Member stores have begun responding to SIBA’s call for holiday catalog ideas. 

Alissa Redmond of South Main Book Co. in Salisbury, NC said, “I am stuffing the Halloween edition of the local newspaper with [the holiday catalog] - they are too cute to wait for Christmas!”

"How we use the catalogs is fairly basic," says Josh Niesse of Underground Books in Carrolton, Georgia. "We have a link to our Bookshop page on them (which we meticulously update with staff picks), use them as bag stuffers starting November 1st until we run out (usually be December 10th or so), and we'll put a few small stacks at closely aligned neighboring businesses. Last year we also sent copies with handwritten notes to our top 20-30 or so Bookshop.org buyers. I'm not sure if we'll get to that this year again or not, but I do think that paid off more than the earlier year when we tried the blanket local mailing."

Lisa McLaughlin from The Bookshelf on Church in Kilmarnock, VA said they’re giving the catalogs out in the store, but they also gave some to the local Chamber of Commerce because they love handing things out from local businesses, and they get a broader audience. Lisa said, “I love the catalog because it is well-designed, professional and saves me so much time and money trying to design a holiday guide myself.” 

Lynne Phillips of Wordsworth Books in Little Rock, AR said they are distributing catalogs through the local newspaper to align with their neighborhood holiday kickoff, called Holidays in the Heights. When they did the same last year, they had the best response based on coupon use that they’ve ever had.

Gee Gee Rosell of Buxton Village Books in Buxton, NC said the holiday catalog is the largest marketing campaign they do for their local customers, and besides handing the catalogs out in the store and via mailings, they also insert them into swag bags for local fall events. Gee Gee said, “If you’re on the fence about the SIBA holiday catalog, take my advice and DO IT. Our response just keeps getting better every year. Easy marketing, feel good marketing, and the price is right!”

Do you have a great idea for how to use the holiday catalogs? SIBA wants to hear from you! Email Candice Huber and describe how you plan to use the catalogs, show photos of your displays, and send in ideas. If you love the catalog, send a quote SIBA can use in promotion. Participating stores will be entered to win a $100 gift card! Five gift cards will be awarded. This contest is only available to current SIBA members.