Editor’s Note: At Cardinal Rule Press we are dedicated to bringing you fresh out of the box marketing ideas for your library or bookstore. This month’s article is written for the bookstore owner in mind, but we know any book lover will find something to add to their wishlist via our awesome guide. If you’re a librarian, make sure to check out our video about How To Use Performers at Storytime.

Like it or not, it is time to start thinking about optimizing your bookstore for the holiday shopping rush by creating a guided shopping experience. In addition to highlighting books by putting them on display, it’s the perfect time of year to incorporate gifts for booklovers into the mix.

Holiday Gift Guides Serve The Customer Who Doesn’t Know What To Purchase

Have you ever met an overwhelmed customer who is looking for the perfect gift, but has no idea where to start? This customer might be shopping for a grab bag holiday gift, a gift exchange at work or for an extended family member. It’s likely they don’t know what their recipient already has on their bookshelf or the type of books they’re interested in reading, which makes it hard to suggest a title.

By having a well stocked selection of unique gifts, you’ll be able to make a sale even when a book isn’t exactly what the customer is looking for.

Holiday Gift Guides Bring The Book To Life With Physical Touchpoints

To bring a book to life with physical touchpoints you only have to ask the question, “What does the reader need to hold in their hands to remind them of this book?”

For example, if it’s a cookbook about pizza, they might need a pizza cutter, a pizza stone and a potholder. If they purchased all three items plus the book, you’ve likely increased the sale from $25.00 for the book to $70.00 for the book, the pizza cutter, the pizza stone and the pot holder.

If the book is about personal development, the customer might also need a journal, a new pen and a set of empowerment or affirmation cards to make their new desired habit stick. If they purchased all three items plus the book, you’ve likely increased the sale from $12.99 to $40.00 for the book, journal, pen and card set.

This can also work for fiction books, especially ones where there is a fandom already established such as the Little House on the Prairie series, Harry Potter or the Lord Of The Rings. What else might the readers of those books want? Perhaps a calendar, themed mug with tea or a bookmark?

Free Guide for book lovers available! Click here to see our favorite gifts.

Pairing books with physical items will help you to increase the total purchase price of a customer’s transaction.

Holiday Gift Guides Help You Become A Champion Of Other Local Businesses

Your bookstore is the perfect place to highlight products from other local businesses. These locally made items might be candy, candles, ornaments, t shirts, artisan soap, art prints, photography or small knick knacks.

When selecting the local items you might want to highlight in your bookstore, consider your market. What can you bring in that will wow your customer?

Partnering with local craftsmen to feature their items are great to incorporate into gifts into displays that feature local authors.

The options are endless when it comes to books and gifts. If you are curious about some of our favorite gifts for book lovers, click here to download our free guide.