Get your

self-published

books into

bookstores& libraries!

Get your

self-published

books into

bookstores& libraries!

8 KEY STEPS TO RETAIL BOOK SALES step-b

y-step

guide!

Learn about BOOK DISTRIBUTION and

BOOK BUYERS and how they decide

to buy books!

YES, you canget your book

into the stores and libraries!

step 1

Know the Marketfor Your BookWhat books and categories are selling wellright now?

What is the average retail price that readers expect to pay for books like yours?

What are the covers and designs people are comparing to your book?

Do the stores and libraries you are targeting BUY books like yours? Are you sure?

step 2

Know How They Buy Books

Most chain bookstores buy from wholesalers.

Independent bookstores buy from wholesalers

AND also buy on consignment sometimes

directly from authors or publishers.

step 3

Get into Book Wholesalers

Bookstores and libraries will start

by looking at their favorite wholesaler’s database.

If you are POD with IngramSpark

then you will already be in the Ingram Wholesaler

database.

If not ...

> > >

step 3

If you are not Print on Demand (POD),

then you can apply to the wholesalers of your choice.

Start by visiting these sites:

Ingram

Baker & TaylorB&T Application

America West Brodart

Follett (K-12 and University Libraries)

step 4

Create a Marketing & Media Plan

Create a constant set of activities

to “show” the world your book.

What are you doing to create that buzz?

What media are you contacting

and what reviews are you going after?

step 5

Create ProfessionalMarketing Materials

You have just moments to convince a

bookstore buyer or a librarian to take your book.

The best way to get the “YES” is to show them

these key book marketing tools in one place.

step 6

Know Your Buyer’sGoals

Librarian or bookstore buyers have goals

that keep them employed and happy.

Ÿ to look good to their bosses

Ÿ to choose books that appeal to their patron

Ÿ to make money for their location

Ÿ to increase traffic to their location

Ÿ to not have to add a lot of items

to their to-do lists

step 7

Contact BookstoreBuyers & Librarians

Start by sending an email to the buyer

or librarians stating that you are promoting your book.

Remember that you know their goals.

Every part of your communication

should be focused on their goals, not yours.

Keep this in mind

and you will get a LOT further!

step 8

Follow up

Know the answers to these questions BEFORE

you ask a book buyer to stock your book on their shelves:

Ÿ Is your book returnable?

Ÿ Where is your book available?

Ÿ What discounts and terms are you offering?

Ÿ What marketing are you doing?

Ÿ Are there any events or programs you can do

at their location?

Ÿ Are there any articles or content

you can provide for their

website or newsletter?

Find the right stores and libraries, do your homework, create your materials, reach out to the buyers and get ready for those checks!

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