We’ve talked a whole lot about e-books this past week, about the new Kindle millionaires, how e-books are priced relative to hardcovers, and I even confessed that I find e-books superior to paper (but still buy paper books, swear!)
What would you tell a bookstore owner in this landscape?
What could they be doing to survive or even thrive amid the chaos?
D.G. Hudson says
Get to know your local writers, and provide a gathering place for readings, book signings, and author events.
Bookstores need to accept self-pubbed authors of quality (be open to stocking some of these books). Offer what the BIG box bookstores Do NOT offer, create a writers enclave. Become personal where the big stores are NOT. Offer space for a critique group of writers on a slow night. What you give/sponsor will sometimes reap benefits. Charge minimal fees for that space.
Come into the 21st century, bookstores and step outside your comfort zone. Fund-raisers with a well-known author would bring some of the writers and readers together,(and don't charge outrageous prices). Attendees might come back to buy a book or e-book if they like your store and its attitude.
BTW – I couldn't believe a Margaret Atwood event here in Vancouver (not at a bookstore) was charging $100+ per ticket for a seat to hear her speak. That effectively prices it out of the new or average writers' or fan's reach. I doubt I would spend that to hear anyone talk about their book, (this was not at a conference but a separate event). I may like Atwood, but not at that price, thank you.
I love bookstores, but I think some of them are stuck in the mindset of the past. Most of them only want the established/best seller writers, and this elitism by the bookstores is what's hurting them. Personally, I'd like to see more new writers in all categories.
But will the bookstores listen? Let's hope so.
Ted Cross says
Perhaps in a small way they could contribute to resolving the main problem we have with self-published books, i.e. getting the good ones noticed. I don't know, perhaps they could do lists for each genre titled, 'The best books you've never heard about' or something, have employees working hard to dig out the gems amongst all the self-published books and advertise them.
Suzan Harden says
If you can, check out Murder By The Book in Houston. They specialize in mystery/suspense/thriller. The staff knows their merchandise inside and out. They support local authors with signings and talks. This is a place so marvelous that Jim Butcher started his Changes tour at MBTB even though it was a thousand miles from his home.
Rowenna says
Make the bookstore a community. Make it a place I want to linger in, chat in, curl up by a fireplace or with the bookstore cat and read a few chapters. Make it local. Make it a haven. Make it more than a place to purchase–make it a place to peruse and bathe in the sheer pleasantness that is books. And yes, make some good coffee, too. Nothing makes me want to stay an extra hour more than a good cup of coffee.
Stephanie {Luxe Boulevard} says
My advice? STOP CLOSING! A book I have been waiting a year for finally came out yesterday, so I headed over to Borders last night to buy it only to find out they're closing! I know I shouldn't be suprised by this since they've been closing stores left and right, but I've been going to that Borders for the seven years I've lived here. I prefer them to B&N. I get better service, sales, and discounts there. Every employee at my local B&N acts inconveniced when I ask where a book is located. Not to mention I don't have to pay for a membership at Borders.
I ended up buying my book at Walmart. WALMART! Walmart isn't for books. It is for groceries and household items.
Sorry for my rant. But this really disheartened me.
Steph says
Customer service has got to be a priority. I can't tell you how many times I've been in our major chain book store and things are so out of order I can't find what I'm looking for and the staff has told me, "keep looking, it says we have it." That makes me want to order online or download an e-book just because I know I'll be able to get what I want.
Also, while at the same bookstore last weekend, I bought two books. Both hardbacks. I paid $26.99 for one and $24.00 for the other. With my discount card. When I got home, I debated whether I should've just downloaded the e-books because we are about to go on vacation and I didn't want to take a suitcase full of "real" books. I log on to the stores website and the HARD BACKS are listed at $12.99 and $14.00 if I ordered them online. That price difference is ridiculous.
If I can't find what I'm looking for at your store, and even your own website has it for half the price, why in the world would I want to keep coming to your store?
Sean says
All great ideas. Bookstores will have to lower their prices and do what ebook stores can't by personalizing the distribution process. The best way to do that is by hiring true bookworms. An in-house Stephen King roller-coaster would also be nice.
Tana Adams says
I hope they serve great coffee. Also, stock up on magazines. In all honesty my family treats bookstores like a glorified library. I do however purchase books each time I'm in them and begrudgingly so because I'm well aware I could get the same book for less at Amazon. Sorry, but it's the harsh truth.
Anonymous says
Be the community place. POD capability. Order selected books based on local readers' reviews. Cool.
Like people – no Ivory Tower-I'm a Booksnob-attitudes. Serve drinks. 😀
J. R. McLemore says
I used to spend my hour lunch break at a nearby Barnes and Noble. I'd read for 45 minutes in one of several plush chairs that occupied the rear of the store. I'd eat during the last 15 minutes and go back to work.
I accomplished a lot of reading this way because it was nice to get away from the office and get lost in a book in a quiet place with comfortable chairs. Also, if I forgot to bring my book, I could take one from the shelves (and more often than not, I'd end up purchasing the book once I got hooked).
That Barnes and Noble removed the chairs after several months. I still pop in to buy books, but I don't spend my lunch break there any longer. Somehow it's lost its quaint charm. Most bookstores I visit do not have a place for buyers to relax and read books. It's a shame and I think that is one thing that helped lend it a more comfortable environment.
Removing the chairs tells me that they want me to grab a book and go, not sit and enjoy being there.
Matthew MacNish says
I have no idea.
Obviously the key is to provide something the big-box stores and websites do not. I'm not sure what an existing shop could do.
But I know what I would do if I was going to open an independent book store. I would combine it with a bohemian style coffee shop, filled with comfortable couches and armchairs, a stage that featured DJs and acid-jazz bands … but absolutely most importantly … I would make sure my employees loved to read, and knew so much about great books that they could make suggestions that would blow my customers minds.
There is nothing like meeting a sales associate who you can really count on to steer you toward things that will change your life. Some of my best friends have been clerks I've met in record shops.
Anonymous says
Stand out from the bigger bookstores by supporting and displaying quality self-published books.
Jen P says
Two of the top selling UK bookshops have diversified heavily into events, both hosting author events as well as speaking as experts at book events (Hayling Island), and have diversified into other markets – ice cream (SilverDell in Kirkham).
These two booksellers bring together the book buyer and author in a live-community experience (live interactive audience) in a way that e-books and the Internet sellers cannot do. Whatever it seems is successful in different individual models seems to share common attributes: they offer more than the paper book alone, they offer specialist knowledge and they offer an enhanced experience.
Neurotic Workaholic says
I used to work in a bookstore, and I remember how hard it often was to make enough sales each day to help keep the store running. I might sound a little controversial when I say this, but I think that stores should take out the chairs and couches that are often used as "reading areas". I'm not talking about the cafes in stores; I'm talking about the places that people go to sit and read the books for hours without paying for them. I like browsing for books as much as the next person, but I do think it's important to buy books too to help support the business. When I was a bookseller, I have to admit that it did bother me a little when some people would treat the bookstore like their own living room.
Teralyn Rose Pilgrim says
I've wanted someone to do this for years:
As much as I love bookstores, I never buy anything. I want to read reviews of the book first, and I usually can't find the book I'm looking for anyway. They need to have computers in the store. You know, like they do in the library. I shouldn't have to have a reason to go home and look up a book on my computer before I buy it.
Anonymous says
Instead of snobbishly dismissing all genre books, as most indies stores do (trying walking into one and asking for romance), embrace the best of popular literature. Take the trouble to find the best mysteries, romances, sci-fi, etc. Separate out the good from the garbage and you'll have some grateful customers.
Doug says
Hmmm. It seems like the most popular answers are:
1) become a place where people can hang out without buying anything, and
2) sell coffee and pastries.
I don't see how either of those approaches leads to a financially solid bookstore. One leads to going broke, the other to being a coffee shop instead of a bookstore.
My advice would be, "Ask your customers (the ones who are buying books) what it is that they like about your bookstore so much that they go to the trouble to make the trip to your bookstore and then pay a higher price for books than they'd pay on Amazon, plus (for most states) pay sales tax they wouldn't pay on Amazon."
I suspect most bookstore owners wouldn't want to ask that, though, lest the buyer realize how much time, effort, and money he or she could save by buying through Amazon instead.
[In case it's not clear, I'm using the word Amazon as synecdoche for all online booksellers.]
For me, a bookstore has nothing to offer that I can't get better, faster, and cheaper online, whether via e-book or Amazon. The only time I go to bookstores is for meetings being held there. I don't buy anything; I just go to the meeting. From what I can tell, the same is almost universally true of the other attendees. Well, some of them buy coffee.
DearHelenHartman says
Echoing the word Community – serve readers and writers, build readers and help writers find readers, especially local one (remember the days of the regional bestseller that slowly built to a national phenom – not everything should be expected to be a hit right out of the box).
Hire people who care about books, who can talk about them, who can recommend the right ones for a reader not just the ones they deem 'good', who can interact with people. Hire creative people who want to do more than chat with the other employees and give them the autonomy to try new things. Encourage people to use the space for book clubs, for writer's meetings, for classes, for homeschooling outings, lots of things. Be open to new technology and helpful to people who are trying to learn to use it.
Anonymous says
@Doug
Hmmm. It seems like the most popular answers are:
1) become a place where people can hang out without buying anything, and
2) sell coffee and pastries.
I agree.
This thread has devolved to "Gimme gimme gimme" and "What have you done for me lately?"
Nicole says
Sounds like we all want The Shop Around the Corner – with Internet access and coffee – rather than Fox Books. 🙂
I do agree with Doug, though. As much as I'd love to hang out in a place like that, it'd be hard for store owners to make it a feasible business strategy.
Bryan Russell (Ink) says
I'm not sure I'm the right person to answer that question…
rachelslessonslearned says
Shrink and Diversify.
One of my favorite bookstores in CT is one in New Haven just across from the Yale Museum of Art. In the center of the main floor is a full kitchen with bar-type seating all around it, selling deli sandwiches, salads, wraps, deserts and pastries. There is also one ring of tables around it. the rest of the store is full of books, and the lower level is full of used books. Place sells both rare books, bestsellers, and books geared towards the Yale Intellectual Set (TM) and tourists. Next door on one side is a bakery and on the other is a pub. PLACE BE HOPPING, YO.
PJ Lincoln says
If the current trend towards e-books continues, I'm not sure there is a business model that works for them long term. Bookstores, sad to say, simply aren't as relevant as they once were because of technology.
Other Lisa says
Look, the successful indie bookstores DO sell books, and they do it by providing what a lot of people on this thread are suggesting: curated collections, community events, customer service, connecting authors with readers.
And location is huge.
Look at Murder By The Book in Houston or Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego. These stores thrive.
If I somehow get rich, I'd like to open up a bookstore/wine bar.
Anonymous says
Right on ! with exception to the stocking of video games . Sorry Kevin .
mbdcares says
Same advice as your local fire department gives: tuck and roll
mbb
R.D. Allen says
I think small bookstores with character will take chain stores by storm. We don't need the new books anymore, since we can get those by e-book. What we want is a place where we can walk in, lean on the counter and use the owner's first name when asking what books they'd recommend for us today.
I think *that* is the future of bookstores, and it's something that e-books can't offer — correction: will *never* be able to offer.
Janiel Miller says
The King's English in Salt Lake City is a wonderful indie bookstore. I drive 30 miles to get there and I buy actual books from them. BECAUSE it has a wonderful quirky atmosphere, has a curated selection (FAR better than what my local Borders offers), staff who can tell you something about nearly any book you ask about, and book signings by major authors.
TKE resides in a little refurbished house and seriously feels like you're entering Dumbledore's office when you walk in. It also butts up against a little Italian eatery so you can just pop over and grab a bite when you're done. Even the bathroom is awesome: it's tiny, but the walls are covered with framed original cartoons from a syndicated cartoonist/author.
If that isn't enough, TKE sells eBooks as well (within some limits: they can't do Kindle books right now.)
Again, I drive up there and BUY books there, even though it's that far away from me, because I matter there. Because of what they offer me.
Bet I'm not the only one who does that.
Charles says
Depends where they are in the world. I live in the Philippines so it's not a threat really. (I elaborate on it here.)
amber polo says
Be polite. How Not to shop in an independent bookstore:
https://amberpolo.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-not-to-shop-in-independent.html
kevin shaub says
Liquor license
Nicole says
Let me start off by saying that I've worked in two Barnes & Noble stores – one in a relatively small town in PA and now in one near a big city in MO. There are big differences between the two, and though I don't know how the PA one is faring right now, I can tell you that it used be on a scale of 1 to 10 (best being 10) that the PA store was an 8 and the MO store a 5.
Some of it does have to do with corporate, such as their decision to inject a Toys & Games section into the store. Otherwise, a lot of it has to do not necessarily with corporate, but with the district managers and store managers and, of course, how much money is floating around.
Good customer service is one thing – I will happily search the store shelves, back room, and even other sections for a book when it's supposed to be in the store for any customer. I'll offer suggestions if I can (and often do), and even let you know when it's a better idea (re: cheaper) to send the book to your house.
However, what some of you want is a little more. I see a lot of "Someone I can talk to about books." That's all fine and dandy, and I'd love to listen, but you have to remember: we have limited payroll to work with, so when there's only me on the floor of the entire store, I can't chat with you as much as I'd love to because there's a line forming at the customer service desk and then suddenly people aren't so friendly. Providing the sort of thing many of you point out is hard when there are so few of us (two or three at most in the entire store) there. Throw in the phones, people with needing ereader help, and online reservations to fetch, and now there are more customers for us to help.
Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of good stuff mentioned here (that the PA store did, I might add), but some of it won't work for stores like Borders and B&N. They can't specialize because the customer base is WAY too big. And if store managers/district managers don't listen to employees (many of which think along the same lines mentioned here), then there's nothing we can do.
I fully intend to email a link to this post and it's comments to B&N's main employee "We Listen" group so if anything they'll at least take a look. *shrug* You never know.
Bryce Daniels says
Very good question.
How about changing the model from a "store" to a "club?" Not sure how the financials or legal aspects would shake out, but I think people might be willing to pay a membership fee? A yearly dues, of sorts, giving them the right to swap books, leave reviews for the other members, or attend special author signings, readings, or seminars. This could be a way to distinguish themselves from both the big-box mentality and the impersonal aspects of the e-revolution. A database could be built, allowing one to communicate with fans of the same genre, author, etc.
Every member buys one book at full retail, then can swap for x number of books during a calendar year.
Would have to add coffee,supplies, gift items to supplement the cash flow.
All of this manned by staff members who KNOW and LOVE books, as mentioned above. Customer service is king.
Backfence says
I’m seeing a trend back toward the Indies, at least where I live. The St. Louis indie book stores recently formed an alliance to raise awareness of their stores. It it seems to be working quite well for them. What’s more, it’s actually one of our independents that sponsors some of the best author events in town. Maybe they’re on to something. Here's a link about their alliance:
https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/book-blog/article_2023fab4-3a1e-11e0-9574-00127992bc8b.html
bluerabbit says
Affiliate with other related specialize businesses. For example, add a travel book store to a travel agency or a supply shop for travelers.
Peter says
Bookstores offering free wi-fi are already half-way there. Offer memberships and discounts on e-books and either proprietary or generic kindle like reading devices for sale on site. The service, good word of mouth, coffee, couches, tables, sofa chairs and perhaps a few reading kiosks to rent use of a laptop or other computing device should do the rest.
Anonymous says
Everyone seem to be missing the point that small bookstores have been going downhill long before e-books and e-readers came about. Back in the nineties, it was almost cliche to open a small bookstore with a nice nest egg, or divorce settlement, and run your own business.
But unless they were located in tourist places, few ever made it and most went out of business when the large superstores starting popping up.
I certainly wouldn't invest my money in a small bookstore right now, unless I needed a great tax write off.
bluerabbit says
sorry, "specialized businesses"
J. T. Shea says
Take off those top hats indoors. And why are all the books in Italian?
Oh, you don't just mean the bookstore in the picture? Then I second the comments about coffee and play areas and anything that capitalizes on the bookstore's physical presence. Virtual coffee just doesn't taste the same. Although I hear the next I-Pad may have a built-in cafetiere…
Liz, cats are okay in bookstores once you don't give them too much coffee…
I second Crotchety Old Fan re the Espresso Book Machine. Need I remind everyone such machines make a bookstore the only retail premises outside the food industry that can manufacture its product in-store?
Marilyn Peake says
I would tell indie bookstores to jump into the bubble of 99 cent Kindle books and other such shenanigans. I’d say create the same type of space that Internet cafes did years ago. Serve lattes and yummy desserts, play awesome music, set up comfy chairs and couches for people to read books on their eReaders, run book discussion groups, make it exciting to be part of a community reading books on electronic devices. It’s a great time to grow the indie community and open brand new indie bookstores.
bluerabbit says
re Indie authors–
Artists in many towns run co-op galleries where they share the rent and take turns manning the shop. This is something that might work for you.
Mira says
I agree with most of the comments here – I liked Fawn Neun's list.
The only thing I would add is creating an on-line community would be very helpful.
If the bookstore is hosting events and discussion groups, they could also host events and discussion groups on-line.
Building a community and a brand on-line means people will drive to go to the store to be part of that community. In addition, if people feel loyal toward a store, they'll pay more for a book because they want to support that store.
Although it may not happen for a couple of years, I truly believe that books are about to see a Renassiance.
Ease of access, price, choice – I think people are about to discover that they love to read – there is no form of entertainment so intimate and immersive.
A place that provides community and ease of access may tap into that Renassiance.
Anonymous says
Sell alcohol and add a smoking section (even if it's just an outdoor patio area connected to the store).
stacy says
Hire a staff of people who love books and love to talk about books.
J. T. Shea says
Anonymous 12:31 pm, the problem is some people consider the 'best' and 'popular' to be mutually exclusive and one person's 'good' is another's 'garbage'.
BTW, it's St. Patrick's Day here in Ireland. The entire human race has been officially Irish for the last hour and 45 minutes. Best wishes!
Marilyn Peake says
By the way, I want to thank you, Nathan, for your very exciting recent Blog posts about eReaders and 99 cent Kindle books. After reading all these posts, I’m about to launch an indie project of my own. I’m planning to purchase some amazing artwork for book covers, publish a bunch of my novels and short stories for 99 cents on Kindle, and start a Blog. I’m hoping to have this all up and running very soon. And the excitement over all this has had an unexpected side benefit: writing on my science fiction novel has been flowing better than ever. I’m not sure how many 99 cent Kindle books I’ll sell, but the project has been great fun. Very exciting time to be a writer!
Maya says
It's a tough biz! But here are some things that stand out to me when I enter an independent book store.
1. Staff picks in every section, with a clever, hand-written description of why the book was chosen. These sell books!
2. Get involved with local authors. Stock their books, and have them come sign. People will come to support them and buy plenty.
3. Keep up with trends and give us what we want. YA is a hot genre right now, but my neighborhood bookstore has one completely pathetic shelf of YA books (mostly from the 90s). Hello? Wake up and smell the money!
slaterfox says
Any bookshop with a desire to survive this crippled economy must use techniques others have not to stay afloat. INVOLVE THE CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY and business will flourish. If there is a local college (in most towns this is the case) meet with the cheerleaders and have ONE day in the month to give the ch-lead group 10% or 15% of all sales on that day only. The cheerleaders will then create posters and advertise the store heavy among all of the students thereby getting regular customers into the store. Also have children's hour on Saturday in which a children's author (in costume) is invited to read. Parents love one on one time with their children in this fashion. Especially working parents with limited quality time with their children. Programs involving young folks always bring money not to mention the good served in the community by supporting the bookstore. The cheerleaders could also wear their uniforms on that special day and perform!!
This is exactly what I would do if I owned the bookstore. I dearly love good business!
hbise says
Bookstores are missing the boat: They should not be marketing products (i.e. E-books, etc or even writers); they should be marketing “the experience” of being in the actual store. Walking thru the doors of Barnes & Noble is a holy experience for me and my kids—seriously. Even my 14 year-old daughter has that, “Ahhh,” out-loud-sigh when we visit B&N, for which I always smile, thinking, “She gets it; she really gets it!” A Bookstore is a special refuge for many of. And I think stores need to enhance that experience in the way they advertise, while making the actual store more, well, appealing. Think: Starbucks—in their beginning; they created at atmosphere and THEN we fell in love with the products, wanting to drink coffee multiple times a day—paying double for each cup (Heck, Starbucks didn’t even advertise back then!) So, In order for the Bookstore to survive, they need to bring back that romance for those who’ve lost it, and create more of that holy-refuge the rest of us seek…I could go on and on about this–passionately, like a real book-junkie; but this is a blog—not a marketing thesis!
Nicole says
@Maya
YES. The staff picks thing is on of the things I feel Borders does right. Our B&N store here doesn't have ANY and it drives me nuts.
And as promised, I totally emailed B&N a link to this post. I also complained about how my store has no place for us to recommend books to people – which is a loss in potential sales I think!