If you’re an author who has already started building an email list, read these stats and then pat yourself on the back!

If you haven’t started building your essential email list yet, prepare to be motivated. Here are three important email marketing statistics you can’t overlook.

1. Email is 40 times more effective at acquiring customers than Facebook and Twitter combined.

McKinsey & Company, the source of that statistic, adds that email is only the start of the author’s relationship with the reader. In addition to being thoughtful about what goes into each email message, authors should also about where the link in that message sends the reader. “Landing pages” — website pages with no links that take people off the page — customized to your email message can increase sales by 25 percent.

2. Email offers a 4,300 percent return on investment, according to the Direct Marketing Association.

What’s more, Email Expert reports that every $1 spent on email marketing generates $44.25 on average.

3. 95 percent of those who opt into email messages from brands say the messages are somewhat or very useful.

This statistic from the 2014 Mobile Behavior Report is a good reminder to make sure the content you send to your email list is focused on the recipient — your fans — not the sender — you.

You can’t avoid email any longer

If you still aren’t convinced, read Joan Stewart’s 10 reasons why authors should start building an email list.  Don’t wait any longer to start building your list — you won’t regret it.

What do you like about the email newsletters you receive now? What appeals to you?

Tip of the Month

I always share a “Tip of the Month,” a free resource or tool for authors, on the last Wednesday of the month.

Today it’s one of my own gifts to you.

Download a free copy of my e-book, Author Email Newsletter Samples. It’s 64 pages of actual author email newsletters generously provided by 15 authors who are using email marketing right now to build and nurture their fan base.

Use these examples to get you thinking about what will work best for your newsletter. Make note of what you like and what you don’t like as you scroll through the file.

You can get your copy of Author Email Newsletter Samples here.