Selling Vintage Books as a Side Business
Selling vintage books is a fun way to make extra income online.
You can sell any second-hand goods online, but it's best to choose something that interests you, whether that is books, fashion, comics, or Pokémon cards.
If you want to turn this into a real business, you need to treat it like one. This means spending time setting up your online shop, taking high-quality photographs, carefully posting orders, and replying to questions.
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I make taking images simple and professional by using a photography light box and Adobe Express to make a clear white background. You can find examples on my eBay shop. While you might use props and colour backdrops.
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One problem with books, compared to other items, is that they have varying conditions. You need to list all faults and provide information on the publisher. The free download below can help you with how to label rare books.
1. Markets
Although this blog post will look at Selling Vintage Books online, it is worth mentioning markets. Selling at markets, such as a craft fair or a specialist market, can make a profit.
I make anywhere from £50 to £300 a day from a local market.
Markets are great for building up your business. You can hand out business cards with links to your website and social media profiles. You can also use markets for collecting email subscribers and talking to customers face to face.
The trouble with selling at a market is that it is exhausting, often long days lifting and carrying stock, then interacting with the public.
They work best if you have a car and some help. You could try a few local markets to see how it works for you.
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2. Online Websites
Retail is now predominantly online. Given that you probably have another full-time job, it makes sense to dedicate time to an online business. Unless you already have a large online following, you should consider using a retail platform.
Below are three major websites for selling vintage books. The platform you choose depends on your customers and the type of stock you have. All of these websites take 10 – 20% commission per sale.
Etsy
To start, if you are selling vintage books, Etsy is a great platform. The type of books that sell well on this site are gift books and personalised items.
Even though Etsy is more of a craft website, there is a growing book community. You can search Etsy to see what type of books sell well and if this applies to your stock.
Best for –
Gift Books
Stylish Books
Handmade books
eBay
If you’re looking for a large audience eBay is the biggest re-sale website. It’s best for general stock, large online shops and international shipping. You can also use both buy now and auctions to encourage sales.
Like all these websites, eBay takes a profit cut per sale, but it is a great way to start your book-selling career.
Best for -
Auctions
General Stock
International Sales
Abe Books
Another website to look into is Abe Books, a website dedicated to only selling second hand books. They have a smaller audience than the others but seem to do well for specialist rare book sellers and book shops with large stock.
Best for -
Rare Books
Book Shops
Specialist Books
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3. Social Media
If you’re selling vintage books, you can also prioritise social media. For example, my Instagram page only has a small number of followers, but I have sold many books directly to people after posting online.
You can also tag your Instagram stories with a link to your online shop. Instagram is a great platform for books as it’s visual, but you can also sell on any social media platform.
Some sellers also do very well with TikTok and videos. It will take time to figure out your creative style online (I’m still experimenting with my business brand), but it’s worth putting in the effort. So, take it from me, social media posts do lead to sales.
4. Auctions
Another way to sell vintage books online directly through auction houses. This is a good idea when you have a more expensive or specialist book. Auctions might take between 10 – 20% commission but they do provide a unique audience.
I have previously sold books to auctions and had surprisingly high profits. Better still, these auctions will provide valuations for free. So, I do recommend auctions if you find a book that you believe has a high value (£300 plus).
5. Business Website
Lastly, you should eventually build up your business to run from a personal business website. Etsy and eBay are great to begin with as they provide an instant audience, however they do take a large commission per sale.
Having a website will take a significantly lower commission and provide you with full control over your orders. If you are selling vintage books through social media it makes sense to direct people to your website as you can make the most profit.
This blog post is only an introduction to selling vintage books online. However, I am still adding to my website blog and learning new skills every week.
I post regularly about my new book business on Instagram @sixbookshop.