How Two Local Bookstores Are Winning With the Internet

Like many small businesses, local bookstores face increased competition from large corporations and Internet retailers. But some small bookstores are now incorporating ecommerce and engaging with their audience on social media in a personal way that only a local business can.

For example, Brilliant Books in Michigan mails handpicked book recommendations to their customers they way they would if patrons walked into their store. Wild Fig Books and Coffee has a social media following clamoring to know where their Barista Barbie will appear next.

These local bookstores have increased sales and grown their business by embracing ecommerce. The also let their personality shine through in their social media and other digital marketing tactics.

Nearly any retailer in any market can do the same! Read this New York Times article to learn more about it.

What You Should Do

You have a unique knowledge of your market and a unique personality that large corporations can’t match. First, allow your personality to shine through on your website, social media, and email marketing. Also, just like the local bookstores featured here, consider expanding online via ecommerce. Take your expertise and personality beyond the customer base in your specific location.

An ecommerce store can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. At Local Marketing Institute, we highly recommend the Shopify ecommerce platform*. They make it simple to setup and manage an ecommerce site. They have an inexpensive, in-store point-of-sale (POS) system and easily integrate with QuickBooks. It’s even easy for you to create a store fully integrated on your Facebook page.