Focus on large providers of books

There are several very large national retail chains of bookstores across America. To counter competition from online retailers, the national bookstore chains offer books through their websites and provide a great deal of information on books and their authors. These bookstores also offer a wide variety of impulse buy items, many of which are either related directly to books or targeted at a specific book reader demographic.

I recommend: There are hundreds of Barnes & Noble bookstores, and these stores provide an excellent opportunity to market all manner of books, from autobiographies to zoology. Borders has well over 700 retail stores. To have books placed in its stores or on its website takes some perseverance, but it is a very lucrative avenue for sales.

Work directly with books distributors

Books and book-related products are often brought to bookstores by book distributors. Book distributors work with publishers and manufacturers to provide stock for large bookstore chains.

I recommend: Baker & Taylor is one of the largest distributors of book and entertainment products in the world. They work with thousands of retail suppliers to get their products placed in bookstores. Due to the success of numerous comic character movies, the market for comic related products is red hot. Work with Diamond Comic Distributors to sell any number of graphic novels, cartoons and comic related products.

Sell directly through targeted books related web advertising

Online book purchases have skyrocketed in recent years. Many people not only prefer the convenience, but also the savings. Online booksellers provide a great deal of books information along with convenient ordering procedures, and their click-through ads create a ready market for keyword-specific products. The algorithms involved in targeting web advertisements drive interested users directly to your business.

I recommend: Visitors to Amazon.com's books directory have tens of thousands of choices at their fingertips, and their search keywords allow you to target your advertising. Ebay offers a huge marketplace for books and has an extensive listing of book accessories. A business can choose to create a storefront within the book accessories area, or list items separately.