Book signings the Do’s, Don’ts, and Suggestions.
This one kind of goes with last week’s post.
The following are things I have seen work, my advice on what to do during, and things you probably shouldn’t do.
What pulls people into your booth:
A friendly smile
This seems like a no brainer, but I have seen countless authors sitting at their table looking upset, bored, or just uninterested, like they don’t want to be there.
Make me feel welcome say ‘Hi’ offer me a sticker or something.
Maybe even ask to take a picture with me for your blog, newsletter, or social media things.
Stickers
Go buy a cheap pack of random bookish stickers and lay them out on your table.
It's like the book-a-holic's gateway drug.
Or stickers that have something to do with your book.
Do you write about fox shifters? Grab some cute foxes.
Are flowers a major theme? Throw out some random flower stickers
Cookies
I watched a lady hand out cookies, and every person who stopped for a cookie bought a book.
These were individually wrapped.
Penis Candy
I can’t tell you the joy I see from readers who are sucking on dick-candy while shopping for more book boyfriends.
Plus it gives them a sugar high, and may make them more excited to buy your book.
Light up Flower Crowns
They look cheap to make and might fall apart on you.
But man was it fun to walk around in. People came up all the time and asked me where I got it. And I dutifully pointed to the author handing them out.
No idea if that converted to a sale or not.
But the table was crowded
Perhaps non-light up crowns or wire crowns with ribbons might work too.
Cover Models
Yes, they bring readers in, but I don’t know how expensive they are or if they are worth it.
Raffle Baskets
Readers see a big grand basket full of books and swag and we can’t help but be drawn in.
It doesn’t need to be a free raffle, it can be a ticket for each book purchased or something.
But do NOT hide the raffle ticket in a swag bag!!!
Let me know there is a raffle and what I need to do to enter and if I have to stay till the end of the signing to get it.
Displayed Art
NSFW or SFW art
But don’t turn it around if it's NSFW.
If you are worried about kids or people seeing it put sticky notes or something to cover the areas.
Or don't display it
Pricing
DO NOT PERSONALIZE THE BOOK UNTIL YOU GET PAID!!!
DO NOT PERSONALIZE THE BOOK UNTIL YOU GET PAID!!!
DO NOT PERSONALIZE THE BOOK UNTIL YOU GET PAID!!!
I cannot stress this enough.
Technology sucks and sometimes the payment site goes down, the Wi-Fi doesn’t work, or any number of things could go wrong and you don’t get paid.
Now you have book signed to Morgan and how awesome she is, but I don’t have a way to pay you…
Increments of $5 seem to do well.
If you are accepting cash…and why wouldn’t you?!?!?! Make sure you have lots of change.
Bundles! Give me a reason to buy the series or multiple books.
Buy 3 get one free
Buy 3 get free art
But 4 get $5 off
Individually the books are $30 but if you buy both it’s $25
Figure out what margins you can work with
Maybe you and your neighbor are offering a deal.
But my book get theirs at a discount.
Buy both books get a discount.
Get creative! But make sure it works with your margins.
I would definitely have stuff to hand out with a purchase.
Bookmark
Swag bag
Just something little as a bonus
Have QR codes ready and displayed with how readers can pay you.
You don’t want either of us fumbling to get you paid.
Show your book prices.
We all come to these things with a budget…well most readers.
We know we can’t buy all the books, so we look at the books we like and what we can afford.
It sucks when you go up to an author to talk to them, take their free swag, and then can’t afford the book you want.
Use QR Codes for everything!
Payment
Newsletter signups
E-books
Future books
Social media
Contact information
ARC signups
Social groups
There are sites out there that will let you customize and put whatever you want together and they are free!
One QR code to rule them all
Check out Popl
Things to think about
E-Book Readers
Yes, they are at a signing where you buy paperback books, but e-books are cheaper and easier than physical books.
But nowhere near as awesome!
They may have a limited budget and buy 1 or 2 physical books, but then purchase e-books for the other authors they see.
So make sure you don’t leave them out. They are a big part of your sales, and you want to make sure you spread the love.
Have a contingency plan for them.
Can they still get swag and something signed if they buy your book online at the signing?
What can you give or do for them?
If you are lucky to have someone helping you, put them in charge of the payment.
This leaves you free to talk with the reader while your helper runs the payment.
If it’s just you, remember to talk to your reader while you are taking the payment.
Don’t just sit or stand there quietly, talk to us.
We are there to see and interact with you. If it takes you a few extra seconds so be it! It makes me feel important.
Again DON’T PERSONILIZE UNTIL YOU GET PAID.
DO NOT PACK UP UNTIL THE EVENT ENDS.
DO NOT PACK UP UNTIL THE EVENT ENDS.
DO NOT PACK UP UNTIL THE EVENT ENDS.
It never fails 15 minutes before the signing ends authors start packing up.
I’ve seen many authors lose a sale because their books are packed up and put away.
Don’t be that author.
Readers are still there, they still want to buy your books.
If you are selling art, give me something to protect it.
I don’t want to have to baby things throughout the signing.
Give me a cardboard backing or envelope.
Think comic book here! They come with bags and a board.
Make sure you set your table up with room to sign your books or a poster.
Some signings hand out signing sheet, some e-book readers have authors sign banners or bags.
There are a number of things you could be asked to sign.
So make sure you don’t have to rearrange your display every time you need to sign something.
Personalization’s vs just signing your name and a quote.
I LOVE when the author writes my name in the book.
It makes me feel like the author actually took the 30 seconds to talk to me.
And I remember it fondly when I pick the book up.
Please don't just sign your name. Spend the few extra seconds to at lease put my name.
So what do you sign?
Quotes are nice.
Thank you.
You made my day.
It was great seeing you at (the signing)
If you guys laughed about something, put that in there.
I once picked up a book to read the back blurb and made a face that had the author laughing.
She wrote a little note about that in my book and freaking love it!!!!!
This doesn’t have to be much, it’s just a little thank you for buying the book.
If you are going to pre-sign them great.
But I would still sign something in it at the signing.
After all that’s why we are there.
Please don’t sit down all the time.
Standing all the time sucks, but you want to be seen and engaging
Bring a high chair or barstool.
this way you are sitting, but are still up and engaging.
It's not always feasible for you to be in front of your table, so make sure readers can see you.
Talk to your table mates and or neighbors, get to know them.
They are the ones who will watch your stuff and tell your readers you went to the bathroom.
Readers see your table and right or wrong think everything is up for grabs or for sale.
Don’t put something on your table you aren’t willing to part with.
You’ve got a skull to drag people in?
Cool, but put it up on a display shelf or something off the main part of the table.
Make sure what you are giving away for free is easily identifiable.
Most readers can make the distinction, but some readers bring their kids, and they grab anything and everything.
Give your table levels.
Put things up high so readers can see over people at your table.
Fairy lights help your table stand out and give them a nice glow.
This can be for ANY genre.
Banners
But everyone has a banner, and it’s normally black, white, or monochrome.
Make yours stand out!
Props for pictures.
If you are ok with readers taking photos with you maybe have some props.
They add a touch of fun and keep things memorable.
A sign showing the tropes.
It's an easy way for readers to know if they will be interested in your book
Make sure you have these!
Tablecloths and runners
Don’t forget these!
Some signings legitimately just give you a wooden table.
Make sure you have something to cover the table and the front of it!
You’ll hide your books under the table, and you don’t want readers to see that unorganized pile of boxes.
Have snacks or lunch for yourself.
Signings are long! You are going to get hungry or thirsty and you may not have a chance or want to leave your table.
So have some snackage to appease your hangry-monster.
Something to drink
Water – lots of it
Coffee
Energy drinks
Change of all denominations.
Big baller readers may come with a $100 bill
You want to make sure you have change so you don’t lose the sale
Lockable cash box or fanny pack
You’re going to need to pee.
What do you do with the money when you leave?
A wagon of some sort.
You don’t want to make tons of trips to get all your books and swag in.
More copies of Book 1
Most readers will only pick up the 1st in a series so make sure you have more of those.
It sucks when I get to an author and all they have left are books 2 and 3.
Bookplates
Why not sign something readers can put in books they already have
I’m gonna say it again! SOMETHING FOR YOUR E-BOOK READERS!
Have a contingency plan for them.
Safety-pins
Or something to pin your tablecloths or runner together.
You may need to pin your banner together because it ripped.
There are thousands of reason you might need one or two handy.
Pens you love!
It sounds silly, but give a thought to the pen you are signing with and make sure you have extra on hand.
Some sort of bag for the readers who buy multiple books.
This doesn’t need to be fancy.
But I just bought 5 books, give me something to carry them in.
Portable chargers or Extra Batteries
For everything!
Comfy shoes to change into.
Sure you want to look cute
But you don’t want to be moving boxes back to your car after the signing in your heels.
Here is my biggest tip!
*aside from no personalization before you get paid. Cause you aren't going to do that!
Spend time talking and socializing with your readers
I cannot tell you how much it sucks to meet an author you love and all they do is say thanks and sign their name. No interaction, nothing.
I just spent $20 whether you need it or not don't just blow me off. It makes me upset that I just bought your book and makes me not want to read anymore of your books.
Yes some people are socially awkward or get anxious or nervous in crowds. That isn't what I'm talking about.
We can tell when you don't want to be there and that keeps us from your booth.
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