Setting up simple email sequences can seem like a headache as an author.
You're already swamped with writing your next book, not to mention planning out your launch and managing your day job.
Now you've gotta think about email sequences?! #allthefeels
I know what you're thinking…
“Meh, I don't need to worry about this right now. I'll focus on writing my book instead.”
And normally, I'd agree, but you know what — now that you've already got a book published on Amazon, you need to make sure that you're building your list.
Part of that process is having simple email sequences setup to automate keeping in touch with your readers.
While writing your next book should be your main focus — failing to get simple email sequences setup NOW — will result in lost opportunities and income.
Why?
Because the best time to build your email list was YESTERDAY.
There is no better time than right now to get your email sequences setup. And once it's done, it's done.
So suck it up buttercup and carve out some time to get your email sequences sorted… by using the tutorials below to get it done.
Table of Contents
Simple Email Sequences #1: The Welcome Sequence
This is your most important sequence. This is the sequence all new subscribers—who join your list—will go through.
It's your opportunity to wow them with your personality.
It's also a great opportunity to let them know how you can help them and what books you have available for sale right now.
Writing your welcome sequence
I've spoken to many authors who struggle with this part of the process.
Just like when you first started writing your first book — when you write your first welcome sequence — you are plagued with fears like:
What to write, will anyone read it, not sounding silly, or unprofessional etc, etc.
That's just Neville doing his little negative-nelly dance inside your head. Tell him to pee off and that you got this.
Then use this outline to help construct an email sequence that has your new readers eager to hear from you again and again.
Step 1: First email
Obviously, the first email is going to deliver your lead magnet.
If you're using ConvertKit, this is done from within the Form settings (it's called “incentive email”).
Keep this short and sweet and give them what they want — your free thing.
Here's what my incentive email looks like for my Become a Full-Time Author Cheat Sheet sign up:
Hey awesome person! Thanks so much for providing your details.
You're just moments away from becoming a full-time author, I just know it!
Take the first step and grab the checklist by clicking the button below…
(button)
I'm excited to hear how you go.
If you have any issues or questions, please don't hesitate to hit ‘reply' and shoot me a quick message.
Talk soon
Lise
The button says “click here to download your cheat sheet”.
It's a dual-purpose button. It delivers the lead magnet AND confirms the new subscriber's email address.
Step 2: Second email
This is the official start of your welcome sequence.
This is where you can tell them all about you, who you can help, who you can't help and how you can help.
Here's what mine looks like:
Hey {{ subscriber.first_name }},
Did you see my email yesterday with the vault details? If you missed it and the link to the vault, you can access that here.
Now, I just wanna take a minute and say how honoured I am that you joined the H&G community.
But before I tell you all my secrets and share TMI, I kinda need to know if we're gonna gel. Because if you're not the type of person I can help, or if you don't resonate with what I say, then I don't wanna take up space in your sacred inbox. Truly.
A little about me:
You've probably already figured this out, but my name is Lise Cartwright, pronounced “Lease” just so you know.
Over the past five years, I've been helping awesome people such as yourself, figure out how to inspire and connect with their tribe through self-publishing, email marketing, and productivity systems and strategies.
I like to think of myself as your virtual biz guide.
One of my readers once described me as “the friend who pulls no punches and tells you what you don't wanna hear with a genuine, heart-felt smile.”
I'd also add that I'm an awesome karaoke singer (catch me at shower time!) and I can make a mean mac and cheese.
Who I Can Help Most, and Who I Can't:
There are a definite group of peeps I tend to get awesome results for… and there are also others who just aren't the right fit for me and the Hustle & Groove community.
Let me tell you about each camp real quick so that you and I are on the same page…
I get awesome results for:
Budding authors and entrepreneurs who want to inspire and connect with their tribe and are willing to take responsibility for taking action, ie, you're willing to do some work to make the magic happen.
People who want to earn an income online and are looking for help with self-publishing, email marketing, and productivity systems and strategies.
On the other hand, I won't be able to help people who…
Spend time on the Internet just to make fun of others and leave comments like, “you suck.” I only use encouraging words, you should do the same.
Are racist against any race or culture. I don't tolerate these type of beliefs, you should feel the same.
Aren't willing to put effort into making things happen. The stuff I share with you won't come to life unless you actually do the work.
If you've read this far, I'm gonna assume you gel with me and fit right into that first group, {{ subscriber.first_name }}. Now we can continue with the same goals in mind.
But, I also know I'm not a good fit for everyone, so if you'd like to “peace out” now, no hard feelings at all. Go ahead and hit the “unsubscribe” button at the end of this email. I wish you all the best.
Coolies?
Now we're all set and we know we gel, I can share a little more about moi and what you can expect here at H&G headquarters.
What I Believe
I have a few core beliefs that will cause some of you to throw your hands in the air and yell, “heck yes” and for some of you — might get a little cross-eyed and confused with what I say.
You don't have to always agree with me (although I love it when you do), but let me lay it all out so that you at least know where I'm coming from.
I believe that…
You can make money self-publishing on Amazon if you're strategic in your approach and you're realistic about initial expectations.
There is no over-night success… it only appears that way because those people aren't on your radar. There is ALWAYS hard work and effort behind every success story.
Most authors and entrepreneurs you meet online are kind, action-taking peeps… but they are stuck in information overload and overwhelm, unable to determine the strategies that work from those that don't.
You — what you HAVE to offer — what you WANT to offer — and what you have to GIVE, are absolutely valid and vital in this world. Without a doubt.
What You Can Expect From Moi
You're still here? Awesome! So I haven't lost you, phew. This means we're gonna get along just fine *smile emoticon*, and you'll get a ton of value from what I share with you here.
I want you to know that I do my best to share only useful, relevant and what's working right now tips and strategies with you each week.
Sometimes I'll mention one of my products, but never in a way that's “sales pitchy“. I only mention them when I know they'll get you the quickest and best results. Hand on heart.
So, to kick things off, let's start with you telling me, by hitting “REPLY”, what your #1 biggest challenge is that you're dealing with right now in your author business.
Be as specific as you can, so that I can give you the best answer 🙂
Talk soon and as always, do what you love
PS: What's your biggest fear or struggle when it comes to your business? Hit ‘reply' and tell me and I'll help you get over that fear!
This is the most important email in your sequence, as it sets the stage for what your new subscriber can expect from you.
Step 3: Third email
The next 2-3 emails can provide more information to your new reader, including access to more free stuff, your paid products (aka books) and your best blog posts, videos etc.
It's really up to you.
In the third email in my welcome email sequence, I ask new subscribers to self-segment by getting them to tell me where they are at.
I provide them with three options and ask them to click on the option that best represents where they are right now.
As soon as they click, ConvertKit tags them based on the click-trigger I've set up.
This allows me to segment my list and make sure that these new readers go into other sequences that will benefit them.
But this is advanced email marketing.
For you, you could make it simple and get them to reply to your email with where they are at instead.
Step 4: Fourth email
In this email, I provide new subscribers with more content by inviting them to join The Hustle, the private Facebook group I have.
Every month there are Facebook lives and training along with the ability to ask questions and get immediate feedback.
If you have something similar, you could include that here.
At this point, I also let them know different ways that I can help them by including a power signature.
What's a power signature?
Here's what it looks like in action:
PLUS: Whenever you’re ready… here are three ways I can help you right now:
#1: How to Write a Book in 6 Weeks and Become an Amazon Best Selling Author
In this blog post, you'll learn how to validate your book idea, how to write fast, what to say to a book designer to get the best book plus how to launch to a #1 bestseller. Click here to get started.
#2: Access Resources I Use Every Day
Wondering which hosting platform to use for your WordPress website? What about which email platform or invoicing software is best? Find out more here.
#3: Work with me One-on-One
If you'd like to work directly with me to get your book written, published, promoted or ALL THREE, or you need clarity on a project you're working on, check this out.
Also…check these out 🙂
LISTEN: Self-Publishing School Interview (listen to Chandler Bolt and I chat about writing and publishing a book)
READ: Side Hustle Blueprint: How to Make an Extra $1000 in 30 Days Without Leaving Your Day Job
WATCH: How to Set Actionable Goals (H&G Workshop)
The idea is to provide them with a mixture of free and paid options and more content for them to consume.
You can put anything you like here, just make sure it's some of your best stuff and relates to what you do.
You could even include links to your books here instead.
Step 5: Fifth (and final) email
In this final email, you can do a few different things.
You could provide more content for them to consume, maybe a video that will help them in some way.
You could add another freebie for them to access, or ask them a question.
I get them to fill out a quick survey that helps influence what I write on Hustle & Groove.
This provides me with information on what my new subscribers need help with and will help to make sure that the content and books I'm creating are what they want.
In this final email, you can also let them know that they'll now be added to your regular weekly (or whatever it is) emails.
And that's your Welcome Email Sequence complete.
Simple Email Sequences #2: The Book Launch Sequence
Another simple email sequence that you should have in place is for your book launches.
This one is for your street team or your launch team.
You can create something similar for you readers as well.
I'm using ConvertKit and their visual automation builder to set this up.
Watch the video below to see how this works.
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That's just a brief run-down on how visual automation works.
In terms of setting up a book launch sequence for your launch team, here's what you'll want to include:
- An initial email that goes out to your list asking if they want to be part of your launch team (set up a click trigger to make it easier for them to join).
- A follow-up email that provides your launch team with access to the advanced PDF copy for reading
- An email about what they thought about the book and any suggested changes or comments
- An email letting them know when to post their review
- An email letting them know how to share the book
That's the gist of it all.
If you'd like to see this in action, watch the video below:
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Simple email sequences help you automate a lot of your email marketing processes, but they do NOT replace responding to your readers if they REPLY to your emails.
That's something you should be doing yourself, particularly if you want to build your know, like, and trust factors.
You can set up simple email sequences for anything:
- Evergreen funnels for your books
- Email courses
- Cold subscriber re-nurturing
Once you have your email sequences setup, you can get back to doing what you do best, writing your books and inspiring new readers!
