How to Start a Bookselling Business
Lovers of books often fantasize about starting a bookselling business. Usually this involves a charming book store with a fireplace and a cat and a stream of regular customers. Unfortunately, the realities of the bookselling world mean this fantasy is almost impossible to pull off. Big box book retailers and the internet have made it very difficult for local booksellers to compete. But if you're a book lover who isn't ready to give up on your dream, there are still ways to start a bookselling business.
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Instructions
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1
Decide if you want to sell online, offline, or both.
Offline booksellers have a bricks and mortar location. This would be a retail bookstore that most of us are familiar with. Online options include Amazon, eBay, or even starting your own website. Most - if not all - offline booksellers also have an online presence. Decide how you're going to sell your books.
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2
Source your inventory.
With books, this usually means deciding between new books or used. If you plan on selling new books you'll need to be able to buy directly from the publisher at a price that will allow you to make a profit. This can be difficult for those starting a new bookselling business. Sellers of used books can find their inventory at library book sales, garage sales, estate sells, and by taking others' books on consignment. If you decide to be a seller of used books, finding a source for your inventory will be one of the biggest challenges you'll need to overcome.
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3
Set up shop.
For offline retailers, this means a physical retail location. For online sellers, you'll need accounts at Amazon and eBay and/or your own website.
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4
Market your services.
This is the step that many entrepreneurs overlook. They set up shop but fail to get the word out. Spend at least as much time marketing your bookselling business as you do setting it up, at least at first. As you begin to establish yourself, focus on keeping your customers returning.
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