In this power-packed session, USA Today bestselling author Russell Nohelty sits down with Shiv Chibber from Kit to break down the exact email marketing system that powers Russell's business—using automation, segmentation, and recommendations to nurture, segment, and monetize a large and loyal audience.

Together, they explore how authors can build robust email ecosystems using Kit’s tools, starting from reader acquisition and ending with automated sequences that run on autopilot for years. If you're looking for a smart, sustainable way to grow your reader base and revenue—this episode is your playbook.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

1. Start With a Strong Entry Point (Lead Magnet)

* Russell uses a prequel novella to invite readers into his 12-book Godsverse series.

* The novella is offered for free in exchange for an email address using BookFunnel or Kit's native landing pages.

* It’s critical to start building your list as early as possible—even if you only have one book.

2. You Need More Than 1,000 True Fans

* The “1,000 true fans” concept sounds nice, but you need thousands more casual or curious readers to get there.

* Russell has added over 250,000 email addresses across his career.

* “There are no bad email subscribers” when you own the platform and can segment intelligently.

3. Use Tags Like a Pro

* Every reader gets tagged based on how they entered the list—what book they downloaded, what promo they saw, what preferences they selected.

* Kit allows unlimited tagging and segmentation, so readers can self-select (e.g., “no Kickstarter emails” or “fiction only”).

* This creates hyper-relevant messaging without annoying subscribers.

4. Automations Are Leverage, Not Labor

* Once automations are set up, Russell doesn’t have to touch them again.

* New subscribers are automatically added to the right sequence, get the right welcome, and receive offers at the right time.

* “Pitching a perfect game” means every new reader gets your best work, in the right order, with no manual effort.

5. Segment by Interest and Intensity

* Kit allows readers to choose how often they hear from you—weekly, monthly, or launches only.

* You can also funnel them into interest-based sequences (e.g., the Godsverse vs. Ichabod Jones), preventing email fatigue and boosting engagement.

* Russell even uses poll-based branching to segment further, keeping the experience customized.

6. Use Recommendations to Grow Faster

* Kit's creator network allows reciprocal email recommendations—think of it like the LinkedIn of authors.

* Russell has gained nearly 300 subscribers just from being recommended by other creators in the system, without lifting a finger.

* It’s a fast way to collaborate, especially with fellow authors inside niche communities like Author Stack.

7. The “Forever Sequence” Strategy

* Russell calls his email sequences "forever sequences"—essentially slow-release content machines.

* For nonfiction (like Author Stack), he repurposes entire books into multi-year weekly drips.

* This means years of valuable content queued up for new subscribers, building long-term trust and engagement.

If you’re tired of hustling on social media and want something more sustainable, email—done right—is the answer. This episode reveals how to build a system that scales your reach and revenue without burning you out. Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, just starting out or scaling up, Russell’s Kit strategy offers a roadmap to owning your platform, building true connection, and selling without shouting.

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