Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Now that you have a better understanding from yesterday’s blog of why Library Locator is, as far as we know, the most comprehensive database of acquisitions librarians, let’s take a look at Behind the Stacks, which is the training that librarian and library market expert Judy Gann offers.
Let’s say you’ve decided to invest in the database. I mean, selling to libraries could be a great new market for your books. But then what? You have the access to the library decision-maker, but what are you going to present to that person? Do you need to know Library Speak to convince the buyer to go for your title?Judy offers training in what to do with the data for publishers and authors. For authors that means individual consultation via e-mail and telephone. You’ll learn:
- How to connect with libraries in your neighborhood and throughout the United States.
- How to dress for success—present you and your books in a “library-friendly” manner.
- How to create a flyer or brochure that grabs the librarian’s attention. Judy will review your flyer or brochure as part of the consultation.
- How public libraries make purchasing decisions—selection criteria.
- How libraries order—a glimpse inside the ordering process.
- How to time your marketing outreach—inside information about library ordering seasons.
Our goal with Library Insider isn’t to set you loose with a database but no pointers. Instead, we’re offering the expertise Judy Gann has acquired in her twenty-five years as a librarian as well as her knowledge of what elicits a positive response from librarians. The database is half the equation; the training is the other half.
Today’s Prizes
To win…
Today’s prizes will be awarded via a drawing. You enter that drawing each time you put the Library Insider logo on your website, your Facebook wall, or your blog. Email a link to the logo on display on any–or all–of these locations to mary@libraryinsider.com. Use the subject line: “Library Insider Logo Contest.” The more times you use the logo, the more times you’ll be entered!
The logo (with the library picture) is on the right-hand side of our blog page. Copy the pic and the code and place the logo on your website, Facebook, etc.
The prizes for today include: A Library tote filled with books perfect for nighttime reading, a reader’s nightshirt, a “Reading Is My Cup of Tea” mug plus a collection of herbal teas.
P.S. Speaking of Facebook, check out the Library Insider Facebook page, where Judy regularly will post news about libraries and how they’re staying current with our ever-shifting publishing world plus hints on how authors can connect with libraries.
And don’t forget to enter your essay on how a particular library affected your life to win the grand prize of the week: A 50% discount on a three-month Library Insider subscription. email your entries to mary@booksandsuch.com by 8 AM CDT Thursday.
Janet, I was wondering…Will Judy be attending the ACFW conference in St. Louis this year? Will she conduct seminars from time to time regarding Libary Insider and Library Locator?
It’s all very exciting!
This is a great question, Cynthia. I would love to know about seminars too. I honestly can’t swing the cost of the training right now, though I would love to take it. Perhaps an occasional seminar would be helpful to those who can’t commit to the full training.
Thanks, Cynthia, for your great question and Cheryl, for seconding the motion.
Judy is going to be at ACFW, but she won’t be teaching a seminar. We definitely want Judy to present workshops on Library Insider at conferences, but the material won’t be a duplication of the one-to-one training she offers. There’s lots she can talk about that would be helpful during a seminar in addition to what she has planned for the personal training.
Cynthia & Cheryl, the training I provide in workshops at writers’ conferences includes much of the information Janet mentioned above. But, it is general information–applies to all authors. I’ll note on the Library Insider Facebook page when I’m scheduled at a conference. Hope to meet you one day soon!
Your library marketing strategy is so individual to you and your book. This is the value of the one-on-one consulation. I will help you design a plan and materials unique to you, so you’ll stand out in the crowd of promtional materials librarians receive from authors.
I agree that it’s a wonderful resource, especially because it is individualized. That adds a lot of value to it. I would sign up today if I had the funds. I’m sure it’s worth every penny.
This sounds like a fantastic tool. I am concerned about the cost, however. But it looks like the Al a carte version may be doable.