Author Nation: State of the Nation Beyond Books: Mastering the Reader Experience with David Viergutz
8 snips
Feb 20, 2025 
David Viergutz, a bestselling horror author known for his immersive storytelling and innovative marketing, joins to discuss transforming casual readers into loyal fans. He shares insights on building direct sales and utilizing ScareMail for deeper connections. From evolving into a multimedia storyteller to mastering pricing strategies for profitability, David emphasizes engagement and personalization. This engaging conversation dives into the importance of community building and crafting memorable reader experiences, applicable to any genre.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Early Amazon Struggles
- David Viergutz initially published 15 horror novels exclusively on Amazon KDP.
- Despite building an email list of 30,000 subscribers, he struggled to gain traction and earn a substantial income.
Broaden Storytelling Approach
- Consider broadening your focus from being a novelist to a storyteller, exploring various mediums.
- Viergutz experimented with short stories on YouTube, monetizing them through AdSense, which provided new income streams.
Direct Store Launch and Unsubscribes
- Viergutz launched his own direct store and removed his books from Kindle Unlimited (KU).
- He offered readers a choice: buy directly from him or unsubscribe, leading to 2,500 unsubscribes and Mailchimp account suspension.