Question

Topic: Strategy

Marketing For A Bookshop

Posted by Anonymous on 8/27/2004 at 9:51 AM ET 250 Points
Ok folks, a little bookshop opposite my office needs some marketing ideas (beyond 'if you build it they will come'!). Let's see how we can help...

Niche market - Christian bookstore; sells books, wide music selection, cards and gifts. Do a lot of conferences and have basic relationships set up with local churches, to whom they give a discount. They have a bi-monthly newsletter and reasonable website which can be used to order online.

I would value ideas and pointers to resources, particularly point of sale, customer acquisition and retention, and anything funky you can come up with.

Thanks - Simon
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by SRyan ;] on 8/27/2004 at 8:15 PM Accepted
    For inspiration (not necessarily Divine), I would look at OTHER businesses that have successfully differentiated themselves in a "megastore" market. Pick up the phone and ask their owners how they did it!

    For example, there's a bookstore here in Houston that specializes in mysteries (www.murderbooks.com).

    Or look at your locally owned coffee bar, wine shop, or butcher and ask how they keep their customers coming back.

    Not to say that the church-lady ideas people have posted so far aren't valuable... but what works in YOUR neighborhood might be worth a closer look.

    Hell, you might even convince those business owners to promote each other's products. (Damn -- I just cursed online!)

    - Shelley ;]
  • Posted by SteveByrneMarketing on 8/27/2004 at 8:40 PM Accepted
    Put a large wooden cart in front of the bookstore loaded with books with similar pricing. The cart should go well with the bookstore architecture. Then place an interestingly designed “Two-For-One” sign on it. Change the books often enough to keep interest up from regular customers.

    Best of luck,

    - Steve
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