Anywhere people are in number is a good place for a book signing. May 24, 2015 to help you hone your signing process as your selfpublishing career advances, attend other authors book signing events whenever you can. I know from experience that these 11 tips are crucial for a successful signing. My hope is that this article will help you have positive, engaging interactions with the authors that you meet. Do put several of your books faceout when they arent looking. You can have the shop laminate the poster and put them on a poster board. I am having my first book signing, what should i do.
That first book signing was and still is the best ive had thus far. They brought a table, chair, tablecloth, book racks and acrylic poster holders. As a new published author, i had no idea how i should handle autographing my books at my first books signing. Good luck with your book and hope you get plenty of sales from your readings. Fortunately, the bookstore staffers were more mortified, and i didnt take it too personally. Ask a friend to take pictures and make sure to get some shots of you signing books, talking to readers, and speaking. Mar 29, 2019 a good option for book signing is a calligraphy pen or finetipped felt pen such as a sharpie, but its totally up to you and your preference. How to host a successful book signing westbow press. Here are 11 dos and donts of meeting an author at a book signing. In this blog post, well discuss what you can do to ensure that your book signing is a success. Nov 19, 2009 great advice all around, but the author should always check with the host of the reading before signing unsold copies. See more ideas about book signing, book release party and books. Give them a special invitation to attend your book signing, and if you are in town to do a keynote or seminar, invite them to attend at no charge. How to host a book signing event designing and implementing a marketing plan can be a selfpublished authors worst nightmare or dream come true.
Now lets talk about book signings for those who arent familiar with book signings or are attending their first one soon, here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind, in order to have the best time with fellow book lovers and an author that you admire. Sep 15, 2010 mary robinette kowal september 16, 2010 at 10. For example, a tax accountants book on irs tips would likely be welcome in bookstores in march, before the. Remember to send them a promotional copy of your book. Book release party book table graphic quotes book launch book signing launch party event decor corporate events new books author a. To find out what you can do to make your event a success, we spoke to indie superstar, mark leslie. Your position when planning an event is to sell to the public that you are the author, this is the book and here is where you can find it. Theres nothing more exciting than getting the chance to attend a book signing and meet an author you love. Authors can even do them virtually, using webinars to address large audiences and kindlegraph to sign their ebooks. Mar 02, 2016 everyone loves a good story, no one loves sitting for two hours while you read from your book, your face buried in the pages. You can get these and a variety of other book stickers for5 a roll.
How to make book signing events more engaging the writing. Your position when planning an event is to sell to the public that you are the author, this is. As recommended in the excellent bookpromotion reference, 1001 ways to market your books, bookstores arent the only places to schedule an event. By adam ellis september 11, 2017 tips for the self publishing author.
Be aware that a very good book signing has sales of 20 to 30 books and this is rare. Let them know you want to have a book signing at their store. If people are holding a copy of the book in their hands, they are much more likely to buy it. An alternative to signing a book as a gift is to include an inscribed bookmark with it, that way they can use it and enjoy your message with future books they read. Send a press announcement to the local newspapers about your signing.
Book signing table ideas book signing party, book release. There are, however, a few tried and true tips to ensure the success of your signing and readingleading ultimately to added success for your career. A good quality calligraphy pen or finetipped felt pen is a good option for book signing. Tips for running a successful, sustainable book club. Seeing that most in attendance already purchased the book, the notion of selling the book at the event was redundant. Cattapan signs books at tealula event july 23 amazon bestselling author a. One example is having your book signing at a culinary school if your book is a culinary book. Its better to be early to an event instead of being late. Feb 19, 2019 now lets talk about book signings for those who arent familiar with book signings or are attending their first one soon, here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind, in order to have the best time with fellow book lovers and an author that you admire. Ive held book signings in shopping mall aisles, super markets, festivals anywhere i can get foot traffic.
Dont rush and dont use jargon or pretentious language. I arrived fifteen minutes early and introduced myself to store staff. The number one rule is to respect the author and the rules established by them and the bookstore. Bookmarks are a great gift and a great way get someone else interested in your book. Successful book signings help drive word of mouth, move books, built your credibility and platform as an author, speaker and expert in your field and allow you to get a truelife sense of your audience. Here are some tips for being polite the next time you go to a book signing. One great way to tell the world about your book is to meet them in person at a book signing event. Do write your own announcement for the book stores intercom. This is kind of a big deal, and i talked about this in my prior post. However, if youve written a book to promote your business, you may very well be welcomed if your author appearancebook signing includes a program that might be useful to the bookstores customers and drive sales of other books.
Do ask the person who books the signings to write up a recommendation of your book and put it and the book in the staff recommends section of the store. Tell them about your signing and book and request an interview. People want to learn more about you and your book, your background and inspiration, so the reading portion should be 15 min max. If you are in a book club and have some ideas to share, id love to hear from. I couldnt help but wonder what else could have been done at the book signing in lieu of what is usually done. Again, this will help establish you as a professional, and build a great relationship with that bookstore. Jun 19, 2017 if youve recently completed a book and are considering having a book signing, in this video i will be sharing some tips on how to have a successful book signing event. Experienced authors chimed in with several pointers that vociferously churn. You may pick up top tips and inspiration by seeing an experienced master in action or equally be given a clear lesson in what not to do, as the following example conveys. Although todays virtual world allows authors to connect with their audience without ever leaving their house, virtual communication cannot replace the physical experience of sharing your book and knowledge with a room full of real people at a book signing. I have been an inspirational writer for several years ive coauthored a series of devotionals over 100 published articles, a cancer anthology, and as an anthology specialist spearheaded three book projects giving phd candidatesgraduates the opportunity to share their experiences, but this was my first invitation to do a book reading. Book events and signings are magical for a myriad of reasons. Jun 4, 2015 a place to collect good ideas for my upcoming book signing.
They are an incredibly important metric by which a great many things are. Mar 30, 2018 seeing that most in attendance already purchased the book, the notion of selling the book at the event was redundant. You would think as an author of four books that i would have of plenty ideas. On a practical level, i also wanted something that was acid free, wouldnt bleed through the page, would be comfortable after all, i was hopeful id get to sign more than one book, and would still work after many, many minutes with the cap off in case i got distracted by good conversation with a reader. Any books the store purchased will be returned to your publisher and charged back against your royalties if you dont sell them at the event, often with a restocking or handling fee, increasing the pain. This article will give you four easy steps to hosting your own book signing.
Local media were very enthusiastic the tv interview was rebroadcast in their end of year recap and seemed. This is also a great strategy for the first book in the series consider making it free now, before the holidays, to push. Though it got the job done, i didnt feel like it demonstrated how serious i am about my work. Sep 28, 2016 one example is having your book signing at a culinary school if your book is a culinary book. Keep in mind that every piece of your marketing plan must be a strategic way to tell the public about you and your book. Guest column march 2, 2016 although todays virtual world allows authors to connect with their audience without ever leaving their house, virtual communication cannot replace the physical experience of sharing your book and knowledge with a room full of real people at a book signing. After youve made the decision to host a book signing event, the first step is to choose a venue. Book signing tips and how tos for beginners book riot. Here are some tips and suggestions that have helped me increase the number of books sold at a book signing. Book signings are rare facetoface moments where you contact with your readers to help build a lasting relationship. Learn ten great tips for a successful book signing. Book signing ideas for a successful book promotion. Apr 29, 2016 the most important ingredient to a successful book signing in foot traffic. Home signing tips the most popular topic on my blog seems to be book signing tips.
I often will also put the books of my author friends faceout. How to have a successful book signing event youtube. Only once did i have a readingsigning at which nobody showed up. There were several scifi fans on staff so the first several sales were built in. Successful book signings help drive word of mouth, move books, built your credibility and platform as an author, speaker and expert in your field and allow you to get a truelife. After all, signing a book for a delighted reader is one of the joys of authoring. Get to the signing early in order to claim a good seat. I should add that i write the date all the way out, which is in keeping with the style of the book, so it did make a time difference for me, which is why i eventually stopped. Aug 02, 2011 sandra beckwith, for example, wrote a great set of book signing tips on the selling books blog i love the post title, read this if youre not sarah palin. There are a lot of very rude people getting their books signed out there. Dont forget to invite your friends, family, coworkers, writing group, and social media contacts.
The most important ingredient to a successful book signing in foot traffic. Successful book signings help drive word of mouth, move books, built your credibility and platform as an author, speaker and expert in your field and allow you to get a true. Aug 15, 2016 theres nothing more exciting than getting the chance to attend a book signing and meet an author you love. Mar 02, 2016 10 tips for a successful book launch by.
In most cases people want the book inscribed to them personally. Its like throwing a party and being certain no one will come. Many are my own, and some were suggested by other author friends. Organizing book signings, readings and public appearances is a vital element of an authors marketing campaign as well as an influencer on the authors level of success. I lost my book signing virginity in a room with two hundred other authors. It is a good idea to plan on finishing the book a little earlier than you might otherwise so that you have time to think about it and prepare before your book club meets. A signed book cant be returned to the distributor, and a lot of bookstores work on very slim margins of profit nowadays. Ten tips for tackling book signingsand other helpful. Author book signing tips by sandra beckwith nearly every aspect of the book publishing industry including the traditional book signing and reading is evolving into something different and more interactive. If youve recently completed a book and are considering having a book signing, in this video i will be sharing some tips on how to have a successful book signing event. My signing was at a bookstore in palo alto, california on a thursday evening in june of 1981. She insisted i do my first book signing in her store. Make enlargements of your book cover at a local copy shop. May 30, 2014 the advice in this article was easy to incorporate.
How to sign a book for fans alliance of independent. This may seem obvious, but it is the most important step, so it is worth stating. Jul 02, 2015 i know from experience that these 11 tips are crucial for a successful signing. Ive only had experience with mine, so ill share how ours is organized and why i believe weve had such endurance. X research source make sure the ink of whatever pen you choose dries quickly so it does not smear on the page of the book. More people equals more excitement, and thats what a party is all about. Attending your first group of authors book signing. A successful book signing is when you show up, your books are there, you have a place to sit, and you sell just one book. Cattapan will be signing books at a special meet the author event at tealula in park ridge on thursday, july 23, from 6 to 9 p. Tips to ensure your book signing is a success author marketing. My book was dedicated to a friend so he and his family came and we celebrated him and the book.
A stand will show off the book better than just having the books lying on the table. Ill never forget my debut appearance as a blushing newbie author. Only once did i have a reading signing at which nobody showed up. Your first book signing is an important part of your books marketing plan and an. When my first book came out, i had a party in my back yard. I was happy that they were well informed of my book signing event that day. 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 lots of book clubs out there now, and theres more than one way to run a successful one. Jan 14, 2009 learn ten great tips for a successful book signing. It is always a good idea to follow the genre of your book and pattern your book signing ideas after it. Good book promotion is about message and movement and often, readers are less inclined to stop and chat if youre just sitting there, looking bored or checking your phone. I set my novels in toronto, a city of contradictions, ripe with conflict possibilities. I also want to say that new yorked is a terrific book. If you can, bring a friend or relative to a book signing.
Tips to ensure your book signing is a success author. Sandra beckwith, for example, wrote a great set of book signing tips on the selling books blog i love the post title, read this if youre not sarah palin. Ten tips for tackling book signingsand other helpful hints. Apr 23, 2019 however, if youve written a book to promote your business, you may very well be welcomed if your author appearancebook signing includes a program that might be useful to the bookstores customers and drive sales of other books. My life is one big question mark, ever since i sustained a mild traumatic brain injury or closed head injury or concussion, whichever moniker. Not all bookstores have signs printed for your book signing. Not all bookstores have signs printed for your book.
Ill never forget the day i was signing books and the only pen i had on me was one of those cheap stick pens i picked up from a hotel room. Eleven tips for a successful book signing litreactor. Planning an exceptional book signing, part two 100720 04. Jul 30, 2019 in a sea of options, its a good idea to give new readers inexpensive choices so they can get to know you. To help you hone your signing process as your selfpublishing career advances, attend other authors book signing events whenever you can. This is one of the ways that an author connects to the reader is by making the book signing a unique and an enjoyable experience. Here are some tips and suggestions from myself and previous book signing attendees to make your experience stressfree and memorable. Alternatively, you can purchase sprayon adhesive, buy your own poster board, and attach the poster yourself. Cook found the minimal approach best and merely brought a tabletop poster of his book to his signings.