Marketing

WORD bookstore in Brooklyn was recently recognized by the Village Voice for “Best Off-Line Personal Ads - 2010” for its matchmaking board – a success that has spawned bookish love connections and press coverage since its debut last July.

Dozens of new IndieBound holiday designs and updated favorites have just been added to BookWeb’s Bookseller DIY.

To help booksellers capitalize on the October 29 movie release of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Music Box Films is offering free passes, a free documentary, and a chance for consumers to win a trip to Sweden.

On the second Tuesday morning of every month, Warwick’s hosts “Coffee With a Bookseller.” The store serves free coffee and scones, and staff member Seth Marko leads customers on a “casual, informal journey” through new releases and Warwick’s staff picks.

With the help of technology, publisher William Morrow has begun building excitement for the January release of Conor Grennan’s memoir, Little Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal.

When the San Diego Union Tribune cut its coverage of arts and books, several area booksellers stepped in to provide the newspaper with book-related content.

The Annapolis Bookstore's new "Rent-a-Book" program is a "win-win situation" that has drawn "phenomenal interest," said co-owner Mary Adams.

As a growing number of independent booksellers look to make their online presence a key part of their store identity, it is important to ensure that the bookstore website is as productive as possible.

The GetGlue iPhone app offers readers a new way to connect with the Indie Next List.

To help booksellers capitalize on film-release buzz for The Girl Who Played With Fire, Music Box Films is offering a multifaceted promotion, including free passes, a free documentary, and, appropriately, free temporary tattoos.

Facebook offers an inexpensive, targeted ad platform that may help booksellers reach new customers.

Booksellers around the country have started teaming up with local bloggers to promote events, increase sales, and expand their reach in both the online and physical communities.

As bookstores look to turn their status as a community hub into a financially rewarding asset, many are exploring customer membership programs. Two stores that offer paid memberships share their thoughts.

"What we are after is working with vendors that want to be real partners in selling quality products to our customers," said Northshire Bookstore owner Chris Morrow. That's why Northshire has just entered into its second consignment partnership, this one with publisher Chelsea Green.

The Skylight Books façade, a wall of windows that stretches the length of the storefront, faces a busy street in Los Angeles' Los Feliz neighborhood. To maximize this high-visibility window-space, Kerry Slattery, the store's co-owner and general manager, partners with other local businesses to create attention-grabbing displays. The variety in displays "makes for a more interesting window," she said.