Apart from supporting the book shop, meaning actually buying books from them and not buying cheaper books online to save $1, there are other ways you can give back to a book shop near you.
It seems the book shops that survived COVID closures are thriving again, as many of us seek a bit of normality after a tumultuous last few years. That said, don’t forget that supporting your local or favorite book shop shouldn’t just be an idea or something to schedule in. For the sake of all the memories you can make in one, have a look at these six ways to give back, and try to visit a book shop near you habitually.
Donate Books
If there is a second-hand section, donate the books you won’t read again. You might find a book shop near you that gives you a discount on another book when you donate.
Keeping space for new books is a wonderful bonus of donating your pre-loved books.
Remember that condition is important. If the book is in a state that you would buy it second-hand, then it’s probably in a condition where it can be donated.
Not all the books donated to book shops go onto the shelves, but you can be sure they will find their way into a library somewhere or be given to those in need.
Give Social Media Feedback
It helps to have social media feedback on your website. If your book shop has a web presence, use it. Add comments, ask questions, and give feedback for others to read.
Believe it or not, many people read the comments on websites and sometimes make decisions based on them. If you could wax lyrical about certain aspects of your favorite book shop, the best thing you can do for it is to put it all online for others to see. If not on their page, but on other sites, tag them and let them know your thoughts.
Organize a Book Club
Having a book club at your local book shop can bring many perks, and not just for you but for the book shop too. More often than not, sales will be higher as attendees may find other must-buy items on the shelves. If it has a coffee or milkshake bar, you can keep their tills ringing.
You might find that your book club inspires a few more people to start their own, and before you know it, your local store will have to stay open later in the evening.
Frequent Their Coffee Shop
Not just for book clubs, the coffee shop at a book shop near you could become one of your offices away from the office. It could also just become your rest stop as you go about doing your shopping.
By frequenting their coffee shop, you will be supporting another aspect of their business, and as you invite friends to meet you there, you’ll drive more sales their way.
Request Special Items
Often, your nearest book shop would love to help you in your search for a specific book. All you need to do is ask for help. Requesting a book gives the bookshop a head’s up about what else they could stock.
If it is a gift for a child, it might help to have another copy of the book and a plush combo on the shelves.
For the customer, when requesting items from elsewhere in the country, you might have to wait a few days, but it’s not much longer than if you were to go shopping online. Not only will you get what you are looking for, but you’ll also help others have more options.
Attend Events and Activities
When events and activities are scheduled at your local book shop, a lot more than time goes into it. Resources get spent ensuring the event or activity is a success, and so what you can do to give back to your favorite book shop is to attend the events and activities they hold. Attendance is noted in these kinds of things, and if the turnout is good, you can be sure that your local goes on the map as a bustling venue and is worth a stop on promotional trails.
Giving back to a book shop near you might also be as simple as giving someone directions if they ask for a good book shop. It might be that you already do many of these things that are on the list, but if not, try doing one or two on the list, and see how it benefits a book shop near you. You never know, you might even get a new loyalty card made just for your service, and as booksellers and customers become friends, the business benefits even more.
