Posts Tagged Wanda
#SIBA12 – First of all, there was no goat!
Posted by Wanda in Authors as Guest Bloggers, SIBA Trade Shows on September 28, 2012
I do what mommy says…
Posted by Wanda in Authors as Guest Bloggers, SIBA Trade Shows on September 12, 2012
Welcome, yall!
Hello, SIBA Booksellers –
It’s great to meet you via Wanda’s blog! I’m delighted to introduce myself to you as the new sales rep for Tristan Publishing for the Carolinas*, specifically Piedmont and eastern NC and all of South Carolina. In the near future, I’ll be adding some other publishers, covering them in all of NC and SC and possibly other states. Updates to come! [* Please note: Another new Tristan Publishing sales rep soon will be covering the western part of North Carolina, plus Tennessee, and northern Georgia. Until she gets started later this summer, please feel free to contact me if you’re a bookseller in western NC -- or anywhere else in the SIBA region. I’ll be happy to help you and connect you directly with the publisher.]
For the past 23 years, I was the Executive Director of the Midwest Booksellers Association (thus Wanda’s colleague) and was based in Minneapolis, MN. My book industry experience goes back to 1975, however, and includes marketing, publicity, advertising, and promotion positions with Dell Publishing Co, Simon & Schuster, and B. Dalton Bookseller (on both the store and national level), as well as my own author media escort business in the Twin Cities. I’ve recently moved back home to North Carolina from Minnesota, and I’ve brought some of the best from the Upper Midwest with me — Tristan Publishing’s books.
Tristan Publishing is the publisher of perennial bestsellers such as THE NEXT PLACE (over 550,000 copies sold) by Warren Hanson, A CUP OF CHRISTMAS TEA (1.7 million copies sold) and the PEEF picture books for children by Tom Hegg & Warren Hanson, and I AM AMAZED and other titles by Jodi Hills. I expect you know these popular inspirational books, and I hope you sell them in your stores already.
You may not be familiar, however, with the rest of Tristan Publishing’s highly gift-able titles for both adults and children – all books with a message from the heart. Take a look at this video in which publishers Brett and Sheila Waldman – two of the nicest people you’ll ever know! — share their vision and enthusiasm with you.
Tristan’s illustrated books are eye-catching, beautifully designed and produced, and truly well priced at under $20, most in the $9.95 to $16.95 range. Many are strongly appealing and inspiring to women, others offer comfort and reassurance to all adults and children in every stage of life. All these books make excellent gift suggestions you can hand sell to your customers with confidence.
One of the newest Tristan titles, …and she sparkled by Joan Steffend, is a terrific gift book for women of all ages to give to other women and to themselves – just the type of book that women will buy in multiple copies. (I’ve seen them do it!) Author Joan Steffend explains her book eloquently in her video, too.
Other popular titles that are selling steadily include Warren Hanson’s latest, TODAY’S SPECIAL…YES IT IS; the yoga-inspired FRIENDSHIP: THE ART OF THE PRACTICE; Jodi Hills’ FRIEND.; and the picture book that inspires kids to embrace change, THE LEAF THAT WOULDN’T LEAVE.
The very best way to appreciate Tristan Publishing’s books is to see them, of course. I have copies of all titles, which I’d love to show booksellers in person. Over the coming weeks, I’m contacting bookstores in the Carolinas and scheduling appointments, and I’ll travel to any and all stores in my NC and SC territory.
I’m also happy to schedule phone appointments and send catalogs and sample copies of books to interested booksellers around the SIBA region, or put you in touch with the publisher directly. I plan to exhibit for Tristan Publishing at the SIBA Trade Show, too, and I look forward to seeing many of you there.
FYI — Tristan Publishing books are very easy to purchase, either direct from the publisher through me, or from Ingram and B&T. Please contact me for more info.
Many thanks for reading this blog!
Susan Walker & Associates
Independent Marketing, Sales & Promotion Consultants
Susan E. Walker
Cell Phone 612-382-5868
E-mail susan.walker.books@gmail.com
1022 South Street
Cornelius, NC 28031
Phone/Fax 704-439-4596
(call first to set up fax)
Love an Indie #SIBA11 Membership Offer for Book Bloggers
Posted by Wanda in GiB Book Bloggers on May 6, 2011
Love an Indie #SIBA11 Membership Offer for Book Bloggers
Calling All Book Bloggers ! SIBA wants to make a trade. Place a “Find an Indie Bookstore” badge above the fold on the homepage of your website and SIBA will waive your $195 dues. Just let us know when the badge has been placed and we will mark you current. There are many benefits to membership in SIBA. Let us count the ways!
- Receive a complete contact list of all of SIBA’s member stores on demand—including contact names, email addresses, phone and mailing addresses via email.
- Three passes to the #SIBA11 Trade Show.
- Reduced prices for advertising & table rental at #SIBA11.
- Be informed. Stay in the loop. Don’t miss the numerous SIBA opportunities to connect with each other, indie booksellers, and the industry-at-large across the south.
We’re all in this together!
Steps to Love an Indie and become a member of SIBA for Free:
- Choose a badge and embed the appropriate code on your website, “above the fold.”
- Email wanda@sibaweb.com when your badge is on your site, and we will give you a free membership in SIBA ($195 value!)
| Badges |
|---|
<a href=”http://www.authorsroundthesouth.com/STARS/bookstore.php”><img src=”http://www.sibaweb.com/luv/baby175.jpg” alt=”I want to grow up in an indie bookstore!” width=”175″ height=”162″ border=”0″></a> |
<a href=”http://www.authorsroundthesouth.com/STARS/bookstore.php”><img src=”http://www.sibaweb.com/luv/redhead175.jpg” alt=”Dahling! Let’s meet up at an indie bookstore.” width=”175″ height=”175″ border=”0″></a> |
<a href=”http://www.authorsroundthesouth.com/STARS/bookstore.php”><img src=”http://www.sibaweb.com/luv/goldfish175.jpg” alt=”Gotta go…to an indie bookstore!” width=”175″ height=”164″ border=”0″></a> |
<a href=”http://www.authorsroundthesouth.com/STARS/bookstore.php”><img src=”http://www.sibaweb.com/luv/monsters175.jpg” alt=”all the cool aliens and monsters are at the independent bookstore!” width=”175″ height=”175″ border=”0″></a> |
<a href=”http://www.authorsroundthesouth.com/STARS/bookstore.php”><img src=”http://www.sibaweb.com/luv/prettygirl175.jpg” alt=”Going my way? I’m going to an indie bookstore” width=”175″ height=”175″ border=”0″></a> |
<a href=”http://www.authorsroundthesouth.com/STARS/bookstore.php”><img src=”http://www.sibaweb.com/luv/werelost175.jpg” alt=”I know we’re close to an indie bookstore” width=”175″ height=”130″ border=”0″></a> |
<a href=”http://www.authorsroundthesouth.com/STARS/bookstore.php”><img src=”http://www.sibaweb.com/luv/flowerpower175.jpg” alt=”Find an indie bookstore” width=”175″ height=”175″ border=”0″></a> |
<a href=”http://www.authorsroundthesouth.com/STARS/bookstore.php”><img src=”http://www.sibaweb.com/luv/catanddog175.jpg” alt=”We need a good home at an indie bookstore” width=”175″ height=”185″ border=”0″></a> |
<a href=”http://www.authorsroundthesouth.com/STARS/bookstore.php”><img src=”http://www.sibaweb.com/luv/moovealong175.jpg” alt=”Moooove along to an indie bookstore!” width=”175″ height=”194″ border=”0″></a> |
An Open Letter to Governor Haley
An Open Letter to Governor Haley
Honorable Governor Haley,
We met in the lobby of the state house in February and had a short but critical discussion concerning Amazon. (You were wearing some fierce high heels.)
I appeal to you on behalf of South Carolina’s long-standing, home-grown businesses.
Thousands of businesses have collected and dispersed sales tax back to the government diligently and without any special consideration, some for 25, 50 or 100 years. These are our families and friends, folks who are here in South Carolina because it is their home, not because they need any incentive to work here, live here, or raise their families here, and they pay their full due of taxes on every level.
The sales tax break for Amazon is such an injustice and an insult to those who have spent their lives building business in South Carolina for the benefit of all of her citizens. Please exercise your power to fight this bully.
Sincerely,
Wanda Jewell
Core Member Survey Results in Questions – What Booksellers Want!
Core Member Survey Results in Questions – What Booksellers Want!
When booksellers join SIBA, many of them, gratefully, answer the survey questions on the back of the paper dues invoice. The first question asks: What skills or knowledge is most needed among you and your staff?
And below is a list of resources that will hopefully assist you in many of the areas mentioned in this open-ended question. Enjoy and let me hear from you if you use a resource I have not mentioned here, and I will add it to the list. If enough people find this useful, I will make it a regularly updated page here on the website like Gifts Galore for Bookstores. Happy selling!
For ABA members, I found a ton of great resources on a variety of topics.
http://www.wanda.sibaweb.com/2011/03/03/what-can-aba-do-for-me/
Website as Online Business Partner
Pre-Release Titles Information – 
Edelweiss
Indie Next Lists
Shelf Awareness Drop-In Titles
NPR
SIBA Listserve
Publisher Reps & Commission Reps
Publisher Catalogs
Wholesaler Catalogs
Publishers Weekly Book Reviews
BookPage Book Reviews
USA Today Books
LibraryThing
The Guardian
The New York Times
Bookwire New Releases
Southern Indie Bestseller List
New Local Interest Books – Try searching your local library for books of local interest.
Online Book Search Skills – Google it. Type in what you know at Google. Get results!
Marketing Ideas; Merchandising Tips; Display Ideas; Cheap, Effective Marketing
Good & Great Ideas
Paz Book Biz
Streetpoll
Wireless White Paper
Envirosell – signage/fixtures
Envirosell – Case Studies
Envirosell – Retail
Envirosell – Behind the Counter
Seth Godin’s Free Stuff
Computer Skills; Technology Education -
http://www.teachparentstech.org/
http://commoncraft.com/
Mashable
Author Information -
http://www.authorsroundthesouth.com/STARS/author.php
http://www.bookwire.com/authors/all_authors.html
Co-op Development -ABA’s ABACUS study shows that profitable booksellers spend much less on advertising than unprofitable booksellers. This does not necessarily mean profitable bookstores advertise less, but it does mean that they claim more co-op.
2011 Co-op At A Glance
http://www.pazbookbiz.com/Bookstore-Training-Consulting-Services/Customer-Newsletter.aspx
http://www.co-optimize.com/index.php
Online Advertising Tips; Social Networking Translating into Sales; How to Turn Facebook Fans into Cash
Facebook Fan?
Tips & Tool for Website Promotion
Examples of Online to Offline Campaigns
Selling Thru Facebook
Facebook Case Studies
Killer Facebook Fan Pages
Growing Fans
Guide to Facebook Ads
Twitter for Business
Twitter Case Studies
Not a big brand Twitter Case Study
25 Twitter Case Studies
Handselling Tips; Selling E-books
http://www.bookweb.org/education/member/handselling.html
Handselling Tips
E-Handselling
The Art of Handselling
Getting to YES
Advance Book Trend Information
Alltop – Top Book News
Trendwatching
Small Business Trends
Mashable
Accounting Strategies:
Strategy & Management Accounting
Small Business Administration
Show Your Love & Enter to Win
Posted by Wanda in Bennie and the Gets! on February 7, 2011
SIBA’s Welcome Kit & Twitter Contest!
The SIBA Welcome Kit, newly updated for 2011, is an extensive piece that outlines the many benefits of SIBA Membership. Download a copy and make sure you are getting the most out of SIBA.
Along with encouraging you to spend an afternoon exploring the ins and out of the SIBA Welcome Kit, we also want to promote the most valuable and popular benefits in a new monthly column Bennie & the Gets!
Bottom Line: Any core member who follows @SIndies and tweets the following: I read Bennie and the Gets! will be entered into a drawing for a free ALL PASS meal ticket at #SIBA11. The deadline for tweets is Valentine’s Day.
We will be hosting a Twitter Contest in every SIBA eInk between now and August, 2011.
Bennie and the Gets! (Win stuff for reading SIBA eInk)
Posted by Wanda in Bennie and the Gets! on January 12, 2011
A play on Elton John’s Bennie and the Jets here. Here I will write a monthlyish column on SIBA benefits that core members get. Survey results indicate that booksellers are very aware of some membership benefits and less aware of others. It may be that booksellers do not find some benefits valuable but before making that decision, I want to make certain that booksellers know of the benefit, try it, and then accept or reject its value to them. So here and in the monthly SIBA eInk, I will be highlighting underused benefits to make certain that core members are aware of them.
First, let’s look at the latest survey results. Core members indicate the most valuable benefits of SIBA Membership are: SIBA Book Awards, Southern Indie Bestseller List, the Holiday Catalog, Indie Bookseller Revivals, and Find a Bookstore
And rated less valuable? SIBA eInk, Southern Indie Lit Crossword Puzzle book, Wanda’s Wonderful Book Blog, Free Book Stimulus Plan, and The Document Library.
So this first post will deal with SIBA eInk, SIBA’s monthly newsletter directed at SIBA’s core indie bookstore members and distributed to the industry. This email newsletter takes the place of SIBA’s bi-monthly print publication of previous years and is the best, direct way to communicate with you about valuable upcoming opportunities. In addition to the SIBA listserv, this is the must current up-to-date material to assist you in maximizing your membership.
To pump up interest in this monthly electronic publication, SIBA will be offering a Twitter Contest each month where core members will be entered to win a FREE All Pass to #SIBA11. This will require setting up a FREE Twitter Account and following @SIndies. If you need help with that, please give me a call, and I will walk you thru it. Very easy, very economical, very efficient! The SIBA phone number is: 803.994.9530
What Booksellers are Saying about SIBA…
In response to an anonymous survey, core members finished the sentence prompt below.
I am a member of SIBA because…
I feel it’s important to support all activities highlighting independent businesses. There are useful communications that help me run my business.
Resources, encouragement, great responsiveness from Wanda to our questions, cutting edge info that is invaluable.
It’s important to support an organization that binds indies together.
I love the resources, the members, the helpful familial atmosphere- and of course, the authors and the books.
I enjoy the trade show and use the holiday catalog each year.
SIBA is a forum of knowledge contact with publishers and authors. We look for SIBA to be the eyes and ears of independent booksellers in a rapidly changing industry. Only as a group will we have a voice.
Community is important.
It is important to continue to support the local organization related to the profession; and to meet and learn from others in the profession
My bookstore has been open for 16 years and I have been a SIBA member for 8. The membership is the single most valuable expenditure (other than merchandise) that I make each year.
As booksellers in the Southeast, we should be.
I bought the store with the membership and decided to keep it.
The invaluable information we receive about authors, new titles, popular titles, the publishing industry, the trade show, networking and feedback from other southern booksellers. Our store would not be viable without all the info and services SIBA provides.
Bookseller Support Professional Association
So far it has been a good resource of ideas and references but I have not been a member too long so it is hard to comment.
of the holiday catalog, the free website, the e-mail community.
of the wealth of information I gain by reading emails, blogs and networking with other members at trade show.
SIBA is wonderful resource for the southern indie bookstores!!
I am a believer that we can help each other remain strong and INDEPENDENT
It is a great support system for my store.
Southern books are our core business
SIBA is invaluable for an independent shop, even when all of its programs are not taken advantage of.
It is a great network
I think it is important to be part of an organization related to my business.
I just opened a used bookstore and can use all the help I can get. I find valuable information on the website.
together we are stronger
tremendous amount of info – you all do a lot of the leg work for booksellers as a whole
of the irreplaceable contacts with publisher reps, authors, and fellow booksellers with whom I mingle at the trade show.
Happy Holidays! Here’s $150 from SIBA!
The Circle of Sites Banners-for-Dues program returns with more options (only available to indie bookstores that meet SIBA’s criteria as a Core Member)
2010 is winding down and the holiday season is upon us, that means it’s time to renew your membership dues for next year. Once again, SIBA is offering bookstores free membership if they will participate in the Circle of Sites program and run a banner on their store website for SIBA.
In otherwords, SIBA wants to give you $150.00.
Download our Welcome Kit to see other member benefits
Join online (choose “bill me” and put “Circle of Sites” in the comments)
Download a SIBA Dues Form (check the Circle of Sites option on the left)
If you allow SIBA to run a banner on your website, we will waive your membership dues for 2011. Banners change weekly, with no other work or requirement from you.
The deadline to participate is April 1st
Click here to see last year’s list of books promoted on Circle of Sites
What’s new for Circle of Sites in 2011?
- We now offer the option of a horizontal or vertical banner. We heard from many stores that the horizontal banners didn’t always fit into their website design gracefully. For those of you with narrow two- or three-column sites, we now have a vertical option we can provide.
- In order to be eligible for free membership dues, the banner must appear “above the fold” –that is, visible to viewers without scrolling when they first visit store site.
Stores interested in participating in the 2011 Circle of Sites program should contact Nicki at nicki@sibaweb.com with any questions.
#SIBA10 Rocks!
Posted by Wanda in Authors as Guest Bloggers on October 26, 2010
It’s been a couple weeks now since Daytona. That’s long enough to begin to process another well-oiled SIBA convention, compliments of Wanda, Nicki, and the rest of the incredible SIBA staff, but not long enough to make a dent in the towers of reading material stacked at my right hand. Don’t let this get out, but people at SIBA will hand you books free books! Never mind that you and your book loving self have books on top of books piled in heaps back at your home base, books you need to read, books you want to read, books you feel you need to read. Nothing compares to collecting a whole new crop of lovelies.
In the event that you have tripped across this blog without any prior understanding of who or what a SIBA is, let me fill you in. SIBA stands for Southern Independent Book Alliance and it’s a publishing industry event unlike any other. Think speed-dating for the book world and you will have the barest inkling to build on. In short, it’s where word addicts binge on their drug of choice, celebrating those who write books, those who sell books, and those who promote books. Here’s a confession: As a life-long reader I find it extremely difficult not to turn into a fan when surrounded by authors whose work I’ve come to love. I do my best not to fawn but I fear they see right through me.
As an author myself, I go to SIBA to build professional relationships with independent booksellers who do me the incredible honor of putting my book into the hands of their loyal clientele. I consider myself doubly blessed by those who extend their personal friendship as well.
I’ve been to three SIBA conventions now. My favorite was the first, second, and third.
Hugs,
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
Lady Banks Bookshelf
