“Every email I send, my revenue goes up.”
That’s how Maurizio Leo, NYT bestselling author of The Perfect Loaf, describes the relationship between email and his million-dollar education business. Not social media posts. Not YouTube videos. Email.
Maurizio isn’t manually crafting every email. He’s not sitting down each week to personally welcome new subscribers, pitch his book, or ask for reviews. He built those systems once, and now they run 24/7 while he focuses on creating recipes, writing, and teaching. That’s the difference between authors who are drowning in to-dos and authors who’ve built businesses that scale. The secret isn’t working harder—it’s building smarter email systems that do the work for you.
If you’re still manually following up with every new subscriber, waiting for the “right moment” to pitch your book, or forgetting to ask readers for reviews, you’re leaving money on the table. More importantly, you’re trading your time for tasks that could be automated.
We’ve developed five email automations that are essential for email marketing for authors. They create a flywheel to turn readers into subscribers, subscribers into buyers, and buyers into advocates, all running in the background while you focus on what only you can do.
All the templates are ready to use in Kit and can help fuel your book sales funnel:
- Welcome Automation template
- Book Exclusive Lead Magnet automation template
- Free Book Chapter automation template
- Book Pitch automation template
- Ask for a Review automation template
Why email automations matter for authors (and why most don’t use them)
When Dorie Clark switched to Kit in 2017, she had a clear goal: create 50% of her income from passive sources. She was exhausted from constant travel for speaking gigs and wanted to build a more sustainable business.
Her solution? Automated email sequences that delivered value to subscribers over time, building trust and relationships without “shouty” sales tactics. Within 18 months of setting up her automations, she made $269,000 from her online course—all while maintaining over 40% open rates on her emails.
I would rather them respect me and three years from now and buy a $2,500 product rather than harass them today so they spend $50 and then immediately unsubscribe.
That’s the power of automation done right. You build systems that work continuously in the background, nurturing relationships and driving revenue while you write your next book, teach your course, or simply take a break.
The author automation flywheel: how it all connects
These five automations aren’t isolated tactics. They’re interconnected growth loops that feed into each other for the ideal author marketing strategy:
Lead magnets (book exclusive resource + free chapter) bring new readers from different entry points
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Welcome automation builds trust and demonstrates your expertise
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Book pitch automation converts engaged subscribers into buyers
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Review request automation turns buyers into advocates
Those advocates leave reviews that attract new readers who download your lead magnets, and the cycle continues. Each automation makes the others more effective. Set them up once, and they create continuous growth while you focus on creating.
5 book marketing automations every author needs for email list growth
1. The author welcome sequence (your #1 revenue driver)
The benefit: Build trust from day one and establish yourself as a valuable resource in subscribers’ lives.
Every author should have a standard welcome automation where most (if not all) new subscribers flow through after receiving their lead magnet. This isn’t just “thanks for subscribing.” It’s your chance to start a real relationship, demonstrate your expertise, and show why opening your emails is worth their time.
How to set it up in Kit:
- Set the trigger. This automation is triggered by the “Start – Welcome Automation” tag (which your lead magnet automations apply after delivering their content, more on lead magnets below!).
- Create your sequence. In Kit, import the Authors Welcome Automation template, which includes a short 2-email sequence:
- Email 1: Sends immediately. Welcome them, deliver on whatever promise brought them to your list, share your story.
- Email 2: Sends 7 days later. Provide valuable content, explain your expertise, introduce your book naturally as the next step.
- Configure sending. Set the first email to send any day of the week. For the second email, consider excluding the day you send your regular newsletter.
- Add the exit logic. At the end of the sequence, the automation checks: Does this subscriber have the “Book Buyer” tag?
- No tag: Apply “Start – Book pitch” tag to send them to the book pitch automation
- Has tag: Exit (they’re already a buyer and will receive the review request automation)
- Activate. Review everything and flip to Active.
Why this works: Focus on value first. Don’t rush to sell—build trust by serving their needs generously. The sales will follow.
2. Lead magnet: Book-exclusive email course (or resource)
The benefit: Turn book buyers into email subscribers and segment your list automatically.
If you’re publishing a book, include an exclusive bonus resource available only through a link printed in the book. Your book-exclusive lead magnet can be an email course, workbook, toolkit, or bonus chapter—anything high-quality that complements your book’s content. This has two major benefits:
- It captures readers who bought your book but aren’t on your email list yet
- It automatically tags confirmed book buyers, regardless of where they purchased
How to set it up in Kit:
- Create your resource. If it’s an email course, plan 3-7 emails delivering valuable content over several days. If it’s a download, prepare your PDF.
- Set up the form. In Kit, import the Book Exclusive Lead Magnet automation template. Edit the form’s visual style to match your brand. Configure (or disable) the incentive email—this is your double opt-in confirmation.
- Build the landing page. Embed the form on a landing page hosted on your website using the JavaScript snippet (recommended—it auto-updates when you change the form in Kit). The URL to this page gets printed in your book.
- Create your sequence. Fill in subject lines and email content. Set the first email to send immediately, then space subsequent emails one day apart (or adjust the cadence to avoid your regular newsletter days).
- Configure settings. Set your sending time and time zone. Decide if subscribers can restart the sequence (usually “No” for lead magnets).
- Activate. Double-check your form, tags, email content, links, and scheduling. Then flip the automation to Active.
Why this works: When book readers fill out this form, Kit automatically tags them as “Book Buyer” and delivers your resource. You now know exactly who bought your book, even if they purchased from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or anywhere else.
Download the 6-month book launch plan to see what a strategic email approach looks like in real life. Get real strategies successful authors actually use—with timelines, tactics, and systems you can adapt to fit your launch. All for free.
3. Lead magnet: Free book chapter
The benefit: Give readers a risk-free preview of your writing while growing your list.
A free chapter removes the biggest barrier between a curious browser and a potential buyer. They get to experience your writing before committing to purchase. Of course, that means you should choose your chapter strategically. Not necessarily chapter one, but the chapter that showcases your unique voice, delivers immediate value, and creates curiosity about what comes next.
How to set it up in Kit:
- Prepare your chapter. Create a beautifully formatted PDF of your best chapter—this is a first impression.
- Set up the form. Import the Free Book Chapter automation template in Kit. Style the form and configure the incentive email. Embed it on a landing page on your website.
- Create the delivery email. Write one email that sends immediately with a link to download the chapter. Make sure each day of the week is checked so the email sends regardless of when someone subscribes.
- Connect to your welcome sequence. After subscribers receive the chapter, the automation waits 1 day, then applies the “Start – Welcome Automation” tag, sending them to your main welcome sequence.
- Activate. Review and activate the automation.
Why this works: This automation scales beautifully. You can have one lead magnet automation or twenty, and they all end by applying the same “Start – Welcome Automation” tag, funneling subscribers to your central welcome sequence.
Tip: Reference your free chapter everywhere your ideal readers hang out—podcast interviews, YouTube videos, social posts. Each mention is a new on-ramp to your email list.
4. Book pitch automation
The benefit: Convert engaged subscribers into book buyers at the moment they’re most receptive.
Not everyone is ready to buy immediately. Some need to get to know you first, see your expertise in action, and understand exactly how your book will help them. This automation waits until subscribers have been warmed up by your welcome sequence, then introduces your book with a compelling pitch.
How to set it up in Kit:
- Set the trigger. This automation is triggered when the “Start – Book pitch” tag is applied by the Welcome Automation (only for subscribers who aren’t already book buyers).
- Add the wait period. Subscribers wait 7 days after entering this automation before receiving the first pitch email. This gives them time to receive and engage with your welcome sequence.
- Create your pitch sequence. By default, this is a single email. You can add more if desired:
- Email 1: Your best sales pitch for why they should buy your book. Remind them of the problem it solves, share reader transformation stories, address objections, include a clear call-to-action.
- Email 2 (optional): If adding more emails, space them at least a week apart to avoid overwhelming your audience.
- Set email timing. Configure the first email to send immediately after the 7-day wait. Adjust sending days if needed to avoid conflicts with your regular newsletter.
- Activate. Review and activate the automation.
Tip: The template includes one tag and one sequence as well as some email copy guidance to help you craft a compelling pitch that feels helpful, not salesy.
5. Ask for a review automation
The benefit: Dramatically increase your 5-star reviews on Amazon (and anywhere else).
Reviews are social proof that sells books. But most authors ask once, if at all. This automation asks every buyer at the optimal moment—after they’ve had time to read and benefit from your book.
How it works: When someone is tagged “Start – Ask for a Review” (which happens when they access your book-exclusive lead magnet or make a purchase), they enter this automation. After a 2-week delay, they receive a single email asking: “How would you rate the book?”
The email contains clickable links for each rating:
- 5 Stars! 🤩
- 4 Stars! 😃
- 3 Stars! 🙂
- 2 Stars! 😐
- 1 Star! 🙁
Click 5 stars: They’re sent to a landing page thanking them and providing instructions for leaving an Amazon review.
Click less than 5 stars: They’re sent to a landing page that thanks them for their feedback (and optionally collects more specific input).
How to set it up in Kit:
- Create your landing pages. You need two:
- 5-star page: Thank them and give clear instructions for leaving an Amazon review (include the direct link)
- 4-stars-or-less page: Thank them for their feedback (optionally link to a survey for more details)
- Set up the sequence. Import the Ask for a Review template and choose which email version you prefer (the template includes two styling options). Replace the placeholder content, then link each rating option to the appropriate landing page.
- Configure timing. The first email sends immediately after the 2-week wait period. Set your sending time and time zone.
- Activate. Review all links and activate the automation.
Why this works: By filtering out potentially negative reviews before they hit Amazon, you protect your book’s rating while still collecting valuable feedback from readers who weren’t completely satisfied.
What automations do for your author business
Here’s what it looks like when automations grow your author platform automatically:
- A potential reader discovers your podcast episode and clicks the link to download your free book chapter. Kit automatically delivers it and tags them to start your welcome sequence. Over the next week, they receive emails demonstrating your expertise. They’re hooked.
- Seven days after finishing the welcome sequence, they receive your book pitch. They see testimonials from readers who were transformed by your framework. They buy the book.
- When they complete the purchase (or access your book-exclusive resource), they’re tagged “Book Buyer” and “Start – Ask for a Review.” Two weeks later, they receive your rating request. They click 5 stars, get clear instructions, and leave a glowing review on Amazon.
- That review attracts the next reader who discovers your free chapter, and the flywheel spins again.
Meanwhile, you’re writing your next book, recording your podcast, or teaching your course. The system runs in the background—building your list, driving sales, collecting reviews, increasing lifetime reader value—24/7.
Build these automations in minutes with Kit
Building these automations takes work upfront. You’ll need to write emails, create lead magnets, design landing pages, and configure the Visual Automations in Kit. Here’s what makes it worth it: build once, benefit forever. And we’ve made it easy for you to get started with some free templates specifically designed to kickstart your author marketing funnel and strategy.
Each template includes pre-built automation flows, sample email copy, and step-by-step setup instructions. Just import them into your Kit account, customize the content to match your book and brand, and activate. Don’t try to build all five at once. Start with what will make the biggest impact for where you are now:
- Just published or about to launch? Start with the book pitch automation and review request automation.
- Building your list? Focus on the two lead magnets and welcome automation first.
- Already have subscribers but low engagement? Your welcome automation needs work.
The key is to start. Each automation you add makes the others more effective. Your list grows faster. Your book sales increase. Your reviews accumulate. The flywheel spins and you get back to doing what only you can do—writing and creating.
Ready to automate your author business? Kit’s Visual Automations make it easy to build these systems without needing a technical background. Start your 14-day free trial and access all five automation templates mentioned in this post—no credit card required.
