All E-book, iPad and Kindle users say the printed book is dead. Face the truth: with an e-book reader you can have your entire library in a small electronic contraption and you can take it wherever you want. Who will still want a copy of a printed book? But there is still a particular emotion that arises when you hold a book in your hands, when you smell its smell and when you put it on a shelf together with other similar ones. Perhaps this is why you have decided to start a used book business! But, before you do that, you will need to make some crucial decisions.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Shop with Real Outlets or Online Shop?
Step 1. Decide what kind of store you want to open
- A store with real outlets is a physical presence where customers can come and search the shelves. It's great if you like contact with people. Keep in mind, though, that in addition to books, you will have to face other costs that are best considered already.
- Traditional book stores cut overheads into marginal profits that come from the books they offer. The biggest problem is the cost of starting the business. Also, think about the time you will need to search for the books.
- Online stores don't need your physical presence. Far less money is needed to start exercising with this method than with a traditional one. However, this type of store offers online catalogs that depict the specific website of your virtual store.
Step 2. Think about what bibliophiles might want
To help you, you could attend a book fair. Join the mailing lists of these trade shows to stay up to date on where they are held. Set up your own stall when there is a fair in your area. So you can advertise your online store to potential customers. You can also auction through Ebay and other new and old outlets, or via Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Step 3. Make sure you've made the right decision
The internet is the simpler of the two to get started. It can easily lead you to build that second-hand book store you've always dreamed of having, once you've reached a good customer base.
Part 2 of 2: The Most Important Thing Are the Books
Step 1. Take an inventory
A used book store is just a building with a name, with no books to sell.
You can get the right books from a wide variety of sources. Mostly, you'll have to wander around to find your sources, although some books will come to you from people who have heard you buy and sell books
Step 2. Become a good book researcher
The success of a book seller depends above all on his skill in looking for them. He must know where to turn. These searches lead him to frequent book markets, auctions, flea markets, friends who go to reading events, and any other place where books are offered for sale.
Step 3. Remember that buying books that are poor quality or in poor condition will only help you have a stack of paper ready to be recycled
You have to master the trade of the book seller!
- The job of the book seller begins with a great knowledge of books. In addition to knowing what is popular, you need to know the condition of the books, the publications of the prints, the terminology of the books, and what makes them rare or uncommon. Without these skills you could end up selling a book for a few dollars when it is worth hundreds due to its rarity. You could also try to sell a book by saying it is rare or as good as new when in reality it is an edition that is not worth more than a few dollars.
- Attend seminars that are organized at book fairs. Other important research sources are book magazines (especially those dealing with rare books) and internet sites that talk about the pros and cons of buying, selling and collecting books. Personal consultation and knowledge of books are among the best benefits you can have.
Step 4. Learn the trade well
Opening a used book business can be very difficult. Study, buy the right books and prepare a realistic business plan and you will have a successful used book store.
Step 5. Make business cards and flyers to advertise your new business
Distribute them to as many people as you can.
