Since I’ve been out of town all month, I have just been doing little bits of marketing work here and there as I’ve been able. Honestly, it’s been a much-needed break. Marketing is such a challenge for me, but I’m still learning a lot and growing through the process. On my recent road trip, I visited a really neat used book store. After making my purchase, I paused on the way out to look at the bulletin board full of miscellaneous information adjacent to the door. As I stood perusing the varied literature, the thought suddenly came to me that this would be a perfect spot to stick a business card for my book. (Don’t laugh if this is so obvious that you’re appalled that I didn’t think of it sooner…)
After this, I started keeping a lookout for other such spots and ended up placing another card at a coffee shop where I ate lunch a couple days later. Not to worry, I don’t expect to be deluged with orders as random passersby happen to observe my card. (I think my “eternal optimism” has dropped several degrees through this whole marketing process!) Nevertheless, you never know when a well-placed business card will catch someone’s eye and prompt further curiosity and maybe, just maybe, even a book sale. 🙂
Anyone have any other ideas for how to use business cards or how to market while on vacation? After all, this seems like a great way to spread the word in markets that I wouldn’t normally go out of my way to reach. Plus, if I’m taking marketing trips like this and spending all this time putting up business cards, then I should be able to write the vacation business trip off as advertising expense on my taxes, right?!
August 24th, 2009 at 6:45 am
[…] incredibly helpful to have a business card specifically for the book. In fact, in my previous post, How to Market While on Vacation, I shared one strategy for using business cards. Here’s a picture of what my cards look like: […]
September 1st, 2009 at 7:41 am
[…] How to Market While on Vacation […]
October 1st, 2009 at 1:58 am
Natalie,
I think what you were doing was great! Traveling and marketing is hard but you are on the right path, IMHO. We traveled a lot with hub’s job and it was hard for me to change my oldest business card info and find him a niche to fit in to make some extra money. But I think your business card totally rocks! Creative! I’d pray the prayer of Jabez that the Lord enlarge your territory. I’ve been praying that prayer with my kids lately quite a bit! Pray everywhere you go and keep your eyes and ears peeled for opportunities. Watch for parents with children, grandmas, caregivers. I’ve given many NGJ business cards while standing in line in grocery stores, libraries, at ball games, etc. Visiting a gym, a Starbucks, BAM, B&N, you name it, there is a bulletin board just about anywhere. it will take a few extra minutes of your time to ask the manager or the person in charge if you can put your card there. Some restaurants have a a basket upfront for business cards. Spreading the word can be time consuming but in this high tech age FB, twitter and whatever else is out there, which you are already doing, is the way to go too. Just rest in His peace that the “marketing” on your part is acting on His word. Be blessed, Natalie
October 2nd, 2009 at 12:41 am
Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging comment, Natalie! That’s a great perspective (and collection of ideas) that will be really helpful for me to keep in mind! Blessings to you too!