Would You Like to Open a Home-Based Alzheimer’s Bookstore?
August 21, 2007 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Have you had trouble finding books or audios to help you understand Alzheimer’s and encourage you with your caregiving duties? Have you searched for a book that will explain to children why Grandma or Grandpa doesn’t know them? Would you find a book helpful when dealing with a spouse who has dementia?
But you have a challenge locating them. So you’ve wondered, “Why don’t I start a bookstore to help others obtain these books?” However, you don’t know where to start.
Over at Home Biz Notes, guest blogger Yvonne Russell provides advice and suggestions for starting a home based bookstore, whether it’s one where customers come to your home shop or you sell solely online. In Start Your Own Specialist Home Based Bookstore, Yvonne discusses how to research before starting your business, how and where to obtain your books, how to find a niche…in short, many tips to start you on the way to success rather than failure with a specialty bookstore.
The information Yvonne offers at her Home Biz Notes post gives some great information to start you thinking, researching, planning, and actually setting up a bookstore, if that seems feasible.
(Yvonne Russell is a freelance writer who blogs at Grow Your Writing Business. She has operated and sold a number of businesses including an award winning bookstore. She also is the director of People People, a small development and training business.)
Thanks for mentioning my post, Mary Emma. A specialty home based Alzheimers bookstore is a great idea!
Not only do carers and allied health professionals know the topic, but they would also have their finger on the pulse with regards to networks and those looking for resources – both professionals and fellow carers.
Hello Mary Emma,
I feel like I HAVE a bookstore here! I just counted and I have read 17 books on the subject of Alzheimer’s and Caregiving. I can’t wait to check out Yvonne’s site.
This could be a great addition to http://www.KnowItAlz.com
Thanks,
Kathy
Hi Kathy – I just checked out your great site. Online bookselling (Amazon, Ebay or mail order), in your specialty niche would be a great addition.
To kick off, you could write book reviews of your 17 books. You could even write your own ebook, and sell that too. All the best with exploring the possibilities.
I know what you mean, Kathy. I started accumulating books about Alzheimer’s and caregiving when caring for Mother and Auntie. I’ve continued to do so as I write and speak about these topics and seek resources to share with others
Thanks for visiting Alzheimer’s Notes and sharing with us.
Yvonne, even though you wrote your home-based bookstore post for my Home Biz Notes blog, I thought it had great application for people thinking of niche stores, like one carrying books for anyone dealing with Alzheimer’s and caregiving.
How do I get permission to resell the books on my website? How many do you have to sell to get a good discount, etc.?
Thanks,
Kathy
kathy@KnowItAlz.com
Hi Kathy – I’ll assume you mean new books. If not, just leave a comment and let me know, and I’ll answer any further questions.
Just to get started, choose one or two publishers who supply the books you want to sell, and ask them to send you an account application. Find out their terms. A usual opening discount can be 35-40%. There is usually a minimum order which varies from publisher to publisher e.g. $300. As you get bigger, you may be able to renegotiate discounts.
Later, you may also be able to negotiate special terms e.g. sale or return or a higher discount for a very large quantity firm sale (no return).
Hope this helps. I am in the process of writing an ebook on starting a home based specialist bookstore, so feel free to ask any further questions here.
Kathy, Yvonne will be the one to answer you. Since she operated a bookstore, she should be able to give you some direction or let you know where to find answers.