Important Links and Resources for Independent Booksellers
The companies listed below are either indespensible to or are well established allies of the bookselling industry. Get to know them, sign up for their mailing lists, and familiarize yourself with the resources available at each. Of course, the best resource available to any independent bookseller is the vast community of other booksellers, which is why you should join your regional and the ABA.
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Above the Treeline/Edelweiss+
What it is: Edelweiss is an online cataloging interface that lets you peruse publishers' books and place orders directly. Above the Treeline is an analytics component that allows you to track inventory, analyze turn ratios, and automate reordering. Why you should use it: It's widespread and deeply entrenched in the industry, and most publishers have moved away from print catalogs in lieu of listing them here. |
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American Independent Business Alliance
What it is: Resources and advocacy to strengthen independent businesses. Why you should use it: Great infographics you can share with your customers and strategies for affecting change in local government. |
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Batch
What it is: Batch is an invoice management system designed specifically for the book industry. Publishers transmit invoices to a store’s Batch web portal, where they’re able to access, manage, and arrange payment all in one place. (View an "Intro to Batch" video here.) Why you should use it: If Batch is integrated with your accounting software it can greatly reduce the amount of data entry in accounts payable procedures and makes paying invoices vastly more efficient. |
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Book Industry Charitable Foundation
What it is: A nonprofit insurance company providing financial assistance to anyone in the bookselling industry. Why you should use it: See above. |
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Book Industry Study Group
What it is: A research firm devoted to studying and improving the production chain for print books in the US. Why you should use it: Excellent data and webinars on a wide range of issues affecting the publishing and bookselling industry. |
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Book Post
What it is: A consumer-facing literary newsletter featuring original content from high-profile writers. Why you should use it: Book Post offers generous partnership perks for independent bookstores, such as free subscriptions for customers who spend $100 in a partnering bookstore, and will also work with bookstores on events with contributors to the newsletter. |
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Bookshop.org
What it is: An online bookstore backed by the ABA and sourced by Ingram that aims to take market share away from Amazon and give a portion of its proceeds to independent booksellers. Why you should use it: It will not be marketed to indie bookstore customers, but hopes to replace hyperlinks in media outlets (like The New York Times) that habitually link to Amazon. Signing up allows your store to receive a portion of the proceeds from these sales. |
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Bookstore Link
What it is: A URL that directs customers to a bookstore of their choice to make an online purchase. Created and maintained by Libro.fm. Why you should use it: It's free, and can help drive traffic to your e-commerce platform. |
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CLMP
What it is: The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses helps raise awareness about independent publishers and journals. Why you should use it: Diversify and distinguish your inventory using CLMP-curated lists of titles you might not otherwise hear about from a wide range of presses that often go under the radar. |
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Foreword Reviews
What it is: A trade publication reviewing books published by independent presses. Why you should use it: Diversify and distinguish your inventory by highlighting titles you might not otherwise hear about from a wide range of presses that often go under the radar. |
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Independent Bookstore Day
What it is: The last saturday in April, a nationwide celebration of independent bookstores featuring exclusive book items and in-store parties. Why you should use it: Because you're an independent bookseller! |
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Indiebound
What it is: The American Booksellers Association's e-commerce solution. Why you should use it: It's the only widely available competitor to other online bookselling operations. |
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Institute for Local Self Reliance
What it is: Research firm devoted to studying the economic effects of corporations and the betterment of local communities. Why you should use it: Excellent educational resources for small business owners. |
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Kirkus Reviews
What it is: Online book review. Why you should use it: Provides exposure to many underrepresented indie presses and authors. |
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Matchbook Marketing
What it is: A marketing firm for independent bookstores. Why you should use it: Provides logo design & branding, web development, print newsletters, and graphic design work for independent bookstores. |
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Paz & Associates
What it is: Bookstore consulting and training. Also, they're now bookstore owners. Why you should use it: The most comprehensive training and actionable information available for prospective booksellers. |
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Publishers Weekly
What it is: Industry news and book reviews. Why you should use it: To stay informed about industry goings-on and learn about forthcoming titles. |
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Shelf Awareness
What it is: A daily industry newsletter, as well as consumer-facing content provider for indie bookstores. They also power some ABA and regional email campaigns. Why you should use it: To stay informed on industry goings-on. For the newsletter, if you want to engage your customers without the labor of creating or maintaining content. |
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Shop Indie Local
What it is: A coalition of local business organizations across the U.S. and Canada encouraging residents to take job creation and economic concerns into their own hands by strengthening their own local economies. Why you should use it: SIL offers free resources around Small Business Saturday events like Plaid Friday, Cider Monday, as well as year-round insights and materials to bolster the messaging around shopping local and independent businesses. |
Would you like your company to be featured on this list of resources? Contact us here.