How Booksellers Might Be Able To Combat Showrooming

GalleyCat had a great article a few days ago discussing ways that booksellers can potentially combat "showrooming" (the practice by customers of viewing items in a store, then using a mobile device or computer to search for cheaper prices online and elsewhere). The article, titled "How Booksellers Might Be Able to Combat Showrooming," includes a great slideshow of ways that retailers can match online prices and persuade some "showroomers" to make their purchases in the store.

From GalleyCat

You can read the full article and view the slideshow here.

Small Business Owners: 6 Strategies to Optimize Your Social Media Marketing

I stumbled upon a great article this morning from eM+C (eMarketing and Commerce) discussing ways that small businesses can capitalize on the marketing they do through social media and online. The article, titled "6 Strategies to Optimize Social Media Marketing for Small Business Owners," presents 6 different ways that small business owners can beef up their online presence and increase their followers.

The article focuses on several aspects, including:

• Creating and sharing content
• Listening and engaging with your online followers (even when negative)
• Adding photos and videos to your feeds
• And more!

You can read the full article here.

Looking for some quick ideas for content to share with your store visitors and your online fans? Check out our full page of shelf talkers, stuffers, and other downloads, or sign up for our New Moon Newsletter (shelf talkers and stuffers are included in each issue).

It's the Little Extras That Allow Indie Booksellers to Compete with Amazon

I stumbled upon a great article this morning from The Telegraph UK discussing independent bookstores, namely how, in a world of disappearing bookstores and immediate Amazon eBook downloads, independent booksellers can remain competitive and relevant. The article, titled "You Can't Get This Book From Amazon," points out that it is the little extras that booksellers include with their books that really make them stand out from Amazon.

"It would have been understandable had booksellers held up their hands and surrendered. But booksellers are made of sterner stuff...They have the missionary’s zeal to unite people with the books they know they are going to enjoy reading. Such people have a vocation, and people with vocations do not give up easily--they fight back.

One of the ways in which they can fight back is to give the customer something more than just the book itself. My publishers recently asked me to write something extra that booksellers could give away with my new novel, Trains and Lovers.

You can read the full article here.

Looking for some quick ideas for things to include with books? Check out our full page of shelf talkers, stuffers, and other downloads, or sign up for our New Moon Newsletter (shelf talkers and stuffers are included in each issue).

The 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World

Flavorwire has posted a list of the 20 Most Beautiful Bookstores in the World--and are they ever spectacular!

While a visit to some of these bookstores requires a trip out of town--or out of the country--the pictures are definitely a sight to see.

Bookworm Bookstore, Beijing, China. Image from Flavorwire.

Their list of the 20 most beautiful bookstores in the world includes:

1. Selexyz Bookstore, Maastricht, Holland
2. The Bookàbar Bookshop, Rome, Italy
3. Plural Bookshop, Bratislava, Slovakia
4. Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal
5. Cook & Book, Brussels, Belgium
6. Bookworm, Beijing, China
7. Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Buenos Aires, Argentina
8. Poplar Kid’s Republic, Beijing, China
9. Livraria da Vila, Sao Paulo, Brazil
10. Cafebreria El Pendulo, Mexico City, Mexico
11. Shakespeare & Company, Paris, France
12. The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles, CA
13. Atlantis Books, Santorini, Greece
14. Bart’s Books, Ojai, California
15. Corso Como Bookshop, Milan, Italy
16. Barter Books, Alnwick, UK
17. The American Book Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
18. VVG Something, Taipei, Taiwan
19. Ler Devagar, Lisbon, Portugal
20. Daikanyama T-Site, Tokyo, Japan

Head on over to Flavorwire to peruse the fabulous photos and read why each bookstore was chosen.

Have you been to any of these bookstores? What do you think is the most beautiful bookstore in the world?

A Special Event for Magickal Businesses: The Creative Retreat

Dear Booksellers,

When you dream of ways to improve your business, do you ever focus on yourself and your staff? A metaphysical business is still a business, and like any business, it will benefit from periodic brainstorming, goal-setting, and visionary work. For owners and staff, a "magickal business retreat" will leave you inspired as you rejuvenate your business plan and recharge your creative passions.

Susan Pesznecker, author of The Magickal Retreat, provides ways to have a successful and rejuvenating magickal retreat for your business.



A Special Event for Magickal Businesses: The Creative Retreat
By Susan Pesznecker

Owning a magickal/metaphysical store must be one of the most fun jobs a person can have—but it has its stressful moments as well. Depending on the size of the local community, selecting and moving inventory can be a challenge, especially if shops face resistance from non-Pagan "unfriendlies" in the neighborhood. Getting the word out may be difficult, and even getting people into the store may take some doing, given the predilection of magickal folks to do so much of their shopping online in today's digital world. Yet even with these challenges, the metaphysical business is still a business, and like any business, it will benefit from periodic brainstorming, goal-setting, and visionary work. For owners and staff, a "magickal business retreat" will leave you inspired as you rejuvenate your business plan and recharge your creative passions.

Begin with a meeting in which the staff collectively discusses a "to do" list for the retreat. Find out what everyone thinks is important, and make sure each person is heard, for sometimes the best ideas come from unexpected directions—and not always from the boss. Identify a common goal and vision, and then develop a detailed list of action items for the retreat. Your aims might include an annual review, setting goals for a period to come, operational changes, community outreach, marketing, policy changes, or just about any aspect of running a business effectively. Focus on "blue sky" items, too: What is possible? If there were no rules, what could we do? What could we accomplish? Think big: the sky's the limit!

For best results, aim for at least a day-long retreat. If you want to focus on staff bonding or specific magickal workings, try an overnight, providing work time as well as evening space for socialization and special events, like ritual work.

Once you have a working agenda and a general plan, parcel out the responsibilities, giving each participant a specific responsibility. Giving everyone "ownership" in the retreat insures a rich infusion of energies and ideas. Assign someone to locate a place for the retreat. If possible, choose a novel space, getting everyone out of their comfort zone; this establishes common ground and supports team building. If staying overnight, you'll need sleeping and bathroom spaces, bedding, and towels. Most groups will want to have WiFi, along with an on-site computer and printer if possible.

Having great food boosts morale and keeps everyone energized. For a short event, ask participants to bring their own food. If sharing food, focus on scrumptious fare that can be purchased, prepared ahead, or assembled quickly. A potluck might work perfectly; take-out pizza is another winning idea. Furnish fruits, veggies, and nuts for healthy snacking.

Once you've accomplished these initial steps, assign someone to prepare a written agenda and time schedule for the meeting. Decide who will chair or moderate the meeting, and finalize the pertinent details. And please: resolve to run your retreat on real time—not Pagan Standard Time! There's nothing more frustrating than trying to get serious work done when half the group either hasn't shown up or hasn't gotten out of bed. Respect the clock: when you're trying to accomplish a lot within a short time, it's your friend.

When the retreat date arrives, open and close with a group ceremony or ritual, even if brief; this brings the group together and reinforces the shared magickal purpose. Stay focused on your agenda, adding magickal effects with music, incense, candles, firelight, or other mood-setters. Brewing herbal teal can be a wonderful communal activity. Plan time to socialize, too. You might include a Bardic, divination hour (you can "read" the results of your meeting), drum circle, or ritual, or even a S'mores party around a campfire pit.

Before leaving the event, thank everyone and may sure they know what will happen next. Assign individuals to follow up on questions and implement decisions. Be sure to hold a post-event evaluation; make this anonymous so participants aren't afraid to be honest. Collect and share the evaluation results with your group, using the feedback to plan the next event.

Happy retreating!

***
Susan Pesznecker (Oregon), a writer, teacher, nurse, hearth Pagan, and Druid, is the author of The Magickal Retreat and Crafting Magick with Pen and Ink. Sue teaches green magick at the online Grey School. For more retreat ideas, visit Sue's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SusanMoonwriterPesznecker.

March Issue of the New Moon Is Out--Check Your Mailbox!

For those of you who currently subscribe to our email newsletter for booksellers, The Moon, you may have noticed a few changes.

We've streamlined the look, included new features, and christened it with a new moniker: The New Moon. As with this blog, our goal is to really connect with you, our selling partners, each month and offer support, guidance, and resources with the aim of helping you grow and thrive in this ever-changing market.

Our March issue of the New Moon was mailed this morning. This issue includes:
-Celebrating Earth Day At Your Store -Shelftalkers (The Essential Guide to Natural Skin Care, Navigating the Out-Of-Body Experience, Tarot Spreads, and Table Tipping for Beginners)
-April New Releases
-And Much More!

If you did not receive a copy in your email inbox, you can also view it here: The New Moon, March 2012 Issue.

You can also visit our website to subscribe to The New Moon, ensuring that it reaches you each month (please note that you will need to log in/register to be able to join our mailing list).

Small Business Strategies in Our Changing Economy

Rhonda Abrams recently wrote a post for USA TODAY 's Money section, detailing the plight of the small business--and how the independent bookstore is the "poster child of the endangered retailer." In her post she highlights Kepler's in Menlo Park, CA, and what the store is doing to adapt to the changing times, in addition to providing some survival tips for small businesses.

Briefly, those tips include:
1. Diversifying the revenue stream.
2. Adding membership programs.
3. Creating new relationships with vendors.

Read the full post here.

Lo Scarabeo Pendulums, Runes, and Tarot Bags Make Great Stocking Stuffers!

The holiday season is upon us—a time for family, a time for friends, and a time for giving gifts. Ahh, the gift giving. Have your customers asked for suggestions for that someone who has everything? Looking for something with which to stuff your own Yuletide stockings?


Lo Scarabeo makes a number of pendulums, runes, tarot bags, tarot cloths, and notebooks/journals (in addition to their numerous tarot decks) that not only make great gifts, but great stocking stuffers! Look no further for the perfect, stocking-sized giftables.

Pendulums:

Pendulums are amazing tools for divination, dowsing, and answering questions relating to love, work, health, money, and much more. Not only abundantly useful, Lo Scarabeo pendulums are also eye-catchingly beautiful. Pictured at left is the Amethyst Chakra Pendulum; you can view all available pendulums here (note: you must log in to your account to view page).






















Runes:

Rune sets will bring new energy to divination, magic, and meditation practices. Sacred runic symbols have been carved into varying stones, making these exquisite runes magical as well as beautiful.  At left are the Amethyst Runes; you can view all available runes here (note: you must log in to your account to view page).














Tarot Bags:

Attractive and useful, tarot bags are an ideal way to safely store and protect valuable tarot decks. Pictured is the Rose in Hand satin tarot bag; you can view all available tarot bags here (note: you must log in to your account to view page).









Tarot Cloths:

Explore the many uses of these beautiful velvet cloths from Lo Scarabeo! Featuring embroidered symbols from various traditions, these multi-purpose cloths are ideal for altars, divination practice, ritual, meditation, and home decoration. Pictured at left is the Pentacle Velvet Cloth; you can view all available tarot cloths here (note: you must log in to your account to view page).






Note boxes:

These decorative note boxes from Lo Scarabeo bring a touch of elegance to any living space. Perfect for home or the office, it comes with blank paper for jotting down phone messages, reminders, to do lists, and anything else on your mind. Or try using this beautiful box to store a favorite tarot deck, jewelry, photos, souvenirs, runes, or any other mementos that deserve a special place.  Pictured is the Fairy Note Box; also available are the Cat Note Box and the Pagan Note Box.







Journals:

As a dream diary, sketchbook, or Book of Shadows, these gorgeous journals are the perfect place to record ruminations, insights, and experiences. Pictured is the Stars Journal; you can view all available journals here (note: you must log in to your account to view page).

Now Is the Time to Begin Your Halloween Planning

Sigh. It seems as though summer has flown by us for another year; wasn’t it just Midsummer yesterday, and Memorial Day the week before that? Though many of us will be loathe to see these long, sweltering days end, there is something magical about the palpable change in the air, the feeling of renewal that comes with that change, even if we are entering the dying portion of the seasonal cycle.

The crisp autumn air, the crunching of leaves underfoot, the smell of wood-burning fireplaces…to me, these things bring such happiness. And Samhain! That most magical of holidays, when the veil between the worlds is thinnest, when we celebrate the turning of a new year, when “kids” of all ages have reason to celebrate. And it's never too early to begin your Halloween holiday preparations!


As we near this magical time, it can be hard to reconcile plans (both personal and business) between the sacred and the secular, as well as between the spendy and the thrifty. That said, there are many ways to make Samhain more than just pointed hats and candy –without breaking the bank—at both your home and your store.

Décor
For me, decorations are always a great way to set the mood for any holiday season, Samhain included.

• Pumpkins. A great way to spend time with family, friends, and associates is always at the pumpkin patch, finding that perfect gourd to display, carve, or both. While pumpkins can be found in many places (grocery stores and supermarkets included), I always favor the pumpkin patch because it is generally cheaper, the selection is wider, and it makes for a great activity for everyone.
• Incense. Smell is one of the first things we notice when we enter a building or home; why not use some that celebrates the season? For a magical, uplifting, and thrifty option, try making your own incense or potpourri.
  • Crafting Incense at Home: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/522
  • Granular Incense Making: Tips and Techniques: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1334
  • Magical Power Simmering Potpourri: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1452
• Colors. Colors are a huge part of décor, and I like to use those that are not only traditionally seasonal but also magically appropriate. Silver is great for making connections and bridging the gap (such as with Samhain spirit communications); yellow and gold symbolize the Sun and a fruitful harvest (whether literally or metaphorically).
• An Altar. Perfect for store or home, a Wheel of the Year altar can be suited to any Sabbat, including Samhain.

Rituals
Another strong way to connect to the season, to our friends and family, and to our ancestors is through rituals. These make great activities to do alone, to do with friends or family members, or to host as a store activity.

• Candle Rituals. To me, candles seem to be perfect to use any time there happens to be a chill in the air, but they also can be used for powerful candle magic.
  • Pick a special candle for Nights of Halloween Magic: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1625
  • Perform a Ritual for Candlelit Autumn Evenings: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1409
  • Invite prosperity with a Full Moon Candle Ritual: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1700
  • Worried about (or prevented from) using candles around children, pets, or particular building codes? Flameless candles can be just as magical as the regular ones. The Magic of Using Flameless Candles in Ritual: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/2184
• Abundance Ritual. If you ask me, any time of year is the right time for abundance, but abundance has been traditionally associated with the Harvest Sabbats. Try a Halloween Cauldron of Abundance Ritual: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1773
• Spirit Communication Rituals. During this time when the veil is thinnest, it is easiest to connect with and communicate with our ancestors and other spirits. Why not host a group ritual to communicate with spirits?
  • Ancestor Circle for Samhain: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1771
  • A Samhain Visitation: Connecting with our Ancestors: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1730
  • Table Tilting is another form of spirit communication method great for a group: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/2038
  • You may wish to use fragrance to heighten your intuition and spirit perception (Fragrances to Assist Spirit Perception: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1970) or do some energy work to aid in the process (Chakra-Cleansing Meditation to Prepare for Mediumship: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1595).
  • If using a Ouija Board, be sure that it is fully understood by all using it. Here are some Facts (and Fiction!) About the Ouija Board: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1729.
  • If you are not comfortable performing such rituals in the company of others, try doing your own spirit communication (Solitary Séance: On Your Own with the Spirits: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/2187.
  • You may wish to ground and center or do a simple banishing prior to starting any ritual: Making Your Own Ritual (Some Fast Guidelines): http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/2063

Activities and Parties
There is something about Samhain that just seems to warrant having a party or other event. Looking for ideas? Look no further!

• Crafts. Crafts always make a great activity, as long as they are well-planned out (especially when large numbers of participants are concerned).
  • Try one of these two magical crafts from HedgeWitch Silver RavenWolf, a Harvest Wish Jar and Vintage Magic Blocks: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1734
  • Have knitters or crocheters in your audience? Try crocheted bookshelf organizers (http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1194), a crocheted tarot box (http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1328), or a Dream Pillow (http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1342).
  • If you have access to a kitchen (or other large, open workspace), try having participants make their own Plant Spirit Essence (http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1972) or other tinctures and infusions, such as a Magical Stress Eraser Mist (http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/2218.
• Divinations. Everyone loves having a peek into their lives and their future, whether by palm, tarot card, or pendulum.
  • Looking to do some divination yourself? Why not try tassomancy with your guests? Here are 10 Tips for Giving Dynamite Tea Leaf Readings: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/2181
  • Having someone read the Tarot? Any gathering will likely have people of all ages, some you may know, and some you may not. Keep in mind 12 Tips for Reading Tarot for Children (http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1927) and tips for reading Tarot for your friends (http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1928)
  
  
  

Still looking for more ideas? Check out "Samhain Party Hosting Made Easy" (http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1396).

A Little Inspiration

Do you have any rituals that you use to find your muse?

To unblock my creative ch'i, I like to take a few minutes to browse through my favorite "let's get lost" websites, including Boing Boing, Mental Floss, or Neatorama.

Feeling a bit blah and uninspired by grey Minnesota skies, I decided to do a little "site seeing" this morning. I just watched an amazing slide show featuring unique bookstores from around the world on the website Salon.com and wanted to share it with you.

Take a look through "The worlds most inspiring bookstores" and let me know which one is your favorite. (Personally, I can't choose between Daunt Books in London and El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires.)

What is special about your bookstore or its location? How have you created a unique experience for your bookstore customers?