If you’re reading this, chances are good that you also get my email newsletter from Tiny Letter. There is some confusion about which is which since they’re both named Coffee With Dragons. It’s probably further compounded by the fact that this link landed in your inbox from MailChimp, whereas the newsletter (Coffee With Dragons Gazette) lands in your inbox from Tiny Letter.

Here’s the rationale. According to current wisdom, newsletter readers and blog readers are different groups. In my situation, that is not the case. Essentially, signing up to get blog updates puts you on a newsletter list. In both cases, it’s hard to get the word out.

Why do I need to do them? I’m glad you asked. Email lists allow me to communicate directly with readers without relying on social media. It’s the best way to get updates and information to you. It’s kind of the bread and butter for artists who want to get the word out about their work.

My plan is to make this space a little more personal. It will have writing updates, but also garden/cat/family stories. The CWD Gazette newsletter will be based more on the office and writing.

I’m telling you all of this because I need your help. These will be marketing tools for me at some point when I have new things to market. One of the things I’ve learned this year is that marketing isn’t about sales; it’s about relationships. I need to get to know y’all, and you need to get to know me before I ask you to buy and/or promote my work. None of it happens in a vacuum. My life would be easier if it did!

Here’s what I need. Tell your friends about the blog. They can come to the website anytime for updates, or, like you, they can sign up to have them delivered to their email. Seriously, y’all, I can only wear the Coffee With Dragons t-shirt so often. If there is something that will make it easier for you to share, please let me know. Maybe it will help me, too.