Hello !

About an hour ago (for some, a few hours ago) you should have received an email from authordonnabarker@gmail.com, inviting you to access a Google sheet called "Coloring Book #1-Downloads."

If you did not get the email, deleted it not knowing who that person was, or can't access the file, let me know and I'll forward a .csv and a .xls file.

Together we collected just around 500 names and email addresses. I'm quite pleased with that result, given this was a first-time experiment and sometimes it felt like I was throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what would stick!

Sending your first email to this new list

The email collector with the BookFunnel download of the coloring book contained this text:

By downloading your copy of The Romance Coloring Challenge, you are agreeing to receive emails from the participating authors.

The first time you mail those 500 names, you should remind people that that's how you got their address.

Keep that first message short with just one call-to-action: click over to my website.

Having these new names on your list click that link will tell your mail delivery system that this recipient wants your emails. That's good for your deliverability rank!

Here's a simple sample first email. Please DO NOT copy this word-for-word. It's copied from Mira Lynn Kelly's first message. In my opinion, its excellent - but it is hers, so consider using the format and make it yours!

Hi <First Name>, 

I see you looking around a bit confused about how you scored front row seats in this VIP paradise… no worries, you opted in through the Romance Lovers Coloring Book & Reader Challenge. 

In case we haven't met yet, I'm <your name>, <your bestseller or award status>, and I write <your tagline or tropes>. 

I can't wait to get to know you a little better, so I'll be back in a few days. But in the mean time, if you'd like to know more about me and my books, hop on over to my website and have a look around… 

BUTTON link to your website.

<Your sign-off>,

<your name>

If confused readers reply to you...

Oddly, not everyone who gave their email address actually downloaded the coloring book. The data shows that there were 415 downloads... so that means at least 75 people may be wondering what the heck you're talking about. Or they may write you back to ask for a copy of the coloring book since their link is probably not going to work anymore.

If you downloaded the PDF from BookFunnel, by all means, forward it to anyone who asks. It's the one that is sized 8.5 x 11. If you don't have it, let me know and I'll forward it to you.

Please note that the BookFunnel version of the coloring book is different than the PayHip version for $5.

The PayHip and Amazon versions are the same - they have about 15 more coloring pages, are higher resolution, are square (8.5 x 8.5) and have the quotes from your books. So if by chance you buy the PayHip printable, do not share that with folks on your list who need the BookFunnel copy.

I hope that makes sense!

The website

Stage one of the project is done. Phew! But there's still loads of life left in the potential for you to reach new readers with the coloring book and the website—where your recommended title will always have a seat at the bar!

https://www.romancecoloringchallenge.com/all-the-heroes/

You can direct your readers to your specific page and run contests to have them upload their colored pictures to social media with the #ColorfulRomance hashtag. If we all do this, we'll continue to boost everyone's coloring page and your recommended read!

Printable version of the coloring book

Now that the list-building element is done, I'm going to start to promote the printable version of the coloring book which is available for $5 on PayHip.

https://payhip.com/romancelovers

If you'd like to share the link, and earn affiliate income from anyone who buys it with your link, let me know. I'll set that up and happily give you 25% of every sale you generate.

Next steps

I still have a few loose ends to tie up - like getting everyone listed as an author on the Goodreads version of the coloring book.

if you haven't given me the Goodreads link to your author page, please reply and let me know what it is. I need them all before I upload any since GR wants them in alpha order...

And I'm still going to make the book marks with your page. I will get to these things. I promise... I just have a some 'real book' deadlines to tackle in the next week and then I'll get back these important but not urgent category tasks!

Onto the next project!

I had so much fun working with every single author in this project. I hope you enjoyed what we created together and continue to have fun with your coloring page. Use the Facebook group to share your ideas and wins and pictures of how people have colored your page.

If by chance you're not yet in the FB group and would like to join, here's the link. https://www.facebook.com/groups/romancecoloringchallengeauthors/

xo,

Donna (aka Danika)