Expressions Art & Custom Framing

It’s getting harder and harder to find stores that truly believe in customer service. I mean, many stores do the gratuitous, standard «thanks» when you purchase something, but how many stores have you been to in the past year where you felt like you just stepped into someone’s home and they greeted you like an honored guest? Yup, that’s what I thought.
Well, my experience has been so great with this store, I decided to take my time and share with the the world. Too many times we have great experiences, but don’t take time to share. Today is my day to share!
I am a new author. I’ve been at it for about 18 months now and when my first published work was released I had to become a one-​woman marketing team. I knew I needed to do book signings, but I was a little intimidated with the process. I met the Evans family (owners of Expressions) through a choir mate at church and they offered to host my first book signing. I was excited! Not only that, but they asked me several questions:
1. Did I have marketing materials?
2. Did I know about book festivals and community events where I could promote and sell my book?
3. Was I on Facebook?
4. Did I have business cards?
5. Was I advertising on free community calendars?
6. Did I have press releases?
They explained to me that I needed to have things like bookmarks with my book and a short bio on them to pass out. They took time to invest in my future as an author by giving me ideas on how to maximize my exposure. They actually cared about what happened to my career beyond the book signing at their store. That meant a lot to me because I haven’t the same experience when I’ve gone to other book stores. Here’s is what I usually get from other book stores:
1. Who are you?
2. What have you done?
3. How many books have you already sold?
4. Thanks for your interest. Please send us a review copy and our events team will read it and decide whether or not people will want to buy it because we are only interested in selling books that «move.» If we want you, you will be contacted in a few weeks…
5. Robyn who?
Really? Yup. I never understood why some book stores care so much about who you are. They want you to have a big name first before they help you. That is why I respect Expressions so much. They sincerely want to help you get your start in the business. Top authors of today like Kimberla Lawson Roby got their start at this little store on Paca Street in downtown Baltimore, not far from the famed Lexington Market.
It’s not a big store, physically, but it’s definitely a destination if you want to be treated well and encouraged as an author.
I’ve done two signings there and sold an average of 15 books each time. Not bad for a newbie. They take a fair cut of the sales, they keep my book in stock (Keeping the Faith, edited by Vanessa Miller) and I must say that 300 book sales into my career, I am thankful for every piece of advice they’ve given me about how to market myself. I am better because they helped me be better… isn’t that what what we all should do? Help each other get better?
I’m glad Expressions gets that.
By the way, they do a mean job of custom framing, too.
Can this store get any better? My guess is they’ll try to figure out how to do just that.
Enjoy!