8 Steps on How to Get Your Book into Costco

I want to thank Jodi Jill for her article on how to get your book into Costco. I made myself known to our local Costco manager months ago. In fact, we had a couple sit down face-to-face visits and he was happy to share statistics with me on how well local authors are doing. Now we wave at each other in the aisles! Now I just have to follow the rest of these steps fromJody. Stay tuned to see how I do by the time April rolls around! Let me know if you have other suggestions.

Here are Jill's Instructions:

Step 1

Your first step is to head down to the local Costco. What you need to decide is whether your book or guide actually belongs at a Costco. You are looking for similar products in price point and area, but not so much in content.

Step 2

Once you feel your book or guide does fit into the CostCo warehouse, then you need to make contact with the buyers. Located in the Northwest, these buyers decide what books go into the stores and which don't. You technically are becoming a vendor (even with one book) to Costco.

Step 3

The book or guide needs to have a lead time of release (or season) of two to four months. It also needs to have some publicity forthcoming or reviews to pump customers into the Costco Stores and provide sales.

Step 4

Next is to contact the buyers (you can find the names by asking the store manager for assistance or watch for them at the BEA as they are always walking around.)

Step 5

When you have their correct name and location, you need to put together a package of your forthcoming guide. I suggest a packet that includes all the information about the book or guide. You will need to include four copies of the book (which you won't be getting back for return.)

Step 6

Next up is sending the packet and waiting. The process can take anywhere from 5 to 7 weeks depending on the time frame of the year. You don't want to be calling all the time so send the packet priority and check online when it is delivered.

Step 7

You will hear back upon the schedule of the Costco Buyer. If you want to find out additional information or haven't heard wait a minimum of 4 weeks and shoot off an email or leave a message.

Step 8

1. If your book is approved the next arrangement is verifying the percentage of discounts (it does vary) and freight. The publisher is responsible for the frieght both ways including returns.

Now it's time to celebrate!

Comments

[Weldon Hathaway]

Wow that's not too bad overall, I've heard a lot of other retailers (*walmartcoughcough*) can be a major pain to work with, so hopefully this'll work out fairly well for you. I'll plan to drop by and visit if you do a signing at the local Costco, so let me know when that gets scheduled!