It's not like the movie, Field of Dreams, where if you build it, they will come.

Scoring a booksigning event is exciting for a brand new author like me, but it's also pretty scary. What if nobody shows up? What if I can't think of anything witty to write in their books? What if I misspell a name when signing a book?

My book hasn't released yet, but I have some copies in print and have been trying to generate some word-of-mouth marketing about it and schedule a few local book signings.

At the first book signing, this one at a local used book store, nobody came. A few people walked into the room where they had placed me and glanced at me when I greeted them with a "hello" but not one single copy sold.

The second book signing was really just a table at a craft fair where nobody was interested in my product. I sold one book that day.

My next opportunity to sign books was at a table in the cafeteria at a college where I teach. Nobody came in, even during their break from class!

Despite a well-intentioned and planned event for 30 local authors, another opportunity at a local book fair this past weekend only generated the sale of two books.

Finally, some hope arrived. At a book signing at my church, photo below, I sold 15 books this past weekend. Even if I hadn't sold a single copy, I had a blast! I got to interact with many customers, be silly, and felt totally at ease during the process.

All it takes is a little patience, a heart for fun, and getting yourself out there. I look forward to my next three booksignings coming up this week, even if I don't sell a single book.

 

Book Signing Tips/Checklist

Your goal for the event is to bring in a crowd, sell books and “create the demand” for the book.

Please note: If you do not sell books, the store can return the books following the event, which could end up counting against your royalty check in the future.

1.      Contact the point person at the bookstore to confirm date and time

1. Find out the location/department of your table in the store
2. Ask if they will display books and posters prior to the event
3. Ask if the store will be advertising the event

2.      Post the event everywhere you can

1. Church bulletin
2. Online newspapers free event calendar listings
3. Free online listing at Craig’s List http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites.html
4. E-mail Tate invitation to your address book

Use promotional items to announce the event

1. Hand out push cards and business cards
2. Hang up posters

Establish a family member or friend to help you during the event Write short overhead speaker announcements for the store during your event. Examples below.

1. “Attention Mardel shoppers, Author Heidi Cook is in our store today signing her new children’s book ‘Razzle, Dazzle, Princess Girl.’ Be sure and stop by and visit Heidi in our children’s section.”
2. “Attention Borders shoppers, we have a special guest in our store today. Author Heidi Cook is in our children’s section signing her new book ‘Razzle, Dazzle, Princess Girl.’”
3. “Attention all Princesses, be sure and visit author Heidi Cook in our children’s section and get a signed copy of her new book ‘Razzle, Dazzle, Princess Girl.’”

Be prepared with conversation starters.

1. “How did you hear about the event?”
2. “Are you an avid reader?”
3. “Do you live in the area?”

Have a guest-book on your table for people to sign their name and e-mail address. By doing this at every event, you can create a large mailing list for e-blasts or newsletters about your book. Be prepared: bring extra books and leave them in your car in case the store runs out of the supply they ordered. Dress according to the style of the store, yet NEVER sloppy. Arrive 20 minutes early to the event. Be creative with your signing table.

1. Promotional items
2. Table cloth
3. Candy or cookie dish
4. Consider doing a presentation or question-and-answer session about your book.

Be friendly, personable and approachable. Send a thank-you card to the store after the event. If the event was especially successful, send a letter of commendation to the event coordinator’s boss.  This will help build a long-lasting relationship between the bookstore and you!

 

A few “don’ts” 

• Don’t get into a confrontation with store staff.  Remember, you are in THEIR store. Be friendly.
• Don’t just sit at the book signing table.  If there are no customers coming to your table, go to them. Get up, walk around and meet people.

 

Selling and promoting a book is a lot of work, but most of all it is a lot of FUN!  This is your chance to go out and push your book and help it become the success we know it can be!