How to Promote Your Online Bookstore

I got a great question on my YouTube channel the other day and I am so glad I got it. I want anyone who shares my passion to be successful as well. I do not gate keep here! I found an app called Pango books (they also have a website) that I sell my pre-loved books on. (Full disclosure, the links provided about are NOT affiliate links. I am sharing them because they are awesome!) When I first got the idea to sell my books online i first went to Ebay because I have used them in the past for selling and it is fairly easy to use. I also decided to make my own website using Wix, that was still easy to use but very time consuming. When I discovered Pango, I fell in love. They are super easy to use and I saw results quickly.

As far as marketing and what media sites I use, well I use my regular social media such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Although, I have not really promoted it too much. I must say I have played it pretty low key. Pango has been so great that however their algorithm works, is how I have been getting sales. I feel as though I should definitely step up my game as far as talking about it. I think this would be a great video series to create so I can do some trial and error and then share with you!

The best way I find to share things is through real life experiences. Share with people what you actually do. If I get book donations, I talk about it. If I am about to post books to my shop, I share it on my stories. TikTok is great for sharing about what I am reading as well. This helps buyers expect what can be available in my shop!

In my opinion, do what feels good. Share without oversharing. Promote without coming across too salesy and pushy. I know I stay away from that vibe so I certainly don't want to give it off to someone else.

So here is my plan for you:

1. Sign up for Pango books

2. Upload as many books as you can

3. Share about it on the social platforms you use

4. consider making coupons/discounts to help entice new customers

5. Make sure you ship within three days. Quick deliveries are always appreciated.

6. Cute packaging and thank you notes are very much appreciated

7. Talk about it with the people you know like and trust! No one will know if you don't tell them!

The most important thing thing you can do is try! You won't know if you will like it or if it will work for you unless you try it out!

**If you are looking for more in depth tips, please comment below or send me an email. I would love to share what I know to help you!

Five Books to Get You Into Reading

I have had so many people in the last few weeks come up to me and say " I haven't read anything in a long time. I don't know how to get back into it." (Or something along those lines) I am a firm believer that there is a book out there for everyone.

When I came up with this list, I had wanted to explore across different genres that would inquire different minds yet all be books that would not only attract a reader but keep them wanting more. The following books are all ones that I have read and throughly enjoyed. I hope you choose at least one of them to get your energy back into reading and enter the world of enjoyment, adventure, and a sense of relief from real life.

1.) Verity By: Colleen Hoover

From Amazon:

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of the night her family was forever altered.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents could devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue loving her.

This book kept me intrigued the entire time. I could not put it down. It gave me all the feelings and made me second guess and think about life in so many ways. It has some triggering moments of motherhood but I didn't let that stop me from finishing this unbelievable page turner.

2.) Where The Crawdads Sing By: Delia Owens

From Amazon:

For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life—until the unthinkable happens.

Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.

This story had me reflect back on my childhood and my parents growing up. There is so much more to life and it is how we decide to use what we have that matters. This story was moving, inspiring and shows true courage one has if you dig deep enough. I thought the motion picture equally made a great portrayal of the story!

3.) P.S. I Love You By: Cecelia Ahern

From Amazon:

Everyone needs a guardian angel! Some people wait their whole lives to find their soul mates. But not Holly and Gerry. Childhood sweethearts, they could finish each other's sentences and even when they fought, they laughed. No one could imagine Holly and Gerry without each other. Until the unthinkable happens.

Gerry's death devastates Holly. But as her 30th birthday looms, Gerry comes back to her. He's left her a bundle of notes, one for each of the months after his death, gently guiding Holly into her new life without him, each note signed 'PS, I Love You'. As the notes are gradually opened, and as the year unfolds, Holly is both cheered up and challenged. The man who knows her better than anyone sets out to teach her that life goes on. With some help from her friends, and her noisy and loving family, Holly finds herself laughing, crying, singing, dancing--and being braver than ever before. Life is for living, she realises--but it always helps if there's an angel watching over you.

This story is what I define as an absolute love story beyond all recognition. The love portrayed in this book is like none other. You fall in love with the characters, relate to the story and hope and pray that one day you will find someone like Gerry. This heartbreaking, yet hopeful story will have you crying, laughing, praying and pleading to find a love like Holly and Gerry's.

4.) More Than We Can Tell By: Brigid Kemmerer

From Amazon:

With loving adoptive parents by his side, Rev Fletcher has managed to keep the demons of his past at bay. . . until he gets a letter from his abusive father and the trauma of his childhood comes hurtling back.

Emma Blue's parents are constantly fighting, and her only escape is the computer game she built from scratch. But when a cruel online troll's harassment escalates, she not only loses confidence but starts to fear for her safety.

When Rev and Emma meet, they're both longing to lift the burden of their secrets. They connect instantly and deeply, promising to help each other no matter what. But soon Rev and Emma's secrets threaten to crush them, and they’ll need more than a promise to find their way out.

This story takes you back into the young mind of adolescence and reminds you how important being a kid is. It brings you back to young love, hardships and what growing up is all about. Sometimes it is easy to forget the story of our own lives that got us to where we are today. But these young characters will bring you back and remind you just how important the choices you make matter.

5.) Ugly Love By: Colleen Hoover

From Amazon:

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she doesn't think it's love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.

Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.

Promises get broken.

Rules get shattered.

Love gets ugly.

Love is not always easy. It's not always a fairytale. It certainly has changed since Romeo and Juliette have been around. This story is a more realistic idea of how couples in this day and age are getting together, sorting things out and figuring out just how this dating life is these days. It may not be pretty, it is certainly not what you think and it might even get a little hot down there if you know what I mean! Get ready to read this one in the comfort of your bedroom!

My hope with sharing these books with you is that you will find one that will help you fall in love with reading once again. There is so much out there for you to discover and fall into. Start by taking that 15 minutes of me time and dive into these amazing stories with characters you sure to love, hate and even despise!

Don't forget to let me know what you think!

Psychological Thrillers

Ever since I found Freida McFadden, I have become obsessed with reading her books. I love the way she writes. She has a way about her writing that sucks you into the story and makes it hard to put the book down. You fall into the character's life and develop great anticipation for their journey. She is great at throwing several plot twists and keeps you guessing until the end. After reading "Never Lie", I have dug deep into her book list and totally through out my TBR list I had for June. ( I stuck with the thriller theme though!) Here is what I have read so far and have loved all of them too!

Never Lie

The Housemaid

The Housemaid's Secret

One by One