Some very good advice indeed! I think the bottom line is that you have to create something of value for your fans.
Seth Godin is brilliant at building tribes – if you haven’t visited his blog, you really should!
Shame we can’t meet up in Paris – at least you’ll be having better weather.
Haven’t got any plans to travel to Copenhagen at the moment…
Lady Fi recently posted..Those big April skies
LadyFi,
I know Seth is brilliant at building tribes. Did you have bad weather in Paris?
Sonia Marsh recently posted..How Does an Author Find Readers and Turn Them into Fans?
HI Sonia,
You have some really thought provoking stuff here, which really makes me think about how I can improve how I connect with people, and how I can make my newsletter different. I think you are right–we need a piece of ourselves in it, something that doesn’t tie into our writing or brand as much as it is personal, “a bit about me.”
I started my newsletter shortly before releasing my first book, and I enjoy putting out occasional issues, but it’s still a work in progress. It looks plain, and I’d like to spruce it up a bit, and hone in on how I can make it different than everything else out there. So thank for giving my brain a nudge!
As for my question, what was the biggest risk you ever took (aside from your move)? Why did you take this risk, and what were you hoping to gain? Was the outcome what you hoped?
Okay, okay…three questions. And one’s a two-parter. I can never seem to follow rules. lol
Angela
Angela Ackerman recently posted..Honey, I’m Home: Angela & Her Trip To Asia
Angela,
As far as making your newsletter “look” more appealing, do you use Mailchimp? I’ve sent out some “thank you for attending my presentation, etc.,” newsletters via Mailchimp and they have colors and my logo, etc. I get fed up with the boring white (e-mail style) newsletters, but still need to play around with Mailchinp and see what I can do.
As far as your questions:
I think the riskiest thing I did was to leave Europe for good at 25, and start over in the U.S. I got a job and had to go through all the headaches of getting my green card, becoming a US citizen, etc. That was not easy and I almost gave up and returned to Paris at 27, because I couldn’t get my paperwork straightened out, even with an attorney, who just kept slapping me with fees. I had to prove I had “unique skills that no American had.” What kind of crazy concept is that? I eventually met Duke, through an ad in the newspaper (another crazy idea of mine, to shop for a “spouse”) and we’ve been married for 26 years. I’d love to hear your side of the riskiest thing you did.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..How Does an Author Find Readers and Turn Them into Fans?
Hi Sonia, thanks for answering. I can only imagine how tough it would be and the tenacity it took to keep going until you became a citizen of the US. And wow, what a great love match story to boot!
My biggest risk was probably when I was younger. I don’t want to get into detail because it was an abusive situation, but the long and short was that I got out of it.
Oh and I do use Mailchimp. I love it. I just wish there were nicer templates–something a bit more unique like you can get for blogs. I’ve looked but not really finding what I like. Great idea tho about sending out thank you notes and such with it–I will definitely incorporate that idea!
Angela,
That’s about all I’ve done with Mailchimp: sent out thank you’s, plus asking for a review if possible, etc. You sound like you also have a “My Gutsy Story” to share on my site.
Sonia Marsh/Gutsy Living recently posted..How Does an Author Find Readers and Turn Them into Fans?
Very timely for me Sonia. I’ve been trying to get my newsletter together. The entire time asking myself “why?”. It seems like the thing to do, but I wonder if it is more annoying to add to the chatter in email boxes of my readers, or can I make it helpful. My traffic has practically tripled in the past year, which is great, but do they really need another newsletter? Can I make it worth while? Do I have the time?
Clearly more questions than answers, here. We should skype soon!
xob
Barbara recently posted..Puppy Love, a Warm and Fuzzy Story
Barbara,
That’s exactly how I feel. Too much to read all the time. Perhaps we can brainstorm something new and exciting, that doesn’t involve something scandalous to get the public’s attention! 🙂
Sonia Marsh/Gutsy Living recently posted..How Does an Author Find Readers and Turn Them into Fans?
Add me to the list of newsletter procrastinators asking this same question. Let me think with my fingers a bit…
I subscribe to a long list of newsletters. The ones I actually read and stay subscribed to offer useful tips — some on writing or the business of writing. Others are filled with personal observations on topics I’m interested in. All are educational with either directly useful tips or provocative observations.
A few lines of self-promotion is okay, but it better not be the main focus! Listing events mostly makes me feel left out since none are ever held in my area — which will be true for most readers in this age of global connection. So go ahead and list them, but not too many.
If you are a writer, I’ll be fascinated to hear of your challenges. If you need help or ask questions, I’ll be engaged. How are you FEELING about things? What do you WONDER about? What CONNECTS us?
Looking back at that list, it’s clear that we need the elements of STORY in our newsletters — flash story. Writers should be especially good at that.
So, what’s your STORY today?
BTW, my response hear directly illustrates the effectiveness of posing questions and ASKING FOR HELP!
Sharon Lippincott recently posted..Writing Compelling Description
Sharon,
So I’m glad to see I’m not the only procrastinator when it comes to newsletters. What did you mean by,
“If you are a writer, I’ll be fascinated to hear of your challenges. If you need help or ask questions, I’ll be engaged. How are you FEELING about things? What do you WONDER about? What CONNECTS us?”
Do you mean, you’d like to have a little bit more about what writers are thinking, feeling and wondering about in blog posts, or in newsletters?
In other words, more “real stuff” about the author? That’s what I like as well.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..How Does an Author Find Readers and Turn Them into Fans?
Hi Sonia, You have posed such interesting and thought-provoking questions here and IMO that is the best way to get started -to find out what your readers want over and above what you are already providing. A newsletter has been on my to-do list for the past several years so I will be very interested in following your progress. I think sharing snippets of your life and travels would be of value. I, for one, cannot imagine leaving my homeland and starting over, like you did. And how you and Duke met is intriguing! It seems to me the biggest challenge is trying to figure out what, in the midst of all the noise out there, would be valuable enough to readers to make them want to take the time to read it.Thank you for sharing your process of going about it. Check out Dan Blank’s weekly newletter. This week’s newlsetter has a pertinent message to this discussion on focusing on the reader:
http://wegrowmedia.com/
Best wishes!
Kathleen Pooler recently posted..9 Memoir Writing Tips from X-Pat, X-Pro Athlete Pat McKinzie
Kathy,
I am surprised that you are already thinking of the newsletter, although I know your website is full of such helpful information. You pin-pointed” the problem:
“trying to figure out what, in the midst of all the noise out there, would be valuable enough to readers to make them want to take the time to read it.”
If I ever find out, I shall let you know, and thanks for the Dan Blank article. We must have been on the same wavelength on that day.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..How Does an Author Find Readers and Turn Them into Fans?