Monday, November 21, 2011

Lo Scarabeo Pendulums, Runes, and Tarot Bags Make Great Stocking Stuffers!


The holiday season is upon us—a time for family, a time for friends, and a time for giving gifts. Ahh, the gift giving. Have your customers asked for suggestions for that someone who has everything? Looking for something with which to stuff your own Yuletide stockings?


Lo Scarabeo makes a number of pendulums, runes, tarot bags, tarot cloths, and notebooks/journals (in addition to their numerous tarot decks) that not only make great gifts, but great stocking stuffers! Look no further for the perfect, stocking-sized giftables.

Pendulums:
Pendulums are amazing tools for divination, dowsing, and answering questions relating to love, work, health, money, and much more. Not only abundantly useful, Lo Scarabeo pendulums are also eye-catchingly beautiful. Pictured at left is the Amethyst Chakra Pendulum; you can view all available pendulums here (note: you must log in to your account to view page).






















Runes:

Rune sets will bring new energy to divination, magic, and meditation practices. Sacred runic symbols have been carved into varying stones, making these exquisite runes magical as well as beautiful.  At left are the Amethyst Runes; you can view all available runes here (note: you must log in to your account to view page).














Tarot Bags:
Attractive and useful, tarot bags are an ideal way to safely store and protect valuable tarot decks. Pictured is the Rose in Hand satin tarot bag; you can view all available tarot bags here (note: you must log in to your account to view page).









Tarot Cloths:

Explore the many uses of these beautiful velvet cloths from Lo Scarabeo! Featuring embroidered symbols from various traditions, these multi-purpose cloths are ideal for altars, divination practice, ritual, meditation, and home decoration. Pictured at left is the Pentacle Velvet Cloth; you can view all available tarot cloths here (note: you must log in to your account to view page).






Note boxes:

These decorative note boxes from Lo Scarabeo bring a touch of elegance to any living space. Perfect for home or the office, it comes with blank paper for jotting down phone messages, reminders, to do lists, and anything else on your mind. Or try using this beautiful box to store a favorite tarot deck, jewelry, photos, souvenirs, runes, or any other mementos that deserve a special place.  Pictured is the Fairy Note Box; also available are the Cat Note Box and the Pagan Note Box.







Journals:

As a dream diary, sketchbook, or Book of Shadows, these gorgeous journals are the perfect place to record ruminations, insights, and experiences. Pictured is the Stars Journal; you can view all available journals here (note: you must log in to your account to view page).




Google eBooks™ "How-To" Flier Now Available

Having trouble market eBooks to confused buyers? Have questions about downloading Google eBooks™ onto different e-readers? The American Bookesellers' Association (ABA) has created a "how-to" flier that provides customers with step-by-step instructions for the entire Google eBooks™ process. 


Download your flier and get more information about marketing Google eBooks™ here.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Free Tools for Small Business Saturday, November 26


The second annual Small Business Saturday, November 26, is right around the corner! This initiative urging shoppers to support their small businesses is gaining traction. So far, over two million people on Facebook have “liked” Small Business Saturday.

The Small Business Saturday website offers a wealth of free tools to promote your business and gear up for the big day. There’s in-store signage and e-marketing materials, such as logos and e-mail templates. Also provided are easy ways to rally your customers through Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and YourBuzz.

Are you doing anything special for the biggest shopping weekend of the year? Please tell us.



Booksellers Give Tips for Promoting eBooks


Bookselling This Week, the free weekly e-newsletter of the American Booksellers Association (ABA), recently talked to several booksellers about eBook marketing.

“The best approach to promoting e-books is multiple approaches — feature them in general and targeted electronic and print newsletters, advertise online and in-store, train staff, and “just be relentless”— is the collective opinion of booksellers who recently talked to Bookselling This Week about e-book marketing — Paul Hanson of Village Books, Christie Olson Day at Gallery Bookshop & Bookwinkle’s Children’s Books, and Pete Mulvihill of Green Apple Books.”

Here are some highlights from the article “Booksellers Share Best Practices for Promoting E-Books” by Karen Schechner.


Elect an “eBook answer guru” who can work one-on-one with customers to answer questions, set up their e-reader, and download their first book.

Host eBook and eReader discussions for answering questions and exchanging ideas.

Spread the word. Talk face to face with customers about eBooks. Create in-store handouts and bookmarks to start conversations with customers.

Provide published reviews of eReading devices.

Post signs and fliers promoting eBooks. Highlight well-priced titles with QR codes.


Have any tips to share? Please chime in!



Eye of Horus and Other Indie Stores Embrace eBooks


eBooks have become a force to be reckoned with.

To be honest, I still like to read the old-fashioned way. But there’s an undeniable growing population of folks who are embracing digital books. As a result, more and more independent bookstores are starting to sell eBooks and eReaders. In fact, Eye of Horus, a metaphysical store in Minneapolis, Minnesota, opened their new eBookstore this month.

Since Google eBooks ™ launched their e-book program last December, over 250 independent bookstores have started selling their digital books. This article from IndieBound explains why Google eBooks are indie store friendly.

“A Google eBook is a new form of cloud-based digital book that allows readers to access their libraries on almost any device from one single repository, regardless of where the e-book was purchased. ABA has partnered with Google because of its open and accessible platform so ABA member bookstores can provide an easy way for their customers to discover, read, and buy e-books at competitive prices.”

Are you currently selling eBooks or considering it? Do you have concerns about plunging into the eBook marketplace?  Please let us know!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Mark Anthony and the Haunted White House

Mark Anthony
Author of Never Letting Go
Is the White House haunted?

There have been stories floating around for more than a century about the ghosts who may inhabit our nation’s capitol, including Abraham Lincoln’s spirit and the ghost of his son, Willie Lincoln. On October 31st, Never Letting Go author Mark Anthony, a psychic medium, visited the Washington, D.C. NBC affiliate to discuss the haunted history of the White House.

Visit the NBC Washington website to watch the video, or view it below.