How to Build an Author Email List Before Your Book Exists

You do not need a published book—or even a finished manuscript—to start building an author email list.In fact, waiting until launch week can leave you trying to market your book to an empty room.In this video, I’ll show you how to build an author email list from scratch before your book exists. We’ll cover what you can offer when you do not have a finished book, how to create a reader magnet, what your signup page should say, the first emails to include in your welcome sequence, and how to find your first subscribers without spamming everyone you know.I’ll also explain how fiction and nonfiction authors should approach email differently, how to attract readers rather than only other writers, and what you can send in a newsletter when you do not have major book news yet.By the end of the video, you will have a simple 30-day plan for creating your first author newsletter system. In this video, you’ll learn:▪️Why authors should start an email list before publishing ▪️How to decide who your newsletter is for ▪️What to offer when your book is not finished ▪️How to create a reader magnet that attracts the right audience ▪️What to include on your email signup page ▪️The four emails I would put in a welcome sequence ▪️How to find your first 100 subscribers ▪️What to send when you do not have a book to promote ▪️Common author newsletter mistakes ▪️A simple 30-day email-list planYour email list does not need to be huge. It needs to give interested readers a clear way to stay connected until your book is ready.Comment below: What do you write, and what could you offer as your reader magnet—a short story, prequel, bonus scene, checklist, first chapter, or something else?Subscribe for more practical videos about writing, self-publishing, book marketing, author platforms, and building a sustainable author career.Mentioned resourcesWritten Word Media’s 2025 Indie Author Survey:https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/2025-indie-author-survey-results-insights-into-self-publishing-for-authors/BookFunnel:https://authors.bookfunnel.com/MailerLite for authors:https://www.mailerlite.com/email-marketing-by-industry/authorsWatch next: https://youtu.be/US3u0XBZUfw?si=WnvPQzoqcV9LAf0x

✨Timestamps ✨00:00 Intro05:08 What are you actually building?10:19 Define your reader promise14:05 What can you offer before the book excists21:39 The simple technical setup26:26 The four-email welcome sequence31:09 How to get your first 100-subscribers35:29 What do you send when there’s no book38:21 The biggest mistakes40:39 Your 30-day plan