How to attract newsletter subscribers without giving away a free book #WriterWednesday #AuthorMarketing #AmWriting
If you’re a writer, you’ve already heard the advice – probably ad nauseum. You must (!!) have a free book to attract readers to your newsletter. Some marketing gurus call this a lead generation, others call it a cookie. Whatever you call it, the theory is the same. Give away the first book in a series to attract readers to your series and your newsletter.
Sounds great? *Shrugs* I don’t know about other writers, but I don’t have any books I’m willing to give away. My three cozy mystery series are each three books. I simply don’t have enough read throughs to justify giving book 1 of any of my series away.
But I finally found a solution to attract newsletter subscribers without giving away a free book. My latest novel, About Face, launches on August 29th. It’s the first book in a three book series in the romantic comedy genre. Now, obviously, I’m not giving a brand new book away. Instead, I’ve made a pdf of the first few chapters as a teaser. Using bookfunnel, readers can download the sample for free if they agree to join my newsletter list.
I’m trying to accomplish two goals with this: (1) gain newsletter subscribers and (2) create some interest in my new release.
I just started a Facebook ad. I’ll let you know how it goes.
Anyone else give away books for free to gain newsletter subscribers? If so, how has that worked out for you?
Great idea! I might give it a try with my next book.
I have a launch coming up, and like the sound of Bookfunnel. Looking forward to hearing about your FB ad too…
I’ve given books away…more as a thank you than to attract new readers.
I’m sure the “experts” would say I’m doing it wrong. Whatever. 😜
Haven’t gotten on the free excerpt/teaser bandwagon yet. Not because I don’t want to give them away, but because as a reader… they annoy me.
I downloaded a few when Prolific was Instafreebie. When I purchased the full reads, I found the free excerpt was the best part of the book.
Only me, right? 😜😜
This writing journey is not static, but it’s also not one-size-fits-all so who knows what I may try in the future? *Side-eye @ “the experts,”* 😁
Good luck to you! 👍
I’ve had the same thing – the excerpt being awesome and the rest of the book barely edited. I just finished newsletter ninja and am trying a few things out. Apparently I was doing everything wrong. 🙄