How Newsletters Impact Our Readers

It’s great to be back with you!

If you’re a member of my newsletter family, please check your inboxes. Newsletters went to subscribers yesterday, and you don’t want to miss all the great content. Hint: Be sure you’ve added my newsletter e-mail address to your contacts so I don’t mistakenly go to your spam folder.

Not a subscriber yet? No worries! Sign-up is completely painless and free, and you can do it right from the sidebar without ever leaving this page. I won’t sell, barter, or give away your e-mail address. I won’t swamp you with frequent content. I won’t deliver Downer Dan spiels—we get enough of that with the national “news.”

What WILL you get as a newsletter subscriber?

Once a month you’ll receive Heartfelt, Homespun Fiction from the Ozarks. We’ll chat about life, love, inspiration, and writing. I’ll share tidbits from the home front, slice-of-life vignettes, and comfort food goodies. I won’t sugarcoat, but I will share tactfully, truthfully, and lovingly. You will leave encouraged. And hopefully—you’ll encourage your friends and family to hop on board, too. (THAT would make me really, really happy.)

Now—lest you think I sound like a broken record, newsletters are so, so important. And to clarify, it’s not about the numbers for me. (Though enlarging my platform is a huge consideration, it’s much more than that.)

Naturally, our “numbers” grow the more we connect with readers. By “connect,” I mean really connect. NOT the “buy me,” “like me,” or “Kiss my Great Aunt Sally and her dog Spot” connect. Ooh. Who wants that? I certainly don’t and I bet you don’t either.

Of course, as writers, we must enlarge our platform to sell books. Common sense, right? BUT the moment our thoughts become a non-stop sales pitch? Whop. That’s where we lose folks.

However, when something we share resonates with someone—when our thoughts enlighten, encourage, benefit, or bless others? That’s the difference. Our words have a rebound effect.

For instance, newsletters generally have a 20% open rate. Now, sometimes statistics are skewed for various reasons, but for the most part, those analytics are fairly accurate.

My open rates, for my small tribe (*waves*) is around 50%. Some months are lower, some a little higher, depending on the season or other various factors. THAT blesses me! It means my message is getting heard. It’s striking a chord with my intended audience.

I bless YOU. You bless ME. Together, we spread the love and continue blessing others. Isn’t it awesome how that works?!

To be clear, I never expect to get anything in return. But wow. Have to be honest—it’s a double-hanky day when that happens.

Take my recent newsletter, for example.

I always receive some feedback when I press send, but yesterday’s response took me by surprise.

Within a few hours of my latest newsletter hitting inboxes, I received more e-mails and messages than I had with other newsletters.

Why?

That’s the power of the written word, friend.

That’s what happens when we share honestly, openly, and creatively without an agenda.

And I can only guess at some other reasons my newsletters continue to resonate.

Am I fancy?

Nope.

Am I pretentious?

Uh-uh.

Do I push books?

Not that either. (I’m pre-published.)

Well, then— Do I write well?

Yes. (And still learning.)

Do I uplift and inspire?

That’s my goal.

Do I meet people where they are?

Bingo! That’s the key, I think.

In my newsletters, I say things I wish others would say in a get real kind of way. I address issues, interests, and news events in a down-home way as if we were sitting across the table chatting (over a slab of peach pie and a mondo cup of coffee).

In other words, I let my hair down with my newsletter family.

I speak just like I do here on the blog and in the same vein I write my stories. Pompous Polly, I’m not. (As I’ve often said, I don’t eat jello with a toothpick, but you won’t find pinkies extended at my house either. Now, I may offer you a pretty cloth napkin and an everyday fork or spoon—your preference—but I guarantee—we’ll have a rousing conversation without the fancy, schmancy expectations you might find elsewhere, and we’ll have a ball while we’re at it!)

If you’re a writer or someone who simply wants to share, mirroring what works for others won’t work for you.

We can learn SEO, formatting, and platform tips, but at the end of the day, our creativity—our voice—is what readers want.

Let me repeat that.

Our style isn’t dependent on the perfect scenario. (Perfect is boring, remember?)

The draw—the come back for more factor—is us. Our uniqueness. Our ability to communicate in a way no one else can mimic.

Let that sink in for a moment.

We move others in a way someone else can’t.

When we’re ourselves, others sense that. When we pretend? Others sense that, too.

Our newsletters impact readers when we tap emotions they didn’t realize they had.

We don’t share because it’s easy or always fun. We share with the bigger purpose in mind.

To change lives and prompt our readers to do the same.

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PLEASE SHARE

 

The power of newsletters and why writers should consider them.

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Considering a newsletter? Do it with the right motivation.

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How do newsletters impact you? One writer’s perspective.

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MORE THOUGHTS YOU MAY ENJOY

 

Five Reasons Why I Love My Newsletter Family

My newsletter family rocks! Five reasons why.

Don’t Let Fear Stop You. Dream BIG.

There’s always the fear of rejection. Move beyond it. Maximize the most of your dreams.

Why You Must Go Through the Forest to See Daylight

Discouragement’s real. Crud is a given. But your forest is temporary. Here’s why.

Original Image Credit: jarmoluk/Pixabay

Why do you sign up for newsletters? 

What do you like?

What turns you off?

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So delighted you stopped by today!

See you back next week ~

Much Love and Many Blessings,