Book Signings--how to do them.
By Laurel Bradley
I am assuming you went to the bookstore, talked with the owner/manager, gave her a Sell Sheet (a one page promotional tool about your book including book cover, synopsis, publisher/order information, author bio, review quotes, and advertising budget) and an advanced copy, and booked the date. If not. Get out there now! What are you waiting for? Don’t forget to buy something while you are there. It is easier for you to pitch and harder for a bookstore owner to say no while she is checking you out at the cash register.
Two weeks before the signing.
1. Make or purchase treats. They make great ice-breakers. Offer prospective book buyers a treat and pitch your book while they eat. Be certain to introduce yourself to bookstore employees and offer them treats as well. Their word of mouth is the best there is.
2. Find out where the bathroom is located even if you don’t need to use it. Someone is bound to ask.
3. Get out from behind the table if at all possible. Talk to people. Smile and be engaging. What? You say you are shy and talking to strangers isn’t your thing? Well, just for today, pretend you are outgoing. You’ve published a book. You are a force to be reckoned with. Be charming even if it kills you. In moments, you will find you are having a great time. You may even sell some books.
4. Tell people about your book. Know your logline or blurb by heart. Know it so well you can say it even when your brain turns mushy. Tell everyone you speak to that you will be happy to sign a copy of your book for them.
5. Hand out bookmarks especially to those who do not purchase. They may be back. Give them something to remember who you are and what your book is about.
6. If you are personalizing a book, ask the person to spell their name. How many ways can you think to spell Amy. Aimee, Aime, Aimie, Aimy... You don’t want to spell it wrong.
7. Have fun. There is nothing as pathetic as an author sitting all alone behind her table hoping someone will come by and talk to her. Leave the table. Wander the shelves. Hand a treats. Hand out bookmarks. Be fun. Have fun.
When it’s all over.
1. Clean up your mess.
2. Sign whatever copies remain. Books sell better when signed. Do NOT date the books.
3. Thank your host. Leave them a small stack of bookmarks.
4. When you get home, write a thank you note. You want the bookstore to want to have you back.
Laurel Bradley is a multi-published author who is committed to improving her craft and helping others improve theirs. See more of her articles at www.laurelbradley.com.
copyright 2012 Laurel Bradley
I am assuming you went to the bookstore, talked with the owner/manager, gave her a Sell Sheet (a one page promotional tool about your book including book cover, synopsis, publisher/order information, author bio, review quotes, and advertising budget) and an advanced copy, and booked the date. If not. Get out there now! What are you waiting for? Don’t forget to buy something while you are there. It is easier for you to pitch and harder for a bookstore owner to say no while she is checking you out at the cash register.
Two weeks before the signing.
- Hang posters announcing the signing everywhere. The local library, coffee shops, local post secondary schools (depending on the genre—be certain to ask for permission), senior centers, and the bookstore or location of your signing.
- Mail out postcards to everyone you know in the area.
- Write an article for the bookstore’s newsletter if they have one.
- Contact the newspaper with your press release. Ask for a review. Don’t forget the City Pages or Shopper’s Guide if they contain articles.
- Get on the community calendar.
- If you know of or can find local book clubs, contact the leader and send bookmarks to the members. (Most bookstores have or know of book clubs.)
- Contact local radio station. Many have community calendars.
1. Make or purchase treats. They make great ice-breakers. Offer prospective book buyers a treat and pitch your book while they eat. Be certain to introduce yourself to bookstore employees and offer them treats as well. Their word of mouth is the best there is.
2. Find out where the bathroom is located even if you don’t need to use it. Someone is bound to ask.
3. Get out from behind the table if at all possible. Talk to people. Smile and be engaging. What? You say you are shy and talking to strangers isn’t your thing? Well, just for today, pretend you are outgoing. You’ve published a book. You are a force to be reckoned with. Be charming even if it kills you. In moments, you will find you are having a great time. You may even sell some books.
4. Tell people about your book. Know your logline or blurb by heart. Know it so well you can say it even when your brain turns mushy. Tell everyone you speak to that you will be happy to sign a copy of your book for them.
5. Hand out bookmarks especially to those who do not purchase. They may be back. Give them something to remember who you are and what your book is about.
6. If you are personalizing a book, ask the person to spell their name. How many ways can you think to spell Amy. Aimee, Aime, Aimie, Aimy... You don’t want to spell it wrong.
7. Have fun. There is nothing as pathetic as an author sitting all alone behind her table hoping someone will come by and talk to her. Leave the table. Wander the shelves. Hand a treats. Hand out bookmarks. Be fun. Have fun.
When it’s all over.
1. Clean up your mess.
2. Sign whatever copies remain. Books sell better when signed. Do NOT date the books.
3. Thank your host. Leave them a small stack of bookmarks.
4. When you get home, write a thank you note. You want the bookstore to want to have you back.
Laurel Bradley is a multi-published author who is committed to improving her craft and helping others improve theirs. See more of her articles at www.laurelbradley.com.
copyright 2012 Laurel Bradley
