I know I’m throwing a lot of topics out there this week, but they’ve all been on my mind. I’ve recently been looking into buying promotional items. There are a lot of things out there if you have the cash. It used to be that you needed to get your name in front of readers at least seven times before they would remember it. I actually think it takes longer now. What I’m curious about is what do you, as a reader, like to receive from an author (other than books)?
I don’t ask that lightly. I’ve been to a few conferences and have gone to the ‘goody’ rooms. There isn’t much that I hang onto once I return home and even then, the item isn’t likely to lure me into buying the author’s book. I know that’s harsh, but it’s the truth.
I mean I appreciate bookmarks, but I have a drawer full of them and I couldn’t tell you what names are on them beyond the one author I know personally. I also have several magnets that were stuck to my refrigerator for a year until I decided to clean it off. I know a few of the authors names, but again, I didn’t purchase a book from them based on a magnet. So this leads me to conclude that a lot of the promotional items are simply a waste of the author’s hard earned money. If you think I’m wrong, I’d love to hear why.
What promotional items do you like to receive? Do you keep them? Has a promotional item ever caught your attention enough to purchase the author’s book? Inquiring minds want to know. 
Archive for February, 2005
Tuesday, February 1st, 2005
