Which Book Marketing Tactic Wins: Blogs or Newsletters? You May Be Surprised!

Let's compare, writers...

In case you missed it the first time!

Do writers need both? Well, that depends on your goals. Do you want followers or subscribers? Let’s discuss…

Photo by Ronnie Overgoor on Unsplash

Many writers who start on their author platform journey ask this: Blog? Newsletter? Both? Big believer in blog posts IF you’ve learned how to optimize them for Google. If that’s not your thing, a newsletter might be a better option.

Or do both! It all depends on you and your abilities, time, and budget.

The core difference between a blog and a newsletter lies in the format, distribution, and engagement strategies. Let's delve into these distinctions:

Format and Content:

• Blog: A blog is a regularly updated website or web page, typically run by an individual or small group and written in an informal or conversational style. You can visit my blog here.
  
  Blogs often focus on a specific topic, such as writing or social media marketing, and can range from instructional articles to personal narratives. They're publicly accessible on the internet.

• Newsletter: A newsletter is a regular email sent to subscribers containing news, updates, and curated content about a specific topic, typically sent weekly or monthly (sometimes quarterly). I share newsletters from here on Substack weekly, and on my biz blog, every few months.
  
  Unlike a blog, a newsletter goes directly to the personal inboxes of your audience. It's more personal and often includes exclusive content not available elsewhere. Learn more about how to grow your newsletter here:

Distribution and Reach:

• Blog: The reach of a blog is generally wider since it's accessible to anyone on the internet. Blogs can attract new audiences through search engine optimization (SEO) and social media sharing.
  
  Be sure to check out #MondayBlogs on X (formerly Twitter), a hashtag I started ten years ago to help writers share blog posts on Mondays. Why? To increase followers and visits to our site.
  
  New, old, whatever, doesn’t matter. Just NOT for book promo.

• Newsletter: Newsletters are sent to a list of subscribers who have opted in to receive updates from you. Opt-in is important; otherwise, it’s considered spam. More here from American Express.
  
  This creates a more dedicated and engaged audience, but the reach is limited to your subscriber list (unless you’re here on Substack!).

Engagement and Interaction:

• Blog: Interaction on a blog usually happens through comments or shares on social media platforms. This can foster a sense of community, but the interaction is less personal than with a newsletter.
  
  Be aware though - people leave blog comments less and less due to social media (easier to leave a comment on a Facebook post than click over to someone’s post and then scroll to comment).
  

• Newsletter: Since newsletters land directly in personal inboxes, they often feel more intimate and can foster stronger connections with your audience. Subscribers can reply directly to you, enabling one-on-one conversations.

  

  Photo by Windows on Unsplash

Control and Analytics:

• Blog: With a blog, you have complete control over the content and design. Analytics from blogging platforms can provide insights into reader demographics, engagement, and behavior.
  

• Newsletter: Newsletters give you control over who receives your content, often with built-in features and formatting. Email analytics can offer detailed insights into open rates, click rates, and subscriber behavior.
  

Content Lifespan and Visibility:

• Blog: Blogs have a longer content lifespan. Once published, blog posts remain accessible and can continue to attract readers over time, especially if they are optimized for search engines. You can also reshare them frequently on socials.
  

• Newsletter: Newsletters have a more immediate but shorter lifespan. They are impactful when first received but typically don't have the enduring visibility of blog posts.

Ultimately, both blogs and newsletters can be powerful tools when used with strategic intention. A blog can attract new readers through SEO and social media sharing, while a newsletter can deepen relationships with existing clients and readers.

As an author and book marketer, I see both blogs and newsletters as necessary to your author platform, not either/or.

So, what’s your goal? Can either lead to book sales? That’s the million-dollar question. I believe yes, as long you’re strategic, consistent, and not overly salesy. What about you?

Coming up:

My next #BookMarketingChat is on the first Wednesday of the month, so 6/5 at 2 pm PST on X(formerly Twitter). Follow me there @BadRedheadMedia

Bye!