PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 2017

by Angela Bole, CEO, Independent Book Publishers Association —

Angela Bole

Happy November, IBPA members! It’s time to get online.

Almost a year ago, on Dec. 19, 2016, IBPA revealed an updated, user-friendly web portal for its 3,000 members. The online portal, called SocialLink, offers IBPA members the ability to build detailed member profiles and connect with one another across an integrated online networking platform. Increased community collaboration links members with relevant discussion forums, experts, and member benefits. It’s very cool, but, as with everything, it only works if you use it.

For this issue of Director’s Desk, I’m extending a personal invitation (perhaps a challenge!) to those of you who haven’t engaged with SocialLink yet. I’d love to see you online before the end of 2017. Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Update your MEMBER PROFILE so others know who you are and the level of expertise you bring to the table.
• Join an ONLINE DISCUSSION GROUP and start asking your own questions, as well as commenting on others.
• Build your CONNECTIONS so more people see your updates and can communicate with you.

If you’re new to SocialLink, we’ve posted several short instructional videos online here. They’re worth checking out. Then, you can log in with your username and password by visiting ibpa-online.site-ym.com/login.

The power built into SocialLink provides like-minded IBPA members the ability to share information and work together toward goals they couldn’t achieve alone. When used, this moves us closer to IBPA’s vision of a world where every independent publisher has the tools and knowledge needed to professionally engage in all aspects of the publishing industry.

So, I hope to see you online soon, where perhaps you’ll make me your very first CONNECTION. If you have questions in the meantime, I’m reachable—as always—at angela@ibpa-online.org.

Just before Angela Bole became IBPA’s Chief Executive Officer, she was Deputy Executive Director of the Book Industry Study Group, Inc. (BISG), which fosters conversation and consensus across all sectors of the book business. Before that, Angela served for two years as BISG’s Associate Director and two years as its Marketing and Communications Manager.