I have this internal debate that rises its head every few months. It tells me that I need something more than a blog. That I need more than a website. It tells me that I need a newsletter. It tells me a few more things too, but those items are posts for another day.
Usually I can silence the voice with rational arguments such as no one is interested in reading the Newsletter, or that I don’t have the time to maintain a blog and newsletter, or that I’m not sure what I want to put into the Newsletter that would be of interest to those reading it. Most of it is utter shit, because now that the winter months are coming and the season is too cold to be outside much, I have the time to write and maintain a blog and do a short monthly newsletter. But is it worth the effort.
My vision is an informative, reader friendly newsletter, that will have the latest news, an excerpt for new releases, coupons to buy eBooks, a short serial story, a behind the scenes look, and a character interview from a character in the serial story. It will be information that won’t be found in my blog, though some of it might find its way onto my website. I’m just not sure if anyone will be interested or if I should just forget the idea.
What do you guys think? Are Newsletters worth it? Do any of you provided Newsletters to your readers?
Self-Published Authors Helping Other Authors 
I have blogger friends that send newsletters every couple weeks…or if something new has come up that they want to share. I kindof like to keep up like that. So go ahead Stephannie, I’d love to read a short story and keep up with the latest news:) I am considering doing a newsletter every couple of weeks myself…I know people don’t want to be bombarded with extra emails…but every week or couple of weeks is good…keeps everyone up to date:)
That’s more of what I’m leaning towards. Something that I can send out every couple of weeks that gives something of value to my readers. The serial story idea is probably the best, because I can publish the story afterword for those that don’t subscribe to my newsletter.
I don’t want to discourage you, but I worry about the additional time commitment, which you might not appreciate until you’re into it. But I guess if it becomes a burden you can give it up.
LOL I’m really good starting something I think is really cool without realizing just how much work it will be. The three that come to mind is writing as a business, creating a publishing company, and producing cover designs for authors. A newsletter, especially one online like I’m thinking, would be easier then blogging 3 to 5 times a week.
I would if I was busy enough to make it worth it. But mine would go, “Hi everyone, still got two books out, not done much writing this month, too much mumzilla action. Catch you laters…”
In short, or long, it would be very boring.
Cheers
MTM
LOL The joys of motherhood.
Bum, sorry posted too early. Mine would be boring, not yours.
The truth is, only you know the answer to this question. It doesn’t have to be regular though, if there’s not much on, writing-wise, or Real Life is getting in the way you can always do it as and when something relevant/important/interesting happens.
Cheers
MTM
Hi Stephannie,
A newsletter is a nice idea, I think anything a self-published author can do to promote their work is worth it.
However, if you feel this might too much extra work (as Melanie mentioned) then perhaps something simpler like Twitter may work. Ask your followers here to follow you there, then keep them updated with all those added extras you mentioned (short serial stories, an excerpt for new releases etc).
All the best,
Stuart
Twitter is my friend. 😀
Thanks for the idea. I don’t think I would do all that stuff in a single newsletter, but spread out over a period of time when I don’t have a new release coming out or anything big to announce.
I do a newsletter once a month just to share what’s going on, but I also love to blog because it clears my head and helps me focus on what I want to do. I used to mail it out, but that became a huge problem when people replied to me because my inbox got flooded. Also, I could tell a couple people wanted to be off the list but were too afraid to tell me. I finally decided to make a blog that acts as a newsletter where people can follow or unfollow as they wish. I update it once a month. However, I get more sales when I announce a new book on Facebook and Twitter. 😀 So the newsletter is nice but not something I consider a necessity.
I think the idea of using a blog as a newsletter works well. People seem to be less self-conscious of signing up and unsubscribing at will. 🙂
I have a newsletter sign up form on my blog, but I no one has signed up for it as of yet. I own three content websites and I write monthly newsletters for them. I just write about what’s new on the website and any news in the subject the website covers. They work well for my content sites. Once I get the one on my writing blog going, hopefully that will go well too.
I think content sites do better then author sites, including newsletters. I know that SPAL gets over a 100 hits a day on a slow day and I’m luck to get half that on my author blog on a good day. I think newsletters are much the same.
I think the time commitment would be a hindrance to my doing one.