Ling's List

www.lingslist.com

1. Tell us about your business

Ling's List is an online bookstore based in Brisbane. It focuses on Chinese Christian books and media resources. Ling's List also has English Christian books as well as non-Christian Chinese and English books, posters and gifts.

2. When and why did you start your business?

I started Ling's List was in 2009 as a home-based online bookstore. It was meant to be a source for Chinese Christian books and non-Christian books for the Chinese community in Australia.

3. On a personal level, what have you achieved with your business?

Awareness is building up within the community and there has been sales every month. Word of mouth and blogging also helped to get the name out.

4. What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in growing your business?

Getting traffic to the website and making sales. Space for storage, as it is based at home. Sourcing for resources from overseas.

5. What activities have been successful in promoting your business?

Flyers, discounts and specials for Facebook fans, Facebook advertising, word of mouth and fundraising for groups. I have also listed Ling's List on a few other online search directories.

6. What activities were less successful for marketing your business?

Paid listing on directories.

7. Name your favourite thing about your business

Able to read plenty of books and be the first to read the new publications!

8. Who or what other businesses or business people inspire you?

The niche business owners. It is difficult to get into a niche market because of the small need.

9. What are your plans for the future of your business?

To have a shopfront for Ling's List, so that people can actually browse the books. Would like to make the name known around Australia and New Zealand.

10. Share your best business tip with our readers.

Know your products. Know what products suit what type of people. In that way, when customers talk to you, or ask you a question, you are able to offer them the best and relevant choices.

Visit us at: www.lingslist.com