Whether you are contemplating working in a bookshop, planning to open your own bookshop, or are in the process of buying an existing business, listed below are the key organisations you should know about, as well as links to a range of useful resources.

Book Trade Industry News & Publications
- The Bookseller (online and in-print)
- BookBrunch (online)
- Bookselling Essentials (The Bookseller Association's quarterly magazine)
- Bookselling and the BA (annual report)

Campaigns
- Independent Bookshop Week
- Indie Book Awards
- Bookshop Day
- Books Are My Bag Readers Awards
- Indie Book of the Month
- Irish Book Week
- World Book Day

Social media and online marketing
- National Book Tokens Local
- Social Media for Bookshops 
- Bookshop.org

Social media is a powerful tool for bookshops – it allows them to connect with existing customers and reach news ones, by offering a space for them to interact with readers in their local community, and around the globe. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X allow bookshops to share their unique stories, highlight their passion and expertise, build a brand and stay competitive in today’s market.

Further information is available on the Social Media for Bookshops page. 

Follow us on social media:

The Booksellers Association
- X
- Facebook
- The Booksellers Network Facebook Group (exclusive to BA Members)
- Lone Working Facebook Group (exclusive to BA Members)

Books Are My Bag
- X
- Facebook
- Instagram
- YouTube

Bookselling Ireland
- X
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Facebook Group (exclusive to Bookselling Ireland Members)

National Book Tokens
- X
- Facebook
- Instagram
- LinkedIn

Batch
- BatchLine User Facebook Group 

Key BA Services
- Campaigns
- Batch and BatchLine 
- National Book Tokens
- Christmas Books
- Summer Books
- Booktime Magazine

Bookshop Supply Chain & Equipment
- Batch Payments and Returns
- Book Industry Communication
- BA Retail Directory

Stock management and websites 
- BatchLine POS
- E-commerce Solutions

Employment
- The Bookseller
- Bookcareers.com
- Guardian Jobs
- Working, jobs and pensions
- Apprenticeships

Training & Networking
- BA Skills Hub
- BA Conferences
- BA Bookshop Socials
- BA Special Interest Groups
- Starting a Bookshop (essential reading for all aspiring and new booksellers)
- Transfer of Ownership - Top Tips for Buying an Existing Bookshop
- BA’s Guide to Creating a Community Bookshop
- Introduction to Bookselling Course
- London Book Fair Bookseller Seminars
- The York Antiquarian Book Seminar
- One-day work experience placement in an independent bookshop (email Kate Gunning for more details)
 
Publisher Contacts
- Hachette’s Newsletters for Booksellers
- Harper Collins' Indie Thinking
- Penguin Random House's All About Indies newsletter

Trade Organisations
- European & International Booksellers Federation
- The Publishers Association
- The Independent Publishers Guild
- The Book Marketing Society
- Publishing Ireland
- Publishing Scotland
- Society of Authors
- The Reading Agency
- Reading Groups
 
Financial & Commercial Business Resources
- GOV.UK Advice for Starting a Business (regulations, writing a business plan, registering with Companies House, registering with HMRC, finding an accountant, starting a social enterprise, etc)
- British Chambers of Commerce
- Write A Business Plan
- Businesses & Self-Employed
- mentorsme.co.uk
- RICS Small Business Property Guide

Funding and Grants
- GOV.UK Advice on Funding for New and Existing Businesses
- GOV.UK Guidance on Government Grants
- Crowdfunding
- Business Finance & Support Finder
- UK Business Angels Association
- British Venture Capital Association
- UK Rural Development Grants
- GOV.SCOT Supporting Business Finance 
- Business Wales: Starting Up and Business Planning
- Northern Ireland: Support for Business

For Irish Booksellers:
- Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is a network of 31 offices throughout Ireland and is usually the first place to go if you need support starting or growing a business in Ireland

• - Private support for startups – NDRC, Dublin BIC, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland
• - Support for Women Entrepreneurs: Women-Founded High Potential Start-Ups (HPSU), Going For Growth, Rubicon, Women Entrepreneurship, SheGenerate
• - Support for startups moving to Ireland: Enterprise Ireland, Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP), Startup Entrepreneur Programme (STEP), Back For Business.
• - Government Support for Starting a Business in Ireland:  Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA), Short-Term Enterprise Allowance (STEA)

If you have any questions, or would like further information on how our membership products and services can help to make a difference to your business, please contact Pippa Halpin.

NB: If you’re already trading, or opening soon, you can apply for BA membership now online.