The Countdown to Indies First is On!

Indies First/Small Business Saturday is just a couple weeks away! In addition to in-store and window display posters to promote the November 27 event, here are some other resources and tips to get the word out for your store.

1. Visit ShopSmall.com for materials to promote Small Business Saturday and your store. You can also find Indies First specific marketing materials on BookWeb.org.
2. Libro.fm is back with the Thanks for Giving promotion. When customers spend at least $15 USD at any independent bookstore from November 24-30, they can get a free, bestselling audiobook* from Libro.fm. Last year more than 3,000 customers participated, spending over $170,000 at bookstores. Libro.fm has provided teaser graphics and social copy to use.*The 12 titles will be revealed on 11/24.
3. Post photos of your events on social media using #IndiesFirst. We plan to “like” and repost as much as possible. We'll be spreading the news on IndieBound's Facebook and Twitter, as well as on ABA's Instagram account.
4. Do your local newspapers, bloggers, and radio stations know your plans? Look through your community's event listings, online and in print, and consider who might be doing a holiday story, or who would have an interest in independent retail, bookstores, or the authors coming to the store.
5. Do any local media outlets have Facebook pages that you can add a comment to, or accounts you can reference via tweet?
6. Now is a great time to submit an op-ed to a local paper about the importance of shopping local this season, or what it means to your community. See a recent op-ed written by Danny Caine of The Raven Book Store for a great example, or reach out to ABA if you need assistance.