How many email subscribers EXACTLY do you need to get a publisher to take notice? Are all traditional publishers at odds with self- and indie- publishers?
In this conversation with Chad R. Allen, we talk traditional vs self-publishing, what numbers matter, and why you should just DO YOUR ART.
Listen to Create If Writing – Episode 007
Chad has been in publishing for over sixteen years and with Baker Books for over thirteen. His site is an incredible resource with posts like:
6 Things for Writers to Remember When an Editor or Agent Says No
Is This Blocking Your Creativity?
8 Essential Tips for Marketing Your Book on Facebook
The Basics of Building a Platform
He also started the Book Proposal Academy, which walks writers through the steps of writing a killer proposal. While he shoots it straight about what publishers are looking for in terms of numbers, he also offers so much hope and has such a passion for urging on creatives in their work. His book, Do Your Art, is a prime example of this. This interview will hopefully give you some concrete goals to work toward and the inspiration to do so!
You can find more great content on his blog and find him on Twitter and Facebook.
At a Glance
- The constant in publishing is great content.
- Traditional publishers tend to be agnostic about whether books sold are ebooks or physical books.
- Traditional publishers tend to not be as threatened by self-publishing because self-publishing provides a viable option for those publishers turn down and can also be a way to grow enough readers to secure a traditional deal.
- Platform is more accessible today than ever before.
- The “magic number” of email subscribers that will make a publisher interested (in non-fiction) is 10,000.
- Email list is the key metric more than Twitter or Facebook or other social media because the email list is a digital asset you own.
- Offering your content online through blogs or a free ebook is a way to use your content to grow your list.
- A warm list is one that is interactive and interested. Think of those unsubscribes as simply paring down your list to make it warmer.
- To find balance in writing and growing your platform, you need to make specific goals and find a plan that is sustainable.
- Realize that YOU have things to offer and people are longing for what is uniquely yours.
Relevant Links
Why Traditional Publishing Should Kiss Self-Publishing’s Feet
Jane Friedman’s The Future of Reading and Writing
101 Jon Acuff Quotes from Kevin Kaiser (for inspiration!!)
41 Tips That Put Over 10,000 People on My Email List from Blog Tyrant
My Big Takeaway
I loved the idea of thinking of my list as growing warmer as I have people unsubscribe. Chad’s ideas on how to use my current content to grow a warm list also got me thinking about repurposing things that I already have and working on new things. I’m currently trying to find a balance that is sustainable. So far I haven’t figured this out, so let me know if you have!!
What I Want to Know from YOU
What are your current goals? And what content might you currently have to offer for free in order to find and grow your audience?
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