Book signing event tips for first time

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. Remember, you are in charge of your event this is not the time to be shy. Book signing tips and how tos for beginners book riot. In this blog post, well discuss what you can do to ensure that your book signing is a success. 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. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading author signing basics how to plan and run a successful book event at a. Inspiration leaps off the pages from jerry saltzs new book on creativity. A few weeks ago there was a book signing event i was incredibly. Grab my free book marketing guide and email series, so you can save time and. As recommended in the excellent book promotion reference, 1001 ways to market your books, bookstores arent the only places to schedule an event.

Talk to other author friends and ask about their first book launchthey might have tips. 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. Five steps to a successful book signing dan koboldt. What if its a firsttime authors book launch or you just havent read any of the authors work yet. In the traditional book publishing model, a book signing event is done to help. Especially if you are a firsttime author, you need to have a strategic marketing plan in place to start growing your reading audience. Many are my own, and some were suggested by other author friends. We also cower at the prospect of having to talk to real people. 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. If theres a book signing event in your future, too, you want to make the most of it, regardless of the venue. How to host book signing events in bookstores to promote your. 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.

By adam ellis september 11, 2017 tips for the self publishing author. Here are some of the things that ive learned about signing things not having a signing event, but the actual act of autographing. The first time i went out, the quotes were from my wife, daughters, and friends. Every time you add food and drink to the agenda, you up your liability. Autographing it is a plus and affords good practice if this is your debut book.

Only once did i have a readingsigning at which nobody showed up. Set up the photo lineup or book signing location accordingly. Its a good idea to come up with both a generic and a personalized inscription for each book prior to the event. Jul 02, 2015 i know from experience that these 11 tips are crucial for a successful signing. 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. How to have a successful book signing event youtube. But for the most part, meeting readers is what we want. Nov 08, 2016 book signings and readings are effective tools for marketing your work after youve done the hard work of creating your book. 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. Not for hire how to be unemployable how to succeed at anything on the first try. Any time you can sit in a bookstore for an hour among people who love to. Gavata is the local author who wrote get yourself together first which is a true story about forgiveness and restoration.

Attending your first group of authors book signing. Tips to ensure your book signing is a success author marketing. If you truly want to make a career with your writing, its going to take work. How to make book signing events more engaging the writing. Read tips from event planning, media and marketing experts, and those who have held successful events. 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. Eleven tips for a successful book signing litreactor.

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. For more info, check out our article how to throw a book launch party that isnt a waste of time. 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. How to throw a book launch party that isnt a waste of time. New authors often ask me about book signing events. I asked them to be honest, and these were the people i could ask to read the book and give me their reaction. Here are some tips for setting up bookstore signings and. 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.

How to organise a book signing event alliance of independent. The bookstore may do this, as well, but best to take matters into your. I made sure we left home with ample time to deal with l. Hosting local author events in nontraditional venues. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. When the big day comes, its your time to showcase your personality and. This was my first event, and the line was made up mostly of strangers.

Apr 29, 2016 one response to 10 creative book signing tips to sell more books. 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. Book signings and readings are effective tools for marketing your work after youve done the hard work of creating your book. Knowing how to prepare for your signing can help you stay focused, confident, and ensure your event is a success. Dec 09, 2012 setting up a book signing as an independent author is harder than ever. May 24, 2015 to help you hone your signing process as your selfpublishing career advances, attend other authors book signing events whenever you can. I recommend the debut author blog series by mary robinette kowal and litreactors 11 tips for a book signing. How to master the post event book signing and photo lineup. Make sure the photo lineup or book signing is set up in a location that will not block people trying to exit the. Theres nothing more exciting than getting the chance to attend a book signing and meet an author you love.

Provide tips for brilliant social media marketing that has worked well for you. Ive talked about some of these things before, but ive never specifically addressed how to actually sign the books. To quickly recap, in my first blog post, we discussed how to structure a book signing to benefit you and your host. 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. Here are some tips on how to have successful author readings and book signings.

I know from experience that these 11 tips are crucial for a successful signing. 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. After youve written and published your first book, the work doesnt stop there. Plan your book launch event early signings are ok, but readings are best.

Why book signing events are a waste of time for authors. Here are some important tips you can use to make the day go smoothly. One of the ways many of our authors do that is through. Ask a friend to take pictures and make sure to get some shots of you signing books, talking to readers, and speaking. Here are some additional tips for preparing for your book signing event. 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. Determine beforehand if the schedule and the speaker will permit selfies during the book signing.

Fortunately, the bookstore staffers were more mortified, and i didnt take it too personally. Author signing basics how to plan and run a successful. Tips to ensure your book signing is a success author. 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. The bookstore sold out of my book, and took orders for a few more. Host a contest, support a charity, or finally start using social media. Bottom line, although i was pretty nervous before my first author event it turned out to be a lot of fun.

Setting up a book signing as an independent author is harder than ever. 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. Join emil draitser for the launch of his autobiographical novel, farewell, mama odessa. I am a first time author and practically do not have any clues beyond writing but i am not giving up. Introduce yourself as a fellow author and trade marketing tips. There are a lot of things that are different for an author who writes books for children especially picture books. If its even remotely interesting, buy it if its not your cup of tea, autographed books make swell presents. Chances are, youll hear something that day that will inspire you. Special event signings sell far more books than bookstore signings. Get to the signing early in order to claim a good seat. To date, i have managed to sell over 6,000 thousand physical copies of my first book, mostly at these events. Discover your best self book signing event tickets, thu. Most of the generic book signing tips and guidelines apply see my 14 book signing. 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.

Consider crowdfunding as a new option to raise money for an event. To help you hone your signing process as your selfpublishing career advances, attend other authors book signing events whenever you can. 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. Time the call to within about a month of your signing. 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. From how to find author signing events to getting the most out of the. 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. Jerry saltz how to be an artist book signing event. Book signing event tips for self published authors toughnickel.

With that in mind, heres what you need in your book signing event tool kit. It took me back to when i had published my first book, remembering how awkward it felt to sign copies. The balance careers setting up bookstore signings and readings. Organizing and delivering a book signing day can be daunting. Its better to be early to an event instead of being late. A successful book signing is when you show up, your books are there, you have a. If this is your first time running events, use crowdfunding platforms to ease the risk. Just save yourself the trouble of doing a book signing event. How to set up a book signing as an independent self. How to host book signing events in bookstores to promote. If youre signing at a large event when many authors are signing as well. The purpose of a book signing isnt to sell your books, its to sell yourself. Beginners guide to surviving your first book signing. Send a press announcement to the local newspapers about your signing.

I look forward to signing events, and try not to miss any within driving distance. A local bookstore is an obvious choice, but you can think outside the box about your venue. After youve made the decision to host a book signing event, the first step is to choose a. Youve written your book and completed the hard work of producing it. After youve made the decision to host a book signing event, the first step is to choose a venue. Get yourself together first book signing event where. If your book is about nutrition, consider asking a local health food store if you can host your event there. They want to know how to get them set up and what to do. Im nowhere near where i want to be, but im on my way. 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. The first step to planning a successful book signing is securing a fitting venue for your books audience. Finally, dont forget to submit your information to the events or author appearances section of your. Tell them about your signing and book and request an interview.

Ive written this article to help shorten the time it will take you. Each book store has its own distinctive personality. On the day of the book signing, head over to the link posted here on the publicity page. 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. Aug 19, 2017 if you truly want to make a career with your writing, its going to take work. Here are some tips and suggestions from myself and previous book signing attendees to make your experience stressfree and memorable.

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. 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. 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. Your first book signing is an important part of your books marketing plan and. May 15, 2018 how to make kickass author swag and promotional materials for your book signing or event duration. One of you can be having a book discussion or workshop, while the other author is. 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. I also want to say that new yorked is a terrific book.

How to make kickass author swag and promotional materials for your book signing or event duration. Book signing table ideas book signing party, book release. Only once did i have a reading signing at which nobody showed up. Just how do you organize a book signing event anyway. Ive done it both ways, and they each have their merits. A few weeks ago there was a book signing event i was incredibly excited to attend. 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. Heshe may not have time to help with your local author events. I tend to not like being the center of attention, but a signing is no time to. 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. 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. Here are 4 ways you can make a great impression and sell more books at your first book signing.