Running Starry Ferry Books has been such a fulfilling journey—combining my love for books with the joy of helping others discover stories they’ll cherish. But behind the scenes, it’s a lot of work! There’s always something to do: picking new books, updating listings, running marketing campaigns, and providing customer support.
Recently, I started integrating AI tools into my workflow, and I can already feel the difference. These tools aren’t here to replace the personal touch that makes Starry Ferry special, but they’re helping me work smarter, stay organized, and spend more time focusing on what matters—finding books you’ll love.
Book Selection Made Easier
Choosing the right books is one of my favorite parts of running an online bookstore. Lately, I’ve been using AI to help me spot trending books and discover new titles that match what my readers love. If you’ve seen Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks pop up on our site recently, AI helped me recognize the growing interest in historical fiction and led me to stock it.
Also, The Troublemaker: How Jimmy Lai Became a Billionaire, Hong Kong's Greatest Dissident, and China's MostFeared Critic by Mark L. Clifford has been getting a lot of attention lately. This coincided with Jimmy Lai’s ongoing trial in Hong Kong, which was clearly on people’s minds. AI flagged this surge in interest, prompting me to feature it more prominently, which, in turn, boosted sales.
Bulk Book Listings Done in Minutes
Adding book listings used to be a time-consuming process. For every new book, I had to fill in details like the title, author, synopsis, genre, and more. Now, with the help of AI tools like ChatGPT, I can upload book details in bulk, saving hours of work. This means I can add more books to the store faster and focus on curating new collections.
Spotting Trends with Google Analytics
I also rely on Google Analytics, which gives me insights into how readers interact with the site. AI takes this to another level by identifying patterns and offering recommendations based on that data.
As Valentine’s Day approaches, I noticed a spike in interest in romance titles, which you can check out here. AI flagged this trend, helping me recognize that romance readers are actively exploring new titles. As a result, I promoted more romance books on the homepage, which boosted sales significantly.
Social Media: Connecting with Readers
Social media is one of my favorite ways to connect with you. I use Instagram and Facebook to share new arrivals, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and personal recommendations.
AI even helps me here! Tools like Later and Canva’s AI content suggestions make it easier to stay consistent and creative. I’ve also learned from Google Analytics that Instagram posts featuring book covers and short personal stories drive the most traffic to the store. Knowing that, I’ve been sharing more of those moments.
What’s Next: Exploring AI for Customer Support
While AI has helped me a lot already, there’s always more to learn. I’m currently researching how to adopt AI for customer support. My goal is to offer faster responses and a better overall experience. But I want to make sure I implement it in a way that still feels personal—like chatting with a friendly bookseller, not just a chatbot.
Smarter Marketing with Less Guesswork
Marketing can be overwhelming sometimes, but AI helps me make smarter decisions. For example, when I launched the 10% discount for first-time customers (#my1stread), AI showed me that most of the traffic came from social media. Based on that insight, I shifted more focus to social content, and the response was great.
It’s All About the Love for Books
At the end of the day, AI is just a tool. The heart behind Starry Ferry Books will always be about my love for books and connecting with readers like you. These tools simply help me work more efficiently, so I can continue to grow the store and offer you a better experience.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Every order, every comment on social media, every recommendation you share with friends means the world to me. I’m excited to keep growing and improving Starry Ferry Books—always with you in mind.
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