Category: New Financial Models

Our channel has always struggled with how to prove and quantify our marketshare to publishers (financial AND cultural) when not all of our purchases are direct, and when not all of our sales are visible to them, and even then, when we are a small-ish slice of the pie. SO, how do we quantify and re-value our marketshare to better prioritize the indie channel in publishers’ eyes, investment, priorities and resources

Host:  Rebecca Fitting, Greenlight / BrocheAroe Fabian, Sourcebooks/River Dog Book Co. Participants: Anne Dimock, Author/Fundraising Ruth Liebmann, PRH Jeff Deutsch, Seminary Coop Billie Bloebaum, 3rd Street Books Brittany Caine Camden Avery, Booksmith Daniel O’Brien Elise, San Fran Emil C., River’s End Emily Warfield, Bluestockings Hele C. Stories Like Me IBID Jamie Fiocco, Flyleaf Jasmin Brooks,… Continue reading Our channel has always struggled with how to prove and quantify our marketshare to publishers (financial AND cultural) when not all of our purchases are direct, and when not all of our sales are visible to them, and even then, when we are a small-ish slice of the pie. SO, how do we quantify and re-value our marketshare to better prioritize the indie channel in publishers’ eyes, investment, priorities and resources

How do we reimagine the relationship between Bookstores and Publishers?

Host:  Len Vlahos Notes:  Len: The relationship hasn’t changed in at least 35 years Ann Seaton:  This affects the entire ecosystem- as an author how does Len see this from an author perspective Len:  The relationship is more rational as an author with contracts, royalties, rates etc.  As a bookseller he felt he couldn’t get… Continue reading How do we reimagine the relationship between Bookstores and Publishers?

The movement seems to be towards co-op or non-profit models, but I’m wondering if we can still succeed as a traditional business? Interested in implications of each model.

Host:  Carol Participants: Notes:  Carol: store owner 10 years, store approaching 50 years.  Margot: lot of pivots in 25 years. Uses staff as a sounding board before making business decisions.  Jessica: co-ops and unions: how to benefit staff & company, issues of team-building Neil: transparency around expectations of compensation / advancement in bookstore business model… Continue reading The movement seems to be towards co-op or non-profit models, but I’m wondering if we can still succeed as a traditional business? Interested in implications of each model.

What DISTINGUISHES a community bookstore?? What could a movement to support community bookstores look like, and how can we support it?

Host:  Anne Stadler & Paul Wright Participants: Notes:  What does a “movement” mean? Something comparable to the Free Speech Movement!? Paul suggests: Could there be a national movement that supports local community bookstores. Bookstores should be “civic” organizations, a place where people’s voices can be heard, a central source for community information. A center for… Continue reading What DISTINGUISHES a community bookstore?? What could a movement to support community bookstores look like, and how can we support it?

Regarding Fair Wages – are there government subsidies or public funds available to help support the bookstore to pay our employees – also – any assistance on healthcare provisions

Host:  Irene Ryan Participants: Kate Weiss, Binc Kit Steinaway, Binc Talia Whyte, Rozzie Bound Ellen Speers, Titcomb’s Notes:  What is needed to open a bookstore in a new location? Is there a lack of workers or a lack of living-wage paying jobs? What resources does a bookstore need to pay a living wage to booksellers?… Continue reading Regarding Fair Wages – are there government subsidies or public funds available to help support the bookstore to pay our employees – also – any assistance on healthcare provisions

What revenue streams are people using for increased wages?

Host:  Amanda, Kepler’s Participants: Eric – Mrs. Dalloways Suzanna – Oblong Books Roy – Rozzie Bound (“Rozzie” = Roslindale, Mass) Shelley – Blue Heron Books Kristin – Hicklebee’s  Carolee – Kepler’s Alex – Publisher’s Weekly Eileen – One More Page Books Irene & Melissa – Beacon Hill Books Scott – author Esme – Firestorm Books… Continue reading What revenue streams are people using for increased wages?

Non-profit models for bookstores

Host:  Donna Paz Kaufman Notes:  Sara from Charis (Atlanta) and Ryan (Open Book in Chicago) shared their structures, how they evolved and how they work best. Charis has several entities: a for-profit bookstore and two no-profit initiatives. What general booksellers consider author events are considered programs. Open Book is 100% non-profit. Bookstore revenues help fulfill… Continue reading Non-profit models for bookstores

How can we shift indie bookstores from a commodity offering to a “category of one” by creating one or more Grand Slam Offers?

Host:  Jill Hendrix Participants: BradleyJones/ Morgan Hill Bookstore in CA, woman from Berrett Koehler, Carol from BookPeople, a couple of latecomers Notes:  Inspired by book $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi Books are commodities that are easily price-shopped. With chains/online/ebooks, indie bookstores no longer have book monopolies in their communities. How do we get that back… Continue reading How can we shift indie bookstores from a commodity offering to a “category of one” by creating one or more Grand Slam Offers?

How can cooperative ownership (worker and/or consumer) provide an alternative to traditional economic models?

Host: Roy Karp at Rozzie Bound (Boston, MA) (roy@rozziebound.com)  Participants: Suzanna, Amanda, Charlie, Kristin Hall, Beth, Nathan, Kristen, Esme, Jamilah, Rebecca, Hannah, Stephanie Heinz Notes:  Introductions – popcorn Roy – Rozzie Bound, aspiring cooperative in Boston Jamillah – House of Page, worker-owned bookstore in Georgia ? Rebecca – Rediscover Books, looking to become a coop… Continue reading How can cooperative ownership (worker and/or consumer) provide an alternative to traditional economic models?

How can indie bookstores get the kind of public support that libraries, etc. get to alleviate the financial burdens?

Host: Tanya Mills  Participants: Eileen McGervey, Diana Montano, Robert Martin, Joan Griffin McCabe, Veronica Liu, Andy Hunter (John Mutter, Pam Grange, Kevin Smokler, Ethan Nosowsky, Aziza stopped by) Notes:  Are there “grants” that bookstores can apply for that are similar to the kind of support themselves like libraries? Asking Veronica: wondering about founding of Word… Continue reading How can indie bookstores get the kind of public support that libraries, etc. get to alleviate the financial burdens?