80 posters out of 600 up so far.
big burst will hopefully come out dec 15th
Friday 14 November 2008
Sunday 26 October 2008
Saturday 25 October 2008
Sunday 12 October 2008
Status update
The last of our working capital is gone...
What is the basic situation
funds - 0
books sold - just under 400
Books distributed for free publicity - approx 650
Books left - approx just under 3000
PR campaign has gone out to all major newspapers and a selection of relevant magazines
600 4-sheet posters will run between now and christmas - should cover 4-5 million people in london SE
50 nurseries and 50 libraries have sets of the books.
In the short term, everything hinges on the Christmas poster campaign generating more revenue to move on.
Saturday 26 July 2008
love reading
Just realised that lovereading would probably be very pro tagging - to the extent that they might pay! If I can get them to pay the print then we could have almost unlimited free advertising...
news update
Titan have said they'll let me run posters if I print them - from their unsold space. thus for about £300 odd of print, I can get £30,000+ of advertising. I'm focusing on london south east.
so far none of the retailers have expressed an interest in the campaign - waterstones independent publisher guy said the books should be perfect bound and that they were more adult-friendly than mass market.
I can send a pack to Tony Holdway at woolworths, smiths have been told but not responded. Amazon haven't done anything yet - they've passed on my details to the appropriate person.
so far none of the retailers have expressed an interest in the campaign - waterstones independent publisher guy said the books should be perfect bound and that they were more adult-friendly than mass market.
I can send a pack to Tony Holdway at woolworths, smiths have been told but not responded. Amazon haven't done anything yet - they've passed on my details to the appropriate person.
Sunday 13 July 2008
current balance
with no more spending commitments, we have a cash balance of £743.10.
some of this is leftover investment money but income from sales and interest on money in the account to date is £480.74
some of this is leftover investment money but income from sales and interest on money in the account to date is £480.74
pr packs
the pack, which is a mailbag, 2 sheets of a4, a couple of postcards, the t shirt and three books weighs 466g which means you pay 90p second class to post it (1.08 1st class) there's no real rush on the PR so i'll work on 2nd class post and set aside £90.
Tuesday 15 April 2008
print quote
http://www.mixam.co.uk/
got approached by these guys. They're cheaper than our current printers up to 2000 copies, then our current printer becomes cheaper. We'll use them for new runs but not reprints.
got approached by these guys. They're cheaper than our current printers up to 2000 copies, then our current printer becomes cheaper. We'll use them for new runs but not reprints.
Tuesday 8 April 2008
more money transfers
£500 transfered in - extra investment from me. Another £1000 will be coming in fom me in the next month or so. the reason for this is that we're printing another 1000 copies of book 2 because of a minor typo.
The typo copies of book 2 will now be used promotionally.
£760 has gone out as the 1st half of the reprint money
The typo copies of book 2 will now be used promotionally.
£760 has gone out as the 1st half of the reprint money
Wednesday 26 March 2008
Friday 21 March 2008
more money spent and transfered out of the account
£77.55 for addresses of 250 childrens' bookshops
£105.75 for ad in bertdeals (to get stock into bertrams - 90 +vat)
£105.75 for ad in bertdeals (to get stock into bertrams - 90 +vat)
good news and bad
it was always along shot but Wh Smith haven't taken us on as central stock. here's the email
Head OfficeGreenbridge RdSWINDON SN3 3LD
Rob BassettFluffy Little Kitten Ltd44b Hazelbourne RoadLondon SW12 9NS
20th March 2008
RE: ‘Fluffy Little Kitten’
Dear Rob
Thank you for your letter and sample books concerning the above title. Following my selection meeting, I have decided not to take this title for range in WH Smith stores. As you can imagine, I receive a vast amount of potential new products and unfortunately, space is at a premium. A decision is made using a number of different criteria – customer demand, market trends, format and current range to mention but a few. A decision is then made as to whether the product would return a sufficient profit, and on this occasion, I have concluded it would not. I would like to add that if the books are registered with Nielsen BookData, we could fulfil customer orders through our customer ordering service. You can contact them on 01438 744100. May I also draw your attention to the WHSmith Approved Independent Publisher scheme, which is operated in conjunction with Gardner’s Books. The scheme offers independent publishers a number of benefits and if you were interested, I would advise you to contact Aidan Lunn at Gardner’s Books (Tel: 01323 521555). We are happy to return your sample books to you if a stamped addressed envelope of sufficient size and postage is forwarded to us within one month of the date of this letter. Thank you once again for taking the time to bring these books to my attention. Yours Sincerely
Mick Parsons
Children’s Education Buyer
however on payment of a 90 quid advertising fee in one of their catalogues, Betrams THE have taken 50 copies of each book. This is significant as it means we can get stock to bookshops overnight if they're interested in the book.
Head OfficeGreenbridge RdSWINDON SN3 3LD
Rob BassettFluffy Little Kitten Ltd44b Hazelbourne RoadLondon SW12 9NS
20th March 2008
RE: ‘Fluffy Little Kitten’
Dear Rob
Thank you for your letter and sample books concerning the above title. Following my selection meeting, I have decided not to take this title for range in WH Smith stores. As you can imagine, I receive a vast amount of potential new products and unfortunately, space is at a premium. A decision is made using a number of different criteria – customer demand, market trends, format and current range to mention but a few. A decision is then made as to whether the product would return a sufficient profit, and on this occasion, I have concluded it would not. I would like to add that if the books are registered with Nielsen BookData, we could fulfil customer orders through our customer ordering service. You can contact them on 01438 744100. May I also draw your attention to the WHSmith Approved Independent Publisher scheme, which is operated in conjunction with Gardner’s Books. The scheme offers independent publishers a number of benefits and if you were interested, I would advise you to contact Aidan Lunn at Gardner’s Books (Tel: 01323 521555). We are happy to return your sample books to you if a stamped addressed envelope of sufficient size and postage is forwarded to us within one month of the date of this letter. Thank you once again for taking the time to bring these books to my attention. Yours Sincerely
Mick Parsons
Children’s Education Buyer
however on payment of a 90 quid advertising fee in one of their catalogues, Betrams THE have taken 50 copies of each book. This is significant as it means we can get stock to bookshops overnight if they're interested in the book.
Monday 17 March 2008
Sunday 16 March 2008
What are we spending the £1555.58 on?
It's two major mailouts - Waterstones/Bookseller/Library and PR
We have the 500 stamps and the labels for the first waterstones mailout. This will actually come in the form of postcards. I am printing 5000 double sided colour postcards which will work as both trade and consumer publicity. There are 340 or so Waterstones so with the initial stamps I can also hit 160 others (libraries and independents) I'll source the 160 other addresses personally but if necessary we can but a list of childrens booksellers from the booksellers association here at £23.50/hundred http://www.booksellers.org.uk/bookshop_dir/bs_list_form.asp
we also need T-Shirts - 100 of them in kids (2-4) size for the PR mailout, as well as postage (around 1.92 per pack) and also 100 tough plastic mailbags for the PR
Postcards - £233.83
T-shirts - £500
PR Mailout Postage £192
PR Mailout Bags - £24.48
Total - £950.31
leaving a balance of £605.27 for later efforts and float.
We have the 500 stamps and the labels for the first waterstones mailout. This will actually come in the form of postcards. I am printing 5000 double sided colour postcards which will work as both trade and consumer publicity. There are 340 or so Waterstones so with the initial stamps I can also hit 160 others (libraries and independents) I'll source the 160 other addresses personally but if necessary we can but a list of childrens booksellers from the booksellers association here at £23.50/hundred http://www.booksellers.org.uk/bookshop_dir/bs_list_form.asp
we also need T-Shirts - 100 of them in kids (2-4) size for the PR mailout, as well as postage (around 1.92 per pack) and also 100 tough plastic mailbags for the PR
Postcards - £233.83
T-shirts - £500
PR Mailout Postage £192
PR Mailout Bags - £24.48
Total - £950.31
leaving a balance of £605.27 for later efforts and float.
more payments
I have paid in £95 for direct sales to date and £75.90 for Amazon Advantage and Associates Payments to date. All payments are now automatically going to the egg account.
Income sources are
Google Checkout
Paypal
Amazon Associates
Amazon Affiliates
Amazon Marketplace
when Alliance and leicester finally open our business account, I have to remember to transfer all payments to it.
did the up to date accounts today.
Basic picture
Stock
2872 books
Colour Printer
1000 Envelopes
Labels, Stationery, padded envelopes etc
500 2nd class stamps
Cash Balance
£1237.26
Money owed
£300 investment
£18.32 money owed by amazon
£318.32 Total
Balance
£1555.58
Income sources are
Google Checkout
Paypal
Amazon Associates
Amazon Affiliates
Amazon Marketplace
when Alliance and leicester finally open our business account, I have to remember to transfer all payments to it.
did the up to date accounts today.
Basic picture
Stock
2872 books
Colour Printer
1000 Envelopes
Labels, Stationery, padded envelopes etc
500 2nd class stamps
Cash Balance
£1237.26
Money owed
£300 investment
£18.32 money owed by amazon
£318.32 Total
Balance
£1555.58
Saturday 15 March 2008
payment out of account
I have withdrawn £160.67 from the account today to pay for 400 second class stamps £120 and 1000 envelopes £40.67
These are for the waterstones and library mailouts
These are for the waterstones and library mailouts
Friday 14 March 2008
tested out direct selling through paypal checkout
the website now has a checkout through paypal.
I tested out the £10 for 3 books system. everything is automated through paypal up to and including pre-paid postage labels. The deal is £10 in, 54p in paypal fees, 98p in postage (1st class) and 25p for the envelope and printing. The revenue is £2.74 per book. This means a profit of £1.22
If we sell an individual book for £3.99 the fees are 34p, the postage 70p and the envelope and printing are 25p so the revenue is £2.70
A the moment the packing looks a little "brown envelope" so i'll invest in slightly more upscale packing labels, return address etc - after all, each envelope is like a little moving poster ad.
Also, if I go through google checkout - which is a little fiddlier - I pay less fees 30p and 21p rather than 54p and 34p
I tested out the £10 for 3 books system. everything is automated through paypal up to and including pre-paid postage labels. The deal is £10 in, 54p in paypal fees, 98p in postage (1st class) and 25p for the envelope and printing. The revenue is £2.74 per book. This means a profit of £1.22
If we sell an individual book for £3.99 the fees are 34p, the postage 70p and the envelope and printing are 25p so the revenue is £2.70
A the moment the packing looks a little "brown envelope" so i'll invest in slightly more upscale packing labels, return address etc - after all, each envelope is like a little moving poster ad.
Also, if I go through google checkout - which is a little fiddlier - I pay less fees 30p and 21p rather than 54p and 34p
Sunday 9 March 2008
Thursday 6 March 2008
Betrams stocking details
In order for us to stock a new title, it needs to be available via a wholesaler (e.g. Gardners or Bertrams). If your book is stocked by a wholesaler, please send a copy with an advance information sheet to:
New PressBorders GroupStillerman House120 Charing Cross RoadLondonWC2H 0JR
Unfortunately, due to the large numbers of titles we receive for consideration, we are unable to return or pay for samples.
New PressBorders GroupStillerman House120 Charing Cross RoadLondonWC2H 0JR
Unfortunately, due to the large numbers of titles we receive for consideration, we are unable to return or pay for samples.
Wednesday 5 March 2008
News
books have been delivered. will do another check of them and then send off the 1500 balance.
Have sent the first copies to amazon.
everything is now rolling for publicity to start.
also, I am working out how to get supply to libraries and also to publish on the Amazon Kindle in the US
Have sent the first copies to amazon.
everything is now rolling for publicity to start.
also, I am working out how to get supply to libraries and also to publish on the Amazon Kindle in the US
Thursday 21 February 2008
put image files on my pubweb account
that way everyone can look at the covers - not just on amazon, but everywhere
Monday 18 February 2008
1500 sent to printers
some corrections need to be made but delivery on 28th or 29th seems likely. Work is stepping up!
Wednesday 13 February 2008
Sunday 10 February 2008
Ordered a t-shirt from spreadshirt
it came back with the kitten coloured gold - which was strange...
Wednesday 30 January 2008
Have a print slot
I'll be aiming to have the books delivered before the 20th of Feb in time for shareholders meeting...
need pdfs to printers by end of next week
need to arrange a day off for delivery dates
Also need to pay deposit of £1520 so have to push on collecting cash. Need at least this sum in by middle of next week and the balance by valentines day.
need pdfs to printers by end of next week
need to arrange a day off for delivery dates
Also need to pay deposit of £1520 so have to push on collecting cash. Need at least this sum in by middle of next week and the balance by valentines day.
sent new publkisher forms to alex haslam at Bertrams THE
So should get an order in a bit. Need to remember to send the next two books to Cat Power (good name!) for approval.
Saturday 26 January 2008
made requests to update the prices and bought two new domains
prices should be down to 3.99 across the board soon. Also I've bought kittipedia.org and fluffysthought for the day.
Will be finishing the 2 print ready books and sending them to the printers by Monday.
I'll set up the spreadshirt shop properly and redesign the website this weekend as well.
still waiting on the bank account.
Will be finishing the 2 print ready books and sending them to the printers by Monday.
I'll set up the spreadshirt shop properly and redesign the website this weekend as well.
still waiting on the bank account.
waterstones progress
Dear Rob Thank you very much for returning the Waterstones Supplier Application form to me. I have passed your details onto Waterstones and the next step is that they will be in touch with you within the next few weeks. They will inform you when your details are set up on their Phoenix system and will send you a branch directory. When you receive this confirmation and directory you may begin selling your book/s to the branches. If you do not receive this information, please contact Justin Hutchinson at Waterstones by email, Justin.Hutchinson@waterstones.com
Wednesday 23 January 2008
have created an account with spreadshirt
http://www.spreadshirt.net
these guys run a site that lets your customers buy products with your images on them. You get a commission. This way we can have a massive range of products, test out what works if we start selling them, and then go into our own printing, which'll be cheaper...
these guys run a site that lets your customers buy products with your images on them. You get a commission. This way we can have a massive range of products, test out what works if we start selling them, and then go into our own printing, which'll be cheaper...
McDonalds
McDonalds have banned me from using McKittens. this is actually good news. I've ammended the page in question and now I have a PR story - "McDonalds sensor McKittens"
rubber stamps
http://www.vistaprint.co.uk/vp/general_stamps/product_page.aspx?xnav=TsrItem&xnid=aGeneralPurposeStampsRubberStampsLabels&dng=1021817
useful for company documentation, envelopes etc
useful for company documentation, envelopes etc
Tuesday 22 January 2008
Better news
Bertrams THE have said yes to the kitten books!
this is good news!
They also work to 55% not 60% so we get a little more money. terms are 90 days
our contact us a guy called Alex Haslam
this is good news!
They also work to 55% not 60% so we get a little more money. terms are 90 days
our contact us a guy called Alex Haslam
Sunday 20 January 2008
Should be able to apply for the bank account tomorrow
meeting up with dave cunnington - my company secretary - tomorrow. We should have all the documents necessary to apply for the alliance and leicester business builder account.
I've also written back to the tax man and our financial year is from Nov1 to oct 31.
Tomorrow I have a day off so the investor pack will be sorted, plus I have to finalise the covers etc of Kitten 2 and 3
I've also written back to the tax man and our financial year is from Nov1 to oct 31.
Tomorrow I have a day off so the investor pack will be sorted, plus I have to finalise the covers etc of Kitten 2 and 3
not such a setback after all
Waterstones will still order the books if you're on their system, and you don't have to be in stock at gardners.
The way ot works is you fill out a waterstones from and send it to garners - then if a store wants a copy of the book, they order it from gardners, who order it from us.
I have now acquireda list of every waterstones and ottakars in the UK.
The way ot works is you fill out a waterstones from and send it to garners - then if a store wants a copy of the book, they order it from gardners, who order it from us.
I have now acquireda list of every waterstones and ottakars in the UK.
Tuesday 15 January 2008
Bit of a setback
rejected by Gardners - one of the two distributors I was going for. I've written askng for more specific reasons, but it looks like February may be about getting enough online orders to get offline retail to take notice. I will also submit to another few distributors...
Wednesday 9 January 2008
Monday 7 January 2008
Friday 4 January 2008
Thursday 3 January 2008
A business plan of sorts
After a chat with miles last night I realise we need some definitive goals. Although we need to get the titles out in the spring to get availabilty, the glacier like speed of the book retail industry means that legitimately we're looking at Christmas 2008 as a big target.
As such the plan should be this
1) launch next two books by march with PR campaign.
2) Move heaven and earth to get stock in as many places as possible
3) generate enough money by september to have enought to print and publicise book 4 for christmas (in practice this means £2000 so we have to sell around 300 copies of each book in 6 months - a sales target of around 40 books a week in total!) obviously direct sales, merchandise etc will hopefuly make this an easier target.
As such the plan should be this
1) launch next two books by march with PR campaign.
2) Move heaven and earth to get stock in as many places as possible
3) generate enough money by september to have enought to print and publicise book 4 for christmas (in practice this means £2000 so we have to sell around 300 copies of each book in 6 months - a sales target of around 40 books a week in total!) obviously direct sales, merchandise etc will hopefuly make this an easier target.
BICS classification
according to waterstones, my first title doesn't have a BICS classification. So I went here http://www.bic.org.uk/productinfo-subjectcat.html
My BICS category is YBCH and my children's Book Marketing Category is A2M69
I've joined nielsen pubweb (this takes a few days) by going here http://www.nielsenbookdata.com/htmlDocs/PubWebRegistrationForm.doc
so in a few days I'll be able to change my bibliographical data (this takes a week to go through)
I also have a form to send off to gardners that waterstones sent me. If Gardners accept me (fingers crossed) I should be laughing. this is all weeks away though - i reckon that march may be more realistic than february to have everything in place
My BICS category is YBCH and my children's Book Marketing Category is A2M69
I've joined nielsen pubweb (this takes a few days) by going here http://www.nielsenbookdata.com/htmlDocs/PubWebRegistrationForm.doc
so in a few days I'll be able to change my bibliographical data (this takes a week to go through)
I also have a form to send off to gardners that waterstones sent me. If Gardners accept me (fingers crossed) I should be laughing. this is all weeks away though - i reckon that march may be more realistic than february to have everything in place
Wednesday 2 January 2008
Borders
In order for us to stock a new title, it needs to be available via a wholesaler (e.g. Gardners or Bertrams). If your book is stocked by a wholesaler, please send a copy with an advance information sheet to:
New PressBorders Group,Stillerman House,120 Charing Cross Road,London,WC2H 0JR
i'll do this tomorrow
New PressBorders Group,Stillerman House,120 Charing Cross Road,London,WC2H 0JR
i'll do this tomorrow
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