Two Minute Tweaks w/ Lisa Uhrik

Story of One: A Two Minute Tweak#046

Taking storytelling in display to a new level, you're invited to try telling a personal story of one (perhaps not so famous) person with a display that breathes with authenticity.  It's a small idea that can have a big impact as we connect people with their books.  (song credit to Sarah Ramirez, "The Story") 

Themes in Display: Two Minute Tweak #45

This week we continue talking about storytelling in display, with the easiest and most accessible of the strategies: use of simple themes. Unexpected collections, color flow, and fun pairings can make themes easy to create and maintain as books and merchandise leap from the shelves.

It's a simple idea that could make a big difference today.

The Shared Quest: A 2 Minute Tweak #044

This week we return to the topic of merchandising; specifically, storytelling in display and the use of themes. As we've learned, themes are an easy and good way to display, as we're using the shelves and tables to talk to the individuals who are interacting with them. Listen as Lisa takes this practice to a new level – the shared quest. This theme is something the viewer is involved in with others. Click to get started!

Inspiration with New Friends: A 2 Minute Tweak #043

This tweak is about reaching out, learning with and from each other, with a challenge for you, dear listener, at the end.

Listen as Lisa tells about her recent experience following up on a "one day" promise to visit a newly-made bookstore owner friend (thanks to SIBA) should she ever be in town, and her journey learning with and from them.

Does Your Store Taste Great?: A 2 Minute Tweak #042

Starting with a personal cake analogy, Lisa dives into the question of how does your store "taste"? Some days it's the best flavor in the world, some days, well, not so much. As store owners and managers, we want to always be on the mark for our customers, so how do we keep that consistency?

Join Lisa as she begins a multi-week lesson on merchandising, consistency and – if you have them – using Franklin Fixtures' unique features to make your store the tastiest around.

The Art of Greeting & Connecting with Customers

Greeting and connecting with customers – it's an art. 
In today's episode, Lisa, with the help of colleague Tasha, a social worker, teaches how to communicate with customers that they're not just in a store but in a place where we are seen and belong. 

The Gifts: A 2 Minute Tweak #040

This week Lisa builds on last week's tweak, where she talked about honoring the effort our customers make in coming to our stores. Listen now as she unveils 3 gifts we give as independent bookstores that can't be replicated in a formula: Welcome, Thoughtful Curation and Ourselves. 

Honoring Their Efforts: A 2 Minute Tweak #039

This week Lisa talks about honoring and helping people who take the time to come in leave with a special treasure. Each customer gets up, gets ready, puts their kiddos in the car, drives to the store, navigates the parking lot — it's a real effort born of hope to visit a store in person. How do we honor their effort and make sure they leave with something tangible?

Click to listen now to the first of this two part episode. 

Three Wise Women: A 2 Minute Tweak #038

This week we bring you a Tuesday Tweak on a Thursday... just in time for the New Year! Lisa reached out to three booksellers and asked what they believe is our best use of time in the space after the holidays and before the New Year.

Their answers surprised Lisa – click to listen now.

 

We wish you joy, insights and clarity as you reflect on the New Year this week.

 

A special thank you to Donna Paz Kaufman (Paz & Associates, Story & Song), Jill Hendrix (Fiction Addiction) and Linda Marie Barrett (SIBA Executive Director) for their words of wisdom. 

12 Gratitudes for Bookstore Friends: A 2 Minute Tweak #037

A bit of a different tweak this week. With a fun way to reflect and say Thank You, Lisa counts all the gifts your inspirations have given her over the past 12 months.

We hope you tune in to hear your inspiring contribution. 

Just Give Me a Sign: A 2 Minute Tweak #036

Now that I have a small store, I'm noticing things – simple things – that I hadn't thought about too much before now. While we've created a warm, cozy store, we've not focused on customer signage – that special art of communicating without talking.

 

Listen to the podcast now as Lisa talks about helping customers focus & find by upping your store's signage game.

The One Thing: A 2 Minute Tweak #035

We bought this book to sell at our store – a big, sixty-five dollar David Bowie coffee table book. While I’m a fan of the artist, I’m not sure why we bought it, as it doesn’t fit with our plan or focus. An hour before opening on Small Business Saturday, I saw it lurking in the shadows at the very bottom of a bookcase – not exactly prime real estate for a $65 book.

Listen now as I detail how I elevated one thing and the three morals to the story.

Pyramids in Display: A Two Minute Tweak #034

We sure do love pyramids in our displays, don't we? They're a fundamental display technique that borrows from antiquity. In this episode, Lisa discusses different types of display fixtures/tables, ways you can make pyramid displays in your store using what you have, the two types of pyramids and how to choose that special item on top. Click to listen now.

Wrap It Up Right: #033

Don't let giftwrap leave you frustrated and confounded! Organize your space and learn how to wrap it up right: looks-wise + budget-wise + space-wise. Click now to listen to Lisa's perfectly timed podcast.

Baskets for Holiday Giving: A 2 Minute Tweak #032

Baskets for the win this holiday shopping season! And what better place to get them than indy bookstores?
Using her own experience plus brainstorming ideas from Jill Hendrix's Masterminds course, Lisa breaks down best practices for putting together baskets for all ages and interests, using a fun rhyme to keep your basket-making ideas & themes on track.