Sell More Books With an E-mail Newsletter

NOTE: Because many words in this article are likely to trigger sp^m filters, we've disguised them with symbols (e.g. sp^m). This will ensure a higher delivery rate if you use this article in your e-zine.

If you're selling your book online, you're practically guaranteed to increase sales by publishing an e-mail newsletter, or "e-zine."

Why? Well, for a start, it's a super way to give readers a taste of your expertise and style along with samples of your content. This ensures they'll come to be familiar with you, trust you, and hopefully buy your book when they're ready for more information.

Also, it's a great way to *capture prospects* who aren't ready to buy your book when they visit your site, but are still interested in the info you have to share.

Based on my own experiences in marketing my manual, 'Boost Business With Your Own E-zine,' here are 7 ways to help increase book sales using an e-mail newsletter.

  • First thing: Encourage e-zine SIGNUPS on your Web site where you promote your book.

    Before you even begin publishing, start collecting e-mail addresses. Place a signup form in many places on your site to invite visitors to subscribe to your free e-zine. This way, if a visitor isn't interested in buying your book today, she can sign up for your free e-zine. Now you haven't lost her, and she'll learn even *more* about your book from being a subscriber.

    E-zine publishers also report GREAT signup results using pop-up and pop-under boxes at their Web sites.

    Examples: On my main site, http://www.ezinequeen.com, I feature a signup form on EVERY page, as well as a pop-up box. On my book sales site, http://www.ezinequeen.com/tutorial, I have a pop-under box that appears once you close the main window.

    Remember: NEVER sign anyone up without her permission!


  • Feature EXCERPTS and/or TIPS from your book in your e-zine.

    These can be either direct excerpts or short tips that summarize some of your content. Go through your book and highlight individual tips or small sections that could stand well on their own. Just don't give away the whole store! For example, giving your readers a whole chapter of your book in each issue is going overboard.

    Besides lifting material directly from your book, try some other spins on your topic such as a list of top 10 tips, a how-to article, a list of resources, or a review of a trend in the industry.

    Example: One of my clients, a life coach, has a hard-cover book out right now that features 101 tips on how to attract what you want in life. Each issue of her weekly e-zine features one of those tips, along with a brief explanation of how to implement it.


  • Directly after your article, give a quick PROMO BLURB that shamelessly plugs your book.

    Why right after the article and before anything else? If someone reads your article/tip and says to themselves, "Gee, that was great information," they'll be ready to hear what else you have to share on that subject. Really pump it up and have a good time with it.

    Example: "Did you like today's article? If you did, you'll LOVE my new book, 'Double Your Business in Six Months.' It's jammed with more than 257 great ideas to help you grow your business FAST. Learn more and order now at [Web address here]. You can begin using my best tips within minutes!"


  • In each issue, offer a TESTIMONIAL from one of your book purchasers.

    Let your readers know that many other people just like them ARE buying your book and LOVE it. Idea: Create a small section in your e-zine for this purpose. In each issue, feature a short testimonial from one of your readers here.

    Example: "What 'Beauty Blastoff' Readers Are Saying: 'I can't tell you how much your book has helped me improve my appearance. Thanks to your tips, I've lost 20 pounds, cleared up my skin, and rid of all my unwanted hair. Now my rich ex-husband even wants me back. You're a saint!'" - Suzy Smitten, Los Angeles, Calif.


  • Offer your readers a SPECIAL DISCOUNT for a l1mited time.

    Make your readers feel special by offering them a special discount on your book when you can. For best response rates, make it a limited time offer to lend a sense of urgency. I did this with my manual when it first came out and got great results.

    Example: "For Subscribers Only: Buy my book before midnight this Friday and receive a 20% discount!"

    If you can't give your subscribers a discount, offer something else to make them feel special, such as a bonus report or free phone consultation with their purchase.


  • Mention your book in as many other places as possible in your e-zine.

    Bottom line: The more you mention your book, the higher your chances they'll buy. While your opportunities are endless, here are a few ideas to start with:

    • in your masthead (This is where you give the reader info about your publication - usually at the very top.)
    • in your editor's or publisher's note (This is where you give a personal note to your readers.)
    • in your article (If you mention a certain point that you cover wonderfully in your book, say so!)

  • To attract even more prospects, advertise your e-zine in your everyday e-mail SIGNATURE FILE.

    You know what a signature (or "sig") file is, right? It's that little blurb with contact info that you can automatically insert at the end of every e-mail you send. Besides your obvious contact information, give a quick plug for your book AND e-zine.

    Why? Well, if you just advertise your book, some people will read your sig file and think, "That's cool, but I don't want to buy anything right now." BUT if you advertise your FREE e-zine, they'll likely take advantage of your offer. THEN you've got them on your list.

    Example: Here's what I have at the END of my sig file, after my contact information: "BOOST BUSINESS by publishing your own e-mail newsletter! Learn how now - sign up for fr*ee how-to tips at http://www.ezinequeen.com."

    • © 2000-2003 Alexandria K. Brown. All rights reserved.

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," is author of the award-winning manual, "Boost Business With Your Own E-zine." To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://EzineQueenTutorial.com/

    More Resources

    Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

    More Book Marketing Information:

    Related Articles

    Oh No! A Bad Book Review! Have No Fear...Advice For Dealing With The Blues Of A Bad Book Review
    You've just been notified a review of your book has been posted. You're all excited and can't wait to see what has been written.
    Is Traditional Book Marketing Getting you Down?
    "Are you disappointed and tired of time and money down the drain using traditional book marketing? How would you like to sell more books than you ever dreamed of in less time and never have to leave your office?" Would you like to do it all for free? "Discover How in Only Four Months You Can Quadruple your Monthly Book Income to Reach 10,000 to 100,000 Internet Users Who Want your Information-GUARANTEED- To Move You to Top Profits You've Been Dreaming About." Suppose you could sit at your computer, promote your information product either in print or eBook format to thousands of prospective buyers Online weekly.
    You, Your Book and the Internet!
    Authors, especially self published, small press and Print on Demand authors should understand the power of the Internet when promoting a book. There is POWER in cyberspace authors and it's only getting bigger and better.
    What's Wrong with the Internet? It Must be Broken!
    After months of scouring the internet, I could not put my hands on the 2 million links various search engines said were available to do my book promotions. First, let me say I perceive myself as an intermediate user of the internet, but maybe my perception was misguided as I searched and realized I couldn't put my pointer on the links I wanted.
    Online Book Promotion Beats Traditional Seven to One - Part 2
    Think of Your Promotion Time and BudgetMost one or two-book authors don't have a large marketing budget. Marketing their speaking leaves them little time to write and promote their books.
    Top Ten Ways to Promote Your Books Through Flyers
    A flyer is an excellent, inexpensive way to promote your book. What makes one flyer so much better than another? Use these top10 tips to make your flyer stand out from the crowd.
    Five Secrets of Winning Book Proposals
    Working in the publishing industry comes with a high expectation, especially from complete strangers. After the causal 'hello' progresses to 'what do you do,' and my answer is 'I am a publisher,' the words, like fairy dust, work magic; and in the eyes of my conversation partner, I'm transformed into a glamorous Advice Goddess-would I mind reading this stranger's book proposal?Cornered in frozen foods at the grocery, black-tie events or at the bus stop, I've been 'pitched' as we say in the business, with such book proposals as: A Cat's Tale of Christmas; Old Testament Aphrodisiacs; Break Out (after being committed to a mental institution by jealous relatives, the story of one man's quest for revenge); and Suck it and See: A Guide to Tropical Fruits.
    Book Marketing 101 - Setting up Author Events and Book Signings -- Get the Most from Book Publicity
    We all have at one time or another had the fantasy of our books being absolutely indispensable to readers - and that our genius is immediately recognizable even without the benefit of creating awareness or self-promotion. Well, for some very famous authors this may be true - but then again, publishers still spend millions of dollars promoting even the greatest writers' books.
    Secrets to Selling Books by Mail
    This is intended for informational purposes only. Selling books by mail is one of the "ideal" spare-time business ventures that can be operated from your home, and with minimal investment.
    Top Ten Getting Started Tips to Market Your Book and Business
    Want to sell a lot more books? Want clients calling every day to find out more about your service? Most emerging businesses forget the #1 way to promote anything--the Internet. Specifically, writing and submitting articles.
    Top 10 Ways to Know your Book Concept will Sell--Before you Invest Time and Money
    Make your book stand out from the crowd! Test your book's significance, find your market before you write, and treat your book as part of your business. 1.
    7 Vital Book Promotion Tips
    As a literary publicist I often am asked about publicity tips, tricks, and the magic behind my work. It's not magic.
    Why Writers Dont Do a Book Signing
    Whenever someone suggests you do a book signing and you do not want to, here are five reasons you can give them:1) It's not worth the time; there's not enough money in it.2) Speaking is where the money is.
    Marketing for Writers When Writing Just Isnt Enough
    Many writers write for the experience. Others dream of having a number one best seller.
    The High Cost of a Six-Figure Book Advance
    The six-figure book advance, like the New York Times bestseller, is the object of many a writer's fantasy. Whether it's also a realistic goal is something else again.
    Why Would I Buy Your Book? Six Steps to Your Tell and Sell - Part 1
    How would you like to have countless people clamoring for your book and willing to visit your Web site to buy them? How would you even like to presell your self-published book before they are finished?Most authors and entrepreneurs wait until their Web site is designed before they think about marketing their products on it. What a shame!Let's say someone expresses an interest in your book.
    Looking to Sell Your Book for a Good Price?
    Many self-publishing authors plan on eventually selling theirbook to a large publisher at a good price. The fast track way toachieve this goal is to push up the market value of a book with apush v.
    A First Time Authors Publicity Kit Materials
    If you're a new author that has been requested to send publicist materials, you may feel left in the dark on what to send. Here's a list of the usual items.
    Comments From A Book Reviewer
    For the past several years I have been reviewing books for my own site, Bookpleasures.com, as well as many other sites.
    FSBO Author believes in Bookswaps
    Hi Noel,I absolutely love your website, As an MS sufferer I intend to buy your book and get "Back onto my feet." My motto this year is, "Again Alive In 2005!"I have published a book also.