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Newsletter Ninja 2: If You Give a Reader a Cookie by Tammi Labrecque (book review)

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You know you need a reader magnet. You know it will help you attract newsletter subscribers, launch to a bigger audience, and find more success as an indie author. You know that a good reader magnet can turn casual readers into superfans, and superfans into evangelists.

Everyone says so.

But knowing and doing are two different things, especially when all the advice out there is overwhelming and confusing.

Write this, not that. Use this service instead of that one. Give away a whole book. No, give away sample chapters. No, write a short story.

If only someone would just give you the information you need to craft killer bonus content that lures all the right readers to your mailing list signup, and turns all the wrong ones away at the door!

Well, you’re in luck. Tammi Labrecque — indie author, mailing list whiz-kid, and author of the best-selling Newsletter Ninja — is back with an all-new book that will kickstart you on your reader magnet journey.

Newsletter Ninja 2: If You Give a Reader a Cookie is a thorough breakdown of all the aspects of reader magnets—from choosing which type to write, through planning how it fits into your catalog, to getting it into readers’ hands. Written in the same down-to-earth style as Newsletter Ninja, and packed just as full of solid information and useful ninja tips, Newsletter Ninja 2 will help you:

• Recognize the difference between a good reader magnet and a bad one
• Ditch the false dichotomy of organic vs incentivized subscribers
• Identify the two types of readers you want to attract, and how to lure both with one reader magnet
• Build a solid plan for which reader magnets go where, and how they fit into your catalog
• Discover more than a dozen types of reader magnets
• Sample a variety of existing reader magnets, and see what’s possible!

Whether you’re ready to whip up that first reader magnet or want to optimize the ones you already have, Newsletter Ninja 2 has got you covered.

If you’re struggling to attract readers to your newsletter list, you need to read this book.

This book does exactly what the title promises–teaches you how to create a reader magnet. The book description explains most of it, so I won’t repeat it, but I’ll confirm that the book delivers on all of its promises. Labrecque not only provides lists and ideas for “cookies” (reader magnets), she also provides examples of real cookies that real authors have used so you can see more clearly what she’s talking about.

If you’ve read Newsletter Ninja, you need to read this book. If you haven’t read Newsletter Ninja yet, read it, then get a copy of this book and read it. This is a MUST reader for novelists building their newsletter list. (And double thumbs up for everything coming up Millhouse!)

Get your copy here!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

2020: Forgive and forget? I don’t think so…

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NOTICE: I’m doing something different today — I’m sharing my newsletter on my blog. I don’t often do this (after all, I want you to sign up for my newsletter!), but I felt like this needs a wider audience. If you like what you see here, please consider signing up for more encouraging content like this (as well as blog posts sent directly to your in box)!

Raise your hand if you enjoyed 2020.

(looks around; slowly raises hand)

It’s been hard to admit this, but I didn’t hate 2020. I know it was hard for a lot of people—I had my own bouts of tears and frustrations. Overall, however, it was a pretty good year. Different, but good.

And now it’s time to move on.

Regardless of what happened in 2020—if your book was published or rejected; if you had your best sales year or your worst—2021 is a clean slate. If you messed up this past year, or if someone misused or hurt you in some way, now’s your chance to forgive and forget.

I’ve never actually liked that phrase. I prefer forgive and learn.

Did you self-publish a book and have menial sales? Look at what you did wrong and learn from it. Don’t make the same mistake next year.

Did you send out query letters and get zero responses? Find someone (or hire someone!) to review it for you and apply their advice to your next query. Improve your pitch.

It doesn’t matter if someone wronged you or if you’re your own worst enemy. The new year gives you the chance to start fresh, so take advantage of it!

What do you want to do differently this year? How can I help you with that?

Newsletter Ninja: How to Become An Author Mailing List Expert by Tammi Labrecque (book review)

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Are you struggling with email? Newsletter numbers getting you down? Fewer people opening your messages? No real reaction when you launch a book? 

There’s another way–a better way. 

Imagine having a large list of happy readers who devoured every email you sent. Or launching a book and activating an army of fans who did the selling for you. You could be that person, with the help of Newsletter Ninja. 

Newsletter Ninja is a comprehensive resource designed to teach you how to build and maintain a strongly engaged email list–one full of actual fans willing to pay for the books you write, rather than free-seekers who will forget your name and never open your emails. 

* Learn new ways to think about your email list 
* Re-energize your existing subscribers 
* Embrace not just the basics, but next level methods 
* Improve engagement and watch those open/click rates soar 
* Build a happy list of passionate readers 
* Launch your books into the charts 

You’ll get a handle on open rates, click rates, and engagement–while also learning about yourself, your readers, and what you’re really selling when you send an email. (Spoiler: it’s not your books.) 

Whether you’re building a mailing list, want to grow an existing one, or simply want to raise your email game, Newsletter Ninja has solutions that will work for you.

For years I’ve been hearing/learning about the importance of newsletters. I’ve taken some classes and read some books about the topic, but none of them focus specifically on best practices for fiction writers. This is the first book I’ve read that actually includes practical tips for novelists, as well as a link to even more tips on the author’s website. 

Just because it’s a short book and an easy read, however, doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to walk away from — Labrecque lays everything out for you, but there’s quite a bit of work to do when your done (but all of the links and tips should help). I will absolutely recommend this book to every author I know.

Pick up your copy here!

Writing Email Tips: Understand Two Types of Business Emails (via Word Wise Tips)

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It’s never been easier to stay in touch with your customers and clients! Between websites, social media, and the good old-fashioned phone, there’s no reason not to communicate … except that many people don’t necessarily know how to communicate well!

When I asked other business owners what they needed help writing, it shocked me to have so many people say ‘emails’ – I just assumed everyone knew how to write one. Not only is that not true (you can find 5 Things Your Business Emails Need here), it means that many people still haven’t figured out the best way to write and automated emails.

What is an automated email?

Kathy Widenhouse at Word Wise Tips: Home of the Nonprofit Copywriter explains:

  • They are written, loaded, and scheduled ahead of time (versus in real time)
  • They are sent to an email list or a segment of a list
  • They are managed in email list software like Constant Contact or Mail Chimp

Why would you need to send these types of emails? Two reasons:

  1. Marketing
  2. Notifications

Learning when and how to write and send these emails can help you maintain better relationships with your current clients (and, hopefully, lay the groundwork for establishing new ones).

Click here to see what Widenhouse has to say about understanding these two types of business emails!

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ABOUT ME

Editor. Teacher. Novelist.
A passionate lover of fiction, Karin doesn't just write novels, she helps others write their best stories! A certified substantive editor with the Christian Editor Connection, her goal is to help authors to put her out of business by equipping them with the tools they need to become better writers.

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