Reasons to Grow Your Author Subscriber List Through Your Newsletter

Edie here! Today I'm excited to introduce you to our newest columnist on The Write Conversation, Kate Huff. Kate is a good friend and someone who has a passion to help writers grow their visibility through newsletters and subscription marketing. I know you'll enjoy her valuable contributions. Please give her a warm TWC welcome! 

by Kate Huff @KateOliviaHuff

“Grow your newsletter subscriber list.”

These words are heard by every aspiring author at some point in his or her writing career. Usually, it’s heard fairly early in that career and can often cause many to wonder if writing is what they are called to do. 

When facing this question, you may ask yourself, “Why do I really need a newsletter, much less a certain number of subscribers? I don’t even have a book to promote!”

Feel familiar? You’re not alone.

As a pre-published author with a BBA and marketing experience, I struggled to understand why I needed a robust subscriber list for something that wasn’t even published yet. Why couldn’t I just write my book?

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Publishers and agents want to know how many subscribers are on your newsletter list as part of your pitch. Marketing is slowly shifting to the author, and if you’re considering publishing it yourself, it’s solely up to you. 

But what if you shifted your view on growing your subscriber base? Instead of it becoming another item on the long “to-do” list, it became a priority for engaging future readers? 

What if you think of those subscribers as more than a list of emails to prove to the publisher you have someone to buy your book? What if you see them as future readers and you have the opportunity to deepen a connection with them? 

Every new subscriber is a real person who’s chosen to hear from you directly. Those subscribers believe in you and the words you are writing. Your newsletter is an opportunity to speak to a subscriber individually. You are able to write words of truth and encouragement to a group of people consistently before your book comes out. It’s not just once every few years like your books, but every single month. What an honor!

I like to think about it this way. I’m not on stage speaking in front of 600 people every month. BUT, every month, over 600 people have invited me to their inboxes and have given me the opportunity to speak to them. I consider that a big deal. That’s trust. And that’s the power of building an audience. 

Here are a few other practical reasons why newsletters are worth your blood, sweat, and tears.

8 Reasons Author Newsletters are Critically Important 

• 1. You’re building a community, not just selling (or planning to sell) books. These are your people. They are the ones who believe in your stories, your voice, and your author journey. 

• 2. You control the connection. Social algorithms can hide your posts or close your account for no reason, but an email list puts your words directly in your reader’s inbox when you want them there. 

• 3. Readers buy from authors they trust. When people hear from you consistently, they begin to see you as a trusted resource. Trusted authors get pre-orders, reviews, and word-of-mouth buzz!

• 4. Turn readers into superfans. A strong audience doesn’t just read your book. They tell everyone about it, write reviews, and come back for the next one. 

• 5. Higher engagement. Emails, done well, consistently outperform social media in engagement. Subscribers are more likely to read, click, and engage with your content because they’ve chosen to be there and trust you! 

• 6. It attracts more opportunities. Publishers, agents, and podcast hosts notice when you have an engaged following. It shows you’re not just writing, but you’re also building something that will last. 

• 7. Stand out in a world full of distractions. Your audience learns your voice and all the things that make you unique.

• 8. A strong subscriber base creates a writing career that lasts. Platforms change. Trends shift. But an email list of loyal readers? That’s your safety net and springboard. 

Have I convinced you yet? 

Building your subscriber list isn’t only about chasing numbers. It’s about nurturing trust, cultivating community, and creating a foundation that supports your writing dreams for the long haul. 

Whether you’re just starting or trying to grow what you’ve already built, remember every name on your email list represents a reader who believes in you. So show up, serve them well, and keep writing. Your words matter. Your platform is how you make sure those words are heard.

TWEETABLE

Reasons to Grow Your Author Subscriber List Through Your Newsletter from @KateOliviaHuff on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Kate Huff is a storyteller at heart and loves finding Gospel elements in all stories, especially fairytales. She believes fairytales that explain the Gospel in clear and captivating ways have the power to change the world, one person at a time. Her first manuscript is currently with an agent, and she’s working on her second fiction novel along with a few non-fiction projects. 

Kate works as a freelance content writer and newsletter pro. She has over twenty years of experience crafting content, specifically newsletters, across diverse sectors, including non-profits, sales, and fundraising. She helps authors and entrepreneurs create compelling newsletters that connect with their audiences and offers tailored content creation services, as well as training on how to build newsletters and grow subscriber bases.