Budoor: Publishers to support booksellers
Conference explores ways for industry to thrive in digital world
Shaikha Budoor Al Qasimi, President of the International Publishers Association (IPA), has reassured booksellers from 56 nations at the world’s first International Booksellers Conference in Sharjah, saying they are not alone in the efforts to promote the culture of reading in their communities and reinforce people’s awareness about the importance of books.
“Publishers will support you in this mission,” she said, noting that the industry will extend its full support to ensure that booksellers are able to continue achieving greater results. “As the African saying goes, ‘Alone we can go faster, but together we can go further’,” the IPA President further said. Shaikha Budoor was delivering a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the two-day conference organised by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) at their headquarters on the side lines of the ongoing 13th edition of Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF).
Complex challenges
“I know booksellers have been doing an excellent job trying to find creative ways to engage readers and to put books in their hands. Your efforts have become even more urgent now in the face of ever-changing readers’ needs and behaviours, together with the increasing
digital distractions in everyday life,” she said.
The opening day explored unique ways for booksellers to take their businesses forward and thrive in an increasingly digital world. A four-member panel discussed ways to improve bookselling in 2022 and beyond at a session that shed light on best practices and case studies in community engagement and sales performance, delving into the role of digital channels, including websites, social media, e-newsletters and e-commerce.
The session also offered insights on strategies to convert followers on social media channels into potential customers.
A second panel session discussed the topic of stock curation and presentation and staff training in customer service, exploring strategies to optimise browsing and discover experience of customers to maximise sales.