Hi Reader,

My Christmas gift to you is a free ebook that has the past three years of newsletters about writing craft. It's called Write On: Story Secrets Every Writer Needs, and you can download it here.

This is my new reader (lead) magnet that I use to build my email list.

How to Build your E-Mail list with a Reader Magnet

One essential aspect of the creator life is an email newsletter. It is a powerful tool for building a connection with fans and customers. As a writer, your email list is one of your most valuable assets. It’s a direct line to your readers and potential readers.

Screenwriters, filmmakers, podcasters, and musicians all benefit from having an email list. Everyone should have an email list!

What are Email Newsletters and Why Do You Need One?

Email newsletters are emails sent regularly to a list of subscribers who have opted-in to receive news from you. They can include updates about your projects, exclusive previews, personal anecdotes, and more.

The best thing you can do to set yourself up for success as a novelist, screenwriter, and creator is to start building your email list and writing and sending newsletters. That way, when you are ready to publish, have a project to pitch, or song to sell you have a list of interested and eager buyers.

Why are Email Newsletters So Important?

1. Direct Communication: Unlike social media algorithms, which are always changing, email newsletters ensure you have direct communication with your audience. Social media platforms come and go in popularity and influence (I’m looking at you Twitter), but email is forever.

2. You Control Your List: You own your email list. With social media, you can lose your account, or an app can go out of business, and then you have no way to reach your followers. All of that hard work building an audience goes up in smoke. With an email list, you have your readers’ email addresses and can always contact them.

3. Build Relationships: Newsletters help you build lasting relationships with your readers by providing consistent, personal updates and an easy way for readers to interact directly with you.

4. Promote Your Work: Email newsletters are an excellent tool for selling your creative projects (books, movies, music, art) to readers by promoting new releases, events, and sales.

How do I Send my Newsletter?

You can’t use Gmail or Outlook to send out mass emails. You will need an email marketing service to send your newsletter. There are many services out there to choose from. I use and recommend Kit (formerly ConvertKit.) Kit has a free plan until you reach a thousand subscribers.

How to Build Your Email List with a Reader Magnet

What is a Reader Magnet?

A reader magnet is a free piece of content like a novella, song or artwork offered by a creator to potential fans in exchange for their email address.

How to Write a Reader Magnet for Novelists

For novelists it is a piece of writing that introduces your novel’s premise, characters, and setting to readers. It is the primary way creators build their email lists. Think bonus content. Your reader magnet can be a short story or novella that takes place before your novel or in between books one and two. It can be a character’s backstory or even a scene or two right before your story starts. It is the perfect appetizer for your content to get your fans excited.

Even though it’s free, your reader magnet should be well written and engaging. You are introducing your content to new readers, so it is important to make a good first impression. It should make readers want more, leading them to buy your novel.

For novels there are two kinds of reader magnets:

• Front End - is aimed at readers who don’t know your book, introducing your characters, concept, and world.

• Back End - is aimed at readers who have just finished your book and want more of your story world and characters. For example, if you write romance, maybe you have a short story about your couple’s honeymoon.

You Need a Cover

To look professional, your reader magnet will need a cover that is consistent with your genre. At this stage to save money, you can DIY a cover using Canva.com. However, I do not recommend going the DIY route for your book. This cover can be a placeholder that you swap for a better cover later that has some of the same elements like cover art and font as your completed book.

How Do You Get Your Reader Magnet to Your Readers?

BookFunnel and Story Origin are easy-to-use services that let authors distribute their digital books via email. Readers get an autogenerated email with their book attached and instructions on how to load it onto their e-readers. Both services create landing pages (one page websites) for reader magnets and books, and offer newsletter swaps to grow your email lists. By using these programs, you can ensure a smooth and professional experience for your readers, which is essential in building a loyal audience.

This article is adapted from How to Turn Your Screenplay into a Novel.