Are you looking for the best #BlackFriday
deals this year? It seems more important now because of the pandemic, with lots
of non-essential shops still recovering from lockdowns and restrictions here in
England. These shops have had to increase their efforts to sell more products
online, competing with big brands and established internet stores. I have mixed
feelings. On the one hand, I believe in not over-commercializing holidays such
as Christmas. However, I sell books for a living. If I don’t sell the books I
write, I won’t make any money, and that could negatively affect my children and
husband.
I propose a compromise: think about the small business owners, including indie authors, craft businesses, local produce etc. They rely
on income from the sales of the stock that they lovingly create by hand. We
should support those businesses. When I hear about #BlackFriday, my thoughts turn to Amazon. Well, they are made up of small business
owners, like me, who rely on royalties paid via Amazon for the sales of our
books. Amazon is not necessarily the big bad giant that some people believe. Most
of the books published on Amazon will pay decent royalties to their authors,
myself included. Check the names of the sellers when you shop, and you will
find some small, independent retailers.
Why not search for alternative Christmas gifts
for your friends and family? Find them a book written and produced
independently by a local author. Try a CD or buy tickets to see a local musician.
Or even search for some handcrafted bespoke trinkets, jewellery, furniture or
bric-a-brac. The small business owners will be far more grateful for your custom
and will make more effort to give you the personal customer service that makes
you feel good about parting with your hard-earned cash. Thank you.
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