Promotion and Marketing
When it comes to promoting books beyond simply doing so while helping patrons individually, there are a couple of practices I’ve found to be successful. One that we frequently use at the library where I work is the bookmark. Readers always need them, and a well-designed bookmark placed near the checkout or the related collection is going to go home with the patron and remind them of other books we have available. We usually have a dozen or so different bookmarks available for patrons to select from.
Another successful (and really fun) way to promote parts of a collection is a nicely designed display. I’ve done some really fun ones (mustaches on faces for No-Shave November) and some really simple ones. My current displays were made for National Poetry Month. These displays are focused on YA poetry and novels in verse. The front table hasn’t changed much since I set it up 3 weeks ago:
But the table within the collection has dwindled so much that I’ve had room to add our Poetry Month Take and Make to the display.
One promotion I’m eager to try in the future is a genre “con”, as mentioned in a previous post. I haven’t quite figured out how to handle it yet (maybe a monthly mini con, switching genres each month?), but I expect I have some time to work on it under the circumstances. I think putting patrons in proximity of the collection is the most effective way to get items to fly off the shelves.
Hi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you have a lot of great experience with promoting your collection! You piqued my interest with the mention of a genre con! I'd love to hear about your ideas for such an event.
I love the idea of a "con," although it is certainly more work to set up than some other promotions. Actually, according to Fanlore, the first all Star-Trek convention was held in 1969 at the Newark Public Library!
ReplyDeletehttps://fanlore.org/wiki/Star_Trek_Con_(1969_convention)
Its also interesting to think about libraries setting up booths at cons in their area with items related to the event. Maybe creating a space for people to come chill out, browse a shelf, talk to a librarian about books....
I love your idea of a genre 'con'! I think it promotes areas that some patrons have left unexplored and may entice them into trying new things. I agree with you that bringing the collection close to the patrons is the very best way to promote our materials! Thank you for sharing your idea. This current assignment is leading to lots of TBDs in terms of promotion and marketing.
ReplyDeleteReally great displays and I like the idea of the genre con. You're right getting patrons around the collections grabs their attention. Those interesting and fun displays help to keep them coming back.
ReplyDeleteLike your classmates said - I love the idea of a genre con. Full points!
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