Email List?

[Tx Tall Tales]

Does anyone contact their readers after submitting a new story/chapter? I've had several requests for this, but feel a little odd, collecting readers emails and sending them messages. I started building the email list, and it's in the hundreds.

Maybe I could mention an opt-in notification list in the bio? Opinions? Suggestions?

I don't really feel like creating a full blown email opt-in list, but I can see their point.

 

[sr71plt]

No, I don't. I'm not particularly evangelical.

 

[SusanJillParker]

Does anyone contact their readers after submitting a new story/chapter? I've had several requests for this, but feel a little odd, collecting readers emails and sending them messages. I started building the email list, and it's in the hundreds.

Maybe I could mention an opt-in notification list in the bio? Opinions? Suggestions?

I don't really feel like creating a full blown email opt-in list, but I can see their point.

I don't contact readers/fans when submitting a story. I used to do that a few years ago but it was fruitless.

Now, I thank readers for feedback and answer every e-mail, so long as they are not crass and nasty. Keep in mind, when I post an incest story I may have 300 to 500 e-mails a day for two or three days. Nonetheless, I take the time to answer everyone, not with a form letter, but with an individual e-mail.

 

[SusanJillParker]

No, I don't. I'm not particularly evangelical.

Now this is something that Dr. Sheldon Cooper would say. Good line. I like it. You've made your mother proud.

 

[lovecraft68]

No, I don't. I'm not particularly evangelical.

You must have a seriously wide throat not to choke on that hypocrisy.

 

[lovecraft68]

Does anyone contact their readers after submitting a new story/chapter? I've had several requests for this, but feel a little odd, collecting readers emails and sending them messages. I started building the email list, and it's in the hundreds.

Maybe I could mention an opt-in notification list in the bio? Opinions? Suggestions?

I don't really feel like creating a full blown email opt-in list, but I can see their point.

What I have done is anytime someone contacts me and leaves an e-mail address I ask if they want o be notified when I have a new story out.

If they say no, or don't answer, I "lose" their e-mail and don't bother.

But for those who say yes, I dump their e-mail into my address list. I use constant contact so anytime I have a new story I just send one e-mail with the link and it goes out to everyone.

Even though this is a free site I see no reason not to use the same marketing tools that have led to two successful online businesses and it did well when I had the comic shop as well.

 

[PennLady]

I have a list that I have used in the past for this kind of thing but I rarely do it anymore. Mostly b/c I haven't posted much. I didn't always get replies but people seemed to like it.

 

[Saxon_Hart]

I tried doing it on Twitter, but I think my three followers quit giving a shit.

 

[Darkniciad]

Mine's handled via my website, Twitter, Facebook, and an actual opt-in mailing list. ( Managed by a program. Type message. Send. Done. It handles subscribing, unsubscribing, and narrowing the focus of notifications automatically, once set up )

Everybody seems to have their own preferred notification method, and it doesn't really take all that long to post the messages across the various platforms.

 

[JustaSCOUNDREL]

Tx TT I have seen other authors put a note on their Bio. pg. Something like.

Some of my readers have asked me to notify them when I post a new story if you would like me to notify you please let me know through my Contact page and I'll be happy to email you.

Strictly opt in that way.

Mike

 

[Tx Tall Tales]

Mine's handled via my website, Twitter, Facebook, and an actual opt-in mailing list. ( Managed by a program. Type message. Send. Done. It handles subscribing, unsubscribing, and narrowing the focus of notifications automatically, once set up )

Everybody seems to have their own preferred notification method, and it doesn't really take all that long to post the messages across the various platforms.

I've been pretty lazy, not doing anything but posting stories. No Twitter/facebook/blog/mailing list. A little concerned with time it would take. I guess if I ever want to take any of this commercial, it would make a lot of sense.

I used AWeber with another side hobby, but it got expensive with about 24K email list that I wasn't making much off of. Any other decent, inexpensive opt-in mailing lists?

 

[Darkniciad]

The one I use requires you to have your own webspace and database, but has the advantage of being free. Never did any research on third party hosted services, since I've had a continuous web presence in various forms since the late 90s.

One thing I can guarantee is that the less expensive it is, the less reliable/ad-filled it will be. It's been that way with third-party hosting since the dawn of the internet.

They can be workable, but it takes a lot of research time, and often two or three switches before you find one that meets your needs without being too obtrusive or unreliable.