by Beth K. Vogt, @bethvogt

When you’re designing your author newsletter think three Ts:

1. Template
2. Theme
3. Time

TEMPLATE

We’re told to be all about brand, so consider how you’re presenting yourself on your website and other social media sites. It’s recommended to establish your brand with certain colors and fonts so you’re immediately identifiable on social media like Instagram and Facebook. What colors are you using? What fonts? For my newsletter, I utilize colors from my stained-glass website designed by Jones House Creative (JHC), who specializes in working with authors.

JHC also produced a template for my monthly newsletter that mimics my website design. When my newsletter, which I title “Words of Encouragement,” arrives in my subscribers’ inboxes, they recognize it because it’s the same template every single month, right down to my signature line and my little red hummingbird. It’s recognizable. Not boring. Familiar. 

THEME

For far too long I went through the “What am I going to write about?” newsletter drama month after month. Then I established a standing theme, which I utilize every single month. It’s made my life so much easier. Once again, my subscribers know what to expect:

• I open with a quote graphic that coordinates with my brief Words of Encouragement letter. (First block in my template)
• I announce the winner of last month’s book giveaway. I support other authors by giving away a book each month. (Second block in my template) Same graphic each month.
• I announce the new book giveaway. (Third block in my template) I change the graphic to highlight the book being given away that month.

But Beth, doesn’t this ever change? Yes, yes it does – when I announce a new book I’m releasing or when I participate in an annual Christmas book contest with some author-friends. 

TIME

How often will you send your newsletter? Good question. You decide the answer. Some authors opt for a quarterly newsletter. Some decide to send their newsletter once a month. I know of a few authors who send weekly newsletters – but this is a rare occurrence.

I opt for a monthly newsletter, but during the holidays – November-December and the summer – I do a combo newsletter. People are so busy during these seasons that newsletters can be overlooked. 

Also consider what day of the week you want to send your newsletter. I advise against sending a newsletter on Monday because everyone’s back to work after the weekend. Both schedules and inboxes are overloaded. Also avoid Fridays because of the “Yay, it’s the weekend!” mentality. 

And there you have it: three tips for improving your newsletter. Which one do you need to focus on? Your template, your theme, or your time?

 

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The Thatcher Sisters Series

The award-winning Thatcher Sister Series by Beth K. Vogt, published by Tyndale House, is described as a “Little Women gone wrong” collection of novels highlighting complicated sister relationships in the style of This is Us. NYT bestselling author Lisa Wingate said, “With tenderness and skill, Beth Vogt examines the price of secrets, the weight of tragic loss, and the soul-deep poison of things left unsaid.” The series includes Things I Never Told You, Moments We Forget, and The Best We’ve Been. Unpacking Christmas: A Thatchers Sisters Novella, was released in November 2022 by Never Door Press.

Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s authored 14 novels and novellas, both romance and women’s fiction. Beth is a Christy Award winner, an ACFW Carol Award winner, and a RITA® finalist. Her novel Things I Never Told You, book one in her Thatcher Sisters Series by Tyndale House Publishers, won the 2109 AWSA Golden Scroll Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people. Connect with Beth at bethvogt.com.