5 Signs It’s Time to Rebrand Your Indie Bookstore

Running an indie bookstore means juggling a thousand things at once - inventory, author events, rogue tote bags, and that one customer who insists on alphabetizing the romance section incorrectly. But when’s the last time you looked at your brand?

A great brand isn’t just a logo. It’s how your community feels the moment they see your sign, step through your doors, or scroll your site. If your visual identity isn’t keeping up with your story, it might be time to turn the page.

Here are five signs your bookstore might be due for a rebrand:

1. You’ve never defined your brand voice.
   You know your store has a vibe, but you've never actually out it all together, written it down, or made sure that vibe is reflected in all your pieces. Is it cozy and quirky? Scholarly and serene? If you don’t know, neither do your customers.

2. Your visuals feel thrown together.
   Maybe your logo was created by your friend's sister who took a design class once. Or maybe you fumbled your way through customizing a stock logo yourself at midnight...5+ years ago. Your signage, website, and Instagram all look like cousins, not siblings.

3. You rely on word-of-mouth, not storytelling.
   You’ve built a community, sure - but are you showing up with consistent messaging and visuals that attract new readers, visitors, and collaborators?

4. Your events and content feel disconnected.
   Hosting read-a-thons, author signings, book clubs, and trivia nights is awesome - but are they telling a unified story about your shop’s purpose?

5. You’ve grown... but your brand hasn’t.
   Maybe you’ve expanded inventory, added a café, or launched an online shop... but your brand identity hasn’t kept up. It’s time your look and feel matched the magic inside.

Feeling called out? It’s okay.

Rebranding doesn’t mean scrapping everything. It means uncovering what’s working, tossing what’s not, and telling your story in a way that feels authentic — and looks damn good.

If you’re ready to write a the next chapter in your brand's story, fill out my Project Interest Form! Tell me a little about what you're working on and what kind of support you need - I’ll take a look and get in touch if I’m the right person to help.