Hi Anthem:
Still a negative cash flow here, and a factor of times 10 needed on the current level of book sales to begin to break even.
It is not as bad as it sounds. Books are moving at least twice as fast now as a year ago, and a few more "doublings" like that will have us there -- 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 16. It is not impossible to achieve this in a year or two when the numbers are small.
To put it into the actual numbers, AYP sold 765 books in 2005, has sold about 500 to date this year, and will likely do well over 1,500 in 2006 at the present rate. If the rate increases as we move along here, then 2006 could be much more... The break-even is around 15,000/year, and solid self-financed growth (like a snowball rolling downhill) will be when we get into the 20-30,000 range. Those numbers sound big, but there are a lot of things happening now that can help make it happen.
Many are helping in their own way, and I am very grateful to all for that. Thank you.
One of the biggest contributors right now is the quantity discount program (the 55% off retail offer) which is helping both the book sales and spreading the books to more and more people. Thank you to all who are helping in this way. The quantity discount program is win-win all the way around. Those interested in participating in this, please write me directly.
A few are actively marketing in their sphere of travel and/or in certain market segments, and that too is a big help. Of particular importance is finding more in-roads into
the "yoga industry," which is AYP's single greatest opportunity. Very little has been done there so far. We do not yet have a distributor focused entirely on the yoga industry, and do not have an organized program to approach yoga teachers, studios and suppliers. There is a lot to do in the yoga industry, so any help we can get with that will be great. Even just dropping off a few AYP books with local yoga teachers and studios would be a huge help.
Another big contributor to growth will be adding more "Enlightenment Series" books to the mix, so there will be more entry points into AYP for those coming with different kinds of backgrounds and interests. So, I keep writing!
Over all, I am more optimistic about AYP finances now than at any time in the past, even though we have a long way to go to be solvent. There is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. It is my hope that book sales alone will eventually be enough to support the free online lessons and community, and the ongoing writing effort here.
To have this growing open resource freely available long-term for everyone around the world would be fantastic. That is my dream. Along the way, all support is greatly appreciated,
including direct donations, which were a major factor in helping keep the boat afloat last year. Many thanks to all who have and continue to help in that way.
Oh, and don't forget to print those
AYP website cards and leave them in suitable locations. It can be done anonymously in charming ways. I am in the habit of sticking them on benches and in other places where people might go to reflect on their lives. When I have gone back they have always been gone... Serendipity...
![[:)]](http://www.aypsite.com/plus-forum/Smileys/akyhne/icon_smile.gif "Smile")
The guru is in you.
