June Giving Update

June was an exciting month!  I’ve tinkered a lot with the website, and expanded my distribution model.  Due to these efforts I have 20 copies to give away this month. My Little Luminaire has become our best seller since release and we are donating 10 copies.  Duck Duck Grey Duck, and The Lonely Bench have each sold 5 copies.
Firstly I updated the website (https://feltitinmyheartpress.weebly.com/#/) to include a shop.  I’m fulfilling orders, additionally I’m signing all books ordered on the website through August 1st.
Second I’m tinkering with a direct sales method. 

• My girls, frustrated that I can’t pay out allowance without a job wanted to make a bit of money.  With me accompanying them we’ve tried some door to door sales.  We are super respectful about it wearing masks, being socially distant and sanitizing hands.   When they sell a book, I pay them a commission.  It’s not a bad deal for them, it’s not a bad deal for me, and at the end of the day we have more books to give away.
• I’ve brought on a direct sales representative on a 1099 basis named Rozanna.  She’s absolutely fantastic!  Here’s what she has to say;
  • “Hello everyone! My name is Rozanna Mead. I was born and raised in Kansas City, MO.  I have always loved reading books, especially when I was young. Once I heard about Feltitinmyheart I did a little research and connected with their mission so I donated a small amount because I had hoped it would help go towards a book that could be donated to a church or childhood daycare. Either way, I was just happy to help in some way. That is when Arlo reached out with a great idea. I am so thankful that he gave me an opportunity to help him make sure the books he wrote and his mission goes farther than just his hometown or online shoppers. I have a great opportunity not only to share his books with my family and friends but also my community.”

 
So we have books to give!  I never expected this to be the difficult part of the business, but there’s an old way of doing things here that’s hard to break through.  The organizations that you naturally think about giving to are established within a system that makes donation difficult.  The standard protocol for book donation is for Not for Profit organizations to take in monitory donations, buy books from the largest player on the block, and then give them away or shelve them.  There’s a logistical accounting piece, and bar code concern that makes taking in free books difficult. When I approach these organizations, they either deny the donation of (free/unpaid) books, or they request quantities that we are not able to meet. I plan on building to a point where I can give on a massive scale, but we just can’t do that now.  So, let’s focus on a grass roots effort!
 
I’m again going to ask for suggestions.  This month I’m again supporting Christian Family Care as a Phoenix based partner.   I absolutely love that they use my books in a gift basket for adoptive families. For future giving I just made a contact with Habitat for Humanity, so I’m excited about that.  I’m trying to expand giving relationships with additional local partners like Boys and Girls club, Toys for Tots and the YMCA, however Covid 19 has effected the distribution channels with those entities.
Here are a couple of other thoughts.  We need to be a bit creative as we grow.

1. I would like to begin supporting schools by providing copies to Pre- 4th classrooms. 
2. I would like to give books to Low Income Daycare providers, who would then give copies to the children they care for. 

Here’s what I need from you; Please use the nomination page (https://feltitinmyheartpress.weebly.com/nominate.html#/).  You can use this for independent kids, classroom / school nominations, and / or low income daycare providers who would like to provide their cared for children additional resources. 
Don’t feel limited to those selections if you have a specific need.  Please let us know!
 
Thank you for your help!  Let’s defeat illiteracy!
 
Much Love,
Arlo
 
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