Guest post by Deidre Rienzo Ray:

Start a newsletter now. 

Why? 

Because in 8 years, you might be making 10k a month from a subscriber.

A few months ago I got an email.

Hi, Deidre. I was passed along your information from my Creative Director who has been a long time subscriber of your newsletter. We are impressed with your portfolio of web copy and wanted to see if there was an opportunity to work together.

Apparently I met this creative director 8 years ago at a conference. She had been receiving my emails all that time. (Because when I met her, I most likely said, “Would you mind if I stay in touch by signing you up for my email newsletter.”) I didn’t really remember her, but evidently my newsletters kept me fresh in her mind. What an honor, right?

The result? A super-cool relationship, a fun variety of projects, and cha-ching!

On our call, this creative director told me, “We are tired of working with just-okay copywriters. We are ready for the real deal — YOU.” 

Wild, right?

This isn’t the only time something like this has happened.

One of my clients is a trade association. Know how I got them? Because one day I received an email that said this:

Hi Deidre. My colleague forwarded me your latest newsletter. It really caught my attention so I’d like to set up a time to chat. I’ve provided some days early next week to chat. Let me know what works best for you.

The result? An ongoing relationship, and more cha-ching!

Over the years, my newsletter connections have sent me so much work. I get replies like this:

- I’ve been meaning to reach out. Can you give me a price for this?

-I didn’t realize you do blog posts, too! Can we talk?

- I feel like I know you from your newsletters! I’m ready to work together. 

This isn’t even counting the happy conversations my newsletter has sparked, the relationships I’ve strengthened, and joy that those things have created in my life. 

I just sent this newsletter and received this reply from Mary Ann Harr Grinde, a beautiful, sweet and incredibly talented harpist I had the pleasure of working with years ago.

Dear Deidre, I LOVE the day I receive another Connect with Copy newsletter. You plant encouraging and intriguing seeds . . . I wish you were here with me on my patio enjoying birdsong and blue sky. In a way you are! I think I’ll add an eggplant to my grocery list. Thank you for the possibilities you awake with every letter.  

With gratitude and sincerity,  Mary Ann Harr Grinde

I mean, come on! Right? I cried and laughed, and my heart felt so warm.

Whichever way you slice it, a newsletter is worth it.

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Hi, I’m Deidre. In my posts, I talk about my voyage down the road of self-employment as a web copywriter, my achievements and roadblocks along the way, and what I’m learning as I go (with Marketing Mentor as my guide). To keep in touch, sign up for my un-newsletter here and get my freebie download, 12 Sparks to Write Sizzling, Audience-Attracting Website Words.