We’ve all heard tales of how Amazon and other large retailers “killed the bookstore,” as we have it. However, these stories are just fable.
These mega-brands have radically changed the game in all aspects of consumption, not just in the realm of books. It’s also the case that many niche stores, brands, and resellers have claimed a distinct piece of this pie.
These are the people who realized this market is vast and adaptable. They’ve also discovered that people who love books are willing to pay more when they can provide a unique customer experience or have a distinctive style.
In this post, we’ll discuss the basics of selling books online. From starting an independent bookshop to selling and reselling to self-publishing your text, we’ve got your back on the path to providing high-quality books to readers.
Select your preferred business model
Booksellers with ambitions can choose from a range of business models to them. They’ll pick one of the two choices: self-publishing to market their books and selling vintage and used books.
Self-publishing is much easier today due to the vast array of online tools to help you. After you’ve written your book and have it corrected and formatted, you can submit it to a platform for publishing books like those operated through Amazon and Apple, for example, for creating your ebook or hardcover book, or audiobook. It is also possible to bypass the traditional channels for distribution and market your book via printing on demand or on your website that is in digital formats.
However, if you’re hoping to start an independent bookshop selling vintage and used books gives an array of books to choose from. You could target particular niches by searching for and selling books of specific periods and genres or offer a selection of books from different sources, such as garage sales, thrift stores, and library clearance sales.
If your used books aren’t scarce, you’ll typically sell them at a price lower than the price listed on the books. That means you’ll have to be careful about the books you have since lower-cost books can be hard to make money from, especially after fees for shipping and other costs.
Learn about the process of sourcing
If you plan to open a bookstore and sell a variety of books, you’ll need to locate a distributor. You could purchase books from a wholesaler and a distributor or directly deal with publishers from various sources. In either case, developing an excellent relationship with the seller is crucial since it could result in discounts and offers over time.
Although you might think that, as a fresh entry into the book market, it’s simpler to deal with a single wholesaler, the reality is that it’s not difficult to set up accounts directly with publishers. Some publishers have minimums, but most allow booksellers to purchase just one book. Publishers might also provide small extras, such as letters from authors or autographed bookplates, when your relationship grows.
Create an online bookstore
Once you’ve selected your business model and narrowed in on the supplier you’re working with, you can create your online store with an e-commerce platform, such as Shopify.
Shopify offers a variety of pre-designed themes that work well for retail stores. You can connect your logo, copy, and other visual assets into pieces such as the Minimal and labels to design your store’s design. Many articles can be customized, allowing you to pick elements on your pages and colors that fit your design.
Shopify offers useful add-ons and apps that facilitate running a bookselling business simpler. Here are some to consider:
Easy Digital Products is the perfect choice for bookshops selling digital formats, such as ebooks, PDFs, and audiobooks.
Kodbar Barcodes and Labels can create various barcodes for various items, such as ISBNs for books.
Lulu Direct is an online printing service for books.
Google Book Reviews Imports reviews content from GoodReads and displays reviews on each book’s product page.
Although it is possible to avoid creating an online store and instead sell through social media and marketplace groups, the advantage of having your site will yield more profit in the long run. Your store will allow you to build long-lasting relationships and help customers better understand the brand name of your book.
Broaden to include other channels
Marketplaces on the Internet. Etsy is an excellent place for sellers of antique and rare books, and eBay is perfect for selling all types of new and used books. It is also possible to sell your books on Facebook Marketplace. Marketplace on Facebook. Marketplace allows people living in your area to purchase your books.
Wholesale sales. This can be profitable for writers of nonfiction who are selling their books in bulk to bookshops and institutes. Medical book writers can sell to hospitals, and legal writers could make more money selling their books in bulk to law firms, for example.
Crowdfunding websites. Sites such as Kickstarter and Unbound permit authors to sell their books directly, helping to raise funds to print a book.
Selling offline. If you usually sell online only and have a brick-and-mortar pop-up or farmers market shop could be a great option to boost your sales. Begin with something simple such as a pop-up store in your local area, and see whether offline sales are worthwhile.
Selling books online is easier than you imagine
Even though it seems like the days of the traditional bookshop are over, there’s still an opportunity to help bring those bookselling goals to fruition.
It’s crucial to comprehend your unique position in the marketplace, how you’ll locate and connect with the appropriate market, and how you will accomplish this while earning profits.
All you need is thorough research, a keen ability to see the details and imagination.
Where do I sell books on the Internet?
The best way to sell your books online is through your e-commerce website. This allows you to establish an independent brand that can help establish customer trust and recognition. You could be thinking about selling books via other channels to increase the reach of your business.
AbeBooks is a website that permits independent bookstores to market globally, and social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are great for self-published books. Book dealers from the past may be successful in marketplaces that allow people to can purchase rare and antique titles.