Yes! Many authors have started with 0 subscribers, and you can too! You can setup a Reader Magnet landing page and request to join group promos or arrange newsletter swaps even if you have 0 subscribers on your mailing list.
Build your author email list
Want more subscribers on your mailing list? Cross-promote your reader magnets on StoryOrigin
Success stories! Email list-building in action.
Using the Reader Magnets feature, I grew my email list from 0 to over 1000 subscribers in the first year, and continued to multiply every year after that.
Amanda KaiBy finding reader magnet newsletter swaps that fit my genre, I was able to grow my list to over 1200 subscribers in just 18 newsletter issues.
Len M. RuthStoryOrigin is a godsend in helping me build up my network. I got over 400 subscribers in one month.
Ellen MintStoryOrigin has helped me build my mailing list from 0 to over 4k by signing up for Group Promos and author Newsletter Swaps promoting my Reader Magnets.
Bella BlairStoryOrigin's Reader Magnets feature has helped me build my mailing list from about 3k subscribers to over 12k in a little more than a year, and it is still growing.
M.C. FrankI decided to use StoryOrigin to build my mailing list from scratch... my list went from 0 in December 2023 to over 1000 engaged subscribers in March 2024.
Stephen BentleyBuild your mailing list with cross-promos
Integrate Email Services
Reader contact info will automatically be sent to integrated email service providers
Integrating Is Optional
No integration? No problem! Download your sign-ups as a CSV file
Designed for GDPR
Designed to comply with GDPR and other regulations by default
Easy Downloads
Readers can download files directly to their preferred e-reader
Reader tech support
StoryOrigin handles tech support for any readers that run into issues
Multiply Your Reach
Promote your giveaway via Group Promos or Newsletter Swaps
(Optional) Integrate Your Email Service Provider
MailChimp
MailerLite
SendFox
ActiveCampaign
AWeber
ConvertKit
EmailOctopus
Author.Email
Sendy
A Beautiful Page for Your Freebie
Entice readers to sign up to your email list with a free short story, book, anthology, etc.
Send traffic to your landing page with Group Promos feature or Newsletter Swaps feature.
Collect Signups for Your Email List
StoryOrigin handles delivering the ebook file and providing reader tech support.
Have a reader that runs into trouble an emails you? Just reply and CC us on the email.
Integrate Your Email Service Provider
Automatically send reader contact info to your email service provider.
Or, download a CSV of the readers that signed up to get your Reader Magnet, and upload it to any email service provider.
Put It On Your Domain
Remove the StoryOrigin branding and make the page yours.
StoryOrigin can host the page on own domain using the Website Builder feature.
Ready to grow your mailing list?
Create Reader Magnet Landing Page Video Tutorial
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What do I need to get started?
You should have an account on an email service provider (like MailerLite, MailChimp, etc.). That's where you will design / send your newsletters. StoryOrigin is just used for arranging cross-promotions.
I recommend starting MailerLite, which generally considered user-friendly and affordable.
You should also have written a reader magnet - a download that you give to readers when they sign up to your mailing list.
Many authors use a 10-20K short story prequel to their book or series as a reader magnet, though you could also use an anthology of short stories, an extended epilogue, etc. as a reader magnet.
Once you've written your reader magnet, you can convert it to an EPUB with StoryOrigin.
I have 0 subscribers. Can I grow my mailing list from scratch?
Is there a checklist I can follow?
Yes! You can find a checklist of steps to follow if you:
- Go here: https://storyoriginapp.com/dashboard
- Hit the "1) Build mailing list" text box
I have more questions. Is there an in-depth guide on building an email list?
Yes! So funny you asked. You can an in-depth guide to author email list building here.
Do I need to upload my mailing list to StoryOrigin?
No, StoryOrigin is not an email service provider (like MailerLite, MailChimp, etc.).
StoryOrigin is used to collect sign-ups to your mailing list using the Reader Magnet landing page feature.
You would then add the contacts you've collected with StoryOrigin to your email service provider.
Can I use StoryOrigin without integrating my email service provider?
Yes! Integrating your email service provider with StoryOrigin is always optional.
You can always download a CSV of sign-ups you've gotten from your Reader Magnet landing page and then manually upload those to whichever email service provider you use.
Consolidate & Simplify! StoryOrigin does it all.
Testimonials! StoryOrigin, the author tools you need.
Is there a 5 star rating system on this? Because StoryOrigin is at least 6 stars. At least! I've used the other platforms... and none of them approach the flexibility and power of StoryOrigin
W.H. LockI used to use several sites and groups to facilitate things like newsletter swaps, multi-author book promos, reader magnets, and reviews, but I can do it all and better on StoryOrigin.
A. F. StewartI love StoryOrigin. I've used other sites for promotions and newsletter swaps but this one is easier and more author-focused. Highly recommend for new or serious authors.
Gina KincadeStoryOrigin changed my life, and it's the BEST tool that actually works with increasing sales, subscribers, and reaching new readers.
Anca-Melinda Coliolu... compared to a lot of similar sites designed to help authors, StoryOrigin has the best UI, the most features and a great community of authors.
Dave WalshStoryOrigin is absolutely the must-have author tool. You can build your newsletter list with interested people, sell your books, find newsletter swaps, get reviews, and more
Katherine GilbertHave more questions? Just shoot me an email
