Show notes (is it weird that I called it a “show?”). It’s just me with a webcam. ; ) Please note that the email list works to sell EVERY book type, plus any other offer that’s congruent with your audience.
Mailchimp: free to 2000 people: https://mailchimp.com/
What I use now: Wishpond
What I would use if I set one up now (2025): SendFox ($49 one-time purchase!)
Sales funnel:
- Send traffic to free offer (free first chapter or something else)
- Nurture the relationship with information- or connection-based emails
- Make an offer for your book or something else that’s congruent with your audience
Advanced sales funnel:
- Send traffic to free offer (free book if they pay shipping, which will cover your printing costs too)
- Send them a one-time-offer at $27-97
- Continue to provide value and at some point offer a higher-ticket item
The numbers – based on research with many authors both established and new:
- To have a livable, consistent income ($5-6k per month) based on book sales ONLY: you need 25,000 to 35,000 people on your email list.
- To have a livable, consistent income ($5-6k per month) based on book sales PLUS other services: you need AT LEAST 1000 people on your email list. (The more people, the more consistent the income.)
Make growing your email list a top priority!!