Inspiration and Instruction for Writers |
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What's In Your Newsletter? |
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If you’re considering how you might connect with readers, a newsletter is a wonderful way to engage and build relationship. Whether sent quarterly, monthly, or weekly, a newsletter can become a point of connection for providing information that serves subscribers to your email list. When done well, a newsletter is a gift of information created with others in mind, a means of offering them value. When our focus is serving our readers rather than serving ourselves, we can’t lose. Over the next few months, I’ll share links to some of my favorite newsletters. These newsletters are sent by pre-published or multi-published writers who have done the work to figure out who their ideal readers are, as well as what their readers want and how to best serve them. I hope you’ll subscribe to the newsletters I recommend, as a means of observing and learning from writers who are engaging their readers well. One of my favorite newsletters comes from multi-published author Lisa Bogart. I look forward to Lisa’s newsletter almost more than any other I receive—and I receive a lot of newsletters! The first thing I love about Lisa’s newsletter is that it lands in my in-box every other Saturday morning, on a day when I allow myself to linger in bed and read as I sip my coffee. When Lisa’s newsletter arrives, I know I’ve received a respite. A moment to breathe deep, smile, and likely read something that will inspire my own creativity. Reading Lisa’s newsletter is pure joy, and that’s her intent. To deliver joy to her readers. She does so in a way that fits her wonderfully creative and caring personality. Reading her newsletter is much like sitting across from her at a meal. She is sure to make you smile. Will Lisa’s newsletter appeal to everyone? No. But that’s the point. It isn’t for everyone. It’s for her ideal readers. |
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From Lisa Bogart A themed newsletter is a great way to stay connected to your readership. Picking a broad theme helps you have more to talk about. My theme evolved over time. Don’t be afraid to experiment. In the beginning, when you have fewer subscribers, you still have time to find your voice. My theme is JOY! I rotate five topics: letter writing, knitting, recipes, book recommendations, and general joy. I use three of these topics in each issue and keep track of my topic use with a very basic spreadsheet. If I haven’t shared a recipe in a while, I will find a good one for my next newsletter. I’ve been surprised to discover that one of the most popular parts of my newsletter is the Bonus Smile. It’s merely a button at the end of the newsletter that links to an article or video I find delightful. There’s no explanation with it. I think people like the mystery and surprise. Find the topics that work for you. Consistency is probably the most important part of having a newsletter. My subscribers know there will be joy every other Saturday morning. Sending the newsletter every other week gives me time to find and create good content. I invite you to sign up for my newsletter so you can see it in action. Of course, I hope you’ll stay as a subscriber, but there is no pressure to do so. Join me at https://www.lisabogart.com/reader. |
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In last month’s edition of Tips & Tools, I offered my review of Vellum, the software I use (and love) for formatting both e-book and print-ready files when I self-publish. Recently, I explored another software that is receiving a lot of buzz in the self-publishing world. Atticus works with Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook, and provides writers an opportunity to use the same software to write and format a manuscript. The program allows users to export manuscript files in various publication formats (EPUB, PDF, DOCX, MOBI coming soon). The option to write a manuscript in Atticus intrigued me most. While I’ve used the writing software Scrivener for many years, I, like many writers, have found Scrivener’s learning curve steep. The Atticus method for writing and formatting in the same program appears seamless. The software’s writing features offer basic word-processing tools, including spell-check. Atticus also gives users the option of viewing a manuscript in its formatted version while they write, a fun feature that may be motivating during the writing process. Atticus does not have many of the more powerful or collaborative editing tools used by professional editors. To have a manuscript professionally edited, which I deem a requirement of publishing well, a writer must export a manuscript from Atticus into a software with features necessary to the editing process, then upload the edited manuscript to Atticus again, possibly having to reformat the manuscript if major changes were made during the editing process. Even considering the learning curve, I’d still choose Scrivener as my writing software, because I use features that neither Vellum nor Atticus offer, including Scrivener’s notes function, synopsis generator, and research folders. However, if you’re looking for an inexpensive program that affords you the opportunity to both write in the program and format your work, Atticus is a solid competitor at just $147. If you’re using Vellum or Atticus, I’d love to read your brief review of either program. Drop me an email and share your thoughts. |
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