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Opening a Bookstore: How ABA Can Help
Thinking about opening a bookstore? New to the industry? There are many ways
the American Booksellers Association can help ...
JOIN ABA
Become a Provisional ABA Member (Provisional Membership is for anyone
who is thinking about opening a bookstore or for someone who has just recently
opened one). One of the benefits of becoming an ABA member now is you'll receive
a free copy of the recently published Bookselling for Dummies. (This
title is not for sale and is only available to ABA bookstore members.) Details
on ABA membership can be found at: http://www.bookweb.org/join/.
ABOUT ABA: Founded in 1900, the American Booksellers Association is
a not-for-profit organization devoted to meeting the needs of its core members
of independently owned bookstores with retail storefront locations through advocacy,
education, research, and information dissemination. ABA actively supports free
speech, literacy, and programs that encourage reading. ABA is headquartered
in Tarrytown, New York, and is located on the web at www.BookWeb.org.
The association also hosts the annual ABA Convention in conjunction with BookExpo
America each spring.
Each year ABA gathers financial data from member bookstores for the ABACUS
Study, which measures business operations by sales volume, store size, region,
and more. As a member, you are welcome to view the results. http://www.bookweb.org/education/abacus/.
In 1999, ABA launched the national integrated marketing campaign "Book Sense
... Independent Bookstores for Independent Minds." Book Sense includes the Book
Sense Picks program, the Book Sense Bestseller
Lists, a national gift certificate/gift card program,
and www.BookSense.com.
BOOKSELLERS SCHOOL
ABA sponsors a booksellers school, facilitated by Paz & Associates,
once a year in conjunction with BookExpo America -- the national annual trade
show for the book industry. However, Paz & Associates conducts schools at
other times of the year, too. It's a superb course and a must for all new bookstore
owners!
LINKS and ARTICLES
There is a wealth of information about opening a bookstore on our Web
site, www.BookWeb.org. Here are a few links
to help you sift through the site:
PAMPHLETS and BOOKS
- Opening a Bookstore pamphlet
- Bookselling for Dummies: A survival guide for running a successful
bookstore. In order to receive a copy of this book, you'll need to become
a member of ABA. (It is free with membership.)
- Independent Bookstore Planning & Design. (Available
for purchase through ABA.)
- Exceptional Frontline Bookselling Video. (Available
for purchase through ABA.)
BOOKEXPO AMERICA
BookExpo is the event designed to provide booksellers and retail
book buyers with all the tools necessary for success. It's a place to see all
the industry has to offer and to network with industry peers. You can more than
cover the cost of your trip with your savings on the hundreds of show specials
available only at BEA.
This is the event where you can see all the new titles across all categories.
Meet hundreds of authors. Attend educational sessions pertinent to your business.
Go to exciting special events. Network with your colleagues. Be a part of the
book industry's annual event in the U.S. Visit http://www.bookweb.org/aba/convention.
JOIN YOUR REGIONAL ASSOCIATION
Although the regional associations are not a part of ABA, we do work quite
closely with them and encourage you to join them as well. The regional associations
provide a local focus, voice, promotional and networking opportunities, and
complement the benefits ABA offers. (For a list of all of the regional associations,
click here.
BOOK SENSE
Consider opening your store as a store with Book Sense. Book Sense
is our national branding campaign designed to help independent booksellers sell
more books. (Think of this program as your marketing department!) Details can
be found online at: http://www.bookweb.org/booksense.
Or, contact Jill Perlstein at [email protected]
or (800) 637-0037, ext. 6642.
STATISTICAL INDUSTRY INFORMATION
Book Industry Study Group (BISG)
Web: www.bisg.org
Tel: (646) 336-7141
E-mail: [email protected]
Description: Gather and analyze accurate, statistical information about the
book market, suppliers and distributors, and current sales to calculate and
analyze future industry trends. BISG has led the way in setting industry standards
and conducting vital industry research on behalf of publishers, booksellers,
libraries and vendors.
Association of American Publishers (AAP)
Web: www.publishers.org
Tel: (212) 255-0200
Description: The Association of American Publishers is the principal national
trade organization of the U.S. book publishing industry. The AAP sponsors the
Statistics Program: The Statistics Committee oversees the preparation of monthly
and annual statistics reports published by AAP. The committee coordinates the
efforts of the divisions and industry committees as they update and modify data
for their various market segments. The AAP industry report includes information
on sales, operating costs, inventory turnover and accounts receivable aging.
An independent consulting firm collects and analyzes data under procedures guaranteed
to protect confidentiality.
Link to Press Releases on Research & Statistics: http://www.publishers.org/press/date.cfm
U.S. Census Bureau
Web: www.census.gov
Public Info Office Tel: (301) 763-3030
E-mail: [email protected]
U.S. Small Business Association
Web: http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/data.html
Statistics of U.S. Businesses
If you have questions about becoming a member of ABA, contact Kristen Gilligan
at (800) 637-0037, ext. 6613 or [email protected].
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