Your Subscriber Surge Giveaway is underway, and new readers are signing up for your mailing list. Exciting, right? But growing your email list is only the first step. The next is turning those new subscribers into readers who look forward to hearing from you.
A little attention early on can go a long way toward building those relationships. Here are our recommendations for welcoming your new subscribers, managing your email list, and setting yourself up for success.
Import Your New Subscribers at Least Once a Week
We recommend downloading and importing your new subscribers into your email marketing platform at least once a week throughout your Subscriber Surge Giveaway.
You don’t have to wait until your giveaway ends to start connecting with your new readers!
Your subscriber CSV file is updated daily and is available to download from your Written Word Media Member Portal throughout the giveaway.
Importing subscribers regularly allows you to welcome readers while their interest is still fresh. After all, someone who entered your giveaway yesterday is more likely to remember signing up than someone who hasn’t heard from you in several weeks.
If you prefer to import only Double opt-in subscribers (more on that below), downloading the updated CSV regularly also helps you capture readers as they complete their email confirmations.
What’s the Best Way to Welcome My New Subscribers?
Once you’ve imported your new subscribers, we recommend sending a welcome email to introduce yourself and remind readers how they joined your mailing list.
Your welcome email should include:
- A friendly introduction: Tell readers a little about yourself and the kinds of books you write.
- A reminder of where they subscribed: Mention that they signed up for your mailing list through the Giveaway. Be specific when mentioning what genre the giveaway was for.
- What they can expect: Let readers know what you’ll be sharing, whether that’s book news, upcoming releases, exclusive content, or occasional updates.
- An easy way to unsubscribe: Include a clear unsubscribe link so readers can opt out if they choose.
Here’s a simple example to get you started:
Subject: Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here
Hi [First Name],
Thanks for joining my mailing list through the Bargain Booksy Thriller Giveaway!
I’m [Author Name], and I write [brief description of your books or genre]. I’m excited to have you here!
As a subscriber, you’ll hear from me about new releases, book recommendations, and occasional behind-the-scenes updates.
I’m looking forward to sharing more stories with you!
Happy reading,
[Author Name]
Remember to include your email platform’s unsubscribe link.
A welcome email doesn’t have to be complicated. The goal is simply to help new subscribers recognize your name, remember why they’re receiving your emails, and feel excited about staying connected.
What’s the Difference Between Single and Double Opt-in Subscribers?
When readers enter a Subscriber Surge Giveaway, they provide their name and email address and check a box agreeing to receive emails from the participating authors they select.
Each reader also receives a confirmation email asking them to confirm their subscription a second time.
Your subscriber CSV identifies which readers have completed that additional step:
- Single opt-in: The reader signed up for your mailing list but hasn’t completed the additional email confirmation.
- Double opt-in: The reader signed up for your mailing list and confirmed their subscription through the follow-up email.
Both groups have opted in to receive your emails. However, Double opt-in subscribers have taken an additional step to confirm their interest.
Some authors prefer to only include Double opt-in subscribers when importing contacts into your mailing list. You can identify them using the Opt-In Type column in your CSV file.
Keep in mind that email marketing platforms may have different requirements for importing subscribers, so it’s always a good idea to review your provider’s policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my email marketing platform asks where my subscribers came from?
Some email service providers (ESPs) may request additional information about how you collected your subscribers, particularly when importing a new list.
If this happens, you can explain that:
- Subscribers signed up directly on a giveaway page and opted in to your mailing list.
- Each reader entered their name and email address and checked a box agreeing to receive emails from the participating authors they selected.
- Every subscriber was sent a Double opt-in confirmation email, and the CSV identifies which readers completed that confirmation.
- These are reader-initiated signups, not purchased or third-party mailing lists.
Your subscriber CSV also includes an Opt-In Date column with the date, time, and time zone of each signup, along with the subscriber’s opt-in type. This information can help document how and when readers subscribed.
If your provider requests verification, review its requirements and share the relevant signup information from your CSV.
What should I do if a subscriber marks my email as spam?
We understand that spam complaints can be concerning, especially when you’re working hard to grow your audience.
Occasionally, a reader may sign up for a giveaway and later mark an email as spam because they’ve forgotten where they subscribed or don’t recognize the sender. This can happen even when someone willingly opted in.
If you receive a spam complaint, follow your email platform’s guidance and make sure the reader is removed or suppressed from future mailings.
To help reduce the likelihood of future complaints, we recommend:
- Sending a welcome email promptly that reminds readers they signed up through the Written Word Media Subscriber Surge Giveaway.
- Including a clear unsubscribe link in every email so readers can easily opt out.
While these steps can’t prevent every spam complaint, they can help readers recognize your emails and keep your mailing list focused on people who want to hear from you.
Can a Single opt-in subscriber become a Double opt-in subscriber later?
Yes! If a reader initially appears as Single opt-in but later confirms their subscription, their status will update to Double in subsequent CSV downloads.
Because your CSV is updated daily, you can check for newly confirmed subscribers throughout your giveaway.
Written Word Media does not send additional confirmation reminders to readers who haven’t completed this step.
Make the Most of Your Growing Email List
A Subscriber Surge Giveaway is a great opportunity to introduce your books to new readers. But the real value of a growing mailing list comes from the relationships you build after readers subscribe.
By importing your subscribers regularly, sending a thoughtful welcome email, and following email marketing best practices, you’ll be laying the groundwork for a stronger connection with your audience.
Looking for more tips? Check out our articles Why Every Author Needs an Email List (and How to Build Yours with Confidence) and Email Marketing for Authors for more guidance on growing and managing your author newsletter.