Posted by Beverly on
March 27, 2009
Keep Smiling
As an author, I’ve done my share of selling books at trade shows and other types of events. It can be hard work, especially if there’s not a lot of action. But these are the times, more than any other, that you have to put your best foot and face forward.
Sitting at your table, looking bored or passing the time away by reading will not draw you any customers. As a matter of fact, anyone who may be interested might be turned off by your behavior.
So what do you do? You work the room!
1) Stand up
2) Walk around
3) Chat with others
4) Pass out flyers, business cards
5) SMILE A LOT!
Talking to people slows them down long enough to take a look at what you’re selling and depending on your approach, you could get a sale. But even if they don’t buy anything, they will remember having a positive, friendly encounter with you and they might, very well, circle back around make a purchase. They may also make a referral based on their positive interaction.
Remember this: If you chat and smile, people are more likely to chat and smile back and, many times, sales are made because of YOU—not your product.
Posted by Beverly on
May 17, 2008
Meet Featured Diva Debra Shiveley Welch
What is the name of your business and a description of what you do?
Saga Books
I am editor and partner in the publishing house Saga Books where we continue to offer traditional publishing. We have expanded our catalog to include most genres and are now working on a full-blown promotions strategy with Master Koda Productions to aid our authors in the marketing of their works.
In addition, I am an award-winning author of four books: A Very Special Child, a children’s book that explains adoption in a spiritual way, Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams, a murder mystery co-authored with Linda Lee Greene, Son of My Soul – The Adoption of Christopher, a memoir and Cedar Woman, a novel about a woman of the Lakota Sioux who opens the first high-end Native American restaurant in Central Ohio.
How much has your business direction changed in the past five years and why?
Rather than change, the direction has expanded. From a traditionally published author I have now moved into the publishing world on the other side of the process. It’s exciting, sometimes grueling, but always satisfying. I live for the moment when I call a new author and say, “Yes! We’ll take your manuscript.” The inevitable whoop at the other end of the line makes my day!
I am carrying on with my writing and plan to continue my path of dabbling in different genres. My readers have asked for a sequel to Cedar Woman and so Ista Numpa will be my first romance, followed by Heads Are Gonna Roll, a thriller and Christopher’s Family Table, a cookbook.
What advice do you have for women who are trying to grow their businesses?
Put in the time. Keep thinking of new ways to promote. More importantly – have fun!
What do you know now that you wished you knew 10 years ago as it relates to business?
I have owned my own business before and didn’t enjoy it very much. Doing what I do now is so satisfying that I wish I’d started a long time ago. So choose a business that you know will fulfill you and allow you to use your talents to their utmost.
DebraSWelch@aol.com and my web site addresses are: http://www.DebraShiveleyWelch.net; http://www.SagaBooks.net/ http://www.SagaEBooks.com
