Subsequent calls are to find out if the store has ordered your books, if theyre promoting the signing, if theyve got you on the calendar. 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. You should be coordinating with the store to actively promote your book signing. It took me back to when i had published my first book, remembering how awkward it felt to sign copies. Set your stage use creativity when exploring your options for the venue of your book signing. To find out what you can do to make your event a success, we spoke to indie superstar, mark leslie.
Each book store has its own distinctive personality. These tips and suggestions can help you increase the number of books sold at a book signing. Im celebrating because i felt more comfortable in the role of author and gave my quick synopsis with ease. If youre wondering how to have a successful book signing this video will cover all of the basics. Here are tips for a smooth and successful signing, whether youre by yourself or in a crowd of fifty writers. 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. Make enlargements of your book cover at a local copy shop.
You can have the shop laminate the poster and put them on a poster board. Book signing tips and how tos for beginners book riot. Ive been to signings where only a handful of people show up. Get to the signing early in order to claim a good seat. Although a bookstore or coffee shop can be an easy choice, thinking outside the box to pick a venue that correlates with your books topic could create a more unique and memorable experience for your fans. A successful book signing is when you show up, your books are there, you have a. So youve finished your book, youve had it edited hopefully by us. How to host a successful book signing westbow press. Here are some tips and suggestions that have helped me increase the number of books sold at a book signing.
An aggressive publicity campaign on your part, strategic geographic outreach, or a partnership with other authors, all contribute to a successful event. Book signings are different from book release parties. Tips to ensure your book signing is a success publicity. The first step to planning a successful book signing is securing a fitting venue for your. How to have a successful book signing is the first in a 3part series, so be sure to also read the two following posts. This may seem obvious, but it is the most important step, so it is worth stating. Alternatively, you can purchase sprayon adhesive, buy your own poster board, and attach the poster yourself. By adam ellis september 11, 2017 tips for the self publishing author. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Including tips, tricks, and anecdotes from experienced authors and booksellers kindle edition by robson, gary d download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. 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.
Tips to ensure your book signing is a success author. 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. If you can, have booze and food this will help with the first item on this list. 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. The first step to planning a successful book signing is securing a fitting venue for your books audience. As a new published author, i had no idea how i should handle autographing my books at my first books signing. The most important ingredient to a successful book signing in foot traffic. Get people to show up this is so much more difficult than you would figure. Self published author steps to book signing success. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading garys guide to successful book signings. Plus, youve worked super hard to get this book out into the world you deserve to celebrate. Many are my own, and some were suggested by other author friends. The advice in this article was easy to incorporate.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading author signing basics how to plan and run a successful book event at a library. Author signing basics how to plan and run a successful. In the 11 years since he appeared at that book signing, ritzer has sold an average of 40 books a. Book signings are critical space for bookstores, and they need to do their best to ensure that if they bring you in, there will be some valueadded for them i. The first thing you need to do when planning a book launch is set yourself a budget.
Anywhere people are in number is a good place for a book signing. Make sure to confirm the details of your book signing with the bookstore. Find dozens of tips for making your book signing a successful event. All of these book signing tips and many more are available in my book, garys guide to successful book signings. How to throw your own successful book signing freelancewriting. The most popular topic on my blog seems to be book signing tips. Tips for successful book talks, events, and signings.
The key to a successful book signing is getting the word out. Here are a few tips and tricks ive learned from other authors and personal experience to help. If youve stumbled upon this post, you likely have a lot of questions about how to have a successful book signing that will have readers talking about your book for days and months to come. To get started, how would you answer this question. Five steps to a successful book signing dan koboldt. How to have a successful book signing event youtube. Ask the store manager for a copy of the stores media. Here are nine handy tips for planning a successful book launch. I also thought about my first businessa bookstorewhere we flipped. In this blog post, well discuss what you can do to ensure that your book signing is a success.
Of course, the next step should be to put together a book signing. Eleven tips for a successful book signing litreactor. See more ideas about book signing, book release party and book launch. Here are a few dos and donts that will help make these events more successful. Here are some tips to consider when setting out to do a book signing. Tips to ensure your book signing is a success author marketing. Brag material present yourself and your work in a professional way by providing potential book signing locations with. Fry from spawnews, february 2001 are you planning to do book signings to promote your newly published book. Recently a new author asked me how she should handle autographing her books. Creating a successful book signing event requires a great deal of careful planning and legwork. Bring a friend to take care of book sales so you can focus on meeting fans and signing your books bring an email list signupsheet for readers to join your email list. Not all bookstores have signs printed for your book. Five tips for a successful book signing ive attended many book signings in my life, and for the most part theyre all pretty much the same. 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.
Its better to be early to an event instead of being late. The author sets up a table at a book store, lays out a few books, waits for people to stop by the table to ask about the book, maybe reads a few pages and hopes someone eventually buys a book. 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. Its a fun and informative read that includes personal anecdotes, dos and donts, and helpful resources. Learn ten great tips for a successful book signing. How to host a successful book signing 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.