Episode 247 - Newsletter Marketing as a Creative Endeavor with Roz Morris
July 16, 2024
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Roz Morris discusses NEWSLETTER MARKETING AS A CREATIVE ENDEAVOR, including how authors can creatively integrate personal stories and ongoing projects into newsletters to engage readers. Roz shares her journey of finding the right content for her newsletter, emphasizing the importance of marketing the author alongside the books. She provides insights into using personal adventures and research anecdotes to connect with the audience. And we also discuss the benefits of interactivity, the role of social media groups, and maintaining a consistent creative output that resonates with readers.
Roz Morris’s novels and memoir have been recognized by major mainstream awards. She’s coached award-winning writers in both fiction and non-fiction, taught creative writing for The Guardian masterclasses, blogged for Writers & Artists Yearbook and been a regular judge on Litopia’s Pop-Up Submissions show, critiquing manuscripts from promising writers.
Links
Roz's Links:
https://rozmorris.org/
https://www.facebook.com/roz.morris.7
https://twitter.com/Roz_Morris/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roz-morris-1102a019/
https://rozmorris.substack.com/
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:3h2h6nqdtxe4liyqemetux5o
https://rozmorris.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyqCAHoKUsq3FOHt5srTfvA/
Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/rozmorriswriter
Matty's Links:
Affiliate links
Events
https://rozmorris.org/
https://www.facebook.com/roz.morris.7
https://twitter.com/Roz_Morris/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roz-morris-1102a019/
https://rozmorris.substack.com/
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:3h2h6nqdtxe4liyqemetux5o
https://rozmorris.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyqCAHoKUsq3FOHt5srTfvA/
Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/rozmorriswriter
Matty's Links:
Affiliate links
Events
I hope you enjoyed this episode! How do you incorporate your creativity in your email newsletters?
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Are you getting value from the podcast? Consider supporting me on Patreon or through Buy Me a Coffee!
Summary
In this episode of The Indy Author Podcast, host Matty Dalrymple and author Roz Morris offer insights into how authors can effectively use newsletters not just for marketing their books, but also for engaging their readers on a more personal level.
Recognizing Marketing as Creative Work
Matty opens the conversation by addressing a common dilemma for writers: the perceived separation between creative work and marketing. She points out that Roz exemplifies how these two can be intertwined, particularly through her engaging newsletter. Roz highlights that her newsletter became a way to embed her creative process, making it relatable and interesting for her audience.
Roz's Goal for Her Newsletter
Roz shares her journey of struggling to find content for her newsletter initially. Influenced by advice from Joanna Penn, she started looking for a unique angle. She felt that most indie authors produced content rapidly, creating template-based newsletters about books, research, and inspirations. In contrast, Roz writes more slowly and in less defined genres.
No Template for Roz's Content
For a long time, Roz didn’t know what to put in her newsletter. Unlike other indie authors who published quickly and followed set templates, Roz struggled to find a model that worked for her. But she eventually found her groove by making her newsletters more personal and reflective of her creative life.
Opening a Window into Your Creative Life for Your Readers
Roz discovered that by sharing personal stories and insights into her creative process, she could keep her audience engaged. She recounts how a travel diary from 2016 led to an idea for a book, which she shared in her newsletter. This approach opened up a more personal way of connecting with her readers, making them feel part of her creative journey.
Marketing the Author as Well as the Works
The conversation shifts to the idea of marketing the author, not just their works. Roz emphasizes that readers are often invested in the author's unique perspective and style. Matty agrees, adding that newsletters succeed when they let the author's personality shine through.
Elements of Roz's Newsletter
Roz outlines the structure of her newsletter, which includes a personal story, updates on current projects, and an ongoing story about her life with her horse. This segmented approach keeps her readers anticipating more, fostering a deeper connection with them. Matty admires this formatting tactic, noting how it encourages readership.
The Challenge of One-Way Communication and Interaction
Matty shares her challenge with newsletters being a one-way communication channel. They discuss creating a two-way interaction by asking readers questions or opinions within the newsletter. This strategy might engage the audience and make them feel more connected.
Giving Subscribers a Glimpse into Your Creative Life
Roz shares an interesting practice: posting a picture of her desk every Monday on her Facebook author page, which asks followers what they are up to. This simple act keeps followers updated about her activities and provides them with a tangible connection to her workflow.
Whether to Differentiate Fiction and Nonfiction Platforms
Matty has separate platforms for her fiction and nonfiction work. She talks about the different content strategies she employs for each, reaffirming the necessity of tailoring content to specific audiences.
Exercising a Fundamental Writing Skill
Roz discusses how writing newsletters can sharpen other writing skills. The challenge of making everyday experiences interesting can help improve storytelling abilities, which can benefit all forms of writing.
Ideas for Newsletter Fodder for Fiction Writers
Matty brainstorms ways to enhance her fiction newsletter by sharing research and behind-the-scenes insights. She suggests including excerpts from her work-in-progress and personal experiences related to her writing research, making the newsletter more engaging.
Conclusion
This conversation between Matty Dalrymple and Roz Morris offers a treasure trove of practical advice for authors looking to improve their newsletters. By intertwining creative work with marketing, sharing personal stories and research, and making the process interactive, authors can cultivate a more engaged and loyal readership. Whether you are an aspiring writer or an established author, these tips can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level.
Recognizing Marketing as Creative Work
Matty opens the conversation by addressing a common dilemma for writers: the perceived separation between creative work and marketing. She points out that Roz exemplifies how these two can be intertwined, particularly through her engaging newsletter. Roz highlights that her newsletter became a way to embed her creative process, making it relatable and interesting for her audience.
Roz's Goal for Her Newsletter
Roz shares her journey of struggling to find content for her newsletter initially. Influenced by advice from Joanna Penn, she started looking for a unique angle. She felt that most indie authors produced content rapidly, creating template-based newsletters about books, research, and inspirations. In contrast, Roz writes more slowly and in less defined genres.
No Template for Roz's Content
For a long time, Roz didn’t know what to put in her newsletter. Unlike other indie authors who published quickly and followed set templates, Roz struggled to find a model that worked for her. But she eventually found her groove by making her newsletters more personal and reflective of her creative life.
Opening a Window into Your Creative Life for Your Readers
Roz discovered that by sharing personal stories and insights into her creative process, she could keep her audience engaged. She recounts how a travel diary from 2016 led to an idea for a book, which she shared in her newsletter. This approach opened up a more personal way of connecting with her readers, making them feel part of her creative journey.
Marketing the Author as Well as the Works
The conversation shifts to the idea of marketing the author, not just their works. Roz emphasizes that readers are often invested in the author's unique perspective and style. Matty agrees, adding that newsletters succeed when they let the author's personality shine through.
Elements of Roz's Newsletter
Roz outlines the structure of her newsletter, which includes a personal story, updates on current projects, and an ongoing story about her life with her horse. This segmented approach keeps her readers anticipating more, fostering a deeper connection with them. Matty admires this formatting tactic, noting how it encourages readership.
The Challenge of One-Way Communication and Interaction
Matty shares her challenge with newsletters being a one-way communication channel. They discuss creating a two-way interaction by asking readers questions or opinions within the newsletter. This strategy might engage the audience and make them feel more connected.
Giving Subscribers a Glimpse into Your Creative Life
Roz shares an interesting practice: posting a picture of her desk every Monday on her Facebook author page, which asks followers what they are up to. This simple act keeps followers updated about her activities and provides them with a tangible connection to her workflow.
Whether to Differentiate Fiction and Nonfiction Platforms
Matty has separate platforms for her fiction and nonfiction work. She talks about the different content strategies she employs for each, reaffirming the necessity of tailoring content to specific audiences.
Exercising a Fundamental Writing Skill
Roz discusses how writing newsletters can sharpen other writing skills. The challenge of making everyday experiences interesting can help improve storytelling abilities, which can benefit all forms of writing.
Ideas for Newsletter Fodder for Fiction Writers
Matty brainstorms ways to enhance her fiction newsletter by sharing research and behind-the-scenes insights. She suggests including excerpts from her work-in-progress and personal experiences related to her writing research, making the newsletter more engaging.
Conclusion
This conversation between Matty Dalrymple and Roz Morris offers a treasure trove of practical advice for authors looking to improve their newsletters. By intertwining creative work with marketing, sharing personal stories and research, and making the process interactive, authors can cultivate a more engaged and loyal readership. Whether you are an aspiring writer or an established author, these tips can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level.