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Updating Your Newsletter

There’s been a lot of chatter amongst indie authors about selling direct. Publishing is going through a strange time. I won’t single out where the blame lies. For me things haven’t been as I had planned, but there are still time left in the year to make some changes.

I made two writing goals for this year. Amongst the things were open my online store, upgrade my newsletter and release at least one audio book.

I will be honest, I didn’t think dipping my toe into audio books would be as involved as it is. I thought all I needed to do was select which book I wanted to bring to audio life,  select a narrator and editor and upload it the audio platforms. Those steps are required. However, I discovered looking for the perfect narrators was a little more involved. Not only does the voice need to fit the story/characters, the narrator needs to have a following and be one I can afford.  

To prepare for my journey into audio books, I went on an audio book binge. I also touched based with some narrators I met at Steamy Lit Con. The narrators have been very helpful explaining the ins and outs of doing audio books. Overwhelmed is an understatement. Once I processed the information, I realized I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was to jump into audio books. I also had no idea how expensive it is to do audio books. I say expensive, because I am choosing not to do royalty share and the size of my books. I write BIG books which translates to an expensive investment.

I’m also trying to figure out if I want to do different narrators for different series. This question is another reason why instead of releasing an audio book this summer, I’ve pushed this goal back to the end of the year.

What I have been able to accomplish, is my online bookstore and upgrading my newsletter. Upgrading my newsletter was a little easier than I thought. I use Flodesk which is creative friendly. I hadn’t been using it a manner that showed my creative style. After watching a Book Funnel newsletter webinar, I gained a little insight on how to make some changes. 

I used to publish a digital magazine, but it never occurred to me to use a similar style for my newsletter. I don’t like to overshare my personal life with readers. My reasoning is because I feel they want to hear about my books, not about what type of moisturizer I use or how I like my coffee. Instead, I’m trying out something I hope is welcomed, a who dunnit game. My upcoming release is the last book in a series and it reveals the answer to an ongoing question. So each newsletter installment features a possible suspect.  

So far, I think this is the best newsletter style for me. I use different layout blocks with links that force readers to visit my website. I’ve discovered doing this generated some hits to my direct sales links. Side note…Have my direct sales increased or surpassed my other platform sales? No, but I haven’t really pushed direct sales, because it took so long to set up the direct links. (I’ll save conversation about direct links later). Plus I needed or wanted to make sure my print books were well stocked and that I had a POD (print on demand) source I liked. So far for me, the POD I’ll be using is BookVault. I love their work (more about them in another post).

Let’s be real, a newsletter can be difficult to master, but it is the best way to communicate with your readers. We have to remember, social media is good. However, you don’t own those followers. Social media decides which of your followers to share your posts with. But you control who on your mailing list, gets your newsletter.

Recap: Make your newsletter, informative, fun and a reflection of your style.

If you’re interested in trying Flodesk, clear the link https://flodesk.com/c/9APFWB  and give it a try. 

What’s Your Reading Goal?

Happy New Year. I am so excited about this year. I haven’t completed my goals yet, but I’m being careful not over estimate what I can realistically accomplish. There’s one goal I am going to expand on, leisure reading.

In 2023 I returned to serious pleasure reading. In the past, I was so consumed with writing and trying new marketing things, I hadn’t spent much time reading for fun. In an effort to read more, I paid myself $5 for each book I read. I think I ended the year with $180…36 books. I was very proud of myself. The list also included my books because I was proofing books for publication. A read book is a read book.

Last year, I attacked my task a little different. In addition to solo reading, I hooked my parents onto audio books. When we’re in the car together, we listen to audio books. My goal for last year was 60 books. I was feeling ambitious when I set the goal. To be honest, I wasn’t too sure I was going to make it, but I did. In fact, I ended the year with 85 books.

I have met readers who read several hundred books a year. Hearing that also encouraged me to amp up my reading goal. I belong to a Facebook reading group where we share what we’re reading and our reading goals. There was a woman in my group who had read over 500 books last year. The number one question in the group was “How?”. She answered, “I don’t watch much television”.

How did I achieve my goal? I read several books at a time…audio, print and ebook. Technically, I listen to two audio books at a time…one in the car and one while I work out.

This year my reading goals is 100 books, which I believe I’ll accomplish. In addition to that lofty goal, I’ve taken on another daunting task…reading the Bible in a year. I went to a Christian university and reading the Bible was a requirement. I am almost ashamed to say I skirted around that assignment, but this is the year I rectify it.

Determination to reach my reading goal introduced me to several new authors. It has also helped jumpstart my creativity. I’m working a couple of series with a strong make voice. Unlike my series The Alex Chronicles, centered around females. This series will center around men and their pursuit of love. In order to write them, I need to get into their mind and speech…language. Men talk different from women and their word usage can be a little brash. My leisure reading is also my craft homework.

What’s your reading goal for this year?