PART NINE (Conclusion) Direct Competition with Amazon (09/11/24)
Thank- you- Booklet, Personal appearances, Cleaning out the Basement.
In January I was on vacation in Mexico with both my brother and sister—first time the three of us spent time together like that in twenty- five years! They both live in South Carolina. Interestingly all three of us had lost our spouses fairly recently.
My brother searched the internet for Spirit of The Herbfarm Restaurant to find my website and -YIKES!- Amazon has just started offering the book for pre-sales. Oh boy, now, I was in direct competition with a behemoth??!!
I channeled my inner Ron—what would he do? Well, how do you compete? I chose three ways. First, I matched Amazon’s price. Second, I shared with everyone that a percentage of the profits will be supporting the Ron Zimmerman Culinary Student Scholarship Fund. This fund was created in the months after Ron’s passing to support Seattle Community Colleges’ culinary programs. Up to six students per year will be invited to work in The Herbfarm’s kitchens, gardens, and dining rooms as part of their curriculum with the goal of fostering interest in exploring local, seasonal and herbal ingredients from all angles. Third, I created an extra, complimentary “thank you” booklet with additional recipes and herbal advice that Ron hadn’t included in The Spirit of The Herbfarm Restaurant. It would only be available through purchases on our website.
Exactly one year after Ron passed away, my shipment of those 3,000 books passed through customs into the Seattle port.
For the next three months I spent my time processing and shipping orders, posting on social media, and appearing on TV, Radio, and at local sales outlets trying to get Ron’s book into as many hands as possible (and out of my basement!).
I have had so many positive notes from those who received their books thanking me for getting this done for them. It is heartwarming to hear the appreciation that the readers feel knowing they can still have Ron’s wit and wisdom even in his absence. Ron helped me throughout the decades to be a better writer, marketer and organizer. I know that, with this book, he has also helped me become a better cook.
Many thanks to you for your support in my venture.
Carrie