Shop Local Handout - A guide to getting started with Local First/Shop Local campaigns.
More information on Shop Local.
For all of your IndieBound information, click here.
Overview handout on the basics of IndieBound (pdf; 2008)
DIY Guide with three projects to help you get started. (pdf; 2008)
Use the Budgeting and Monitoring Workbook to put your budgeting procedures into practice. (Excel workbook; 2008) Financial Notes (pdf)
Surviving Tough Times: Here are some suggestions on how to prepare your business for tough times.
Increasing Margin: Strategies for optimizing your inventory by adding high margin items and more effectively managing trade sales. (pdf; 2008)
Introduction to Co-op Advertising: The ABACUS study shows that profitable booksellers spend much less on advertising than unprofitable booksellers. This does not necessarily mean profitable bookstores advertise less, but it does mean that they claim more co-op. Sample Rate Card from Paz & Associates, Maria's Co-op Request Form 1, Maria's Co-op Request Form 2 (pdf, 2008)
Cost of Goods Sold 101: You can’t make a plan to increase margin without first knowing and understanding your COGs. (pdf; 2008)
Negotiating a Lease: Occupancy cost is a bookstore’s second-largest expense, learn how to negotiate or renegotiate your terms.
The 2% Solution: An Introduction to Profitability. An overview of strategies for increasing sales and reducing expenses. (pdf; 2008)
Planning Your Business
Developing a Business Plan: Here's a model of a bookstore business plan to use as a guideline. (pdf; 2008)
Growing Your Business: There is a direct correlation between sales volume and profitability. One way to grow sales is to grow the store. It's important to examine the reasons for store expansion and the when's and how's of remodeling existing space, growing existing space, finding new space, and/or opening a second location. (pdf; 2008)
Store Operations
The Bookstore Self-Audit: This thorough review will help you evaluate your store operations and address important management issues. (pdf; 2008)
Digital Revolution 2.0: Independent booksellers are gatekeepers of information, but people are getting information in new ways. Here's some great, hands-on information on how booksellers can reach today's readers -- especially "digital natives" -- with email, blogs, and social networking. (pdf; 2008)
Improving Efficiency: By using their time more effectively, making staff more productive, and implementing efficiencies throughout the store, managers will be able to devote more time and energy to achieving important strategic goals for the store. (pdf; 2008)
Buying, Merchandising, and Selling Graphic Novels: Graphic novels & manga are here to stay. This graphic novel handout will help you understand the genre's history and help you get started in your store.
Lobsterman to the Rescue - part 1
Lobsterman to the Rescue - part 2
Lobsterman to the Rescue - part 3
Graphic Novel title list
Green Retailing: Being a green retailer, or an environmentally friendly retailer, will not only raise your status among your current and future customers, it will also save you money and increase your bottom line. (pdf; 2008)
Ways to Go Green at home or in the office. Advice from the Stella Group. (pdf; 2008)
Selling non-book items: List of vendors from Changing Hands Bookstore
Loss Control: How to Stop Profits From Running Out the Front (and Back) Door. Sample the Daily Records Sheet from Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops. Learn best practices to identify & control loss in your store.
RFID: What You Need to Know. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the book industry.
Getting the Most Out of Your Kids Section: Managing space, staffing, selection, and programming for category growth. From the Association of Booksellers for Children.
Customer Service for Your Kids Section. From Association of Booksellers for Children.
Strategic Planning
Succession Planning: Are you going to sell or buy a bookstore? Here are tips for ensuring a smooth transition—and transaction. (pdf; 2008)
Events
Authorless Events: Authorless events can promote traffic in your store and increase sales -- which can help your store become an important hub in your community. Here are some important guidelines and a number of great event ideas.
Creating Killer Events – General Rules: One of the most effective tools to set your store apart is a compelling events schedule. Here’s how to create one. (pdf; 2006)
Creating Killer Events – Checklist: A detailed event-prep checklist, including special considerations for off-site goings-on.
Managing Blockbuster Events -- How do you prepare for an event likely to draw 500, 1,000, or 5,000 people?
Event Budget Worksheet -- This is a sample event budget worksheet booksellers can use as a guide to creating their own event budget.
Marketing
Building and Rewarding Customer Loyalty: Loyalty matters -- now more than ever. Customers will be loyal to the business that adds the most value to their shopping experience, and -- with books sold in more outlets than ever before -- it's never been more important to establish the strongest relationship with your customers as possible. (pdf; 2008)
Getting the Most Out of Your Website (PowerPoint presentation; 2008) and checklist of ideas for your website. (pdf)
E-mail Newsletters: Tips, strategies, and ideas for creating appealing, informative e-mail newsletters. And for instant content for your newsletters.
Give It Away to Get It Back: Using "Thought Leadership" Marketing to Build Your Children's Business. From the Association of Booksellers for Children.
Bookstore Publicity Kit: Templates you can use to publicize your bookstore, including a press release, pitch letter, bookstore fact sheet, and media alert.
How to Be the Story: Implementing a Public Relations Plan
Booksellers at the Tipping Point: Leveraging Localism and Independence to Promote Your Store. Sample Press Kit
Sales
Consumer Behavior Revealed: The Dating Game. Because consumers can buy books almost anywhere, independent booksellers need to add value to the book shopping experience. But to add value, we must first understand what motivates our customers.
"Blind Date" -- video illustration of knowing your customer.
Handselling: Customer Service With Results: Now available online are ABA's video vignettes, which dramatize 10 potential customer service scenarios to show the best and worst practices in five key areas of bookselling. (videos, 2007)
Handselling: Customer Service with Results (pdf, 2008), Handselling Checklist (pdf; 2008)
Handselling shelf talkers -- Autographed Copy Shelf Talkers, Local Author Shelf Talkers, and Staff Picks Shelf Talkers, to use with or without Indie Next List titles, and business products.
Increasing Sales: Form stronger customer relationships, improve your sales and marketing, and more. (PowerPoint presentation; 2005)
How to Conduct a Customer Survey -- A big factor in increasing your sales is getting feedback from your customers. (pdf; 2008)
Example Customer Survey -- courtesy of Bookshop Santa Cruz (pdf)
Training Guide for you and your staff (pdf)
Talking Script and Sample Letter (pdf)
Medium Guide (pdf)