5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Reader Email List

Email Marketing, Growing Newsletter List

Let’s be real: most indie fiction authors didn’t sign up to become email marketers.

We just want to write stories, build worlds, and emotionally connect with readers.

But if you’re writing books and hoping to build a sustainable career, one thing becomes very clear, very quickly:

✉️ Your email list is everything.

It’s how you reach readers without relying on social algorithms.

It’s how you stay in touch between launches.

It’s how you build a loyal audience that actually wants to hear from you.

The good news? Growing a reader list doesn’t have to be complicated or salesy.

Here are 5 simple ways to start building your list without sacrificing your writing time or your sanity:

1. Create a Reader Magnet That Actually Attracts

You’ve probably heard of lead magnets before. But if “Get My Newsletter!” is your big offer… we need to talk 😬

Instead, offer something that adds immediate value to your ideal reader. Some great options:

  • A prequel or deleted scene from your book

  • A “secret epilogue” for newsletter subscribers only

  • A short story set in your universe

  • A character profile, map, or lore guide

Make it fun, relevant, and something you’d be excited to get in your inbox.

2. Use Your Book Back Matter Like a Funnel

At the end of your book, include a short, enthusiastic invitation to join your email list in exchange for that bonus content. Something like:

“Want to read the alternate ending I almost published? Get it free here 👇”
[your sign-up link]

Readers who finish your book are already emotionally invested, so this is the best time to invite them deeper into your world.

3. Run a Reader Magnet Swap with Other Authors

Team up with other authors in your genre and swap newsletter shout-outs.

It’s simple: You promote their freebie to your list, and they do the same for you.

It’s a low-pressure way to grow your list with readers who already love similar stories.

4. Make It Easy to Join From Your Website & Socials

Make sure your sign-up link is:

  • In your Instagram bio

  • Pinned on X

  • On your website homepage

  • In your email signature

Seriously, you’d be surprised how many authors hide their newsletter behind five clicks and a secret password. Make it easy and obvious, ok?

5. Talk to Your List Like a Friend, Not a Brand

This one’s about retention. Once you have subscribers, keep them.

Write emails like you’re talking to a friend at a café. Share behind-the-scenes tidbits, progress updates, what you’re reading, or even a meme that made you laugh.

If your emails feel like a treat to read, people will open them. If they open them, they’ll stay subscribed. And that’s the real list-building magic.

Last thoughts…

You don’t need a marketing degree. You don’t need a thousand-dollar funnel. You just need a story readers love and a path that makes it easy for them to stick around.

Start small. Pick just one tip from above and try it this week. Your future reader community will thank you. ❤️

Book Sales, Indie Business

Why Book Marketing Feels So Hard (And the Truth About What Actually Works)

Ever feel like book marketing is way harder than it should be?

You’re not alone.

Most indie fiction authors don’t struggle because they’re “bad” at marketing.

They struggle because the advice they’ve been given wasn’t made for them.

stack of books

Let’s talk about why so much marketing advice leaves you feeling frustrated, exhausted, and still not selling books, and what actually works instead.

The Problem With Most Book Marketing Advice

Have you ever Googled “how to market my book” or watched a few YouTube videos on book promotion?

If so, you’ve probably heard advice like:
“You need to be posting on Instagram every day.”
“TikTok is the only way to sell books now.”
“If you’re not running Amazon ads, you’ll never make sales.”
“Just be consistent! Keep showing up, and the readers will come!”

And while none of these things are completely wrong, they miss the bigger picture, especially for fiction authors.

Why This Kind of Advice Doesn’t Work for Fiction Authors

The biggest issue?

Most marketing advice is made for influencers, coaches, and nonfiction authors.

📌 Nonfiction authors sell books because people want to learn from them. They can create quick, educational content and easily build trust as an expert. (I know, this is what I’ve done. 😉)

📌 Influencers & content creators sell because their audience already follows them for their personality, so when they drop a book, their followers buy out of loyalty.

📌 Fiction authors? We sell books because readers fall in love with our stories.

And that means that the usual “grow a following and sales will come” strategy doesn’t always work for us.

Readers don’t usually buy fiction because they saw a pretty Instagram post. They buy because they’re excited about a story and feel connected to it.

So if you’ve been throwing content out there, hoping to grow an audience, and wondering why it’s not translating to book sales ~ it’s not you. It’s the strategy.

What Actually Sells Fiction Books?

Let’s simplify this.

🔹 Readers buy books because they’re emotionally invested in the story.
🔹 They stay loyal to authors because they feel a connection.
🔹 They keep buying because they’re excited about what’s coming next.

So, your book marketing should focus on three things:

✅ Getting in front of the right readers (not just any audience)
✅ Building excitement about your stories (so they want to keep reading)
✅ Making it easy for them to buy (without feeling like you’re constantly “selling”)

It’s not about being everywhere. It’s about being intentional with where and how you show up.

What If Marketing Didn’t Feel Like a Full-Time Job?

Here’s the thing:

Marketing doesn’t have to take over your life.

🚫 You don’t need to spend hours on social media.
🚫 You don’t need to feel like you’re constantly chasing trends.
🚫 You don’t need to exhaust yourself trying to “keep up.”

What you do need is a simple, streamlined approach that helps you attract readers, engage them, and turn them into fans without feeling like you have to be online 24/7.

Because book marketing isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what works.

📚 PS: If you’re tired of feeling like you’re marketing your books the wrong way and want a strategy that actually works for indie fiction authors, check out the Indie Fiction Authors Marketing Momentum Membership. Inside, we focus on marketing smarter ~ not harder ~ so you can reach more readers without burning out.

Join Here

5 Ways to Say Thank You to Your Readers

Indie Business

5 Ways to Say “Thank You” to Your Readers

As indie authors, our readers are the heart of our journey, and showing them gratitude goes a long way in deepening those connections. And while we often talk about gratitude during the holiday season, these gestures are meaningful any time of year.

Here are five simple yet powerful ways to say “thank you” to your readers—and give back to those who support your stories.

1. Thank Your Readers Personally

A simple, heartfelt thank-you can make all the difference. Take a moment to send a short but personal email to your mailing list, letting your readers know how much their support means to you.

If your list is smaller, consider mailing a physical thank-you note for a touch that feels truly personal and memorable. Sometimes, a thoughtful message is the best way to show appreciation and strengthen your connection.

 

2. Gift Your Readers Exclusive Content

Reward your readers with a special gift they’ll love—like an exclusive short story, a character sketch, a world map, or even a deleted scene from one of your books. This makes your fans feel appreciated and offers them a unique glimpse into your writing world. Consider it a “thank you” just for them!

 

3. Offer a Special Holiday Discount

Show your gratitude by giving a discount on your books or a limited-time coupon for a holiday bundle. You could offer a “buy one, gift one” promotion for your books or provide a coupon code for 20% off a signed paperback. Not only does this give back to your readers, but it can also boost your book sales during the holiday season!

 

4. Reward Your Reviewers

If your readers are spreading the word about your books through reviews, give them a little extra love. Consider running a small raffle or giveaway for those who leave reviews on your website or social media platforms during the season. A few small prizes, like a free book or exclusive swag, can be a great way to show how much you value their support and advocacy.

 

5. Gift Yourself with Some Extra Help

Finally, remember to show yourself some gratitude! If you’ve been juggling all aspects of your author business solo, consider hiring a virtual assistant to help with tasks like newsletter management, social media, or formatting. This investment in yourself will help free up time, reduce stress, and allow you to focus on what you love most—writing.

Choose at least two of these ways to give back to your readers this season, and enjoy the connections you’ll build along the way. Gratitude, after all, is one of the best ways to keep your readers close, engaged, and cheering you on!

 

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When you’re ready, here’s how else I can help:

1. Join the Indie Fiction Authors Circle for just $25/year for ongoing support here

2. Take the Online Marketing Map for Indie Fiction Authors course here

 3. Book at 1:1 session with me here

Top 5 Tips to Boost Book Sales Before Your Launch

Book Sales, Indie Business

Top 5 Tips to Boost Book Sales Before Your Launch

Want to increase your book sales before your launch even begins?

Here are five tried-and-true strategies to build excitement, increase pre-orders, and make sure your launch hits the ground running.

1. Use Social Proof

Readers often look to others for confirmation before buying a book—it’s called social proof, and it’s a powerful tool.

One way to leverage it is to share screenshots of positive feedback or beta reader reactions on social media. You can also add these comments to your pre-order page (if it’s on your own website) and newsletter.

Seeing other readers’ excitement helps potential buyers feel more confident about pre-ordering or purchasing on launch day.

2. Address Your Readers’ Biggest Question

When readers see a new book, they often wonder: “Sure, others love it, but will I?”
These real reviews show potential readers that they will likely love your book, too.

3. Create a Sense of Urgency with Time-Limited Offers

Nothing gets people clicking “buy” faster than a little urgency! Offer a limited-time discount or special pre-order rate. For example, a lower price just for the first week of pre-orders can drive readers to act quickly. When they see the countdown to the deal’s expiration, they’ll be more likely to order sooner rather than later.

4. Use Limited-Quantity Offers

Limited editions or exclusive items can drive sales by creating scarcity. If you’re planning signed copies, for instance, let readers know that only the first 50 orders placed directly with you will be signed. Or if you have exclusive merch (like bookmarks or character art), offer it to the first 100 buyers.

This feeling of exclusivity can be a powerful motivator for early orders, as readers won’t want to miss out!

5. Offer Time or Quantity-Limited Bonuses

Bonuses can add an extra incentive to buy. Think of offering an exclusive short story, behind-the-scenes insights, or character backstories for those who order within the first week. You can also make this a limited-quantity offer, like “first 30 pre-orders get exclusive access to [Bonus].”

These small but special perks make early buyers feel appreciated and create excitement around your launch.

By using these five tips, you can build up anticipation, gather pre-orders, and make a powerful impact on launch day.  

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When you’re ready, here’s how else I can help:

1. Join the Indie Fiction Authors Circle for just $25/year for ongoing support here

2. Take the Online Marketing Map for Indie Fiction Authors course here

 3. Book at 1:1 session with me here

About Being Lucky

Indie Author Mindset

About Being “Lucky” as an Indie Author

 

I’m a firm believer that luck in your writing career is something you create, not something that just happens.

Just like I wasn’t “lucky” to have a successful 23+ year career as a business and marketing coach — I built it. I spent years honing my craft, learning the ins and outs of online marketing, and working with mentors and thousands of students.

My success came from consistently doing four things, the same four things I’m now applying to my indie author career. I’m sharing them with you here so that you too can apply these same principles to your own journey as an indie author.

Here’s how you can start creating your own luck in your writing career:

1. Always Be Learning

As writers, we’re constantly growing—not just in our craft but in how we market ourselves and reach readers. Whether it’s mastering a new plot structure, learning how to run Amazon ads, or studying what makes a great book blurb, the more you learn, the more you grow, and the better you’ll get at all of it.

If you’re not learning, you’re not evolving as a writer, and that can stall your progress. Every bit of knowledge you gain—whether it’s about writing or marketing—adds up and shows in your connection with readers and in your book sales

 

2. Implement What You Learn

Learning is great, but if you don’t put it into action, it’s just wasted energy. I always try my best to implement what I learn, whether it’s a new writing technique or a fresh way to promote my books and other offers.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed with the to-do list, especially when it comes to marketing, delegate if you can, or use proven processes and templates to help.

Pick one thing you’ve been meaning to implement, whether it’s setting up your author newsletter or finishing that short story. Set a deadline, ask for help if you need it, and get it taken care of – then celebrate!

 

3. Leverage Your Time and Talent

As an indie author, time is one of your most valuable resources. So, how do you get more out of the time you have? By leveraging your efforts. My go-to rule is the “3+” method: if I’m going to put effort into something, I ask myself if I can use it in at least three different ways.

For example, if you write a blog post about your writing process, you can turn that content into a newsletter, a podcast episode, or social media posts that drive traffic back to your website. Repurposing content is key to maximizing your efforts.

 

4. Find a Mentor or Community

Writing can feel like a solitary journey, but it doesn’t have to be. I’ve had mentors since I was a teenager, and they’ve made a huge difference in my personal and professional growth. Whether it’s through writing groups, author communities, or investing in a mentor, having someone to guide and support you can make all the difference.

Find a writing mentor or join a community of fellow authors who can offer advice, feedback, and encouragement. You don’t have to go it alone.

 

Take Action and Create Your Own Luck

Which of these four resonates with you the most? Pick one and start applying it to your writing life. Whether it’s committing to learning something new, implementing a strategy, leveraging your time, or seeking out guidance, you have the power to create your own success as an indie author.

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When you’re ready, here’s how else I can help:

1. Join the Indie Fiction Authors Circle for just $25/year for ongoing support here

2. Take the Online Marketing Map for Indie Fiction Authors course here

 3. Book at 1:1 session with me here