Planning an Author Vendor Shelf Space
When authors secure a brick-and-mortar vendor space, they need to consider their merchandise to sell, the balance of how it’s displayed, and the price point
Having the opportunity to be a vendor at a brick-and-mortar space is a dream for many authors.
Not only does it provide a physical location for your readers to shop for your items, but it also allows new customers to discover them.
However, once you have decided to take the next step and have secured a spot as a vendor at a brick- and- mortar, it’s time to decide what items you plan to offer.
Making Decisions on Merchandise
Each author is going to have something different to offer their customers/ readers.
But when it comes to thinking about items that you can offer, you sometimes need to think outside the box and consider the type of space you have at your disposal.
For example, if you have one shelf at your disposal, you will want to offer larger ticket items in addition to some smaller items that may be a good add-on for customers. So, if you write children’s picture books, you may offer paperback copies of the book as a large ticket item. When you think about smaller ticket items that customers/ readers could add, maybe you can create sticker sheets of your book characters or coloring books from illustrations in your books.
Knowing your target audience is key to getting it right.
I recently became a vendor at a brick-and-mortar store called Expressive Avenue in Lancaster Pa and it challenged me to consider what I wanted to offer in my square foot of vendor space. And being a multi-genre author opened lots of options for me.
Breaking it down, I decided on a five-tiered shelf where I would sell:
Several of my different genre books
Learning kits that pair with my children’s picture books
Unique items such as stickers, coloring books, and bookmarks
Before I get the chance to move in October of 2024, I am going to set up my shelf at home and experiment with where I place my items.
Balance
What authors need to remember is having a balance in their vendor area.
The last thing we want to do is overwhelm our customers/ readers when they approach our sales area. By this, I mean that if the space is crowded or too busy, it can deter your customers. But the same goes for if you leave your sales area too sparse, leaving the customers/ readers feeling as if you aren’t prepared.
Before you set up your items in the space, experiment with placing items to see how they look.
Doing this ahead of time can help you figure out the best set up and ensure that you get it right.
To help you find the right balance, you should know:
The amount of shelf space you have
The size of your items
What items will first catch the customer’s/reader’s eye
Know the Price Points
When putting together your vendor space, you also need to consider the price points that your customers are willing to pay.
You can figure this out by:
Talking with the brick-and-mortar directly
Perusing the other items in the store and making a checklist of items and their price points
Know what your audience is willing to pay
Creating a great price point for your customers and yourself is going to be important to draw customers into your space.
When considering how to configure your vendor shelf space, you want to be sure that your customers feel invited.
When looking over your vendor space, make sure to:
Make decisions about the types of merchandise you will offer in your vendor area
Find a good balance in item placement and display in your vendor area
Figure out a price point among your items that customers expect and are willing to pay for merchandise
For more about being a vendor at a brick and mortar, see: What Indie Authors Should Know Before Becoming a Vendor at a Brick and Mortar.