Back from a lovely vacation in England and Wales so now back to work on building my business!
I arrived home to an email from Usborne saying that they had finally launched their monthly newsletters. It was announced back in January at Conference that it would be happening but they didn't have a launch date at that time. So now it is here! It will be great to be able to automatically send customers the monthly specials and news about any special contests, and such going on. I have to admit, I am really bad about sending out monthly updates on my own! I've already added a few past customers and some friends who I thought might be interested to the mailing list in anticipation of the first newsletter release in a few days time. For others, like people who are linked to my Facebook site (Teeny Weeny Books), stay tuned for a message from me asking if you'd like to receive the newsletter as well :)
Now what else will I be doing this month? Well, I've already got my orders list started for the month (both my personal picks and a couple of customer requests) so I'm off to a good start. I got my new catalogues now for any upcoming shows, and that also means I can store a couple of last year's catalogues in the car in case I need them - sometimes people ask about what is available so it is always handy having a catalogue you can give away! Last year's has the "mainstays" in it so it is good for that. As well, I've got one of a couple of books to take over to Victoria to give to my sister for the dentist office she manages. And coincidentally, Usborne is coming out with a new title this month that is just perfect as well in that vein - Brush Your Teeth, Max and Millie - it's part of a new series that helps teach toddlers good habits and manners. I saw an advance copy at Conference and it is super-cute! There are also lots of New Releases for April - not the least of which are Royal Wedding related. Figure the odds from a UK-based publishing company ;-) I think the Sticker Dolly Dressing series are lots of fun so I'm sure these will be a great hit.
And oh yeah, I must start thinking about doing an open house this month now that I'm back from vacation! At the very least, maybe we'll meet some more neighbours!
Christine
teenyweenybooks@gmail.com
Visit my online shopping website: Teeny Weeny Books
Interested in looking for deals online for (Usborne or other publisher's) books? Here are a couple of good sites:
1. Barnes & Noble: often have great deals on older editions of books
2. AbeBooks: a collaboration of book sellers so you can often find that "hard-to-find" book here
3. Zulily: ships to US addresses only right now, but they have some great deals on not only children's books, but any number of children's clothes, toys, etc
Friday, April 1, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
February was a bit slow...
Due to lots of personal stuff going on, things have been a little slow on the business front. Between sorting out the house, and things revving up on my "day-job" front, I've had very little time to get out and try to book, let alone do some home shows or the like. The one thing I did manage to accomplish this month though was to get my Education Specialist certification. So now I'm qualified to service schools - or at least help out Becky or some of the other more established consultants with their endeavours. Hopefully at some point, I'll get the opportunity to become the main contact for a school. Oh well, slowly but surely.
I've got lots of great ideas though - and my husband has kindly started carrying my business cards around with him as he goes about his stay-at-home dad duties, and has let a few people know about the business. I'm also going to donate a few books at the next book fair at my "day-job" - they have those occasionally and what was sorely missing from the last was any children's books. It's a tax write-off too I believe since it is promoting my business. I'm also considering giving a couple of smaller books like "The Little Book of First Experiences" (http://www.usborneonline.ca/catalogue/browse.asp?org=107879&css=1&cat=1&subject=EY&subcat=EYFE&id=1875) to my doctor and my dentist for their offices - again, I'll make sure they are labelled with my contact information, and it'll be promotional. The last thought I have on promoting my business is trying to do an open house of sorts. I still don't know too many people here in Vancouver, but perhaps if I can nail down a date that I can set up a display at home, then I can just put flyers out in part of the neighbourhood, and get my husband to pass some out when he goes to our son's playgroup, etc. Worth a try... so stay tuned for an update on that thought!
And on another up note, I did manage to get enough requests from existing (from Alberta) clients to put together a large enough order to qualify as a show - so I got to get the hostess credits for that, and get a few free books, my $30 for 30%, and get 50% off selections. Whoo hoo!
That's about it for now!
PS If you are interested in the First Experiences book I linked to above, or any other in the series but perhaps aren't interested in ordering through the main booksite where you'll get the latest editions, you can try these sites where you might find an older edition or used book:
Barnes & Noble: http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000012871747&pubid=21000000000339414
Abe books: http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000024289215&pubid=21000000000339414
I've got lots of great ideas though - and my husband has kindly started carrying my business cards around with him as he goes about his stay-at-home dad duties, and has let a few people know about the business. I'm also going to donate a few books at the next book fair at my "day-job" - they have those occasionally and what was sorely missing from the last was any children's books. It's a tax write-off too I believe since it is promoting my business. I'm also considering giving a couple of smaller books like "The Little Book of First Experiences" (http://www.usborneonline.ca/catalogue/browse.asp?org=107879&css=1&cat=1&subject=EY&subcat=EYFE&id=1875) to my doctor and my dentist for their offices - again, I'll make sure they are labelled with my contact information, and it'll be promotional. The last thought I have on promoting my business is trying to do an open house of sorts. I still don't know too many people here in Vancouver, but perhaps if I can nail down a date that I can set up a display at home, then I can just put flyers out in part of the neighbourhood, and get my husband to pass some out when he goes to our son's playgroup, etc. Worth a try... so stay tuned for an update on that thought!
And on another up note, I did manage to get enough requests from existing (from Alberta) clients to put together a large enough order to qualify as a show - so I got to get the hostess credits for that, and get a few free books, my $30 for 30%, and get 50% off selections. Whoo hoo!
That's about it for now!
PS If you are interested in the First Experiences book I linked to above, or any other in the series but perhaps aren't interested in ordering through the main booksite where you'll get the latest editions, you can try these sites where you might find an older edition or used book:
Barnes & Noble: http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000012871747&pubid=21000000000339414
Abe books: http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000024289215&pubid=21000000000339414
Saturday, January 22, 2011
First meeting in Vancouver
Today I went to my first Usborne team meeting in Vancouver. Well, not in Vancouver proper - but out in North Delta... I think... Thankfully, my supervisor here in Vancouver (actually my supervisor's supervisor) offered to drive me out there! I'm not sure if I'd have found things on my own :) Thanks Becky!
I got to meet some people for the first time and some others were somewhat familiar faces from Convention. After a round of intros and a quick recap of Convention happenings, we got to see the New Titles for February, and yes (!!!), "How Big Was a Dinosaur?" which I went on about in my last blog is one of those releases! Definitely on my "gotta buy to restock my inventory and library" list this month!
There were a few other new offerings too that were mentioned at Convention and I thought would be kind of cool to add to my collection that are also in the new releases this coming month. Things like "Thank you" cards that kids can colour in and fill out. Pretty good value for money - less than $1 a card, so it even has the Dollar Store beat! And it is never to early to start making sure that Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts and Uncles get thank-you's for all the wee gifties they give :) I think I'll be ordering a pack for Ryan (you will have to excuse his colouring outside the lines for now), and a pack for me. I think I'll use them when I have a home show and include one when delivering any books to the hostess - they deserve thanks too... I might leave those ones uncoloured though :)
On a side note, there are birthday cards of the same ilk that will be available soon - Usborne partially colours in the cards (thank yous, and birthday ones), so they are actually quite attractive on their own. Perfect to just give to a child as a birthday card, so they can colour it in themselves as an extra treat. Yup, you guessed it, I'm ordering some of those when they are available too!
Other new releases:
- some "side" books to the Very First Reading" series. They concentrate on the ABC's and 123's to help prepare a child for starting to read using the VFR series and its phonics approach (and any other approach come to think of it).
- some new Beginners series books, the one I saw was called "Monkeys" and looked really cute. The Beginner books for anyone wondering are about a Grade 2 reading level, but the information in the books is applicable over a much wider age range. I know Ryan loves looking at animals right now and these books look really well suited to read to him - just enough sound bites for him to grasp, and to give him ample opportunity to ask questions, even if it is just "Why?" or "How?" :) Not much of a talker yet my little one, although he seems to absorb everything like a sponge otherwise!
And now a few obvious plugs for my online shopping site and my business in general:
- the online shopping site has a catalogue feature and will filter the New Titles for any given month for you here: http://www.usborneonline.ca/catalogue/new_titles.asp?cat=1&css=1&org=107879. And there is a wishlist function where you can just add books that you might be interested in and it automatically emails me and I can follow up with you!
- since I'm restarting my business here in Vancouver, if anyone reading this is in Vancouver, or has friends in Vancouver, who might be interested in the same kind of business, having a home show and getting some free books, or maybe just want to check the books out (I do intend to have some open houses), let them know about this blog or direct them to my shopping site (http://www.usborneonline.ca/teenyweenybooks) where my contact information is!
Thanks, and I'll talk at ya later :)
Christine
I got to meet some people for the first time and some others were somewhat familiar faces from Convention. After a round of intros and a quick recap of Convention happenings, we got to see the New Titles for February, and yes (!!!), "How Big Was a Dinosaur?" which I went on about in my last blog is one of those releases! Definitely on my "gotta buy to restock my inventory and library" list this month!
There were a few other new offerings too that were mentioned at Convention and I thought would be kind of cool to add to my collection that are also in the new releases this coming month. Things like "Thank you" cards that kids can colour in and fill out. Pretty good value for money - less than $1 a card, so it even has the Dollar Store beat! And it is never to early to start making sure that Grandmas, Grandpas, Aunts and Uncles get thank-you's for all the wee gifties they give :) I think I'll be ordering a pack for Ryan (you will have to excuse his colouring outside the lines for now), and a pack for me. I think I'll use them when I have a home show and include one when delivering any books to the hostess - they deserve thanks too... I might leave those ones uncoloured though :)
On a side note, there are birthday cards of the same ilk that will be available soon - Usborne partially colours in the cards (thank yous, and birthday ones), so they are actually quite attractive on their own. Perfect to just give to a child as a birthday card, so they can colour it in themselves as an extra treat. Yup, you guessed it, I'm ordering some of those when they are available too!
Other new releases:
- some "side" books to the Very First Reading" series. They concentrate on the ABC's and 123's to help prepare a child for starting to read using the VFR series and its phonics approach (and any other approach come to think of it).
- some new Beginners series books, the one I saw was called "Monkeys" and looked really cute. The Beginner books for anyone wondering are about a Grade 2 reading level, but the information in the books is applicable over a much wider age range. I know Ryan loves looking at animals right now and these books look really well suited to read to him - just enough sound bites for him to grasp, and to give him ample opportunity to ask questions, even if it is just "Why?" or "How?" :) Not much of a talker yet my little one, although he seems to absorb everything like a sponge otherwise!
And now a few obvious plugs for my online shopping site and my business in general:
- the online shopping site has a catalogue feature and will filter the New Titles for any given month for you here: http://www.usborneonline.ca/catalogue/new_titles.asp?cat=1&css=1&org=107879. And there is a wishlist function where you can just add books that you might be interested in and it automatically emails me and I can follow up with you!
- since I'm restarting my business here in Vancouver, if anyone reading this is in Vancouver, or has friends in Vancouver, who might be interested in the same kind of business, having a home show and getting some free books, or maybe just want to check the books out (I do intend to have some open houses), let them know about this blog or direct them to my shopping site (http://www.usborneonline.ca/teenyweenybooks) where my contact information is!
Thanks, and I'll talk at ya later :)
Christine
Monday, January 17, 2011
Kicking Things off!
Well, since I am fresh from Convention and all revved up about Usborne books, now is probably the best time to start a blog! I have no idea if I'll carry on, but I'm hoping to. I'd like to share thoughts on early literacy - since I've got a two year old son who is just starting down the reading road, and of course I'd like to share things about this amazing business.
I guess where to start is a bit about me and why I started with Usborne books. About 2.5 years ago, I gave birth to my wonderful little boy and I knew, even then, that I wanted to raise a reader... being a bit of a bookworm myself :) While wandering the stacks of a bookstore while in the UK, I came across a wonderful book called Stories for Bedtime (http://www.usborneonline.ca/catalogue/browse.asp?org=107879&css=1&cat=1&subject=EY&subcat=EYRT&id=2496) and fell in love with it. Being the curious type, I did a little research on the Publisher and found out that they had thousands of fun educational titles... and that they had a direct sales division as well... in fact that is how they primarily sell and promote their books - through home sales and parties! Only a very few titles are actually sold through bookstores and some are never available through bookstores. Who knew? So of course, I had to join up! What better way to make a little extra money in order to build a wonderful home library for my son... or more... the opportunity actually is really good - good discount/commission and at least for me, an opportunity to talk to people about a topic I am passionate about - literacy!
So at any rate, I do this part-time right now as I just enjoy the occasional evening out sharing the books and make pretty good money at my other job. I'm actually in the midst of rethinking my Usborne business and how I approach it as we just moved to Vancouver, leaving behind most of my friends and customers, and the "usual way" I was doing the business. Previously, I sold the books primarily through Open Houses with other friends who sold other home sales products, like Mary Kay, Epicure, Fifth Avenue Collection and Norwex! I got to do a bit of shopping myself at the same time. Well, now that has changed, so I guess I'll have to step out of my comfort zone and see if I can build a new customer base here, and (gasp) actually do some home shows!!
Now, onto the present... as I said I'm fresh from Convention, and fresh from seeing some of the great books that will be released or revamped this year. Just incredible! Probably my favourite is "How Big was a Dinosaur?" It's the latest offering in the Pipkin (a very curious little penguin) series. Ryan already has "How Big is a Million?", "How High is the Sky?" (http://www.usborneonline.ca/catalogue/browse.asp?org=107879&css=1&cat=1&subject=ey&subcat=eypb&id=3609), and "How Deep is the Sea?", so this will definitely be joining those on his bookshelf! There's also some great reference books being released - for all sorts of age groups. I just love how Usborne makes non-fiction children's books so interesting and fun. And of course, the illustrations are second to none! Have I said I love these books? Yes, probably a million times, right?
So, I guess I'll sign off for now, and think about some specific topics to spend some time talking about next time. Maybe a book review or two perhaps? :)
Christine
I guess where to start is a bit about me and why I started with Usborne books. About 2.5 years ago, I gave birth to my wonderful little boy and I knew, even then, that I wanted to raise a reader... being a bit of a bookworm myself :) While wandering the stacks of a bookstore while in the UK, I came across a wonderful book called Stories for Bedtime (http://www.usborneonline.ca/catalogue/browse.asp?org=107879&css=1&cat=1&subject=EY&subcat=EYRT&id=2496) and fell in love with it. Being the curious type, I did a little research on the Publisher and found out that they had thousands of fun educational titles... and that they had a direct sales division as well... in fact that is how they primarily sell and promote their books - through home sales and parties! Only a very few titles are actually sold through bookstores and some are never available through bookstores. Who knew? So of course, I had to join up! What better way to make a little extra money in order to build a wonderful home library for my son... or more... the opportunity actually is really good - good discount/commission and at least for me, an opportunity to talk to people about a topic I am passionate about - literacy!
So at any rate, I do this part-time right now as I just enjoy the occasional evening out sharing the books and make pretty good money at my other job. I'm actually in the midst of rethinking my Usborne business and how I approach it as we just moved to Vancouver, leaving behind most of my friends and customers, and the "usual way" I was doing the business. Previously, I sold the books primarily through Open Houses with other friends who sold other home sales products, like Mary Kay, Epicure, Fifth Avenue Collection and Norwex! I got to do a bit of shopping myself at the same time. Well, now that has changed, so I guess I'll have to step out of my comfort zone and see if I can build a new customer base here, and (gasp) actually do some home shows!!
Now, onto the present... as I said I'm fresh from Convention, and fresh from seeing some of the great books that will be released or revamped this year. Just incredible! Probably my favourite is "How Big was a Dinosaur?" It's the latest offering in the Pipkin (a very curious little penguin) series. Ryan already has "How Big is a Million?", "How High is the Sky?" (http://www.usborneonline.ca/catalogue/browse.asp?org=107879&css=1&cat=1&subject=ey&subcat=eypb&id=3609), and "How Deep is the Sea?", so this will definitely be joining those on his bookshelf! There's also some great reference books being released - for all sorts of age groups. I just love how Usborne makes non-fiction children's books so interesting and fun. And of course, the illustrations are second to none! Have I said I love these books? Yes, probably a million times, right?
So, I guess I'll sign off for now, and think about some specific topics to spend some time talking about next time. Maybe a book review or two perhaps? :)
Christine
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