Recap: Lunch and Learn with Suzanne Shoger / RAMP Catalogs

At the beginning of last week's Lunch and Learn session on the SIBA/RAMP Catalog program, Suzanne Shoger asked the attending booksellers what they were hoping to learn. Responses fell into several categories: Some stores were new to the program and wanted more information. Some were interested in how titles were selected for the catalogs. And all were looking for creative ideas for using the catalogs in their stores.

Shoger, who is the director of the Regional Association Marketing and Promotion (RAMP) consortium (which includes SIBA, NAIBA, GLIBA, and CALIBA), gave an overview of the benefits and updates of the 2026 Winter Catalog for bookstores, including a sneak peek at the new 2026 design with more editorial content and gift items.

Some of the takeaways:

• Participation is growing! 115 stores signed up for the summer catalog, and SIBA expects winter catalog participation to be higher.
  
  
• The Winter catalog features 90-100 books and is free to SIBA members, up to 5,000 copies per store. Catalogs can be personalized with store logos, and digital versions are available.
  
  
• All catalog titles and sidelines must be easily available (via Ingram) and not require large order minimums.
  
  
• Stores can nominate titles for inclusion; diversity and regional relevance are priorities in title selection.
  
  
• Catalogs can be distributed in-store, via direct mail (saturation mail), newspaper inserts, and digitally (email, website, social media). Direct mail is highly targeted and effective; it costs 22 cents per piece. Marketing strategies should include a combination of in-store displays, digital promotion, community partnerships, and creative outreach.

Key deadlines:

June 1: Deadline to start a direct mail order
June 15: Deadline to place and pay for an order
October 1: Catalogs delivered to store
November 1: Catalogs delivered to direct mail recipients

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