We were lucky to catch up with Ekiuwa Aire recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ekiuwa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

As a parent, I had a deep desire to teach my children about their cultural heritage and history. I searched high and low for children’s books that focused on African history, but to my surprise, I found none. I couldn’t believe it. Was there really no market for such books? Was it that people weren’t interested in the topic? I didn’t know, but I knew that I wanted to fill that void.

I decided to take matters into my own hands and create a children’s book that celebrated African history in a fun and engaging way. It wasn’t an easy decision as I had no experience in writing or publishing children’s books. But I was determined to see it through.

I started researching what it would take to write and publish a book, and I quickly realized that it was going to be a lot of work and money. There were many options for printing the book, but I had to choose between print-on-demand, which would minimize my risk but limit my creative freedom, or offset printing, which would give me more control over the look and feel of the book, but required a significant initial investment.

I was conflicted. I wanted my book to be a true celebration of African history, from the storytelling to the illustrations to the actual feel of the book. But I wasn’t sure if there was a market for it. I didn’t want to end up with thousands of books in my basement for years.

After much deliberation, I decided to take a risk and print an initial 3000 books using offset printing. I figured that if they sold within a year, I would consider it a success. I put all my efforts into marketing the book, and to my surprise, the books sold out within six months!

The response from the public was overwhelming. Parents and teachers loved the book, and many wrote to me expressing their gratitude for creating a book that celebrated African history. Encouraged by the success of the first print run, I decided to go big and print 10,000 books for the next run.

The risk I took paid off in a big way. Not only did I create what is now a collection of books that I am proud of, but I also filled a void in the market and provided a valuable resource for parents and educators. It was a lesson in taking risks and trusting my instincts.

Ekiuwa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Growing up in Nigeria, I was always fascinated by my country’s rich history and heritage. But as I grew older, I realized that many people around the world didn’t know much about African history beyond the negative stereotypes perpetuated by mainstream media. I wanted to change that, and that’s why I became a children’s book author.

My goal is to make African history and heritage more mainstream and accessible to all kids. I want to inspire pride in children’s heritage and open their minds to the world’s diversity. Through my books, I hope to instill a love of learning and a sense of pride in kids everywhere.

I write books about African history, culture, and heritage. My books are targeted toward children, but they are enjoyed by people of all ages. I believe that there is no minimum age for learning about the past and that it’s important to understand the mistakes of the past in order not to repeat them in the future.

What sets me apart from others in my industry is my passion for sharing African history and culture with the world. I’m not just a children’s book author; I’m a storyteller who is committed to making a positive change in the world. I want people to know that African history is world history and that it’s important for everyone to learn about the contributions of Africans to human civilization.

I am most proud of the impact that my books have had on children and families around the world. I receive messages from parents and teachers telling me how my books have sparked a love of learning in their children, and how they have helped to break down stereotypes and misconceptions about Africa and Africans.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want them to know that my work is not just about selling books; it’s about making a positive change in the world. By sharing African history and heritage with children and families, I hope to inspire a new generation of thinkers, doers, and leaders who are proud of their heritage and committed to creating a better world for everyone.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

Starting my publishing business, I dedicated myself to building a strong presence on Amazon. The platform offered access to a vast audience, which was perfect for reaching new markets like Europe, Australia, and Asia. However, as my business grew, I discovered that Amazon’s KDP program wasn’t ideal for my specific printing needs. Without KDP, I struggled to get visibility for my books on Amazon despite investing heavily in Amazon ads.

Although my beautifully printed offset books were superior, they weren’t generating sales. Creating a KDP version of my books and investing in Amazon ads increased visibility, but I still found it difficult to target customers effectively. Amazon charges for each click, but once a customer arrives on your page, they’re also shown competing products. This competition was tough, especially for my niche product, which was essentially the first of its kind in the market.

My game-changer came through Facebook ads. With Facebook’s ability to target interests, I could finally reach a more targeted audience. Even if customers weren’t actively looking for my products, I could target them based on their past interests. Furthermore, Facebook directed customers to a dedicated landing page that displayed only my products, making it easier to convert them into customers. The results were a higher conversion rate and better margins compared to Amazon.

I decided to optimize my website for online sales, moving from WordPress to Shopify. Having my own website offered greater control over my brand and allowed me to manage most aspects of the business. However, managing and fulfilling orders limited my market reach and led to some customers being hesitant to trust a business-managed website.

Despite these limitations, Facebook ads have revolutionized my business. Selling on my website may have its challenges, but the trade-off has been worth it. As my business continues to grow, I’m excited to explore other e-commerce solutions and see where they can take me.

Ultimately, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option and determine which is the best fit for your business. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things, as finding the right e-commerce solution can make a big difference in the success of your business.

How did you build your audience on social media?

As a children’s book author and publisher on African history, building a strong social media presence has been crucial for reaching and engaging with my audience. Here are some strategies that have worked well for me:

First, I identified my target audience – parents, educators, and parents who are interested in learning about African history and culture. From there, I chose social media platforms that align with my brand and where my target audience is most active. For me, that has meant focusing on Instagram and Facebook.

Consistency has been key in building my social media presence. I make a plan for how often I’ll post, and I stick to it. This helps build credibility and trust with my audience, and it keeps my brand top-of-mind.

Engaging with my followers and other users has also been important. I respond to comments and messages, and I try to participate in conversations when I can. I also repost user-generated content, which has helped build a sense of community around my brand.

Visuals are critical for social media success, and I’ve found that high-quality images, videos, and graphics can capture the attention of my audience and help my content stand out in a sea of social media posts. I try to make sure that all of my content is visually appealing and on-brand.

Finally, I’m not afraid to experiment and try new things. Social media is constantly evolving, and what worked yesterday might not work today. I stay on top of trends and best practices, and I’m always willing to adapt my strategy as needed.

Building a strong social media presence takes time and effort, but with the right strategy and execution, it can be a powerful tool for reaching and engaging with your target audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.our-ancestories.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/our_ancestories/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/our.ancestoriess
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ancestories