I had my first book signing at the Borders at 10 Columbus Circle in NYC and there was a quite a crowd despite the rainy weather! Coming off the Travel Therapy book launch party at the New York Palace Hotel I was still flying high so it was incredible to see so many people not only listen and learn the inspiration behind my book Travel Therapy: Where Do You Need to Go?, but to also buy the book. For this I am very humbled and grateful!
I’ve had a lot of people ask me for tips on book signings, how authors should set up book signings and the best way for authors to interact with the people who come to the signings so I’m putting together a quick list here of some top book signing tips that helped me.
I hope these to ten book signing tips help any aspiring author plan their own book signing and if you have any tips that have worked for you I’d love to hear them! Just leave a comment here!
Top 10 Tips for Book Signings
#1.You’re on Your Own
Don’t count on your publicist, publisher or book store manager to promote your book signing. Their schedules are often packed and consider anything they can to do help as “extra” so it’s up to you to get the word out by sending out a press release to anyone and everyone who might be interested. Send out your release at least 2 weeks in advance and then follow up the week of and the actual day of your book signing to stay on people’s radar. I email all my releases and keep the email list handy for follow ups, etc.
#2 Think Outside the Box for Contacts
When you’re putting together your contact list think outside the box. Of course you want to get the word out to any media in television, print and online but bloggers are also an excellent resource to help spread the word. Go into chat rooms that relates to your book and leave messages there. Make sure you have a Facebook page and Twitter and start getting the word out weeks in advance. Also, ask other friends to post a notice on their Facebook and twitter about your event. Viral marketing is amazingly powerful!
#3 Print up Postcards of Your Book Cover
Print up postcards with your book cover to hand out at your book signing with all the information about your book and your website. A great resource for affordable postcards is www.vistaprint.com, because the first 100 are FREE. Also show up at least a half hour before your event and wander the book store introducing yourself and handing out the cards mentioning your event is about to start. If you’re too shy grab a friend who is outgoing to do this for you. At my book signing besides myself I had several people interacting with people in the book store and inviting them to the event and this created quite the crowd.
#4 Print up Posters of Your Book Cover
Print up at least two large posters of your book cover and have them put onto a poster board that the book store can display. Offer to bring the posters to the store a few days early to help generate buzz.
#5 Mention Free Giveaways in Press Release
When you’re putting together your press release and telling your friends and family about the event be sure to mention there will be some great giveaways. Giveaways are golden for a successful book signing party! For the Travel Therapy book signing we gave away some great spa products that were donated, including a few spa treatments and even a few copies of the signed book. Giveaways always draw a crowd!
#6 Print out Forms for Giveaways
When you do giveaways always have a pre-printed piece of paper for people to fill out with a space for their name and email. This also allows you to build your mailing list.
#7 Talk about Yourself and Inspiration for Book
While most book signings are set up for you to read from your book and then sign copies I think unless you’re an amazing reader that can completely engage reading from a book, it also works well to talk personally about your inspiration behind the book and who you are as an author. Sharing your personal story helps connect with your audience making you more real and approachable. Anything you can do that’s unique is key. If your book is about your dog, bring the dog, or bring pictures. At my Travel Therapy book signing I announced we had created the first theme song ever done for a book, and I had the singer play the piano and sing the song at the signing and the crowd loved it! Again, always think creative and out of the box and make your singing one to remember.
#8 Schedule in Time for Q/A
Always have time set up for questions and answers at your book signing. Again, this is the perfect way to engage your audience and make them feel part of the event. The more you connect with your audience the more books you will sell. It’s always smart to ask a few friends in the audience to get the ball rolling with some questions of their own.
#9 Ask a Friends to Help
Ask a friend to come as your “helper”. Whether they’re taking photos or video for you, or simply standing next to your book signing table opening up the page you need to sign to keep the line going, having a friend handy will keep the event running smoothly. My Borders event coordinator was amazing helping make everything perfect but you don’t always get so lucky so be sure you’re prepared with an extra set of hands to help you out!
#10 Relax and Enjoy!
Finally, relax. This is your big event. There is no reason to be nervous. The people in the audience are there because they’re interested in YOUR book. Don’t try and follow any pre-written script or read from notes, THAT would make anyone nervous and makes the event feel stiff and not genuine. Just speak from your heart, talk about your book and you’ll connect with the people who are there to support you and cheer you on. Enjoy this amazing opportunity to share your book with others, you’ve earned it and you deserve it!
Coming up tomorrow…TRAVEL TUESDAYS where we highlight the best travel deals of the week! Stay tuned!
