Fair’s Fair “For Book Lovers”

On another blogging site another bookseller was looking for some input from other booksellers so he could write a much-needed book about all the struggles of an independent bookseller.

Some of the following  is some of my response to him and those of his ilk

·         My first thought is - how would anyone in the book business ever find the time to write a book … smile.

Yes, a business degree would be helpful to anyone in any business but I think the biggest reason for failure in our business is a failure to become aware of all the actual WORK that needs to be done to generate enough sales and enough repeat customers.

I have known a person with an MBA who bought an existing used books store and developed a great reputation – as a people person. Their inventory was mostly made up of books with cracked spines and there was often a “not Buying Books Today” sign on the door. They are no longer in the business.

Because it is a cash business ours is a relatively simple business. Pay the rent, utilities, and business license and then use all other monies to buy books. Don’t fritter away your money on food and clothing - because once people realize how much work there is to be done they won’t be in the book business long enough to starve to death.

Ideas for a more useful book? Write a book about what is a good book and what is a bad book. This will require years of experience and expertise you will only get by working a bookstore yourself.
Preach the importance of never passing up an opportunity to search through every box of books presented to you (dozens of reasons)… the importance of constantly culling your inventory (ask anyone in any type of retail business) … not letting your inventory grow stale … NEVER reading a book while in your shop (your customers will teach you anything you really need to know).

The “Never reading” aspect got the biggest response and was challenged – not surprising to me because it is a very radical concept in the eyes of a book lover who thinks they can be a bookseller. Any person who sincerely wants to be self employed serving others should expect to put in an honest workday of  8-12 hours at their craft. Reading books for your own pleasure is not work - studying your craft can be done in your leisure hours after all the work around the store has been done.

Come up with a guideline for how the categories of your books should flow throughout the store so customers browsing don’t become lost or confused. Why every effort you make to improve your store has to be hinged on customer convenience and satisfaction.

Why SPEED is an important consideration - if a customer can’t find their book quickly a sale might be lost. If your store is neat, clean and organized half the job is done - now keep every book in its proper place and have signs do the rest of the job. Books on the floor is ALWAYS UNACCEPTABLE and books topsy-turvy on shelves is a no no.

And on and on and on. WORK! WORK! WORK! If you are unwilling or unable to do it yourself you will constantly be replacing staff who will feel the same way.