Do you engage in bartering? Perhaps you trade your abundance of home-grown squash for your neighbor\u2019s profusion of tomatoes. Or maybe you watch your cousin\u2019s kids in exchange for a haircut or home-cooked meal. I know someone who bartered with a photographer for some family photos in trade for tickets to a theme park. Last year, I traded editing work for a week at a beach house.<\/p>\n
There are numerous bartering opportunities out there for authors, if you are willing to seek them out or create them. <\/p>\n
Before Publication<\/strong> After Publication<\/strong> Get FREE Publicity<\/strong> What is Your Bartering Power?<\/strong> Do you raise puppies, do sewing alterations, do catering or have a lovely home with a view? Do you have a knack for planting and growing a garden? Could you become a personal trainer for someone who wants motivation to move? Are you a super typist, proofreader or graphic artist? Do you own a restaurant, dress shop or petting zoo?<\/p>\n Maybe you know someone who can get you cheap airline or Broadway show tickets, who would give you a discount on a parachute jump or who operates a whale watch boat.<\/p>\n Times are difficult and don\u2019t seem to be letting up. Don\u2019t give up on your excellent, timely book due to the economy. If you can\u2019t afford the necessities such as editing and a promotional campaign, consider bartering.<\/p>\n Share your bartering stories here. Just leave a comment at this blog site or contact me a PLFry620@yahoo.com.<\/p>\n
\nWhat do you have that you could trade for editing, typing or printing services, for example? Maybe you could barter for business cards, brochures and other promo material. How about offering something in trade for a website or lessons in web design so you can create your own?<\/p>\n
\nOffer something to friends throughout the country in exchange for promoting your book in their cities, college communities, on their website, to their newsletter list, etc. <\/p>\n
\nWrite articles for key publications for free.
\nBe guest blogger for related blog sites.
\nSpeak without charging, for the opportunity to sell books.<\/p>\n
\nThis question is what stops most people from engaging in the bartering system. They wonder, \u201cWhat do I have of value to trade?\u201d Think about this long and hard. Do you have automotive skills? Can you teach beginning quilting, skiing, dog grooming, gourmet cooking, hip hop dancing, violin or fencing? <\/p>\n