How to Support Indie Bookstores (Without Leaving Your Couch)
If you love books, chances are you love the idea of independent bookstores. The cozy shelves, curated picks, and staff who somehow always know exactly what you need to read next. But in a world built for convenience, supporting small bookstores can feel… inconvenient.
The good news? It doesn’t have to be.
There are genuinely easy, accessible ways to support indie bookstores—whether you’re shopping online, listening to audiobooks, or building your next TBR.
1. Shop Online Through Indie-Friendly Platforms
If you’re used to ordering books online, this is the easiest switch you can make.
Bookshop.org lets you buy books online while financially supporting independent bookstores. You can:
Choose a specific local bookstore to support!
Shop curated lists (perfect for your BookTube/blog tie-ins)
Earn affiliate income if you’re a creator
Why it matters: A portion of every sale goes directly to indie bookstores, helping them compete with major retailers.
I just discovered Bookshop.org myself earlier this year and I love it. It feels good to support local and I have so much fun creating my own curated book lists. And you know what? The prices I have seen are pretty comparable to (and sometimes even cheaper than) some of the larger online retailers, so don’t let pricing deter you!
2. Switch Your Audiobooks
If you listen to audiobooks, this one is huge.
Switching to Libro.fm is one of the simplest ways to support indie bookstores. Same convenience. Same audiobooks. Actual impact.
Libro.fm works similarly to Audible, but instead of supporting a massive corporation, your monthly credits support a local bookstore of your choice.
And similar to Audible, Libro.fm memberships give you a discount on additional purchases, and they frequently have sales!
Why it matters:
Audiobooks are a massive part of the industry. Redirecting even part of that spending makes a real impact <3
3. Buy Directly from Local Bookstores
Check out the local bookstores in your area, county, or state online. Even if a store doesn’t have a full e-commerce setup, many offer:
Phone orders
Website ordering with in-store pickup or shipping
Special orders for almost any book
4. Preorder Books (This One Is Underrated)
Preorders are huge for indie bookstores.
They help stores:
Predict demand
Manage inventory
Boost a book’s launch success
If you’re already planning to buy a book, preordering through an indie store is one of the most impactful things you can do!
5. Attend Events (Even Virtual Ones)
Indie bookstores often host:
Author signings
Book clubs
Virtual events
Showing up—online or in person—helps stores build community and visibility.
Pro tip: Follow your favorite local bookstores on social media to easily find out when they’re hosting events!
6. Share and Promote Indie Stores Online
Support doesn’t always mean spending money.
You can:
Share your bookstore hauls
Tag bookstores in your posts
Link to Bookshop.org lists instead of major retailers when advertising a book
Highlight indie stores in your BookTube/Reels/TikTok videos
For creators: This aligns perfectly with affiliate strategies while keeping your content values-driven.
7. Buy More Than Just Books
Many indie bookstores sell:
Bookish gifts
Journals
Tote bags
Candles
These higher-margin items help keep stores afloat. Bonus points if you choose to shop small for the holidays!
8. Use Indie Bookstore Memberships & Subscriptions
Some stores offer:
Monthly book boxes (like The Book Drop)
Membership perks
Exclusive editions
These create steady, predictable income for small businesses.
One of my favorite subscriptions is through an independent, woman-owned & woman-led bookstore in Bethany Beach, Delaware called The Book Drop. Each book is a surprise, but it’s always a recent release paperback and you can choose the genre you’d like to receive!
9. Leave Reviews & Spread the Word
A quick Google or Yelp review can:
Boost discoverability
Build trust for new customers
It’s a small action that has a surprisingly big ripple effect.
10. Make It a Habit (Not a One-Time Thing)
The biggest difference comes from consistency.
Instead of thinking:
“I’ll support indie bookstores when I can…”
Shift to:
“This is how I buy books.”
As a former chronic Amazon book buyer, I loved the (usually) lower prices and convenience of shopping big. But now that I’ve fully made the switch to doing every single thing on this list, I realized that “convenience” came at a much higher price. Big picture? Buying big hurts more than it helps.
Final Thoughts
Supporting indie bookstores doesn’t require a lifestyle overhaul. It’s about small, intentional choices. Where you click, where you listen, and where your money goes is all up to you.
And the best part? You’re not just buying books. You’re helping preserve the spaces that make reading feel like home.
**Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission/book credit/etc. if you purchase through it, at no extra cost to you.
