CIBA 2024 HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN ASSETS

Our annual membership survey found that booksellers are pressed for time when it comes to the holiday season while others have well-established holiday campaigns of their own. To support the former and complement the latter, we will promote broad-appeal messaging on our reader-facing social media channels throughout November and December. The theme of this year’s campaign is “The Bookseller Is In.”

A play on “The Doctor Is In,” messaging will focus on indie bookseller expertise, reliability, and unmatched customer service. Our content will encourage people to shop at indies for an enjoyable experience, the best in tailored book recommendations, and an opportunity to give back to their local communities during the holiday season. Our messages will be shared weekly and accompanied by eye-catching graphics that evoke the indie bookstore shopping experience.

Members who would like to take advantage of the campaign can do so by sharing CIBA’s posts on Instagram and Facebook, by creating unique content using campaign assets found on this page, or by hosting their own in-person or online “Office Hours.”

We are also welcoming book recommendations from members to share throughout the campaign period. If you’d like to suggest a title, please contact Kayla Calder.

Hosting Your Own “Office Hours”

We encourage booksellers who like the campaign theme to consider hosting their own online or in-store “Office Hours” during the holiday shopping season! This would entail one bookseller making themselves available specifically to provide gift recommendations. Although indie booksellers to this at all times, making it official that the bookseller is “in,” is a fun way to engage with customers while highlighting your expertise.

We recommend selecting days/times when you have more than one bookseller onsite and earmarking 1-2 hours as “office hours.” In-store, you might have them sit as a table and use the customizable table talkers we’ve prepared to encourage customers to share info about their intended giftees for tailored recommendations. Don’t forget to snap a few photos to share on your socials! Online you can encourage followers to comment or DM you about their giftees using the graphics linked below and direct people to the recommended titles on your website.

If you decide to host office hours, please consider tagging @indiebookstoresCA in your Facebook and Instagram posts so we can boost the signal!

Winter Reads Lists

As you may know, CIBA prepared seasonable feature lists that promote recent or new books available for purchase in-store and online from indies. We will promote our “Winter Reads” lists for adults, young adults, and kids in late November as part of the campaign.

Should you wish to review the lists in advance, you can find them here: indiebookstores.ca/discover/winter-reads/

Sample Social Captions

Use these sample captions on your social posts in conjunction with the provided graphics or create your own!

General Post #1:
The bookseller is IN this holiday season! Whether you’re shopping for yourself or finding the perfect gift, our staff is ready with expert recommendations, friendly service, and a commitment to helping you find what you need.

General Post #2:
Our booksellers REALLY know their books. Stop by the store today for personalized recommendations and expert gift advice. Support your local indie bookstore and find the perfect read for everyone on your list—what better way to spread some joy?!

Recommendations:
Shopping for the person in your life who [PERSONALITY TRAIT]? We recommend [TITLE] by [AUTHOR]. [INSERT LINE ABOUT RECOMMENDATION]. Visit us today for more gift ideas that are as unique as the people who will receive them.

Office Hours (In-Person):
The bookseller is IN! Visit the store [on DATE] from [TIME] to [TIME] and let our expert bookseller give you personalized gift recommendations. We’re here to help you find the perfect books for everyone on your list. Stop in, share who you’re shopping for, and leave with something special.

Office Hours (Online):
Need recommendations? The bookseller is in… online! Join us for our virtual office hours, when [BOOKSELLER NAME] will help you find the perfect books for everyone on your list. Comment or DM us about your giftee [on DATE] from [TIME] to [TIME] and we’ll give you tailored suggestions.

Primary Hashtag:
#TheBooksellerIsIn

Secondary Hashtags:
#ShopLocal #HolidayShopping #IndieBookstores #BookLovers

Graphics

Use the button below to download a folder containing social graphics for Facebook and Instagram feed/stories, transparent PNGs (bookcase artwork), and “Office Hours” table talker templates. If you need additional sizes or have any questions, please email Kayla Calder.