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."

(c) 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/

---

Sell Your Book At Book Fairs, Festivals & Trade Shows

Play a bigger game with your book sales by expanding... Read More

Interview with Book and Marketing Coach-Judy Cullins - Part 1

To know what to do at the right time in... Read More

How to Get Your Book Reviewed

Imagine your book at the top of the Best Sellers... Read More

Sell More Books With Your Sparkling Introduction

Why write an introduction? Nobody reads it anyway. Up until... Read More

8 Ways to Find Good Reviewers for Your New Book

Review Your Reviewer: You will be sorry if you do... Read More

Authors Should Be Optimistic

A client wrote me recently and asked what I thought... Read More

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... Read More

Extend Your Books Life With a Sales Letter

Authors, publishers and business owners are great at getting their... Read More

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... Read More

Discover 3 Easy Ways to Promote Your Articles

Are you using these methods to promote your articles?If not,... Read More

Book Publishing Without Pain

When I meet an author with a great book concept,... Read More

Best Selling Book Cover Design

To get a book cover design may be expensive and... Read More

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... Read More

Why Write Articles to Promote your Book?

Reach 15,000 to 100,000 targeted buyers every week Online. That's... Read More

Why Writers Dont Do a Book Signing

Whenever someone suggests you do a book signing and you... Read More

Speaking for a Publication

Why write a book and get attention and loads of... Read More

Self Publishing Success Starts With Marketing

Self-publishing is not for the faint of heart. The publication... Read More

Top Ten Ways of Why and How to Write your Books Sales Letter - Part 2

Authors/publishers are great at getting their books written. But after... Read More

Distribute Your Self-Published Book Online 8 Ways - Part 2

If you are discouraged because traditional methods of book or... Read More

Sell More Books on Amazon.com

Why Should Your Book Be on Amazon.com? Credibility. If your... Read More

Promote Your Books on Talk Shows and Make More Money

Successful authors are convinced that radio interviews are the very... Read More

Ten Ways to Make Your Book Outsell Another

Wouldn't you rather write a book that sells well than... Read More

Book Club Sales -- Increasing the Odds

What is a book club sale? It is actually a... Read More

Why Testimonials are Number One in Selling your Book or Service

Even if your book or service is excellent, they won't... Read More

Writers: The Truth About Advertising, Publicity, and PR

Many of us are trying to do business and don't... Read More

Make your Book Stand Out From the Crowd: Know your Audience

Most authors say, "Everyone will want my book, and when... Read More

The Bible Of Self Publishing

Any book that is in its 14th edition must be... Read More

Navigating the Amazon Sales Ranking

First, the disclaimers: Since the algorithm Amazon uses to generate... Read More

Attract More Buyers to Your Book: Use Metaphors

Surprise your potential buyers. Give them chocolate frosting!After we entered... Read More

Top Ten Getting Started Tips to Market Your Book and Business

Want to sell a lot more books? Want clients calling... Read More

How to Create an Amazing Author Website

Without a website, an author is unknown. Without a website,... Read More

19 Ways to Secure Non-Returnable Book Sales and Sell More Books

Surprisingly, book stores are not always your greatest source of... Read More

Book Promotion Myth -- The Best Place to Sell Books is a Bookstore

When authors think of their audience buying books they think... Read More