167 results. Results may be paginated. Select one or more topics and filter by tag, format, or conference to focus results. Some resources are visible only to logged-in, ABA bookseller members.

Marketing Meetup - Holiday Season Marketing

Recorded September 3, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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Bookseller guest speakers share their best suggestions and ideas on Holiday Marketing for the coming season. 

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • 101
Recorded September 3, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups

Bookseller guest speakers share their best suggestions and ideas on Holiday Marketing for the coming season. 

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Plain text icon GMT20200903-170420_ABA-Market.txt6.3 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • 101

Marketing Meetup - Romance Books, They’re Good for You

Recorded August 20, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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Romance novels offer a happy ending usually accompanied by warm fuzzy feelings, and, to a point, predictability. During these uncertain times, is it any surprise that more readers are seeking the comfort romance books provide? In this session, booksellers will hear from several guest speakers on a bevy of topics such as marketing romance books, who the romance reader is, who might be a romance reader, what a store is missing out on by not selling romance books, what type of events can be created, and more.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Genre
  • Romance
Recorded August 20, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups

Romance novels offer a happy ending usually accompanied by warm fuzzy feelings, and, to a point, predictability. During these uncertain times, is it any surprise that more readers are seeking the comfort romance books provide? In this session, booksellers will hear from several guest speakers on a bevy of topics such as marketing romance books, who the romance reader is, who might be a romance reader, what a store is missing out on by not selling romance books, what type of events can be created, and more.

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Plain text icon GMT20200820-165956_ABA-Market.txt14.31 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Genre
  • Romance

Technology Meetup - Zoom

Recorded July 30, 2020 for ABA Technology Meetups
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Author of Zoom for Dummies Phil Simon provides his expert advice on Zoom including best practices, tips, and answers to some commonly asked questions. 

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Technology
Recorded July 30, 2020 for ABA Technology Meetups

Author of Zoom for Dummies Phil Simon provides his expert advice on Zoom including best practices, tips, and answers to some commonly asked questions. 

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Plain text icon GMT20200730-165758_ABA-Techno (1).txt7.76 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Technology

Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft in Conversation

Recorded July 16, 2020 for Children's Institute 2020 (Ci8)
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Join Newbery Award-winning authors Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft in conversation as they discuss the roles booksellers played in their own success, how booksellers can encourage a love of reading, the importance of highlighting Black authors and illustrators, and to learn more about their upcoming projects.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Children's Bookselling

Store Voice, Online Sales, and Profitability

Recorded July 15, 2020 for Children's Institute 2020 (Ci8)
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A bookstore's unique voice is as important as the books it sells. During the current public health crisis, without customers browsing the stacks, stores have had to amplify their voices to break through the noise and harness the buying power of online shoppers. In this session, bookstore owners and social media managers will share how they developed their voices, got loud, and captured new customers and drove online sales. The panelists will also explore ideas on maximizing profitablility during this time of increased shipping all the while retaining their new customers.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Owners and Managers

Marketing Meetup - Marketing Ideas From Small Stores

Recorded July 2, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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Marketing is absolutely necessary for a business to be successful, and even more important for small, independent businesses. Without thoughtful marketing, your store may only be recommended a few times by people who happen to find you — but that’s it; there’s no real customer growth. In this session, you’ll hear from ​six guest speakers from small bookstores, who will share what works for their stores in a variety of marketing areas, including social media, newsletters, events, and general marketing.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • 101
Recorded July 2, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups

Marketing is absolutely necessary for a business to be successful, and even more important for small, independent businesses. Without thoughtful marketing, your store may only be recommended a few times by people who happen to find you — but that’s it; there’s no real customer growth. In this session, you’ll hear from ​six guest speakers from small bookstores, who will share what works for their stores in a variety of marketing areas, including social media, newsletters, events, and general marketing.

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Plain text icon GMT20200702-170053_Marketing- (2).txt2.78 KB
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PDF icon OBPBooks Powerpoint.pdf883.46 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • 101

Marketing Meetup - Marketing Your Store to a School: Revisited

Recorded June 25, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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ABA is revisiting the topic of "Marketing Your Store to a School" with a focus on what needs to change as businesses are in various states of operation and events are taking place virtually instead of in-person. Booksellers will hear about the changes bookseller panelists have made or are considering making and get fresh points of view from booksellers just beginning the process.

Guest Speakers include:
Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, Texas
Stephanie Heinz, Print: A Bookstore, Portland, Maine
Jamie Anderson, Duck’s Cottage, Duck, North Carolina
Emily Woods, McNally Jackson, New York City, New York
Kathy Burnette, The Brain Lair, South Bend, Indiana
Suzi Hough, Hicklebee’s, San Jose, California

 
Please note this video has been edited from the original recording. 
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Children's Bookselling
  • Events
Recorded June 25, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups

ABA is revisiting the topic of "Marketing Your Store to a School" with a focus on what needs to change as businesses are in various states of operation and events are taking place virtually instead of in-person. Booksellers will hear about the changes bookseller panelists have made or are considering making and get fresh points of view from booksellers just beginning the process.

Guest Speakers include:
Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, Texas
Stephanie Heinz, Print: A Bookstore, Portland, Maine
Jamie Anderson, Duck’s Cottage, Duck, North Carolina
Emily Woods, McNally Jackson, New York City, New York
Kathy Burnette, The Brain Lair, South Bend, Indiana
Suzi Hough, Hicklebee’s, San Jose, California

 
Please note this video has been edited from the original recording. 
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Plain text icon GMT20200625-170748_Marketing-.txt6.42 KB
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PDF icon reintgenorderformFFMS.pdf477.65 KB
PDF icon schoolletter (1) (1).pdf108.41 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Children's Bookselling
  • Events

Technology Meetup - Using Chatbots for Online Orders

Recorded June 11, 2020 for ABA Technology Meetups
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This session features Angela Trigg of Haunted Bookshop in Mobile, Alabama, who has created a chatbot through which customers can place orders on the store’s website. The chatbot can detect if someone wants to order a book and then asks questions (like title, author, etc.) and records the answers to create an order note for the store through a third-party service. Booksellers will hear about the online tools Trigg used and how she set it up, as well as see a demonstration of how it works from the customer side.

 
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Technology

Marketing Meetup - Retaining New Customers Part 2

Recorded June 4, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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“How to Make Friends and Influence Purchases: Digital Marketing’s Self-Help Guide to Customer Retention.”

For Part 2 on Retaining New Customers, Jordan Brannon and Cass Cross of Coalition Technologies will return to discuss how to maximize the value of each new visitor to your site through social media marketing, retargeting, paid advertising, and more. 

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Technology
Recorded June 4, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups

“How to Make Friends and Influence Purchases: Digital Marketing’s Self-Help Guide to Customer Retention.”

For Part 2 on Retaining New Customers, Jordan Brannon and Cass Cross of Coalition Technologies will return to discuss how to maximize the value of each new visitor to your site through social media marketing, retargeting, paid advertising, and more. 

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Plain text icon GMT20200604-165806_Marketing-.txt5.36 KB
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PDF icon American Booksellers Assn. Presentation (1).pdf5.07 MB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Technology

Marketing Meetup - Retaining New Customers

Recorded May 7, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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For the first in this two-part session, Jordan Brannon of Coalition Technologies will offer expert guidance on retaining new customers, as stores are seeing an increase in online sales.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Technology
Recorded May 7, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups

For the first in this two-part session, Jordan Brannon of Coalition Technologies will offer expert guidance on retaining new customers, as stores are seeing an increase in online sales.

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Plain text icon GMT20200507-175942_ABA-Market.txt3.69 KB
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PDF icon The Digital Marketer's Dark Desires.pdf2.52 MB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Technology

Marketing Meetup - Virtual Events, part 3

Recorded April 30, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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With readers staying home and bookstores in various states of closure due to COVID-19, virtual events are quickly becoming one of the main ways bookstores are keeping their connection with customers and the local community. The publisher panelists in this session will share what online platforms they are using, any tips/tricks/best practices they have come up with, what types of events are being held, how they are deciding whether to ticket or offer free events, what they are contributing to bundles, and how they work with the bookstores and the platforms they are using.

Guest speakers will include:

  • Melissa Campion of Macmillan
  • Lara Phan of Penguin Random House
  • Taryn Roeder of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  • Karen Torres of Hachette Book Group
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events
Recorded April 30, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups

With readers staying home and bookstores in various states of closure due to COVID-19, virtual events are quickly becoming one of the main ways bookstores are keeping their connection with customers and the local community. The publisher panelists in this session will share what online platforms they are using, any tips/tricks/best practices they have come up with, what types of events are being held, how they are deciding whether to ticket or offer free events, what they are contributing to bundles, and how they work with the bookstores and the platforms they are using.

Guest speakers will include:

  • Melissa Campion of Macmillan
  • Lara Phan of Penguin Random House
  • Taryn Roeder of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  • Karen Torres of Hachette Book Group
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Plain text icon GMT20200430-150205_ABA-Market.txt4.27 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events

Marketing Meetup - Virtual Events, part 2

Recorded April 23, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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This video has been edited from the original recording due to an unfortunate zoom-bombing incident. 

With readers staying home and bookstores in various states of closure, staying connected with customers and your community is becoming vitally important. Virtual events are quickly becoming one of the main ways to keep that connection. In this session you'll hear from 4 guest speakers who have held virtual events recently, using different platforms with tips and recommendations for all.  

Guest speakers include:

  • Liz Decker of Caprichos Books in Bel Air, Maryland
  • Kimberly McNamara of Read It Again in Suwanee, Georgia
  • Cassie Riva of An Unlikely Story in Plainville, Massachusetts
  • Roseann Backlin of Love’s Sweet Arrow in Tinley Park, Illinois

 

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events
Recorded April 23, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups

This video has been edited from the original recording due to an unfortunate zoom-bombing incident. 

With readers staying home and bookstores in various states of closure, staying connected with customers and your community is becoming vitally important. Virtual events are quickly becoming one of the main ways to keep that connection. In this session you'll hear from 4 guest speakers who have held virtual events recently, using different platforms with tips and recommendations for all.  

Guest speakers include:

  • Liz Decker of Caprichos Books in Bel Air, Maryland
  • Kimberly McNamara of Read It Again in Suwanee, Georgia
  • Cassie Riva of An Unlikely Story in Plainville, Massachusetts
  • Roseann Backlin of Love’s Sweet Arrow in Tinley Park, Illinois

 

AttachmentSize
PDF icon Crowdcast Tips from An Unlikely Story.pdf1011.36 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events

Marketing Meetup - Virtual Events, part 1

Recorded April 9, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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With readers staying home and bookstores in various states of closure, staying connected with customers and your community is becoming vitally important. Virtual events are quickly becoming one of the main ways to keep that connection. In this session you'll hear from 3 guest speakers who have held virtual events recently, using 3 different platforms with tips and recommendations for all.  
 
Guest speakers include:, Liz Decker, Caprichos Books, Bel Air, Maryland, Liz Hottel, Politics & Prose, Washington, DC, Jessica Stockton Bagnulo, Greenlight Bookstore, Brooklyn, New York
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events

Marketing Meetup - Marketing Your Store to a School

Recorded March 26, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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Working with your local school can be a great source of revenue for your store and build upon your store's foundation of community. In this session, bookseller guest speakers share how they began reaching out to local schools and built mutually beneficial relationships.
 
Guest Speakers
  • Jamie Anderson, Ducks Cottage, Stephanie Heinz, Print: A Bookstore, Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • 101
  • Events
Recorded March 26, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups
Working with your local school can be a great source of revenue for your store and build upon your store's foundation of community. In this session, bookseller guest speakers share how they began reaching out to local schools and built mutually beneficial relationships.
 
Guest Speakers
  • Jamie Anderson, Ducks Cottage, Stephanie Heinz, Print: A Bookstore, Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop
AttachmentSize
PDF icon Sample Letter to School provided by Jamie Anderson, Ducks Cottage284.11 KB
File Elementary Book Fair Example provided by Stephanie Heinz, Print: A Bookstore359.93 KB
File Middle School/High School Book Fair Example provided by Stephanie Heinz, Print: A Bookstore192.08 KB
File Faculty Staff Pick Example provided by Stephanie Heinz, Print: A Bookstore20.7 KB
PDF icon Order Form Example provided by Stephanie Heinz, Print: A Bookstore739.55 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • 101
  • Events

Marketing Meetup - Edelweiss 360

Recorded February 27, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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Edelweiss360 is a new service that allows booksellers to efficiently craft and send store-branded, personalized emails to customers based on individual purchase behavior and staff knowledge of customers. In addition to driving foot traffic to stores, this new service aims to expand a store’s online ordering and pre-ordering capabilities to better compete with large online retailers. In this session bookseller attendees will hear from John Rubin, CEO & New Product Development Director about how Edelweiss360 works and have the oppourtunity to ask any questions.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • 101

Marketing Meetup - Marketing your Bookstore Pet

Recorded January 30, 2020 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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This session session focuses on how booksellers can leverage their furry and cuddly (or even the not-so-furry or cuddly) pets to drive attention to their store and bring in customers.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • 101

Events: Independent Bookstore Day

Recorded January 24, 2020 for Winter Institute 2020
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Independent Bookstore Day (IBD) has grown from a handful of bookstores in California to a national celebration involving more than 575 stores and, in some cases, citywide celebrations. Participating bookstores see an increase in sales, increased foot traffic, and increased brand awareness. This session will offer attendees an overview of the program and tips from booksellers who have figured out how to make the most of IBD. Panelists will offer information on how to order and make the most of the IBD exclusive merchandise, how to organize and publicize your store’s party to bring people into your store, and how to use social media strategically to increase sales and community participation. Panelists: Samantha Schoech, Program Director of Independent Bookstore Day, Janet Geddis, Avid Bookshop (Athens, GA), Rebecca George, Volumes Bookcafe (Chicago, IL), Tom Nissley, Phinney Books (Seattle, WA), Christie Olson Day, Gallery Bookshop & Bookwinkle's Children's Books (Mendocino, CA)

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events
Recorded January 24, 2020 for Winter Institute 2020

Independent Bookstore Day (IBD) has grown from a handful of bookstores in California to a national celebration involving more than 575 stores and, in some cases, citywide celebrations. Participating bookstores see an increase in sales, increased foot traffic, and increased brand awareness. This session will offer attendees an overview of the program and tips from booksellers who have figured out how to make the most of IBD. Panelists will offer information on how to order and make the most of the IBD exclusive merchandise, how to organize and publicize your store’s party to bring people into your store, and how to use social media strategically to increase sales and community participation. Panelists: Samantha Schoech, Program Director of Independent Bookstore Day, Janet Geddis, Avid Bookshop (Athens, GA), Rebecca George, Volumes Bookcafe (Chicago, IL), Tom Nissley, Phinney Books (Seattle, WA), Christie Olson Day, Gallery Bookshop & Bookwinkle's Children's Books (Mendocino, CA)

AttachmentSize
PDF icon Independent Book Store Day 2020 - Deadlines and Tips (PDF)666.56 KB
PDF icon Independent Book Store Day - Partnerships and Social Media (PDF)463.25 KB
PDF icon Independent Book Store Day 2020 - Presentation (PDF)3.84 MB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events

Marketing Meetup: Why SEO Matters to Your Marketing Plan

Recorded January 24, 2020 for Winter Institute 2020
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Welcome to ABA’s live Marketing Meetup! Marketing is more than social media, newsletters, or placing ads. While all of these tasks are vital to marketing, it is important not to overlook search engine optimization, or SEO. In this session, you’ll learn what SEO is, why it matters, and some best practices for implementation. Panelists: Ryan Quinn, ABA (White Plains, NY), Eileen McGervey, One More Page Books (Arlington, VA), Cassie Clemans, Roundabout Books (Bend, OR) and  Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialists Jordan Brannon, Coalition Technologies (Culver City, CA), and, Cassandra Cross, Coalition Technologies (Culver City, CA).

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Technology
Recorded January 24, 2020 for Winter Institute 2020

Welcome to ABA’s live Marketing Meetup! Marketing is more than social media, newsletters, or placing ads. While all of these tasks are vital to marketing, it is important not to overlook search engine optimization, or SEO. In this session, you’ll learn what SEO is, why it matters, and some best practices for implementation. Panelists: Ryan Quinn, ABA (White Plains, NY), Eileen McGervey, One More Page Books (Arlington, VA), Cassie Clemans, Roundabout Books (Bend, OR) and  Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialists Jordan Brannon, Coalition Technologies (Culver City, CA), and, Cassandra Cross, Coalition Technologies (Culver City, CA).

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PDF icon Marketing Meetup: Why SEO Matters to Your Marketing Plan Presentation (PDF)667.82 KB
PDF icon SEO Checklist for Booksellers - Coalition Technologies (PDF)1.3 MB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Technology

Events: Managing Events in a Politically Challenging Climate

Recorded January 24, 2020 for Winter Institute 2020
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In our highly charged and increasingly challenging political landscape, author visits and even authorless events can become a flash point. Managing and pre-planning for potential event disruptions by fully understanding your community, your audience, and your guests can go a long way toward creating solutions. This panel will offer suggestions from booksellers who have experienced store boycotts and both peaceful and not-so-peaceful protestors. Panelists: Dave Grogan, ABA (White Plains, NY), Reiko Redmonde, Revolution Books (Berkeley, CA), Elisa Thomas, Cellar Door Books (Riverside, CA), Bradley Graham, Politics and Prose Bookstore (Washington, DC)

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events
Recorded January 24, 2020 for Winter Institute 2020

In our highly charged and increasingly challenging political landscape, author visits and even authorless events can become a flash point. Managing and pre-planning for potential event disruptions by fully understanding your community, your audience, and your guests can go a long way toward creating solutions. This panel will offer suggestions from booksellers who have experienced store boycotts and both peaceful and not-so-peaceful protestors. Panelists: Dave Grogan, ABA (White Plains, NY), Reiko Redmonde, Revolution Books (Berkeley, CA), Elisa Thomas, Cellar Door Books (Riverside, CA), Bradley Graham, Politics and Prose Bookstore (Washington, DC)

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events

Leverage Local: Actionable Ideas from Baltimore Indie Retail

Recorded January 23, 2020 for Winter Institute 2020
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Being an independent bookstore in today’s retail environment means working tirelessly to stay connected and relevant to your customers in the store and online, while simultaneously participating in your greater community by advocating for independent retail as a key to downtown economic stability. It’s a big job! And all independent retailers, not just booksellers, are meeting this challenge in various ways. Come to this session to hear from Baltimore’s diverse and unique independent retailer stars, ask questions, and discover ideas to apply to your bookstore. Panelists: Dan Cullen, ABA (White Plains, NY), Tom Mansfield, Charm City Run (Baltimore, MD), Claudia Towles, aMuse Toys (Baltimore, MD), Mark Wasson, A Few Cool Hardware Stores (Washington, D.C./Baltimore, MD/Alexandria, VA), Dan Cullen, ABA (White Plains, NY)

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
 None
Recorded January 23, 2020 for Winter Institute 2020

Being an independent bookstore in today’s retail environment means working tirelessly to stay connected and relevant to your customers in the store and online, while simultaneously participating in your greater community by advocating for independent retail as a key to downtown economic stability. It’s a big job! And all independent retailers, not just booksellers, are meeting this challenge in various ways. Come to this session to hear from Baltimore’s diverse and unique independent retailer stars, ask questions, and discover ideas to apply to your bookstore. Panelists: Dan Cullen, ABA (White Plains, NY), Tom Mansfield, Charm City Run (Baltimore, MD), Claudia Towles, aMuse Toys (Baltimore, MD), Mark Wasson, A Few Cool Hardware Stores (Washington, D.C./Baltimore, MD/Alexandria, VA), Dan Cullen, ABA (White Plains, NY)

AttachmentSize
PDF icon Leverage Local: Actionable Ideas from Baltimore Indie Retail Presentation (PDF)3.04 MB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
 None

Technology: Your Bookstore's Podcast

Recorded January 23, 2020 for Winter Institute 2020
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Podcasting has become an increasingly popular way to supplement your store’s programming, boost sales, and generate interest in your store among the literary community and beyond. In this session, we will discuss how to decide if a podcast makes sense for your store, different philosophies regarding the creation of content, the best recording equipment and editing software, different publishing platforms, and how to work with publishers and authors to promote their work and yours. Jason Jefferies, general manager of Quail Ridge Books, host of the store’s podcast, Bookin', and co-director of the North Carolina Book Festival, will moderate this panel. Panelists: Jason Jefferies, Quail Ridge Books (Raleigh, NC), Annie Jones, The Bookshelf (Thomasville, GA), Alena Jones, Seminary Co-op Bookstore and 57th Street Books (Chicago, IL), Layla Saad, author, Sourcebooks

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Technology
Recorded January 23, 2020 for Winter Institute 2020

Podcasting has become an increasingly popular way to supplement your store’s programming, boost sales, and generate interest in your store among the literary community and beyond. In this session, we will discuss how to decide if a podcast makes sense for your store, different philosophies regarding the creation of content, the best recording equipment and editing software, different publishing platforms, and how to work with publishers and authors to promote their work and yours. Jason Jefferies, general manager of Quail Ridge Books, host of the store’s podcast, Bookin', and co-director of the North Carolina Book Festival, will moderate this panel. Panelists: Jason Jefferies, Quail Ridge Books (Raleigh, NC), Annie Jones, The Bookshelf (Thomasville, GA), Alena Jones, Seminary Co-op Bookstore and 57th Street Books (Chicago, IL), Layla Saad, author, Sourcebooks

AttachmentSize
PDF icon Your Bookstore's Podcast Presentation (PDF)565.5 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Technology

Marketing Meetup - Eventbrite Marketing

Recorded November 21, 2019 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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This session focuses on how booksellers can use the event management and ticketing website Eventbrite. In this session, a representative will teach attendees about the service, and then three booksellers from ABA member stores will discuss how they use it to promote and market their events. Guest speakers will include Jorge Portillo of Eventbrite; John Ganiard of Literati Bookstore; and Jill Hendrix of Fiction Addiction.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events

Marketing Meetup - How to Determine Your Marketing Budget

Recorded November 7, 2019 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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Marketing is an important part of every business, but covering the cost of it can be challenging. In this session, hear from an industry expert and fellow booksellers on their best practices and recommendations for determining your own marketing budget. Guest speakers will be Mark Kaufman of Paz & Associates, Alana Haley of Schuler Books, Ari Gersen of Longfellow Books, and P.K. Sindwani of Towne Book Center.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
 None
Recorded November 7, 2019 for ABA Marketing Meetups

Marketing is an important part of every business, but covering the cost of it can be challenging. In this session, hear from an industry expert and fellow booksellers on their best practices and recommendations for determining your own marketing budget. Guest speakers will be Mark Kaufman of Paz & Associates, Alana Haley of Schuler Books, Ari Gersen of Longfellow Books, and P.K. Sindwani of Towne Book Center.

AttachmentSize
PDF icon Marketing Plan Sample28.03 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
 None

Marketing Meetup - Libro.fm Upcoming Holiday Marketing

Recorded October 18, 2019 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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The meetup covers, selling Libro.fm audiobooks and audiobook gifts during the holidays, Libro.fm’s Real People Monday promotion (also known as Cyber Monday), and an audiobook Q&A with Libro.fm and participating booksellers. Guest speakers include Nick Johnson from Libro.fm, Suzanne Droppert of Liberty Bay Books, and Jennifer Wood of East City Bookshop.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Handselling

Marketing Meetup - Love Your Bookstore Marketing Campaign

Recorded September 19, 2019 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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This session will offer an introduction to the Love Your Bookstore challenge, an overview of how stores have participated in the past, and ideas for how to market the event and get customers involved and excited about it. 

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events

Technology Meetup - Digital Events

Recorded September 10, 2019 for ABA Technology Meetups
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During the session, we'll hear about alternatives to in-store visits with authors, from online book clubs to Facebook Live to Skype sessions.

Guest speakers will be Gee Gee Rosell of Buxton Village Books, Broche Fabian of River Dog Book Co., and Candice Huber of Tubby & Coo’s Mid-City Book Shop, with additional information provided by Vroman’s Bookstore.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events

Marketing Meetup - Hummingbird eBook Marketing

Recorded September 5, 2019 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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Established in 2014, Hummingbird offers a free, turnkey e-book and audiobook retailing platform that allows bookstores, publishers, media, nonprofits, bloggers, and others to compete with Amazon, Apple, and Barnes & Noble in the digital arena. During this session, booksellers will hear about the service from Hummingbird staff and from booksellers who are successfully marketing the service to their customers. Guest speakers will be Josh Mettee of Hummingbird Digital Media and Dave Lucey of Page 158 Books

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Handselling

Marketing Meetup - Holiday Marketing Campaign Plans

Recorded August 22, 2019 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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In this meetup, attendees will hear from fellow booksellers about when they start planning for the holiday shopping season, how they decide which books and gifts to promote, what platforms they take their marketing campaigns to, and more.

Guest speakers for this meetup will include Len Vlahos from Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver; Jessica Stockton Bagnulo of Greenlight Bookstore in Brooklyn, New York; and Cassie Clemans of Roundabout Books in Bend, Oregon.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Handselling

Marketing Meetup - Organizing and Marketing Multi-Store Events (Bookstore Crawls/Passports) - Part 2

Recorded August 8, 2019 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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In the second of two meetups on how multi-store events are organized and marketed, bookseller speakers will continue to discuss Independent Bookstore Day in addition to other shop-local events, such as Find Waldo Local, Here’s Harry (a Harry Potter version of Where’s Waldo), and more. Guest speakers include Beth Stroh of Viewpoint Books, Jessica Palacios of Once Upon a Time, Laurie Gillman of East City Bookshop, and Elissa Sweet of Bank Square Books and Savoy Bookshop & Café

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events
Recorded August 8, 2019 for ABA Marketing Meetups

In the second of two meetups on how multi-store events are organized and marketed, bookseller speakers will continue to discuss Independent Bookstore Day in addition to other shop-local events, such as Find Waldo Local, Here’s Harry (a Harry Potter version of Where’s Waldo), and more. Guest speakers include Beth Stroh of Viewpoint Books, Jessica Palacios of Once Upon a Time, Laurie Gillman of East City Bookshop, and Elissa Sweet of Bank Square Books and Savoy Bookshop & Café

AttachmentSize
PDF icon Hoosier Bookstore Tour 2019 Details and Tote Bag Example (PDF)241.35 KB
PDF icon OUAT Here's Harry Merchant Intro (PDF)263.71 KB
PDF icon Rhode Island IBD Final Passport (PDF)3.02 MB
PDF icon Rhode Island IBD Passport Press Release (PDF)325.05 KB
PDF icon Rhode Island IBD Passport Rules (PDF)72.57 KB
PDF icon East City Bookshop Multi Business Event Notes (PDF)63.57 KB
AttachmentSize
Image icon OUAT Here's Harry 20th Anniversary Logo (PNG)52.49 KB
Image icon OUAT Here's Harry Map Inside 2019 (JPG)1.67 MB
Image icon OUAT Here's Harry Map Back 2019 (JPG)1.7 MB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events

Marketing Meetup - Organizing and Marketing Multi-Store Events (Bookstore Crawls/Passports) - Part 1

Recorded July 25, 2019 for ABA Marketing Meetups
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In the first of two meetups on how multi-store events are organized and marketed, bookseller speakers will focus on Independent Bookstore Day and how regional businesses put together bookstore crawls and passports. Guest speakers will be Clarissa Murphy of Silver Unicorn Bookstore; Katie Eelman of Papercuts J.P.; Eric Lorberer of the literary organization Rain Taxi; Tom Nissley of Phinney Books; and Jessica Stockton Bagnulo of Greenlight Bookstore.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events

Operations & Finances: Utilizing Co-op

Recorded June 28, 2019 for Children's Institute 2019
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“Co-op” is a word booksellers often hear from publishers, but it can be quite confusing to try to decipher what it is. In this session, Jenny Cohen of Waucoma Bookstore in Hood River, OR provides an overview of cooperative advertising: what it is, where it comes from, and how a store can maximize their spending using accrued co-op dollars from publishers.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
 None

Advanced Bookselling & Special Topics: Author Event Grids

Recorded June 28, 2019 for Children's Institute 2019
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You know you want to bring authors to your store and into area schools, but how do you begin to ask publishers? Two words: “Author Grids.” In this session, panelists who have mastered the author grid will share with attendees:

  • Tips for a perfect pitch
  • The power of your sales rep
  • How to create a stellar general event profile
  • How to anticipate attendance
  • How to request access to grids
Topics:
  • Bookselling Essentials
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events

Buying & Selling: Subscription Boxes

Recorded June 28, 2019 for Children's Institute 2019

With hundreds of subscription boxes to choose from, how will a customer know that yours is the right one for them? Attendees will learn the following from bookstores that have successful subscription box programs:

  • Best practices for marketing
  • Inventory control
  • Options for special services
  • How to select categories
  • Fulfillment management
  • Order tracking
AttachmentSize
PDF icon Subscription Boxes Presentation (PDF)2.16 MB
Topics:
  • Bookselling Essentials
  • Buying & Inventory Management
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • 101
  • Children's Bookselling

Advanced Bookselling & Special Topics: Expanding Your Brand as a #Bookstagram Influencer with Hafsah Faizal

Recorded June 28, 2019 for Children's Institute 2019
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Everyone wants to be a book influencer on social media, but it takes more than logging in and sharing a photo. Instagram influencer and debut author Hafsah Faizal will teach attendees:

  • What it means to have an Instagram persona and how to establish a unique voice
  • How to gain followers
  • Best practices for targeted messaging
  • How to effectively use hashtags
  • Tips to curate beautiful, attention-grabbing photos
  • How to establish profitable partnerships with other businesses and organizations
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • 101
Recorded June 28, 2019 for Children's Institute 2019

Everyone wants to be a book influencer on social media, but it takes more than logging in and sharing a photo. Instagram influencer and debut author Hafsah Faizal will teach attendees:

  • What it means to have an Instagram persona and how to establish a unique voice
  • How to gain followers
  • Best practices for targeted messaging
  • How to effectively use hashtags
  • Tips to curate beautiful, attention-grabbing photos
  • How to establish profitable partnerships with other businesses and organizations
AttachmentSize
PDF icon Expanding Your Brand as a #Bookstagram Influencer Presentation (PDF)2.74 MB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • 101
  • Technology

Buying & Selling: Books in Translation

Recorded June 28, 2019 for Children's Institute 2019

Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales, The Little Prince, Pippi Longstocking, Asterix — what do they all have in common? They are all beloved classics that have been translated from the authors’ original languages and have enriched the U.S. children’s book landscape as well as readers of all ages. In this informational session, publishing personnel will share with attendees:

  • An overview of the translation and rights process
  • Why translated books are important
  • How to promote and sell these books to U.S. audiences
  • How books can be used in outreach to schools and community groups
  • How translated books can foster diversity, cultural awareness, and cross-cultural understanding
AttachmentSize
PDF icon Favorite Translated Titles (PDF)477.15 KB
PDF icon Books in Translation Presentation (PDF)2.01 MB
Topics:
  • Bookselling Essentials
  • Buying & Inventory Management
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • 101
  • Children's Bookselling
  • Handselling

Advanced Bookselling & Special Topics: Marketing Events to Ensure a Home Run

Recorded June 27, 2019 for Children's Institute 2019
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You have a good idea for an event, but it’s not catching fire. You’ve sent out emails, created fliers for the store, and have even posted on all of your store’s social media channels, so what gives? In this session, marketing and events managers teach attendees:

  • Best practices for creating marketing campaigns
  • Opportunities for advertisement
  • Areas for potential partnerships for cross-marketing
  • Marketing timelines
  • Using social media methodically to get the most out of your posts
  • Thirteenth-hour efforts for the final push
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events
Recorded June 27, 2019 for Children's Institute 2019

You have a good idea for an event, but it’s not catching fire. You’ve sent out emails, created fliers for the store, and have even posted on all of your store’s social media channels, so what gives? In this session, marketing and events managers teach attendees:

  • Best practices for creating marketing campaigns
  • Opportunities for advertisement
  • Areas for potential partnerships for cross-marketing
  • Marketing timelines
  • Using social media methodically to get the most out of your posts
  • Thirteenth-hour efforts for the final push
AttachmentSize
PDF icon Tips for a Successful Author Visit (PDF)249.26 KB
PDF icon Marketing Events to Ensure a Home Run Presentation (PDF)1.91 MB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Events

Events University (AM): In Store and Off Site Author Events

Recorded June 26, 2019 for Children's Institute 2019

 

Pre-registation required; $45 fee per person; space is limited and lunch is provided. Hosting events in-store and offsite is a great way to strengthen a customer base, build goodwill within your community, and make money. But tackling the ins and outs of events, no matter how large or small, is daunting, time-consuming, and, let’s face it, overwhelming. This full-day, two-part workshop led by aces in bookstore event management will teach attendees:

  • Best practices for in-store author events
  • Tips for navigating events in a small space
  • Best practices for off-site author events, including partnering with schools and libraries, hosting large-scale events, and using alternate venues
  • Best practices for ticketing events and anticipating turnout
  • How to launch a book festival in your community

Events University is open to all booksellers, including those who are not registered for Children’s Institute.

AttachmentSize
PDF icon Events University In Store and Off Site Events - slide presentation (PDF)14.97 MB
Topics:
  • Bookselling Essentials
  • Events & Marketing
  • Operations & Personnel Management
Tags:
  • Children's Bookselling
  • Events

Dazzling In-Store Displays

Recorded January 25, 2019 for Winter Institute 2019
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You only have a few seconds to attract—and hold—a customer’s attention, so it’s critical that you get it right if you want to turn a browser into a buyer. From the whimsical to the thought-provoking, store displays done right tell a story that taps into a customer’s needs—needs for entertainment, introspection, fantasy, connection, and more. Booksellers who are skilled at telling stories through engaging displays will present tips and visuals on how to make an eye-catching in-store displays that turn browsers into buyers.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • 101
Recorded January 25, 2019 for Winter Institute 2019

You only have a few seconds to attract—and hold—a customer’s attention, so it’s critical that you get it right if you want to turn a browser into a buyer. From the whimsical to the thought-provoking, store displays done right tell a story that taps into a customer’s needs—needs for entertainment, introspection, fantasy, connection, and more. Booksellers who are skilled at telling stories through engaging displays will present tips and visuals on how to make an eye-catching in-store displays that turn browsers into buyers.

AttachmentSize
PDF icon Dazzling In-Store Displays Presentation (PDF)7.62 MB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • 101

Top Tips for Instagram Success With Two Cats Communications

Recorded January 24, 2019 for Winter Institute 2019

Gain a better understanding of the valuable role Instagram can play in your bookstore’s marketing program with Two Cats Communication as they share a holistic overview of best business practices utilizing the social media platform. This session will set bookstores up for Instagram success by teaching attendees:

  • Optimization tips
  • The benefits of an Instagram Business Account
  • How to develop a consistent brand
  • Platform features that can increase your reach and bring value to your bookstore
AttachmentSize
PDF icon Top Tips for Instagram Success Presentation (PDF)5.78 MB
Topics:
  • Bookselling Essentials
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Technology

Morning Keynote: Amy Webb

Recorded January 25, 2018 for Winter Institute 2018
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Amy Webb is a quantitative futurist. She is a professor of strategic foresight at the NYU Stern School of Business and the Founder of the Future Today Institute, a leading future forecasting and strategy firm that researches technology and answers “What’s the future of X?” for a global client base. She is the author of three books, including The Signals Are Talking: Why Today’s Fringe Is Tomorrow’s Mainstream (PublicAffairs, December 2016) which explains how to predict and manage technological change. It was selected as one of Fast Company’s Best Books of 2016 and was a Washington Post Bestseller. Her bestselling memoir Data, A Love Story (Dutton/ Penguin 2013) is about finding love via algorithms. Her TED talk about Data has been viewed more than 6 million times and has been translated into 32 languages.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
 None

Take Your Social Media to the Next Level: Strategic Best Practices for Retail and E-commerce Businesses

Recorded January 23, 2018 for Winter Institute 2018
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Successful social media marketing requires more than just posting and sharing content. Retailers that understand the power of engagement and customer relationships can generate name recognition, sales, on-site visitors, and more. Learn how to develop a more informed, organized, goal-oriented approach to your social media that will help you achieve your digital marketing goals. Identify how social media marketing can target the right audiences and grow your bottom line. This class will benefit any bookseller that has clearly defined digital marketing goals, currently manages one or more social media accounts, and is actively marketing on social media on a daily or weekly basis.

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
 None

Take Your Show on the Road: Managing Large-Scale Events

Recorded July 11, 2017 for Webinars
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For booksellers who have never created a large-scale off-site event as well as those who are looking for some creative tips for more successful events.

Learn about:

  • Marketing at low or no cost
  • Tips for publisher proposals
  • Ticketing and bundling
  • Managing crowds and logistics
  • Book sale expectations

Panelists: Jessica Stockton-Bagnulo (Greenlight Bookstore, Brooklyn, NY), Lynn Pellerito Riehl (Nicola’s Books, Ann Arbor, Michigan), Robert McDonald (The Book Stall, Winnetka, IL.)

Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
 None
Recorded July 11, 2017 for Webinars

For booksellers who have never created a large-scale off-site event as well as those who are looking for some creative tips for more successful events.

Learn about:

  • Marketing at low or no cost
  • Tips for publisher proposals
  • Ticketing and bundling
  • Managing crowds and logistics
  • Book sale expectations

Panelists: Jessica Stockton-Bagnulo (Greenlight Bookstore, Brooklyn, NY), Lynn Pellerito Riehl (Nicola’s Books, Ann Arbor, Michigan), Robert McDonald (The Book Stall, Winnetka, IL.)

AttachmentSize
PDF icon Event Procedures from Greenlight Bookstore255.25 KB
PDF icon Tips for a Successful Event from The Book Stall249.18 KB
PDF icon Tips for Fly Over Zone Proposals from Nicola's Books101.94 KB
PDF icon Questions and Answers346.53 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
 None

Starting a Children's or Teen Book Festival

Recorded April 20, 2015 for Children's Institute 2015

A children’s book festival can be an ideal vehicle to promote reading and literacy in your community.  Booksellers with vast experience at literary festivals around the country will explain how to get started with your own children's or teen festival, working in partnership with other local businesses and organizations, attracting authors and publicists, and garnering media attention.  How narrow or broadly should your focus be, when are the best times of year, and what other considerations must go into such an undertaking?  Learn all this and more before adding a festival to your events calendar.

  • Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop (Houston, TX), Coordinator for the Bookworm Festival for Emerging Readers, Tweens Read, and TeenBookCon
  • Diane Capriola, Little Shop of Stories (Decatur, GA), Children and Teen Program Manager for the AJC Decatur Book Festival
  • Meghan Goel, BookPeople (Austin, TX), Program Director for the Texas Teen Book Festival
  • Liesl Freudenstein, Boulder Book Store (Boulder, CO) (moderator)
     
AttachmentSize
PDF icon BookPeople and the Texas Teen Book Festival (PDF)21.87 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
  • Children's Bookselling

The Passion Conversation: Understanding, Sparking, and Sustaining Word of Mouth Marketing

Recorded January 23, 2014 for Winter Institute 2014

Geno Church, Word of Mouth Pathfinder from Brains on Fire, will lead an interactive workshop created to help booksellers spark and sustain word of mouth marketing. Learn how to make people fall passionately and madly in love with your store, and how loving your customers can result in not just building a thriving community, but also drive meaningful conversations and, ultimately, the financial success of your business. This session will also be offered on Friday from 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. 

AttachmentSize
PDF icon Word of Mouth Movement Diagram Linked by Passion (PDF)68.39 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
 None

Free for the Asking: Marketing with PR & Social Media

Recorded January 20, 2011 for Winter Institute 2011

Putting your store in the media spotlight and keeping it there does not have to cost a lot of money. In fact, it doesn't have to cost you anything at all beyond usual staff hours. This session will focus on how to take advantage of free media outlets to market and promote your store.

AttachmentSize
PDF icon Free for the Asking - Marketing with PR and Social Media In Mind (PDF)110.94 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
 None

Customer Surveys: Why & How

Recorded February 4, 2010 for Winter Institute 2010

Have you ever wondered what your customers think about your store or how they view you compared to your competition? In this session, find out how to create and execute customer surveys that will help you learn more about your customers and develop more effective strategies to meet their needs. This session will outline the "nuts-and-bolts" of how to do customer surveys -- including how to frame questions, administer the survey in your store and online, and analyze the results.

AttachmentSize
PDF icon How To Conduct A Customer Survey Introduction (PDF)523.07 KB
PDF icon How To Do a Customer Survey: Common Questions, Complaints & Responses (PDF)188.52 KB
PDF icon How to do a Customer Survey: Option Guide (PDF)195.15 KB
PDF icon How To Do a Customer Survey: Talking Script & Sample Letter (PDF)200.96 KB
Topics:
  • Events & Marketing
Tags:
 None

About ABA

American Booksellers Association is a national trade association that supports and advocates for the success of independent bookstores. We provide members with education, networking opportunities, advocacy, resources, and technology. In turn our members support local schools through book fairs, donations and author visits; promote literacy; provide inclusive community centers; connect readers and books; add character to neighborhoods; champion and center diverse and new voices; and contribute to the local economy. We feel honored to support them in their work.

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