Happy New Year, everyone!

I hope you had a terrific Christmas. Mine was crazy busy, with lots of family, a dog that won’t sleep, a new home improvement project, and just last week, hosting a writing retreat for CWG. I’ve been trying to decide what to do this year for my newsletter. Looking ahead, I can see this is going to be a tough one, with Mom needing more help and Toby (the dog) on a steady decline. I have four books I’d like to put out this year, plus I’m teaching classes and have taken on another freelance job. I’m also running for officership in the Catholic Writers Guild.

Thus, I’m looking at my available time and attention and wondering if a weekly newsletter is worth the effort. I have two purposes for it: to entertain you and to let you know about my upcoming stuff. My click rate is below average for an author newsletter, meaning that the promotional aspects are not effective. And, truth to tell, when I get replies, it’s from friends commenting on my personal life and offering support. I love this, but it neither entertains you nor sells books.

Last year, I switched from MailChimp to Sendfox, but I’m not satisfied with the platform, especially since image function has gotten wonky.

What this comes down to is, I have even more limited time this year but have four books depending on me upping my marketing mojo. However, this newsletter means nothing if it does not serve YOU.

Will you help me?

I have a three-question survey. You can fill it out here, or you can email me the answers to these questions. (Simply hit Reply and tell me your choices)

1.      Why do you read this newsletter?

a. Because you are my friend and I want to know what’s happening in your life

b. Because I’m a fan and want to know more about your books, especially to buy the next one

c. Because I like reading about your books (but am not especially interested in purchasing)

2.      What do you want to see more of?

a. The stuff happening in your life

b. Book summaries and purchase links

c. Snippets from the book and behind-the-scenes stuff

d. Extra content like character interviews and cut scenes

3.      How often would you like to get updates?

a. Weekly is good; I can always ignore.

b. Bi-weekly will more likely get read.

c. I don’t mind a longer one monthly.

d. If you set a schedule with rotating content like personal one week, book promo the next, additional content the third, I’d be all for it!

d. I don’t care. I’ll read what I want when I want.

Take the survey online instead

Please respond today before life takes this off your radar; I'll be making changes at the end of January.

Thanks!

Karina