Should Authors have a Newsletter?

There are indie authors in both camps. The ones that feel newsletters are critically important. Then those that do not feel they are important for readers. There are two problems with newsletters. The first is some readers start out wanting to read the newsletter that is delivered to their email. This might be weekly, every two weeks, or monthly.

Newsletter Problems

Problems come in when their email boxes start filling up and they decide they just do not have time to read them. The newsletters sit in their inbox, spam folder, or get deleted without being read. Another problem with newsletters is while people sign up for them.
It is getting the exact readers the author sending the newsletter aims to get. But it leaves out many other readers that might read in that genre. But do not get that newsletter.

Blogs and Readers

The other camp of authors believe that promoting their blog gives all readers of their genre a chance to catch up on their news. Old and new books they offer and where to find them. One drawback of this method is that it omits a lot of the personal touch that is often found in newsletters. However, this can be included in blog posts.

The Question

The question is which do readers prefer? Readers can choose between following the blog when they come across it through a simple search or in the back matter of the author’s books, or receiving a newsletter in their email inbox.

Does it matter what genre whether a newsletter is better or blog posts? Is one genre better in a newsletter or does it not matter? Do readers like to see what other authors in the same genre offer? Or maybe a free sample of the book, like a few chapters?

Though free chapters can be in an author’s blog, with the reader keeping their email inbox for emails they do want to read.

In the end, it comes down to what readers prefer, the blog or a newsletter delivered to your inbox.