Think email marketing is outdated?
Think again.
If you’re an indie author relying only on social media to sell your books, you’re basically building your empire on rented land…and praying the algorithm is in a good mood every minute every day.
Want real control over your book sales, fanbase, and author brand?
You need an email list.
Why Email Marketing Still Works for Authors (Yes, Even in 2025)!
Despite all the shiny new platforms, email remains the #1 marketing tool for indie authors who want to grow a loyal audience and sell more books.
Don’t believe me?
How bout these recent stats??
- Email delivers an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent.
- 80%+ of consumers check their email daily (some of us, hourly… no judgment)
- Email is 6x more effective at conversions than social media
And here’s the kicker: you own your list.
Your followers on TikTok or Instagram?
Not so much.
One shadow ban and POOF!
Your audience disappears.
What Every Author Needs to Begin Email Marketing!
Let’s break this down without the fluff (cus you know me…fluff free guaranteed!).
If you’re wondering how to build an email list as an indie author, you’ll need these four things:
Thing #1 – A Killer Lead Magnet (Not Another “Monthly Update”)
No one wants to sign up for “book news.”
Be irresistible.
Here are a few ideas for indie author lead magnets to get you started:
- A free short story, prologue, epilogue, or prequel/sequel
- Printable reading lists or trackers
- Access to a secret reader-only Facebook group
- A spicy deleted chapter (we know you’ve got one)
- A clickable Spotify playlist for your niche/subgenre
Your lead magnet should make readers feel like they’re getting VIP access to your book world.
Thing #2 – High-Converting Signup Forms That Don’t Suck
You’ve got the goods—now make it easy to subscribe.
Use these two types of signup forms:
- Pop-Up Form: Put one on your homepage that offers the lead magnet.
- Embedded Form: Add this to your blog or contact page as a second-chance signup.
While creating your forms, make sure they:
- Clearly state the benefit (“Get a free story” beats “Join my newsletter”)
- Only ask for essentials (First name + email = good. Mailing address? No thanks.)
- Are mobile-friendly (Half your readers are signing up from their phones)
I highly recommend MailerLite (yep, that’s an affiliate link!) for building forms and automations—because who has time for tech headaches?
Thing # 3 – A Welcome Email Sequence (That Doesn’t Sound Like a Robot Wrote It)
Don’t ghost your subscribers.
Use an email autoresponder to automatically send a warm, engaging welcome sequence the second someone joins your list.
What should your welcome sequence include?
A thank-you + delivery of your lead magnet
- A short “get to know me” email (with a link to your books)
- A fun, value-packed email that builds connection
- A soft pitch or ask (follow me on socials, leave a review, preorder…)
AND BONUS! I’m gifting you the swipe file for the Welcome Email Sequence I normally only share with my clients, which you can access FOR FREE RIGHT HERE.
Thing # 4 – A Newsletter Readers Actually Want to Open (and Read)
This is where you turn casual subscribers into raving fans.
Here are some author newsletter tips that actually work:
- Be consistent (weekly, biweekly, or monthly—just don’t disappear)
- Mix in personal updates, behind-the-scenes content, memes, and value
- End with a clear CTA (“Preorder now,” “Reply with your favorite character,” etc.)
- Write like a human. A fun one. One with a TBR pile and a coffee addiction.
Your author newsletter isn’t just a tool to sell!
It’s there to build a bond.
Readers these days buy from authors they know, like, and trust, not spammy bots yelling “BUY MY BOOK.”
PRO TIP! Wanna see this entire super effective email marketing funnel in action? CLICK HERE to sign up for my VIP Email List. Don’t worry. You can unsubscribe any time (but you wont want to)!
Why So Many Authors Drop This Ball...
Building an email list, writing sequences, and creating high-converting opt-ins?
It’s not hard, but it does take some strategy.
And most indie authors wing it until they’re 3 books deep with no list and no idea why no one’s buying.
That’s where I come in.
Final Word: Email Is Just One Piece of the Self-Publishing Puzzle
If you’re serious about building an author brand that actually sells, email marketing can’t be an afterthought.
This is just one of the many things I help authors set up so they don’t waste time, money, or their book’s potential.
Ready to stop playing small and start showing up like a six-figure indie author?
Let’s talk about how I can help you write, publish, and profit.
