What to Know IndieCommerce/IndieLite reopens waitlist for new stores!
Over the past 11 months, bookstores selling online with IndieCommerce and IndieLite have seen record sales and traffic as customers shifted to online purchasing. Stores interested in new websites can sign up for our waiting list today. (Stores already on the waitlist are being contacted on a first come, first served basis.) IndieCommerce Institute registration opens Wednesday
This year’s IndieCommerce Institute will focus on helping stores manage website content, look at how to optimize their online shopping cart for higher conversion rates, and review all the new tools and features added to the IndieCommerce platform. Two days of programming are scheduled: a seminar for IndieCommerce users on Wednesday, March 17, and a seminar for IndieLite users on Thursday, March 18. Registration opens on February 10 and is free but is limited to 200 participants. On February 17, IndieCommerce will host a webinar for booksellers who are interested in getting their stores set up on IndieCommerce or IndieLite as an e-commerce solution. On February 22, ABA will host an antitrust webinar with Rep. David Cicilline, chair of the House Antitrust Subcommittee.
What to Do Tell Your Lawmakers to Pass Relief and Save Small Businesses
Booksellers’ outreach can play a critical role, and ABA’s easy-to-use tool allows you to send one targeted message to Republican lawmakers and another to Democratic lawmakers. Take action here. Coffee Break: Tuesday, February 9, 3:00 pm ET
Watch your email for an invitation to join this weekly event, which offers a place to share support, ask questions, and trade best practices. All booksellers are welcome. Hear what’s working well at other stores, crowdsource solutions to any challenges you’re facing at your store, and ask questions. School Partnerships: Book Fairs: Wednesday, February 10, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ET
Hear from booksellers about how to build a realistic timeline for a book fair, manage bookstore and school expectations based on a school’s needs, and create a checklist to ensure the fair goes off without a hitch, whether it’s in-person or online. Register here. ABA Board Coffee Break for Members: Wednesday, February 10, at 3:00 pm ET
Join ABA Board members Jamie Fiocco (Flyleaf Books), Melanie Knight (Books Inc.), and Tegan Tigani (Queen Anne Book Company) for the first of three dedicated Coffee Breaks where bookseller members can share questions, comments, and concerns. The next coffee breaks are scheduled for Wednesday, March 10, at 7:00 p.m. ET and Wednesday, April 14, at 3:00 p.m. ET (board attendees to be announced). Watch your inbox for an invitation and login details. Technology Meetup: Constant Contact: Thursday, February 11, 1:00 pm ET
This session will feature an overview of Constant Contact led by Associate Account Manager Thomas Nettesheim, including how to create a template, managing reporting, and ways to grow your contact list. Come with questions. Register here. BIPOC Coffee Break: Thursday, February 11, 6:00 pm ET
A meeting space for BIPOC — Black, Indigenous, or People of Color — booksellers and bookstore owners to gather for connection, support, community, resources, and networking. This is a non-hosted event; there will not be a facilitator and ABA staff will not be in attendance. Each BIPOC Coffee Break has a new password, so please be sure to email [email protected] for Zoom details.
ABA is here for all of you. Please reach out if there is anything we can help with. Members can contact me directly or email the Membership, Advocacy, or IndieCommerce teams. Best,
Allison |
