How to Write & Send a Newsletter: how to start, what to share, when, & why they're so important

[@fredmixon3313]

First time author Bethany. No finished book yet or newsletter, but this wonderful! Thank you! Will check out your other content.

[@judyprescottmarshall4713]

So, my literary agent called me today and asked me if I was writing. NO, I'm watching Bethany!! Ha haha! I saw your post on Instagram about today's post. I put a recipe, movie review, book recommendation, vacation destination, writer's advice, garden tip, news about my writing and of course, a giveaway! I use Mailchimp and I love it!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Haha love it! So glad you enjoyed this one!

[@AuthorJessiElliott]

I'm grumpy watching this because I KNOW I need to utilize my newsletter but I suck at being consistent with sending them! 🤣 Working on my reader magnet this week, though! 😁 I think I'll use the first chapter of my upcoming release to encourage readers to join my mailing list. Thanks for an insightful video! ❤

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Haha Jessi! You crack me up! Newsletters seriously are tough to keep up with, I feel like you're SO good at real life relationships though, so maybe if you like "named" your newsletter and pretended it was a friend you chatted with once a month or something that might totally work haha (if you think that's weird though, ignore me lol). Love the first chapter reader magnet, chapters are always my fave to get from authors!

[@petebergren2402]

Thank you for making this video. I'm not an author, but a photographer, but I have been researching everything on email marketing and I have just been getting overwhelmed by everything. Your video just helped me to organize my thoughts and think about things practically, and you're right, that we do just have to dive in, and honestly, that has been scary for me. But I have to start somewhere. Thanks again! I ejoyed this video!

[@thejoanzone140]

I feel better just hearing you say newsletters are hard. I've been struggling with it. I was trying to decide if including recipes from my book in the newsletter. So you've made my day all the way around.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Oh yeah they're definitely hard, you're not alone! So glad this video was helpful for you! :D

[@lisalynn4028]

I know as an unpublished author I should have a newsletter so when I do release my book, I’ll have an audience. BUT my question is, with my book just entering the first round of edits, what other incentives can I offer for subscribers?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

You could write a short story specifically for that purpose or share something else from your book like an exclusive link to a spotify playlist or pinterest inspo board or if you have a map made you could share that... you're right that you do have to get a little more creative at that stage, but you've got this!

[@aubreybooksandcoffee]

THANK YOU!!! I've been promising my subscribers a blog/newsletter for a long time but I didn't even know where to start and had technical difficulties! You're the best!!!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay! So glad I could help!

[@Avionne_Parris]

Gosh, this was so helpful, Bethany! I've always wanted to start a newsletter (ran a blog for almost 2 years but I like the exclusivity and relevance of newsletter subs. You've pretty much tackled every question I had. Love that your videos are always so thorough and comprehensive! Definitely rewatching this one with my pen and notebook, so many gems! And I've gotta say that Gideon cover is FIRE! All your covers are AMAZING! I think you've found your aesthetic (Persian Chic :P). Have a great week!

[@sarahmatthews5878]

Yes, me too!!!!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Woohoo! Love hearing that, that's like #goals for a youtuber haha! So glad the video was helpful, and so happy you like the covers too, thank you! :D

[@bodine219]

Gideon Cover? Where?? Did I miss a newsletter or is it on Patreon?

[@heathersueboo]

This is so timely for me! I just came on to search up this topic. I feel like all my questions keep being answered by awesome people who I already follow!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Haha that's awesome!

[@victoriamatthewsbooks2797]

I did it!! I just signed up to mail chimp!! It's a start at least 😂I would love to sign up to your newsletter. I'll check it out now! Thank you for the ongoing words of wisdom 💕🙏

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay nice job! Hope you enjoy the learning process and welcome to my newsletter in advance! :)

[@Asher_Author]

Thanks for this helpful info. My website is on WIX and I almost paid for another service for my newsletter. Thanks for sharing this 👍

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Glad it was helpful! p.s. just this February they changed their newsletter policy. It's still useful for a brand new author, but after 200 subscribers they start charging. I have yet to decide if I'll move my newsletter or just pay, since it still seems cheaper than other newsletter sites.

[@Asher_Author]

@@BethanyAtazadeh I appreciate the heads up. I only have 65 subs right now, but I’ll start looking around. After my next round of comic cons for my new book, my list could quickly grow past 200. I was impressed with all the metrics they offered for newsletters. The only thing it lacked was more design choices. I want to go full Canva on it, but the options they offer are more basic.

[@bodine219]

Excellent timing! I’m currently enrolled in Publish & Thrive (Heartbreathings) and Newsletters are on my brain. Thank you for that recommendation by the way. I *never* would have invested in that, but you have my trust.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay! Perfect timing! And so glad you're enjoying the course, I've been going through it again myself and picking up even more new stuff that I didn't catch the first time!

[@ovidbowie3929]

THANK YOU!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay! You're welcome!

[@HanaEnyde]

Thank you so much for this video, Bethany!! Super helpful! I’ve been scouring KZbin to better understand newsletters/email subscriptions for building an author platform and others make it sound so complicated - I’m here trying to keep up with them (who are way ahead of me in their audience size and business). This is the perfect video for beginners like me to better understand the functionality of newsletters and practical things to consider. I’ve felt so pressured to keep up with other authors but watching your videos, your sincerity, transparency and wise advice always comforts & encourages me!

[@ezzier.travers6588]

Newsletters have held very little importance for me, but your video got me thinking about all the instagram captions I've written that spiral into a sort of blog and stay in the drafts. I think I've been putting off starting my newsletter because I'm afraid my eclectic interests will give readers whiplash 😅

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Totally understandable, but I think you'd probably handle it better than you think and you could also consider something unique like maybe having beta readers for your newsletters where you test it on a couple people each time before you send it? Maybe even just for a couple months or something until you feel like you get a good feel for what you like to share!

[@ezzier.travers6588]

@@BethanyAtazadeh that's a good idea! I do have an amazingly patient friend who beta reads every single thing before it's sent out. I'm sure she's going to be thrilled that I'm extending my outreach 😂

[@jeanshelbybooks4154]

Oh my gosh, my kids did that screaming thing too! My first daughter did during meals. It took her two years to get over but I loved it. Then…my second daughter did it too! My first daughter had stopped, didn’t even teach her, but then my second reignited it. So then I had two screaming kiddos. Lol!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Haha that's hilarious!

[@pamdwriter]

There is a Newsletter Ninja two out as well, for those who are interested.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Ooooh very cool!

[@katiemarie8580]

Love this! Newsletters are hard but I try to do them at the end of every month.

[@DyranHunter]

Brilliant timing! I launched my newsletter, with my prequel novelette as an incentive, literally last week! Great advice in here, and reassuring to know I seem to be on the right track :D

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

No way, haha, that's awesome! You've got this!

[@prafullavyas7649]

Thank you for another great video. Friendly and to the point!

[@BranniganCarter]

Geez thank you. My debut will be published in February and I was struggling with figuring out wtf to do with a newsletter. Very helpful video

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay so glad it was helpful!

[@damodarboruah9298]

Happy to hear your video😊

[@PearlB23]

Thank You Bethany This had helped alot!!!

[@mikecook_author]

Informative video. Thanks for sharing. EDIT: what is that noise in the background?

[@paulbeckmann]

Fantastic info as always! Very HELPFUL! Thanks!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay! So glad it was helpful!

[@AnimalLover101195]

I'm working on my first ever email newsletter now. I feel I'm on the right path but it still needs some work.

[@laurabruce1334]

Very informative! Thank You! Wondering what the background noise is in your video.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Glad to hear that! And I have no idea, it’s been too long and I don’t remember lol

[@laurabruce1334]

@@BethanyAtazadeh I sounds like a fan or a little like ocean waves crashing. Again, much appreciation for your wisdom. :)

[@nohea_robertson]

I've been thinking about freebies and other things I can offer in my newsletter. I've been taking notes from you, ;) and lots of other authors.

[@foxyfables_bookish]

Super helpful thanks

[@MandiGraceAuthor]

I started a newsletter this year after taking Publish and Thrive and being told in no uncertain terms that I needed one haha. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm doing though...

[@itsjazzyjen7642]

What's the song at the end of this video? I really liked it.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Look like it's called "Your Love Is" by LeDorean (I get my songs from Epidemic Sound which is linked in all my video's descriptions if you're curious!)

[@selfsage10]

So basically if I want to write a newsletter related to fitness, from where should I collect data or the content

[@miriamben-yaacov5114]

How about a blog? Blog sites have subscriptions for people to instantly get the newest blog.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

I honestly know nothing about blogs, sorry!

[@cleopatra308]

Once you get a couple under your belt it gets easier. And I use wix too!

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

It definitely does. Awesome!

[@LostinMemory]

I'm gonna do a newsletter.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Awesome!

[@authorjoannawhite]

honestly my newsletter clicks and open rates have been soooo down lately and I don't know why or what I'm doing wrong.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

I’m not an expert, but if it’s a problem with people even opening them at all, you could maybe explore different subject lines and/or research if any words you’re using in the subject might be sending the emails to spam? (Like for example using the word “free” usually puts emails into spam)

[@authorjoannawhite]

@@BethanyAtazadeh I almost always use the word free because I thought it would get attention and I do a lot of free promos via Book funnel and story origin but that could be my problem. Thanks! Also your video was super helpful!

[@julidrevezzo]

I only send newsletters when I have a new release or an update like a giveaway. But, circa 2024, I tend to think people are just over newsletters. Are they?

[@authorjoannawhite]

@@julidrevezzo I don't know. Maybe

[@judyprescottmarshall4713]

I just signed up for your newsletter. I wish I knew how to create clickable links with tracking.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Yay! And I believe there's something called "bitly" that does that if you wanna check it out? :)

[@GeneBasler]

Do you do your own jumpcuts if so what editing program do you use thanks

[@IntrepidGlobalCitizen]

I recently set up a newsletter with Convertkit and the email goes directly into recipients' promotions inbox. Any tips on making it go directly into their main inbox?

[@jeanshelbybooks4154]

I have two questions: I have a whole book (52,000 words) for my email list. I have it just as a PDF, but have been told to upload it to book funnel so people can pick which format they want. It’s $20/year, so just wondering if you recommend that or a different format. My second question is if I can also put this book for sale on Amazon. Since I have it for free to my email list, doesn’t that violate Amazon’s terms?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

I've never used book funnel, but I've heard great things about it! And you can totally sell it on Amazon as well, you just can't put it into the Kindle Unlimited program, which requires the ebook to be exclusive to them.

[@jeanshelbybooks4154]

Ok, thank you!!

[@whimsicalsky48]

I've been toying with the idea of including some form of freebies in my author newsletter to help gain more subscribers. I like the idea of sharing the first (or first few) chapters of my wip, but would it matter if I don't have a cover ofr my book yet? Could I make a temporary one on Canva, then when my book is finished and has it's cover change it to that one?

[@gamexpress111]

*me who guiltily has newsletter but hasn't updated in a long time* whoop de doo...I gotta get back on it 😅 but how do you set up a giveaway on your newsletter?

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Haha you've got this! And you would just do it the same way you would on social media or anywhere else, tell them the entry requirements, the prize, and the dates of the giveaway, and then pick a winner when it's over.

[@gamexpress111]

@@BethanyAtazadeh ohh ok...sounds easy enough, I hope lol

[@TMPreRaff]

Rule #1: Don’t call it “doing” a newsletter.

[@BethanyAtazadeh]

Lol I highly doubt that matters 😂😂😂