While there are no hardandfast industry standards for these events, we at selfpublishing relief have put together a practical checklist to maximize the fan base appeal and marketing potential of your next selfpublished book signing event. When you promote the release of your book to friends, colleagues, and family, youre going to make some sales. I was happy that they were well informed of my book signing event that day. Promotional materials for the event should mention the book signing in addition to the talk. Structured negotiation, a winning alternative to lawsuits. Here are some tips for setting up bookstore signings and. Come hear how lainey and her blind clients have worked with some of the largest companies in the united states to improve access to websites, mobile apps and other technology. To find out what you can do to make your event a success, we spoke to indie superstar, mark leslie. Local media loves local authors and while thats a good foot in the door the unique venue will virtually seal the deal. A book signing is an event at which an author will sign copies of his or her book or publication. If its even remotely interesting, buy it if its not your cup of tea, autographed books make swell presents. This book will give you a solid foundation for effective communication. It happens every year in the fall, and this was my third appearance.
Public libraries often sponsor author appearances and can be one of your best sources for finding speaking engagements. I arrived fifteen minutes early and introduced myself to store staff. Its better to be early to an event instead of being late. Why book signing events are a waste of time for authors. The bookstore may do this, as well, but best to take matters into your own. To ensure your next book signing event is a success, consider the following tips from book marketing agency tips. Though i had sent marketing materials in advance the store manager hadnt put any of them out. How to host a book signing event write publish sell dont limit yourself when it comes to the options for a book signing event. Retirement jobs grandparents retirement announcement world visit the post for more. Tips to help you prepare for a book signing or conference, ensuring you have a stressfree, productive and fun time at your next author signing event.
Book signings, especially in your local market, create awareness about your book, let you, as an author, interact with fans, and enhance your. Since 20 the bronx book fair has been the boroughs premiere literary event. After youve dried your sweaty palms and feel ready to test your skills, its time to schedule book readings. While i do not attempt to do all of the suggested tips at every signing, it is important to adapt as many as you can to fit each stores personality. There are several companies that offer different ways for you to connect with readers through an autographed. Eleven tips for a successful book signing litreactor. A few weeks ago there was a book signing event i was incredibly excited to attend. Tips for attending book signings bookishness and tea.
Make sure the bookstore has the event up on their site and is doing some promobut understand the impetus falls on you here. Introduce yourself as a fellow author and trade marketing tips. Whether its a conference, seminar or a customer appreciation day, and whether you have three weeks to plan or an entire year, your event s success is in the details. If you can, include the name of the store that will be selling books they will appreciate the mention. Everything you see and hear at a book signing can be directly applied or firmly crossed off your list of things never to do at my own signing to your book signing. Designing and implementing a marketing plan can be a selfpublished authors worst nightmare or dream come true. Weve collected 42 small business event planning tips from the experts experienced at planning for small business events.
Heres a taste of the communication skills youll learn in this book. Author appearances are an important part of a book marketing campaign. Market yourself to media well in advance of the event and then again in the couple days leading up to the event. Fortunately, the bookstore staffers were more mortified, and i didnt take it too personally. Remember, each book signing is different, according to the size of the event, how many people attend, and how much time the author has to sign books.
If you book is a childrens book, consider local daycare facilities and. Youll be equipped to meet someone new, improve daily interactions, and effectively manage conflict when something goes wrong. Work together with the host to promote the event so that you can spread the word to as many people as possible. From how to find author signing events to getting the most out of the experience once you arrive, here are some book signing tips for beginners. How to host book signing events in bookstores to promote. A book signing is a great way to connect with your readers and promote your latest book. Help promote the event dont rely on the event host to do all the promotional work for you.
Find and submit author and celebrity book signings, book tours, book festivals, book salesfairs, book clubs, book conventions, book discussions, book festivals, book launchreleases, book series and literary workshops. Laineys book, structured negotiation, a winning alternative to lawsuits, will be available for sale and signing. Here are some tips and suggestions that have helped me increase the number of books sold at a book signing. How to host a successful book signing westbow press. This article will give you five tips for a successfull book signing event. What else can writers do to increase the number of attendees at a book signing, reading, or other book promo event. Here are a few tips and tricks ive learned from other authors and personal experience to help your next appearance be a successful one. Tips to ensure your book signing is a success author. One of the ways that an author connects to the reader is by signing books. In this blog post, well discuss what you can do to ensure that your book signing is a success. Only once did i have a readingsigning at which nobody showed up.
Success depends on attending carefully to every detail related to the event. Tell them about your signing and book and request an interview. Book signing event tips for self published authors toughnickel. In the traditional book publishing model, a book signing event is done to help promote a newly published book and its author to increase sales. My hope is that this article will help you have positive, engaging interactions with the authors that you meet. Book signing events and bookstore outreach tips smith publicity. Harvey will also discuss her passion for interior design at the. He offers more tips for making the most of book signings below. Book signing event to benefit children with cancer. Book signing tips and how tos for beginners book riot. Not only can you connect with ebook readers at a digital book signing, digital author signatures open up a whole new world of online and virtual event planning for your next book promotion. Show the store your social media posts for the event and past. The bronx book fair is dedicated to engaging and growing the community of poets and writers in the bronx and to connecting to readers and book lovers of all ages.
If youre signing at a large event when many authors are signing as well. How to make book signing events more engaging the writing. Here are 11 dos and donts of meeting an author at a book signing. The number one rule is to respect the author and the rules established by them and the bookstore.
Author events, book signings, tour stops, launch parties, book conventions whatever it is, meeting an author especially if theyre one of your favorites can be very nervewracking, and can either go very well, or very poorly. Believe me, doing so will increase the opportunity to sell more books. So how do you make sure your book signing events are busy, engaging people, and selling lots of books. Home signing tips the most popular topic on my blog seems to be book signing tips. This past weekend, i had the honor of signing books at my local awesome book festival. Provide tips for brilliant social media marketing that has worked well for you. Attending your first group of authors book signing.
Here are some tips on how to have successful author readings and book signings. Book signings allow authors to make personal connections with readers, which is what makes them worth doing. If we want to do live book signings, as we covered in the power of the live author, what is the best place to hold a book signing. This portfolio may include your author bio, photo, book summary, excerpt from your book, print out of your book cover, web site, and a press release.
However, you cant expect the venue to do all the promotional work. Every time i sign books at a regional fair in ohio or kentucky, i seem to get better at interacting with readers. I hope these tips help out some book lovers during book events. Here are some tips and suggestions from myself and previous book signing attendees to make your experience stressfree and memorable. I know from experience that these 11 tips are crucial for a successful signing. He set the event up at the local borders, collected raffle prizes, invited everyone he knew, and even hired a live. The book signing may be a public event or a private one, and it may be held in conjunction with another event such as a reading or lecture. The author recently published a beautifully illustrated informational book, and it was on social media the author would be on book tour at local bookstore. Keep in mind that every piece of your marketing plan must be a strategic way to tell the public about you and your book. This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
One of our authors, bob quinlan, held a big book signing event to launch his book. Good things come to those who ask, so do not be afraid to contact your favorite local bookseller to schedule an event. Even if you dont have a publicist and your book is not traditionally published, you may want to consider not only getting your books into brick and mortar places, but creating a book signing promotional event as well. Here are some of the things that ive learned about signing things not having a signing event, but the actual act of autographing. Here are some tips on how to have a great event to help bring together existing fans and drive new readership. Include a mock flier advertising your book signing at their location, which if they decide to host your event, could then be placed in the bags of customers. A book signing event is a great way to spread the word about your book and connect with your target audience. A few weeks ago there was a book signing event i was incredibly. Tips for successful book talks, events, and signings. Book signings and readings are effective tools for marketing your work after youve done the hard work of creating your book. The best place to hold a book signing holon publishing. Finally, after each book signing, you will get better and better at selling your book. Send a press announcement to the local newspapers about your signing.