How to make kickass author swag and promotional materials for your book signing or event duration. Set up the photo lineup or book signing location accordingly. Hosting a fabulous book launch part 1 print on demand book release party writing a book writing resources writing ideas pose childrens picture books book launch book signing. Attending your first group of authors book signing. Grab my free book marketing guide and email series, so you can save time and. Determine beforehand if the schedule and the speaker will permit selfies during the book signing. Eleven tips for a successful book signing litreactor. They want to know how to get them set up and what to do. Bottom line, although i was pretty nervous before my first author event it turned out to be a lot of fun.
Only once did i have a reading signing at which nobody showed up. Here are some of the things that ive learned about signing things not having a signing event, but the actual act of autographing. When the big day comes, its your time to showcase your personality and. The bookstore sold out of my book, and took orders for a few more. Eventbrite manhattan educational opportunity center presents discover your best self book signing event thursday, january 30, 2020 at manhattan educational opportunity center, new york, ny. May 24, 2015 to help you hone your signing process as your selfpublishing career advances, attend other authors book signing events whenever you can. A few weeks ago there was a book signing event i was incredibly. Send a press announcement to the local newspapers about your signing. Time the call to within about a month of your signing. Why book signing events are a waste of time for authors. Sep 12, 2019 if youre hungry for an event and getting discouraged by the lack of bookstore opportunities in todays current market, a nontraditional venue may be the perfect place for your next or first. Setting up a book signing as an independent author is harder than ever.
Ideally you should have one to three phrases that you write each time you sign a book so you dont have to think too hard. Tips to ensure your book signing is a success author marketing. Apr 23, 2019 for book authors, readings any event or appearance where youll also be signing books can be an important part of your book marketing campaign. 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. First of all, the buddy system will probably bring in more people since you are essentially doubling your publicizing efforts or at least you should be. How to master the post event book signing and photo lineup. But for the most part, meeting readers is what we want. If youre signing at a large event when many authors are signing as well. Just how do you organize a book signing event anyway. Its better to be early to an event instead of being late. This was my first event, and the line was made up mostly of strangers. 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. Fortunately, the bookstore staffers were more mortified, and i didnt take it too personally.
Most of the generic book signing tips and guidelines apply see my 14 book signing. Remember, you are in charge of your event this is not the time to be shy. After youve made the decision to host a book signing event, the first step is to choose a. Here are some additional tips for preparing for your book signing event. Dec 09, 2012 setting up a book signing as an independent author is harder than ever. Any time you can sit in a bookstore for an hour among people who love to. A local bookstore is an obvious choice, but you can think outside the box about your venue. Your first book signing is an important part of your books marketing plan and.
Beginners guide to surviving your first book signing. The bookstore may do this, as well, but best to take matters into your. I asked them to be honest, and these were the people i could ask to read the book and give me their reaction. Introduce yourself as a fellow author and trade marketing tips. Jul 25, 2018 if theres a book signing event in your future, too, you want to make the most of it, regardless of the venue.
Tell them about your signing and book and request an interview. For best results, allow event coordinators a two to sixmonth lead time, particularly if you want to book an appearance tour, advises poets and writers magazine. I am a first time author and practically do not have any clues beyond writing but i am not giving up. Apr 29, 2016 one response to 10 creative book signing tips to sell more books. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Ask a friend to take pictures and make sure to get some shots of you signing books, talking to readers, and speaking. How to make book signing events more engaging the writing. A successful book signing is when you show up, your books are there, you have a. Organizing and delivering a book signing day can be daunting. Book signing event tips for self published authors toughnickel.
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. 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. The balance careers setting up bookstore signings and readings. Provide tips for brilliant social media marketing that has worked well for you. Talk to other author friends and ask about their first book launchthey might have tips. If youre hungry for an event and getting discouraged by the lack of bookstore opportunities in todays current market, a nontraditional venue may be the perfect place for your next or first.
To help you hone your signing process as your selfpublishing career advances, attend other authors book signing events whenever you can. By adam ellis september 11, 2017 tips for the self publishing author. The first step to planning a successful book signing is securing a fitting venue for your books audience. Every time you add food and drink to the agenda, you up your liability. Theres nothing more exciting than getting the chance to attend a book signing and meet an author you love. Plan your book launch event early signings are ok, but readings are best. If its even remotely interesting, buy it if its not your cup of tea, autographed books make swell presents. When i published my first book, breathing god, through a printondemand company called publishamerica, i was actually able to set up two book signings at walden book sand borders with some ease. Stefanie newell is the goto writing coach for the first time writer whos looking for direction on how to write and publish their first book.
How author readings are set up at a traditional book publisher, when a book is sold in, the sales department is given information about the authors availability to booksellers. Only once did i have a readingsigning at which nobody showed up. Book signing table ideas book signing party, book release. Inspiration leaps off the pages from jerry saltzs new book on creativity. Get to the signing early in order to claim a good seat. How to have a successful book signing event youtube. Author signing basics how to plan and run a successful book event at a library, festival, fair, or con authors essentials series 7 kindle edition by shea, lisa. Here are some tips and suggestions from myself and previous book signing attendees to make your experience stressfree and memorable. How to host book signing events in bookstores to promote your. In the traditional book publishing model, a book signing event is done to help. Author signing basics how to plan and run a successful. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading author signing basics how to plan and run a successful book event at a. How to set up a book signing as an independent self.
For more info, check out our article how to throw a book launch party that isnt a waste of time. Make sure the photo lineup or book signing is set up in a location that will not block people trying to exit the. Each book store has its own distinctive personality. To quickly recap, in my first blog post, we discussed how to structure a book signing to benefit you and your host. Feb 19, 2019 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. 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. Chances are, youll hear something that day that will inspire you. Her many years of teaching at the high school and university level and her freelance writing career have prepared her to lead a team of experts to guide both fledgling and experienced authors through the maze of indie publishing. How to set up a successful booksigning event you can set up and star in a successful booksigning event even if youre not a natural at marketing yourself. Some simple tips on how to make the best out of your book signing, coming from an author who just had her first one and was terrified. Its a good idea to come up with both a generic and a personalized inscription for each book prior to the event. Knowing how to prepare for your signing can help you stay focused, confident, and ensure your event is a success. Im nowhere near where i want to be, but im on my way.
Ive talked about some of these things before, but ive never specifically addressed how to actually sign the books. I know from experience that these 11 tips are crucial for a successful signing. Ive done it both ways, and they each have their merits. After youve written and published your first book, the work doesnt stop there.
As recommended in the excellent bookpromotion reference, 1001 ways to market your books, bookstores arent the only places to schedule an event. Special event signings sell far more books than bookstore signings. Aug 19, 2017 if you truly want to make a career with your writing, its going to take work. Jul 02, 2015 i know from experience that these 11 tips are crucial for a successful signing. How to host book signing events in bookstores to promote.
Here are some important tips you can use to make the day go smoothly. How to organise a book signing event alliance of independent. One of you can be having a book discussion or workshop, while the other author is. Many are my own, and some were suggested by other author friends. Not for hire how to be unemployable how to succeed at anything on the first try. A few weeks ago there was a book signing event i was incredibly excited to attend. If this is your first time running events, use crowdfunding platforms to ease the risk. May 15, 2018 how to make kickass author swag and promotional materials for your book signing or event duration. Host a contest, support a charity, or finally start using social media. 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. While you can plan a digital book signing event in many ways, here are the 5 simple steps we are using at our first digital book signing event. Nov 08, 2016 book signings and readings are effective tools for marketing your work after youve done the hard work of creating your book. I also want to say that new yorked is a terrific book.
Book signing tips and how tos for beginners book riot. Gavata is the local author who wrote get yourself together first which is a true story about forgiveness and restoration. Ive written this article to help shorten the time it will take you. How to throw a book launch party that isnt a waste of time. 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. I recommend the debut author blog series by mary robinette kowal and litreactors 11 tips for a book signing.
Five steps to a successful book signing dan koboldt. Consider crowdfunding as a new option to raise money for an event. Get yourself together first book signing event where. One of the ways many of our authors do that is through. As recommended in the excellent book promotion reference, 1001 ways to market your books, bookstores arent the only places to schedule an event.
The first time i went out, the quotes were from my wife, daughters, and friends. With that in mind, heres what you need in your book signing event tool kit. When we first start writing, many of us dream of having a book signing event. Hosting local author events in nontraditional venues. If theres a book signing event in your future, too, you want to make the most of it, regardless of the venue. Jerry saltz how to be an artist book signing event. Youve written your book and completed the hard work of producing it. On the day of the book signing, head over to the link posted here on the publicity page. Join emil draitser for the launch of his autobiographical novel, farewell, mama odessa. Autographing it is a plus and affords good practice if this is your debut book. I made sure we left home with ample time to deal with l.
If you truly want to make a career with your writing, its going to take work. I tend to not like being the center of attention, but a signing is no time to. After youve made the decision to host a book signing event, the first step is to choose a venue. We also cower at the prospect of having to talk to real people.
This book is for the artist or nonartist, for the person who gets plain english, for the person who understands that practical talk can coax out the mystical messages that lie underneath. Discover your best self book signing event tickets, thu. 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. 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. Once you arrive on the chat page, type your name in the field that says nickname. If your book is about nutrition, consider asking a local health food store if you can host your event there. From how to find author signing events to getting the most out of the. Here are some tips on how to have successful author readings and book signings. There are a lot of things that are different for an author who writes books for children especially picture books. I look forward to signing events, and try not to miss any within driving distance. In this blog post, well discuss what you can do to ensure that your book signing is a success.
Book signings and readings are effective tools for marketing your work after youve done the hard work of creating your book. The purpose of a book signing isnt to sell your books, its to sell yourself. Just save yourself the trouble of doing a book signing event. Here are some tips for setting up bookstore signings and. While it may sound exciting to sit at a table in barnes and noble and enjoy a line of customers eager to purchase your book, thats not how it usually goes down. To date, i have managed to sell over 6,000 thousand physical copies of my first book, mostly at these events. Especially if you are a firsttime author, you need to have a strategic marketing plan in place to start growing your reading audience. New authors often ask me about book signing events. 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. Heshe may not have time to help with your local author events. It took me back to when i had published my first book, remembering how awkward it felt to sign copies. Tips to ensure your book signing is a success author.
1622 119 146 1522 927 768 782 1166 334 1684 675 1460 813 383 364 1500 690 51 917 710 99 970 929 388 1195 842 796 319 432 246 988 163 1144