The IndieCommerce Newsletter

Let's Talk at Winter Institute 2017

A Unique Opportunity to Learn About IndieCommerce

IndieCommerce stores are invited to the 2017 IndieCommerce Institute (ICI), being held on Friday, January 27 in Minneapolis prior to the Winter Institute (Wi12). This is an opportunity for hands-on learning in a small group setting. The IndieCommerce team will introduce stores to powerful platform tools as well as features and services that help store websites run more efficiently and profitably. The ICI fee is $125 per person; space is limited so don’t delay. Register today.

IndieCommerce One-on-One Sessions at Wi12

For those who can’t make ICI, or just want more dedicated training time, the IndieCommerce staff is holding one-on-one appointments Saturday, January 28 through Monday, January 30. Register for an appointment here.

These amazing focused appointments are open to all ABA members, not just members using the IndieCommerce platform. Wi12 attendance is not required. Booksellers who are unsure about their schedules and don’t want to commit to a specific time slot are free to drop in, however, priority will be given to members who have pre-registered.

Use of Pop-Ups Will Increase Your Email Subscribers, However…

Previously, we recommended stores add a MailChimp interstitial (pop-up) to their websites to collect email addresses for newsletters. Store websites that are hosted outside of IndieCommerce have reported dramatic increases in the number of monthly email subscribers, thanks to pop-ups.

But take note: due to Google’s recent decision regarding intrusive interstitials on mobile devices, while we still recommend pop-ups, you need to insure they are mobile compatible and meet Google’s requirements. That means sites should incorporate one pop-up style for desktop users, as well as a “floating bar” for mobile/tablet users.

MailChimp does not offer a floating bar option, but a third party service called MailMunch does, and MailMunch integrates with MailChimp, Constant Contact and other email service providers.

These changes are not difficult to implement and we have complete instructions online at: http://bookweb.org/indiecommerce/mailmunch-integration.

If you need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].

​Kobo Price Promotion

Kobo has partnered with Kensington to offer a New Year New Series eBook promotion. Customers can download new mystery series from as low as $0.99 per title. The offer is valid until January 31st. No promotion codes are necessary, and the promotion price is reflected on Kobo.com. To promote the offer, please link to the following landing page: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/p/newseries.

Booksellers interested in a banner for the Kensington promotion -- such as the one seen to the right -- should email ABA Marketing Officer Meg Smith.

Forget the Kindle

The new Kobo Aura ONE is the “greatest eReader of all time” according to Business Insider.  The popular Kobo Aura ONE will be available for stores to order from kobo.com at the end of January. Please email Catherine Villar, [email protected], for more details.


Thanks for reading. Feel free to email us with any thoughts, questions, or suggestions.
The IndieCommerce team

For past editions of IndieCommunication, visit this page.

Phillip Davies, IndieCommerce Director
American Booksellers Association | 333 Westchester Avenue, Ste S202 | White Plains, NY 10604
[email protected] |
914-406-7527 | www.BookWeb.org
333 Westchester Ave
Suite S202
White Plains, NY 10604
United States


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