Supporting Your Local Independent Bookstore

Image via DALL-E

Despite the prevalence of ebooks and more people accessing more books via digital methods, sales of physical books soared by 4% in 2021. This may not sound too much, but this increase has defied predictions when considering the economy and other factors, most notably the rise of a more digital lifestyle.

In the UK, book sales hit 2.5 billion in 2020. However, despite this rise, your local bookstore might still need help. The spending, it seems, hasn't been equally distributed, and of the 200 million printed books sold, the sales weren't equal. That's not to say bookstores aren't thriving. Indie bookstores, in particular, seem to be gaining popularity with dedicated book lovers who value their local bookstore and want to help it stave off closure. But is that possible, especially with behemoths such as Amazon, who sell digital books and physical copies, and the allure of the more giant book retailers such as Waterstones?

Sure, but saving your local bookstore doesn't just mean buying books yourself. You can support your local store in many ways, and not all of them involve you adding to that already impossible-to-finish TBR pile.

Why Is Supporting Local Bookstores Important?

When you step back and take on the bigger picture, you aren't just supporting your local bookseller, which is a fantastic thing to do regardless. You are investing money back into publishing, allowing more authors to have their books published, better deals for indie bookstores, and supporting authors. Authors who release books online typically have to pay a fee to the seller, meaning they don't always get the full cut of the sale depending on where the book is bought.

Mainly when books are sold below the RRP, while Kindle subscriptions allow you to read as many books as you want for a set amount, and the authors only receive payment per page read. If you finish the book, they only get paid once you give up and state something new. While this can be an excellent residual income, nothing beats someone purchasing a full-price copy of their book to support the industry.

Leave Reviews

Whether you have shopped online or in-store with your favorite retailer, leaving them a review online can help others find them and support what they do. Find their social media pages and website, if they have one, and look for how to leave a review, either for the book(s) you bought, the service you received, or both.

Sadly, far too many people see fit to leave online complaints at the merest hint of what they perceive as bad service. So countering this with positive and supportive feedback everywhere your bookstore is active can help you do your bit to support them.

Participate in Events

A great way to introduce people to new authors or books is through in-store or virtual events. The success of these events directly correlates with how many people turn up and support them. Even if you know of the author, read the book, or have no desire to read or get involved, simply showing up can be supportive. Events can be a great income generator for bookstores, and the more popular the events are, the more they can book in, so sign up to receive alerts and make your presence count on the event day.

Social Media

Where would we be without social media? The beauty of social media is that you can connect with companies and brands easily and for free. Be generous with your engagement, like and share social media posts, chat and engage on interested topics, and give feedback if you'd like. You can do all this for free anytime, even if you cannot visit in person.

On Twitter, there is a hashtag you can follow to support booksellers #AskABookSeller.

Sign up to receive newsletters or new release alerts to keep you updated with the latest developments in the store.

Pre-Order

Pre-orders are enormous and allow bookstores to gauge interest in new releases and get the latest books. It can even help them negotiate better prices. As such, whether you want to read the new horror from an author like J.D. Barker or check out a much-anticipated self-help release, preorder the books you want from your local bookstore in person or online. Making a preorder and paying upfront guarantees them an income; otherwise, they might not have had the money. In hard times, this will always be welcome.

Gift Cards

If you don't need any new books but want to give the power of books to loved ones for gifts, why not ask your local bookseller if they have any gift cards you can buy to allow people to buy when they are ready? Not only does the bookseller get potentially much-needed funds, but a guaranteed sale.

Audiobooks

If your retailer has a website, you can purchase audiobooks to listen to a story rather than read them. Audiobooks are becoming increasingly popular, and you can enjoy your favorite stories over again via a new format and hear them differently.

Word of Mouth

There is nothing more powerful than word of mouth when supporting small businesses. Many companies prefer to get a recommendation via word of mouth because it means someone thought you would tell others highly enough.

So, if you have had a great experience in-store or someone asks for recommendations, share your thoughts and feelings on your favorite small bookstores to help support them.

In conclusion, if you are a bonafide bookworm, then changing how you buy your new reads and supporting booksellers and the industry can help establish the need to preserve smaller bookstores and appreciate everything they can offer customers and the wider community.

Even regular purchases, no matter how small, can make a difference, and if you can take on board some of the tips in this post, you can ensure bookstores are around for a long time.

Subscribe to our newsletter and Explore insightful conversations on workplace culture, burnout, and leadership at the Breakfast Leadership Network, ranked Top 20 globally. Join us to thrive in the modern work environment.

Please stay connected with us! For more insights and valuable content, don't forget to check out the following resources:

- **Breakfast Leadership Show Podcast**: Tune in to our podcast and get inspired by leadership lessons and success stories from top industry leaders.

- **Breakfast Leadership YouTube Channel**: Subscribe to our YouTube channel for video content on leadership, personal development, and more.

- **Hire Michael D. Levitt to Speak**: Looking for a dynamic speaker for your next event? Hire Michael D. Levitt, the founder of Breakfast Leadership, to share his expertise and insights.

Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates. Remember to share this article with your network!