Rahel on preparing for the spring releases

The new year also marks the start of the selling season. Sales representatives talk to booksellers – in person, at trade fairs, on the phone, or online. They bring with them the new titles for spring.

VLB-TIX is increasingly becoming the basis for sales conversations, as working with publishers' digital previews offers clear advantages. Compared to the printed catalogues, these previews are more up-to-date, more sustainable, and can be easily customized.

We asked our colleague Rahel, Key Account Manager for booksellers, what it takes to be ready for the season and get the most out of using VLB-TIX.

"Fit for the journey” is the name of a current VLB-TIX webinar for bookstores. Why is this format necessary?

Experienced users can refresh their existing knowledge. And those who are just starting to work with VLB-TIX will receive a compact overview of the ordering features and options in the system. We show how to use previews, filters, and search terms to find the titles you want to buy and how to turn a selection into an order. This not only simplifies preparation for booksellers, but also simplifies a follow-up for sales representatives.

My tip: Discuss with your team what matters most and where you want to focus. Investing in a well-structured ordering process in advance not only saves time during an already hectic period of the year, but also allows you to buy more strategically.

So far, so good. But shouldn't VLB-TIX be self-explanatory?

It is. Anyone who isn't afraid to try something new and wants to get started on their own is welcome to do so. Nothing can go wrong. And our help pages provide detailed explanations of all functions. I see the webinar as complementary support and a direct contact opportunity.

The key point is that there is no single right way to buy successfully through VLB-TIX, but rather flexible processes that can be tailored to the workflow of each individual bookstore. In the webinar, I demonstrate some of these approaches and share practical tips and tricks. I also cover best practices for the various options for creating order lists.

What does digital ordering mean for personal conversations with sales representatives?

In my view, it clearly enhances the value of these meetings and also represents a real (sales) opportunity for publishers. This is because it eliminates the time-consuming task of transferring order numbers. Instead, sales reps can once again concentrate on the core of their work: expert discussions about titels, the presentation of promotional offers, and personal recommendations – ideally supported by tailored previews shared in advance with each individual bookstore.

Do you have any top tips for successful ordering via VLB-TIX?

Basically, just get started! The transition can be tailored to your needs. For example, start with just one publisher or product group and work closely with your preferred representative. It has also proven helpful to start with two members of the bookstore team so that you can support each other.

And if you already order through VLB-TIX and feel that your digital ordering process could be optimized, I would be happy to help and advise.

• Ricardo on the Fil Guadalajara
  
• Harald on the use of AI Agents
  
• Karolin on the joy of reading as a gift