Whether you are contemplating working in a bookshop, planning to open your own bookshop, or are in the process of buying an existing business, listed below are the key organisations you should know about, as well as links to a range of useful resources.
Book Industry News & Publications The Bookseller BookBrunch Bookselling Essentials BA Annual Reports Our newsletter Bookselling Essentials and Annual Report together with our member benefits booklet Getting The Most From Your BA Membership, give a good overview and insight to the BA services and those provided through our sister companies National Book Tokens and Batch. The weekly trade magazine, The Bookseller, and the daily enewsletter, BookBrunch, is where you will find all the latest industry news. Bookshops for sale are often advertised in the local press, in The Bookseller and sometimes notified to the BA to communicate to prospective enquirers – email mail@booksellers.org.uk to check. Bookshop Marketing & Social Media National Book Tokens Find Your Local Bookshop Independent Bookshop Week BA Christmas Books Books Are My Bag World Book Day Embargoed Titles The Reading Agency Reading Groups Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Mashable Digital Marketing for bookshops Don’t forget to find out about using social media as part of your marketing to promote your business and connect with potential and existing customers. The BA runs free workshops to help members get set up on Twitter and Facebook, as well as providing free social media guides. Follow the BA on Facebook and Twitter. Events such as World Book Day, Books Are My Bag, IndieBound UK, Independent Bookshop Week, and services such as Caboodle are all provided by the BA to help members promote their business. Bookshop Supply Chain & Equipment BA Industry Reports Batch Book Industry Communication BA Retail Directory Employment The Bookseller Bookcareers.com Guardian Jobs Working, jobs and pensions Apprenticeships If you’re looking to gain some initial work experience, or would like to update your bookselling skills to re-enter the market, check out the job section in the local/national/trade press and also www.bookcareers.com. Training & Networking BA Conferences BA Regional Meetings BA Special Interest Groups Creative Skillset How to Start and Run a Bookshop Introduction to Bookselling Course London Book Fair Bookseller Seminars Our publication How to Start and Run a Bookshop is essential reading for all aspiring booksellers, existing and new bookshop managers, staff, and owners. Contact Pippa Halpin to register your interest for future dates for the BA’s Introduction to Bookselling course which runs once or twice a year, Trade Organisations European & International Booksellers Federation The Publishers Association The Independent Publishers Guild The Book Marketing Society Publishing Ireland Publishing Scotland Society of Authors Industry organisations such as The PA, IPG and The Society of Authors provide much valuable information for new booksellers. Financial & Commercial Business Resources British Chambers of Commerce Write A Business Plan Businesses & Self-Employed Business Finance & Support Finder EU Grants, Funds & Programmes By Category UK Business Angels Association British Venture Capital Association mentorsme.co.uk Crowdfunding RICS Small Business Property Guide BA Industry Reports If you have any questions, or would like further information on how our membership products and services can help to make a difference to your business, please contact the BA staff below: Pippa Halpin – pippa.halpin@booksellers.org.uk NB: If you’re already trading, or opening soon, you can apply for BA membership now online.