Please Put the Seat Down...and the Lid Too by Allan Mansoor

Written By Editors

Independent book publishing is not easy, but when you have a unique story, as Allan has discovered, it makes the journey fun. It was a pleasure meeting Allan recently and he has a wonderful story to share below about creating a book publishing business from scratch.

Can you describe for the readers what your business does?

I wrote and self-published Please Put the Seat Down…and the Lid Too, a playful rhyming book for children ages 3-6 and beyond that teaches good habits and manners in a fun way-like putting the seat down-while taking young readers on a fun, fact-filled journey around the world. I also sell related merchandise on my website.

So, where did the idea come from?

The idea came from the classic statement that if you are going to invent something, start by trying to solve a problem. My wife was very unhappy any time I left the seat up in the bathroom. It wasn’t that I did not want to put the seat down, it simply wasn’t a habit.

Instead of buying a simple reminder sign, I decided to make one instead. I designed a small wooden box with a chalkboard-painted front, and included a custom illustrated funny booklet I wrote about putting the seat down, and added a humorous phrase: "Save a girl from drowning, please close the lid." I began selling it on Etsy, but it was time consuming and not cost effective to produce.

“My biggest motivation is showing my children that with creativity, hard work, and persistence, you can bring an idea to life.”

People always asked me if it was a children’s book. I said “no” but then decided, “why not write a children’s book that teaches good habits in a fun and memorable way?"

Since then, I've continued growing the business, learning along the way. Sales are steadily increasing and one of my biggest motivations is showing my children that with creativity, hard work, and persistence, you can bring an idea to life.

Can you describe your typical work day?

As a former Deputy Sheriff and former elected official, I have always valued meaningful in person interaction. Considering the current environment of both of those professions, it is refreshing to talk with people in person in a lighthearted manner about something that resonates in many households.

Today, I am a husband, father of four, and a homeschool dad. I work primarily from home, where I have a dedicated desk and computer workspace. We use Amazon print on demand services to fulfill online orders, and it links directly to our website as well. For bulk orders and better pricing, we also purchase books and other merchandise wholesale and store them in our garage.

“When possible, our family travels together for store visits and events, often turning those trips into educational experiences.”

A typical workday includes marketing, outreach to brick and mortar retailers, coordinating events, managing inventory, and planning content. I regularly schedule pop-ups, book readings, and signings, with a goal of attending at least two in-person events each month. We are currently in eight brick and mortar locations in three states. When possible, our family travels together for store visits and events, often turning those trips into educational experiences.

What would you say is your best-selling product?

My primary product is my children's book, Please Put the Seat Down…and the Lid Too. It is currently my best selling item, largely because it is the product we promote most consistently through events, online marketing, and in-person outreach.

In addition to the book, I continue to sell the original chalkboard reminder sign that first inspired the concept and ultimately led me to write the children's book. I have also expanded into branded merchandise, including coffee mugs and other items sold through my website.

We sell our products online and in person at events. The book is available on Amazon, where the paperback is priced at $12.99 and the hardcover at $14.76, although Amazon occasionally offers discounted pricing. We also purchase books wholesale for direct sales and retail placement.

Currently, we are in eight brick and mortar retail locations across California, Nevada, and Utah, and the book is also in one public library.

What sets you apart from other small book sellers?

What sets my business apart is that Please Put the Seat Down...and the Lid Too tackles a universal household challenge in a way no other children's books do. I'm not aware of another children's book that focuses specifically on toilet seat etiquette while blending humor, rhyme, manners, and fun facts from around the world.

The children's book market is crowded, especially on Amazon, so I focus on getting out into the community through in-person events, school visits, and pop-ups, along with online promotions.

Families can expect a book that makes kids laugh, parents nod in agreement, and everyone walks away having learned something. It's playful, educational, and solves a real-life problem in a memorable way.

How is social media important to your business?

Social media helps us stay connected with families and share what we're up to. It also builds familiarity, trust, and credibility.

We focus on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, sharing everything from book readings and pop-ups to family trips tied to the business. Most content is created by me and my wife, keeping it authentic and personal.

It's also a great way to keep customers updated on new products, upcoming events, and behind the scenes moments from our family's journey with the business which is something we plan to expand even more.

What are your thoughts on technology today?

I use a Microsoft laptop for most of my work. It's lasted over 10 years! My wife helps with file management, social media posts, and anything on the technology side.

I prefer in person interactions for promoting my book, but technology is essential for marketing, communication, and organization. We create flyers, social media content, and track sales, orders, and retail locations. Technology is constantly evolving and very helpful, but face to face connections remain my priority.

Regarding all the work that the business requires, do you hire contractors or does your family participate?

Our family is very hands on with the business. My wife creates most of the social media posts, while I handle day to day operations. We outsource certain tasks for efficiency. Our website was professionally developed and is professionally managed. We also work with a successful children's book author for consulting.

“For us, in-person interaction is the most effective way to find new customers.”

For finding new customers, doing outreach, and marketing, how do you manage this?

For us, in-person interaction is the most effective way to find new customers. Meeting families at events, pop-ups, book readings, and retail locations allows us to connect personally and share our story.

Social media is another key outreach tool, which we manage ourselves to engage followers and promote events.

We also occasionally consult with experienced authors for guidance and advice. This combination of personal connection and expert support helps us reach and grow our audience effectively.

Practically speaking, how do you balance work, growth, and personal time?

Balancing work and family is an ongoing process of trial and error, communication, and adapting as our family and business grow. Being an entrepreneur lets me show our kids that work can be fun! We often turn business trips, pop-ups, and book signings into mini-vacations, blending work with family time.

Regarding the environment, social issues, and being a partner to the community, do you have any specific things your business focuses on?

The original intent of this venture was to make my wife happy by not leaving the seat up and causing her to fall in.

Then it became an attempt to grow it and make it profitable.

Now, after doing further research and seeing some of the videos that use green lasers to show exactly what happens when you flush a toilet with the seat up, there is a new cleanliness aspect to what my book teaches. You can clearly see microscopic particles and droplets coming up from the toilet in a plume. This reinforces the cleanliness and hygiene lessons in our book, showing families that keeping the lid down can help reduce the spread of germs.

What do you see as the outlook for the future of your business?

I plan to grow the business by continuing pop-ups, in-person events, encouraging word of mouth, and online reviews. Amazon is competitive and can be challenging for consistent sales, so my focus is on building steady online sales and expanding from there. In the next few years, I hope to have the book and related products in more retail locations, libraries, and schools while continuing to use events to connect with families directly.

For me, success is helping others and making a real difference, gently reinforcing the good habits and manners some families are already trying to teach.

“Reach out to other authors and illustrators. You will find that most are likely to respond and are happy to give you advice.”

Do you have a final thought for my readers?

Don’t go it alone. Get professional guidance. Reach out to other authors and illustrators. You will find that most are likely to respond and are happy to give you advice. I have reached out online to authors and illustrators that were very well established and was surprised to get helpful responses. That is not true of everyone but help is available.

Whatever you do, don’t use any “hybrid publisher” or “vanity publisher.” They only want your money and do not care if you sell any books. Stay away from them and self-publish with proper guidance. Send me an email and I will be happy to respond.

So where can people find you online?

Editors
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