I plan my newsletter content monthly… in my bullet journal of course. I use the marketing method of content buckets. Content buckets are categories of information used to organize content. I make sure to fill each bucket at least one per month. They are:
Frontlist Bucket where I shout about my upcoming or current release.
Backlist Bucket where I shout about a book or series from my backlist.
Personal Life Bucket where I shout about something from my personal life like visiting a new museum (did you know there’s a National Museum of Poetry), or new hobby (I started crocheting), or my offspring (who still haven’t fully launched from my house in their 20’s!!!!!)
Engagement Bucket where I ask questions to engage my readers and get them to respond with a quiz or a giveaway.
I send newsletters weekly for both of my pen names. I select 1-2 buckets to draw content and place in each newsletter. Here are some ideas for each bucket.
FRONT LIST BUCKET IDEAS
Preorder Announcement
Cover Reveal
Book Blurb with link
Character Interview
Story Inspiration
Teaser
Excerpt
Release Day
Review Request
BACKLIST BUCKET IDEAS
Sales and Discount Announcements
Old Teasers
Social Media Graphics
Bonus Content
Serialize short story from a favorite series or backlist book
PERSONAL LIFE BUCKET IDEAS
Writing Update
Holiday rituals or shenanigans
Family updates
Pet updates
ENGAGEMENT BUCKET IDEAS
Giveaways
Polls
Quizzes (personality, story, character)
Below is a Newsletter Bucket Planner. But like I said earlier, I use my bullet journal to plan. Green is for Shanae where I'm rapid releasing a short reads series. Purple is for Ines where I have a sale and swaps going on all month.
Here’s the link to the PACE YOUR NEWSLETTER PDF