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Book Signings 101
HOW DO I SET UP A BOOK SIGNING?
Book signings are a great way to publicize your book and get your face, name, and book in front of customers. We’ve put together a brief overview of how to go about setting up a book signing.
Planning for a book signing is not difficult, but you will have to plan quite a bit in advance in order for the signing to go smoothly. Once you’ve scheduled the book signing with a store manager, make sure the store knows how to order your books. It’s your responsibility to make sure the books can be ordered and that they are available on time.
Step By Step to a Successful Book Signing
Step One: Six weeks in advance of the signing, make sure the bookstore manager has the ordering information for your books. They can order directly from BookMasters, Inc. at 800-247-6553 or from wholesalers such as Baker & Taylor or Ingram. Be aware that they may have to backorder the books from the wholesaler to get an appropriate quantity.
Step Two: Four weeks in advance of the signing, call the bookstore manager to check on the status of the book order. Don’t be surprised if the books haven’t been ordered yet; this is a courtesy call reminder.
Step Three: Two weeks in advance of the signing, call the bookstore manager again to check on the status of the book order. If there is a problem with the order, please contact BookMasters with all pertinent information. You can’t have a book signing without your books.
Step Four: Plan your publicity. Send out press releases to the local media at least 2 weeks in advance of the signing date. You may also want to discuss sharing the cost of a print ad with the store. Don’t forget to publicize your event in some way. Be creative.
Step Five: Prepare your materials. Most bookstores will post signage around the store for you, but come prepared with a 4-color enlarged image of your book jacket and an easel to place next to your table. Practice your speaking points. Make sure your speech is short, to the point, and interesting. Prepare forms to collect names, addresses, and email addresses from your audience to add to your database.
Step Six: Invite friends, family, colleagues, and anyone you can think of to attend the book signing. An event with lots of people in attendance creates an excitement within the store that attracts additional shoppers to your table. Remember, friends and family need to buy your book; don’t give your books away.
Additional tips (From Publicize Your Book: An Insider’s Guide to Getting Your Book the Attention It Deserves)
- If you are appearing on an interview that will broadcast prior to the book signing, remember to mention the signing’s date, place, and time. Give a nice mention to the bookstore that’s hosting you.
- Engage people who walk by your signing table by talking about your book or just by being friendly.
- Be polite to the bookstore staff. They can become an excellent source of sales for your book.
- Let your audience know during your presentation that you will answer questions. Prearrange for someone you have planted in the audience to ask the first question.
- Be polite to everyone you meet.
- As people approach you to sign your book, engage them in conversation. Ask how they’d like the book personalized, or what else they like to read.
- Ask the staff if you can sign any unsold copies, which can be stickered and displayed up front.
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