11 ways to make the most of your book signing
[info] Hi folks! January is blog-post re-play month here on the 30 Day Books blog. Some of the posts are over 12 months old and some info may be a little outdated, but I’ve chosen those that I feel will still be useful and valuable. Enjoy! [/info]
Nothing scares most authors more than the first book signing. What if no-one shows? Will people take me seriously? What am I going to talk about? I have to have my picture taken?
Here are some tips to help the signing go smoothly, and also to stretch the value of this awesome opportunity as far as possible. Book signings are not all about selling books (though that’s a nice added bonus), they’re about connecting with bookstores and local businesses, gaining press coverage, networking offline, and getting good pictures for your author website!
You might just have people lining up! Image courtesy of dragonmount.com
1. Have marketing materials ready to hand out. Even if people aren’t ready to make a purchase on the spot, they can take home a flyer, business card or marketing sheet. This is great if they prefer to purchase e-copies of the book.
Tip: Try vistaprint.com for fliers, bookmarks, business cards, or print out a marketing sheet on your home computer. See here for the example we used for Kathy Lynn Harris’ book:
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About the book (in menu format!)
2. Don’t sit behind the table. This is the intuitive place to sit, but this automatically puts a distance and height difference between you and everyone else. This can be intimidating to anyone tempted to come and talk to you, so instead sit or stand in front of the desk and keep your body language open and ready to talk to passers-by.
3. Hold something – If you’re not naturally extroverted or chatty, hold something – your book or a flyer – as a conversation starter.
4. Sweeten ’em up!! Don’t underestimate the power of candy and chocolate for attracting people to your table, especially children. When their parents come to find them, guess what, you have new people to talk to!
5. Take a guestbook. Have people leave a short message along with their email address in a guestbook/ notepad. After the signing you can email each person individually and thank them for their message, along with links to your social media accounts and website. A great way to build your online author platform, offline!
6. Take pictures. Photos make great content for a blogpost, provide visuals for your FB page, and add credibility to your press page/ author website.
7. Invite a couple of friends or family members to hang out for the duration of the signing. This will mean the table will never be deserted and you’ll feel more confident. Be sure not to alienate potential readers by engaging too closely in conversation with your friend though; be open to visitors.
8. Contact the press. Book signing events are the perfect time to get some PR and coverage in local media. A week before the signing, send out a press release with a personalized email to local newspapers and magazines, addressing the person who usually covers the events section. Ask the bookstore or cafe holding the signing if they have any press contacts they can notify too. Ask to be added to the publications’ ‘What’s on” calendar, too.
9. Bring a small gift for the book store/ cafe owner. They’ve spent time and energy putting together the event so it’s time to say thanks! It’s always worthwhile nurturing these relationships by showing your appreciation. Flowers, chocolates or a giftcard along with a handwritten thank you note go a long way.
10. Bring supplies – lots of pens and a small notebook to have people spell out their names in.
11. Smile & enjoy!
Thanks, Laura, for the book event reminders! The list reassured me that I’m on track with most of the suggestions. I find each event presents different challenges, but I always bring marketing materials. I give out book markers with the book synopsis and my contact information. My local UPS makes them at a reasonable price. The “stand up” or “sit behind the table” is always a dilemma, especially when I do most events alone. Sometimes standing seems too “high pressure” where as sitting is more casual. I’ll try sitting next to the table at my next signing and see how it goes!
Laura, excellent suggestions. Some of these things I’ve learned by experience (make that bitter experience), others I’ve yet to put into practice (but I will). Thanks for sharing.
It’s not easy signing books, is it? It can be a very overwhelming and scary experience for some of us. Glad these tips help – do report back!