Too many of our Independent book stores have closed in this area in the past two years. This has prompted me to take another step with my blog. We have to continue to learn and to grow with the times. So tonight I learned how to set up a PayPal account for marketing my books.
Look on the sidebar and you will see a new widget - a Buy Now button. To order one of my poetry books, just click on that button. An order form will appear and you can order with a credit card or on your own PayPal account.
It seems that most people now want to order online rather than order from the stores. If so, I hope this Buy Now button will take the place of Phillips and Lloyd bookstore.
I heard from an old friend today who said some people browse the bookstores to see what is available and then go home and order off Amazon.com.
That must be so disheartening to the store owners who strive to help their customers find the books they want.
Although we often find the book for sale at a discount online, as writers we should think of the authors who get very little for their books when the online dealer sells them so cheap. I try to only order used books online that I might use for my classes and then pass on to others.
I hope our bookstores will get on the bandwagon and push their own online sales ability. It will take a new way of thinking from those who have ordered books from distributors for all these years, to see how they can hold on in spite of Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Just as I am having to learn how to use my new updated computer and set up a PayPal Merchants account, bookstore owners can be successful. Look at City Lights Books in Sylva. Maybe Chris should give an "online seminar" for other Independent bookstore owners
I plan to post other books for sale on my blogs, so look for them in the near future. Tell me what you think of this idea.
We really are fortunate that Sylva has City Lights Books...Chris and all the staff there are awesome! Too bad there aren't more around (that can stay in business) like it.
ReplyDeleteI think your posting books on your blogs is a great idea:)
I have a Pay Pal button on my Website. It's located on the page containing information about myh poetry collection, How to Build a Better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver. There is a button that will allow visitors to purchase a print copy of the book directly from me, using PayPal. At the bottom of all my blog posts, I place a link to that particular page. Since this was installed on my site last year, I haven't received any orders so I don't think putting a Pay Pal button on my blog would be worth the time and effort, but I like the idea. I hope you have better luck.
ReplyDeleteAbbie Johnson Taylor, Author of
We Shall Overcome
and
How to Build a Better Mousetrap:
Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver
http://abbiescorner.wordpress.com
Lise, yes we are fortunate to have City Lights Books in Sylva. Perhaps having a room to hold writing events has made a difference for City Lights. I know writers love that store and love to go there. We'll have to ask Chris what does he think is his secret to keeping customers.
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping in, Lise.