- 1). Create a comfortable atmosphere that give customers a reason to stay longer than just for a purchase. For instance, provide large comfy chairs and couches as well as reading corners specifically designed for those that wish to read in the store. Serve coffee, tea and light snacks as an added treat.
- 2). Host events that will bring in more customers to your bookstore. Invite local authors for book signings, artists or musicians for special visits or a book club that can meet in your store on a weekly or monthly basis. Get the word out for these events by putting up flyers in your store as well as in local businesses if they approve.
- 3). Provide a quiet space in your bookstore -- such as a back room or an empty area in the store -- for meetings and clubs like knitting circles, crafting clubs, writer's groups and so on. This will bring more potential customers to your store as they will more than likely take a look around before and after their meetings.
- 4). Keep your store stocked and well-organized to make it easy for customers to find books and other goods. Offer other items besides books, such as jewelry, handmade crafts from local artisans, gourmet snacks, clothing (branded or not) and accessories for the books themselves, such as bookends, bookmarks and tote bags.
- 5). Provide a monthly newsletter to keep your customers up-to-date on future events, newly released books and other information about your store. Have a sign-up sheet located on the counter next to the register and allow people to sign up with their email address as they see fit.
- 6). Join the American Booksellers Association. The ABA is dedicated to helping independent bookstores thrive and get more business.
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