How to Open Your Own Bookstore 1-2-3
There are many types of bookstores you can open: used bookstores, green bookstores,
textbook bookstores, Christian bookstores - even bookstore cafes. Although it can be challenging to compete
with huge companies like Amazon or Barnes & Noble, if you focus on a smaller niche market and offer
hard-to-find items or a unique store atmosphere, you will have much less competition (and greater success).
Books are not only read for pleasure - but business, education, purchased as gifts, for hobby enthusiasts of
all sorts, given to children, even as coffee table decoration. There is no doubt a large market of book buyers
- and a wide variety of potential markets you can reach.
Your Storefront
The location of your bookstore should be in a
high-traffic area. The interior should have ample store space, restrooms and other amenities that apply to
your particular business needs. Give your bookstore a personality - with storefront and logo to match.
(Design Your Own Logo) If you make your
shop attractive and intriguing from the outside, people will want to come in to see what it's all about.
Sound or music, lights, video - all can play an important part in "advertising" your business from the
street. Take advantage of your storefront as more than just a space to house books.
Holding artistic, musical or sale events will help bring in new visitors, and keep your existing customers
returning to see what's new. Large, open spaces with reading areas will encourage people to "test out your
goods" in a comfortable environment, which often leads to more sales. Create a special experience for your
bookstore shoppers that will entice them to come back and visit you again and think about you often.
Getting Your Books, Supplies, Equipment
In addition to connecting with wholesalers to get books and products to sell, think about other creative
ways to build inventory and customer interaction, such as buy-back programs, trade-ins or donation programs.
Creating a sort of "community" with your customers is an excellent way to build loyalty, increase referrals and
gain customers for life.
Besides books, you can also buy business supplies, furniture, packaging and other store items through
wholesalers online. You can use the box below to search for wholesalers who supply what you need.
When it comes to accepting payments from your customers, make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Hire
friendly cashiers, establish an efficient check-out system, offer shipping and gift wrap services and accept as
many forms of payment as possible. Merchant
accounts are becoming more affordable and easier to set up, and they generally pay for themselves in the
additional sales they help you generate.
Legal Requirements, Tax and Insurance
Obtain the necessary business licenses. Check with your local government office to find out which licenses and permits you need for your
bookstore and how to apply.
Set up a business bank account with your local bank. Make sure that the bank is FDIC is insured.
It is important to keep your bookstore and personal finances separate, and often your banker can help with
small business loans or financing.
Arrange a meeting with an accountant to discuss tax strategies and ways to maximize your business tax deductions. You can get referrals from other business owners you know or
sometimes your banker.
File your fictitious business name with the county clerk, or if you want to form a corporation, find out the
advantages of incorporating your business
Meet with an insurance agent to discuss insurance you may need for your bookstore. The IIABA (Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America) is a good place to start.
You can also get free quotes online for business insurance
How to Open a Bookstore
Bookstore owners can profit not only from selling
books - but buying (and reselling), reading (live events) and recommending them. And with all of the
popular niches in today's market, you've got lots of people you can cater to. A good way to get started
with your own business is to have an expert in the book-selling field draw up a blueprint for you to
follow, so you know exactly what to do step-by-step.
That's what 15-year veteran Grace Jasmine has done. She has "picked the brains" of bookstore owners and
publishers alike to find out what it takes to succeed in this business.
See what you get
>>
- Find out how to put together a business plan, find financing, ho to get inventory for your store,
including profitable gift items
- Book store location advice, interior design tips plus equipment and supply list, plus tips on
setting up a cafe in your bookstore
- How to manage your bookstore, including employees, prices, software and other effective systems
- Ways to attract customers to your bookstore, organize bookstore events, use customer feedback
effectively and how to design a website that sells books internationally
Tips on Finding Bookstore Customers
Order business cards. One of the cheapest ways I know of to advertise a business. See how you can design
your own professional business cards online, plus simple tips for increasing your sales >> Free Business Cards
Get a website. Save money by creating your own website with simple online design programs, or outsource the job to an
affordable website designer. Whether you sell books online - or you use a website to
display store events or business hours, it's important to take advantage of this low-cost marketing resource
that can help you get more customers. Find Local Customers Online
Get 200 Ads
WebPresto will submit your ad to 200 online classified ad sites for only $39. Now they are running a special
where you can get your ad placed on 200 sites for just $20. This service makes advertising your
bookstore business easy and fast. All you do is submit your ad, and they can start placing ads within 24
hours.
WebPresto has been in business since 2005, and they only submit to high-traffic classified websites. You
have nothing to lose: they guarantee you’ll make sales with their marketing service - or they’ll give you
your money back. Get started >> WebPresto
Get Listed in Search Engines
SubmitExpress will submit your bookstore website to the 20 top search engines free. All you do is enter
your website address once, and their automated submission tool will do the rest. To use this free tool, you
agree to receive their free newsletter by email. Submit now >> SubmitExpress
Postcard Marketing
Do a postcard mailing to introduce your bookstore to people in the neighborhood. Using low-cost online services
makes this an easy marketing task. First, decide on a special offer or hold a grand opening sale. Second,
design your postcards online using professional postcard templates with VistaPrint (you can get 50% off here). And
third, get targeted leads from a lead generation company like Resource Nation.
Email Marketing
If your bookstore has a website, you can save even more money by marketing to your customers by email. No email
list? No problem. Email marketing companies like ConstantContact will help you build a customer list with their
customizable website sign-up form.
They also give you email templates you can use to design professional emails. Their program delivers
emails for you, and they include real-time reporting. You can try their service free for 60 days, no credit
card is required. Start now: ConstantContact 60-day free
trial. Have a list over 100,000? iContact.com
has special pricing for larger accounts. Watch free
video.
Step-by-Step Marketing
Dashboard
Step-by-step marketing guide from Marketing Veteran Marlon Sanders to help you launch your bookstore
business online from A to Z, from setting up a website to writing a sales letter to search engine ad campaigns
to getting traffic.
Bookstore Business Resources:
More Bookselling Articles & Plans
Book Selling Associations
- American Booksellers Association
The ABA the national trade association for independent booksellers - since 1900. ABA offers education,
services and products, advocacy, and relevant business information.
- Canadian Booksellers Association
The CBA is a national not-for profit trade association representing trade and campus booksellers in all
provinces and territories. Membership includes Canadian bookstores of all sizes, including independents,
chains, specialty stores, campus bookstores, as well as those affiliated with them: a group that includes
authors, agents, sales reps, publishers, distributors and other industry suppliers.
- The Booksellers Association, UK
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