Boosting An Independent Bookstore’s Signal

I once had my dream job: I worked at a small, independently owned used-books store*. It’s the coolest place: a converted house with a couple of add-ons to the back, making it an L-shaped warren of rooms.

I had that job for 9 years and 10 months. Yes, even after 10 years, I remember the exact time. It’s the longest I’ve ever worked anywhere, and if I hadn’t been so stupid, I’d still be there.

But I made the fateful -and incredibly callous at the time- decision to quit, because, as with those of us who get lost in our own worlds are prone to do, I thought changes in my life were so utterly important that my needs outweighed my boss’s. Bad hobbit. Very bad.

I immediately regretted my decision for two reasons, the second being that I couldn’t stand my new job. Or the one after that, or after that, or…

The first reason involves penance and karma, both of which I will gladly pay for the next however many lifetimes it takes. No, I’m not being dramatic; it’s deserved, believe me.

Why am I bringing this up? Well, for a variety of reasons – most important of all, not showing up when Googled – business at my favorite place could use a boost, and I’m doing what I can to help. I’ve begun an Instagram account for her, set up a G+ Page and am waiting for the code to verify the business so she shows up in Google searches. She also has a FB page and a Twitter account. As I’m managing these now (and she dislikes FB as much as I do), that account won’t be getting any updates except maybe Instagram pictures, and G+ is mainly for the searches, but I’ll most likely get Twitter going again as soon as I get the log-in info from the person who started it. *update: Twitter is up and running!

It feels so good to be able to help, and I’m using the popularity of Breaking Bad as part of the draw to her store, as it is directly across the street from Walter White’s car wash. 😉 Whatever works, right?