Unlocking an Author’s Most Powerful Marketing Tool

Social media can vanish overnight, algorithms can bury your posts, but an email list is forever. Every address you collect is a key—one that unlocks a direct doorway to your readers, no gatekeepers, no middlemen. It’s not just marketing; it’s building a home for your audience.

Collecting email addresses is the single most powerful marketing tool for authors because it gives you direct, lasting access to your readers. Unlike social media, where algorithms decide who sees your posts, your email list is yours to control.

As an up-and-coming author, you should start collecting email addresses today! Don’t wait until you have a published book in your hands. However, if you have a book in hand, it’s not too late.

Key Reasons Authors Should Collect Email Addresses:

·        You own your list. Social media platforms can change rules or disappear, but your email list is an asset you control. 

·        Direct line to readers. Email bypasses noisy feeds and puts your message straight into your readers’ inboxes. 

·        Build lasting relationships. Regular emails nurture trust and loyalty, turning casual readers into lifelong fans.

·        Boost book launches. Announcing new releases directly to your list drives immediate sales and reviews. 

·        Exclusive offers and promotions. You can share discounts, giveaways, or sneak peeks to reward subscribers and encourage engagement.

·        Better sales conversion. Email marketing consistently outperforms social media in converting interest into purchases. 

·        Community building. Your list becomes a hub for your readers, fostering a sense of belonging and anticipation for your work. 

·        Long‑term career growth. A strong list ensures you’re not dependent on external platforms, giving you stability and independence. 

An email list is more than a marketing tool—it’s your foundation for sustainable success. It ensures that every book launch, every announcement, and every personal note reaches the people who care most about your work. 

If you don’t have an email list yet, not to worry. It’s easy to set up.

There are several Email Marketing Service (EMS) providers. The two leading email providers are Mailchimp and Mailerlite. Please take some time to evaluate both. Both have free plans available.

In short, I have learned that MailerLite is best if you want affordable, beginner-friendly email marketing with generous free limits and straightforward tools.

Mailchimp is stronger for data-driven campaigns with analytics, but its free plan is more restrictive, and pricing climbs faster.

For authors (like your blog audience), MailerLite often wins because of its simplicity, lower cost, and generous free plan.

I use Mailerlite. One deciding factor for some authors is the ease with which they can set up automations in Mailerlite. Also, Mailerlite allows you to set up a website and/or landing pages. Mailchimp only allows you to set up landing pages.

For those who are interested, I have included a MailerLite/MailChimp comparison below.

Meet me back here in two weeks for my next blog post and discover how we will collect those email addresses.

Here’s a clear chart comparing MailerLite and Mailchimp in 2025, highlighting pricing, features, and usability.

Starting Price:

MailerLite - $10/month (500 subscribers, unlimited emails) Mailchimp - $13/month (500 subscribers, 5,000 emails/month)

Free Plan:

MailerLite - 500 subscribers, 12,000 emails/month Mailchimp - 500 subscribers, 1,000 emails/month

Ease of Use:

MailerLite - Simple, intuitive interface; beginner-friendly Mailchimp -More complex; steeper learning curve

Automation:

MailerLite - Solid automation workflows, straightforward setup Mailchimp -Advanced automation with predictive insights  

Templates & Design:

MailerLite - Clean, modern templates; fewer but easy to customize Mailchimp -Larger template library; more design flexibility

Website & Landing Pages:

MailerLite - Built-in website builder and landing pages Mailchimp -Landing pages available, but less integrated

Analytics:

MailerLite - Clear, simple reporting Mailchimp -Deeper analytics, AI-driven insights

Reputation & Ratings:

MailerLite - G2: 4.6, Trustpilot: 4.3, Capterra: 4.7 Mailchimp - G2: 4.3, Trustpilot: 2.8, Capterra: 4.5

Best For:

MailerLite - Authors, small businesses, creators who want affordability and simplicity MailChimp - Larger businesses needing complex automation and analytics