Yesterday I took part in a local library’s local authors day. This is the second to last event I have lined up to promote EcoFrugal Baby: How To Save 70% Off Baby’s First Year before I come out with the third edition. I didn’t expect much from this event, because:

1) The event was not targeted toward green living or toward parents.

2) There was very little promotional work put into it, by me or the library.

Frankly, I’m running out of steam on this promotional stuff until I have a new edition of the book to promote. I’m looking forward to my last speaking event in 2 weeks, which is a mom and baby tea at the Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea Room in Ann Arbor (April 19th, 3:30 pm), but a generic authors day wasn’t something I wanted to throw my promotional energy behind.

The Result

Pretty much as expected. I talked with a lot of people and was complimented several times for giving a good talk, but I got the following responses:

From the older set: “Oh, this is about GREEN parenting?” *snicker snicker*. Right. So glad my lifestyle amuses you. Next.

From the younger set: “This is great! I’m getting married this month, so I may be back later to check out your book when I have kids.” That’s great, but no short-term results. I did get some sign-ups for my blog email list, though.

From the middle-aged set: “There aren’t that many people in this area who want to save money, but let me think of people I know who are about to have a baby… (still thinking)….”

That last comment taught me something, because I had expected this area north of Ann Arbor to be more family-oriented, but it turns out most people in this particular area have too much money to bother with frugality, and the culture isn’t oriented toward green living the way Ann Arbor’s is.

Lessons Learned

First, next time I promote this book, I’m focusing on Ann Arbor’s green-minded new parents plus online sales. It’s a total waste of time to try to convince people why green parenting is important in the space of 5 minutes.

Second, I’m targeting my efforts toward green living fairs, baby-focused events, or talks/book signings where I’m the headliner and where I can command a speaking fee where possible. These were the speaking events where I got real interest and results.

Third, I would be better off writing porn….

8)

I kid you not, the most successful author at the authors day was a romance writer who writes everything from erotica to paranormal romance to urban fantasy romance to steampunk romance. She writes an astonishing 10-12 books a year and is under contract at multiple publishers, including a subsidiary of Harlequin Press. She was friendly and intelligent, too. Damn. If only something in me didn’t resist writing books people are embarrassed to buy….