'Here's What You Just Did'

Posted Tuesday, Jun 24, 2008

"Here's What You Just Did," available on BookWeb.org in flier and poster formats in both generic and editable versions, has emerged as one of the most popular marketing materials developed for IndieBound.


Click for larger image.

"Here's What You Just Did" clearly enumerates for customers what they have accomplished by shopping at an independent business. And, because the copy encompasses all indie businesses, it has become a key tool for booksellers who are reaching out to other locally owned businesses and independent business alliances in their communities.

Barbara Theroux of Fact & Fiction in Missoula, Montana, downloaded "Here's What You Just Did" from IndieBound's Bookseller DIY and personalized and printed a flier for every business on her block soon after returning from BookExpo America. When delivered along with a copy of the "Declaration of Independents," an IndieBound button, and a window sticker, the response from her neighboring businesses was, she said, "very excited! The next day there were requests from other businesses ... nothing like the power of a good idea."

And for this year's Independents Week celebrations in Tampa, Florida, Carla Jimenez of Inkwood Books, is creating a customized "Here's What You Just Did" poster for each member of the Tampa Independence Business Alliance member. (See related story.)

IndieBound has been designed to promote all of the great attributes unique to indies, and "Here's What You Did" provides customers with a snapshot of what their shopping choices mean for their communities.

"Here's What You Just Did" is available in six file types, from Illustrator and EPS files for experienced designers to Acrobat files (PDF) files that can be viewed and printed by anyone who has the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. An editable PDF allows booksellers to key in the name of their store, of another local indie business, or business alliance, and print as many copies as needed. Blank files also enable users to stamp or edit in a store's name or IBA in their graphics editor of choice.

Both the generic and editable versions can be printed in two sizes: 17" 22" or 8-1/2" 11".

Here's what "Here's What You Just Did" says:

Thanks for shopping at this
Indie Bookstore
Here's what you just did!

1. You kept dollars in our economy
For every $100 you spend at one of our local businesses, $68 will stay in the community. What happens when you spend that same $100 at a national chain? Only $43 stays in the community.

2. You embraced what makes us unique
You wouldn't want your house to look like everyone else's in the U.S. So why would you want your community to look that way?

3. You created local jobs
Local businesses are better at creating higher-paying jobs for our neighbors.

4. You helped the environment
Buying from a local business conserves energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation, less packaging, and products that you know are safe and well made, because we stand behind them.

5. You nurtured community
We know you, and you know us. Studies have shown that local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of chains.

6. You conserved your tax dollars
Shopping in a local business district means less infrastructure, less maintenance, and more money available to beautify our community. Also, spending locally instead of online ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested where they belong -- right here in your community!

7. You created more choice
We pick the books and gifts we sell based on what we know you like and want. Local businesses carry a wider array of unique products because we buy for our own individual market.

8. You took advantage of our expertise
You are our friends and neighbors, and we have a vested interest in knowing how to serve you. We're passionate about what we do. Why not take advantage of it?

9. You invested in entrepreneurship
Creativity and entrepreneurship are what the American economy is founded upon. Nurturing local business ensures a strong community.

10. You made us a destination
The more interesting and unique we are as a community, the more we will attract new neighbors, visitors and guests. This benefits everyone!
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