" 'Tis the season when indie booksellers are donning festive sweaters, whipping up batches of hot cocoa, and unwrapping their seasonal marketing strategies to attract customers during the final weeks of the holiday shopping season," Bookselling This Week noted in showcasing a number of creative ideas independent booksellers shared with one another during the American Booksellers Association's most recent online marketing roundtable discussion.
"We've been really pleased with the participation in the marketing roundtables," said IndieCommerce director Phil Davies said. "The holiday marketing tips from our last meeting were great and typical of the type of info that is being shared by participants."
The holiday marketing tips include:
- Invite local nonprofits to wrap gifts
- Promote gift cards online
- Tap into nostalgia for backlist children's books
- Count down to Christmas with a giveaway
- Invite customers to make a wish list
- Find creative ways to celebrate Hanukkah
- Create a festive live event
- Make promotions fun (and even a little silly)
- Dress for the season