Welcome!
image credit: alborzshawn via Flickr
This is a place for independent booksellers to explore the world of blogging, social media, online marketing, and anything else that comes up in conversation. I believe that there is a major shift in the way that people find information, and that booksellers can use that shift to connect with their customers in new ways. Blogs, websites, and social networks provide a way to reach people that does not rely on huge advertising budgets. I am learning about these tools, and want to share what I learn with you. I also hope that you will share as well. Please feel free to comment on any post, to email me with questions, and to join in the conversation. If you are an independent bookseller and would like to be a co-author of this blog, please contact me.
This is not a how-to site. There is so much information out there that it can be overwhelming. To make it easier, I will post links and tidbits of information that I have found useful, from reading books and other blogs devoted to social media, and from the many people I’ve met this past year who make a living working in online marketing, PR, and social media. I am especially interested in case studies of other independent retailers and how they use blogs and social media. Many of the posts will contain links for you to follow at your leisure, as they interest you. I want to keep posts short and digestible — you should be able to read them in less than a minute, but hopefully think about them throughout the day.
About me:
I have been a sales rep for Random House for more than 20 years, and I work with independent bookstores every day. For the past year, much of my spare time has been devoted to Books on the Nightstand, a blog and podcast about books and reading that I create with my colleague Michael Kindness. Our experiences with Books on the Nightstand, and the things we’ve learned along the way, have shown me what can be possible with some time and understanding of the online tools available to all.
At the 2008 New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA) trade show, Michael Kindness and I presented a workshop entitled “Do I Really Need a Blog: Social Media 101 for the Independent Bookseller”. The workshop was very well received, but I feel that there needs to be a continuing conversation, and it should reach beyond NEIBA members. This blog is an attempt to achieve that.
I hope you stick around.
disclaimer: this blog is not affiliated in any way with Random House, and all opinions posted here are my own, not those of my employers.
