How to Open Your Own Bookstore 1-2-3
There are many types of specialty 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 for entrepreneurs interested in starting a bookstore.
Since bookshops vary by size, location, type, staff and products offered, start-up costs vary widely as
well. Find out how much it will cost to start a business using a start up costs worksheet.
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 book publishers and 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. It wil save you a lot
of time and headaches keeping business 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.
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, how 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
Bookstore Start-Up Plan
rated by entrepreneurs
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
Advertise with
Signs
Use a car magnet to advertise your business while you are on the road, a yard sign to announce a sale or a
banner to promote your store's grand opening. You can design and create your own signs cheaply online using
SignsBannersDecals.com.
Submit Your Website to Search
Engines
If your business has a website, it's important to get listed in the search engines, because that is where most
shoppers start looking for products and services. There are a variety of ways you can do this, and it doesn't
have to cost a lot of money. In fact, you can submit your site for as little as... free. Submit Your Website
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.
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
