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WE'RE NOT A CHAIN, BUT WE'RE LINKED.

The time is now.
Across the country and across the world, a grass-roots change is taking place. It doesn’t take long to realize that chain stores are the same in New York City, San Francisco, Dallas, or Cullman, Alabama. Customers are aching for an experience, for a thoughtful recommendation, for an intelligent, personal interaction. If you own or work for an independent bookstore, you’re undoubtedly passionate about books—and you know you can provide this experience for your customers and for your community. No doubt you have devoted customers who know this, too. But how can you celebrate your strengths given the national brand awareness of the “big box” stores?

When the going gets tough, the tough throw a party.
So let’s start spreading the invitations. IndieBound takes Book Sense further by rallying passionate readers around a celebration of independent stores and independent thinking. It’s about raising awareness, it’s about reaching out, and it’s about pride in your bookstore and your community.

I’m an Independent with a Capital-I. Is IndieBound going to tell me what to say?
The voice of IndieBound is the voice of each store. Embracing diversity, we do not dictate what each bookstore must say about themselves. But the IndieBound spirit is positive, upbeat, intelligent, and fun. It is not the voice of a leader so much as it is many voices speaking as one.
And it’s up you which IndieBound materials you want to use, and where you want to use them. Sticker your town with IndieBound decals, or just hang the Declaration of IndieBound in your store. Use IndieBound shelf talkers to promote great Indie Next List books. Use Indiessentials to stimulate backlist sales. Wherever and however you use them, IndieBound materials will reinforce the value of shopping at your independent bookstore.

How do I join the movement?
ABA member bookstores that are independently owned are automatically part of the IndieBound program. All ABA member brick-and-mortar stores will receive a one-time Literary Liberation box—the introduction to all things IndieBound. And you can always email the IndieBound Outreach Liaison (paige@bookweb.org) with questions.

What kind of marketing materials does ABA provide as part of IndieBound?
The IndieBound Freewill Catalog lists all kinds of great IndieBound gear you can deploy in your store. IndieBound member stores also receive free access to the Online Identity Manager, which includes free downloadable templates you can print yourself, as well as helpful suggestions for creating your own content in line with the IndieBound aesthetic and message.

Are there usage guidelines for IndieBound materials?
The Online Identity Manager provides a style and usage guide for the logo, spirit lines, colors, fonts, and key words, so you can adapt the IndieBound style to best suit your store.

Can you tell me more about the monthly Red Box and White Box mailings?
You can learn more about the Red and White Boxes (and who qualifies!) here.

Getting stuff is fun, but what about getting help?
IndieBound brings a ton of cool collateral to the table, but at heart IndieBound is about people, not marketing materials. ABA has a full time staffer, the IndieBound Outreach Liaison (paige@bookweb.org), to help you implement IndieBound in your store and your community.

What are the new venues for booksellers’ recommendations?

You will receive your supply of Indie Next Lists in the monthly Red Box, and the Indie Bestseller Lists will be available for download from BookWeb.org. The respective nomination and reporting processes will remain the same.

What about Gift Cards?
Book Sense Gift Cards will remain customer-friendly: no expiration date, no inactivity fee, no other fees of any kind. The new ABA Gift Cards will have the same customer-friendly attributes, plus exciting new designs. And custom gift cards, tailored to your store, will also be available through the ABA.
Booksellers already in the gift card program will notice minimal changes. Those who wish to join the program will need to complete an agreement and order form.

Will anything change with our store's website through BookSense.com?
BookSense.com online storefronts will now be referred to as the ABA E-Commerce Solution. However, the look and feel of the shopping experience will remain the same. Again, participating booksellers should notice only minimal changes. Customers will be able to link to the e-commerce site from BookWeb.org, IndieBound.org, or their favorite bookmarked store sites! Current Booksense.com stores will be contacted by the e-commerce customer service team regarding any changes, including removal of “Book Sense” references, new references to “IndieBound,” and changes to some URLs.

Interested in joining the ABA—and the IndieBound movement?
Learn more and apply here!

If I don't want to receive IndieBound materials, can I opt-out?
Sure. You can do so through our web form.

Have questions? Want more information?
Email IndieInfo@BookWeb.org or visit www.BookWeb.org/IndieBound.