I hope that your weekend went well. I was sitting down thinking about Book Signings and I thought that I would write a blog about it. Too often, people think that they should not have Book Signings. If you want to get your book noticed, you need to have Book Signings so that people will know who you are and they can get more information about your book.
Here are some tips when it comes to initiating Book Signings:
1. Be professional. Use common English as you go to each place of business.
2. Ask to speak to the person who is in charge of Book Signings. Find out the schedule to see if you can hold a Book Signing at their place of business.
3. Be willing to allow the contact person a chance to review your work before they approve you to have a Book Signing. Once a date has been set, you need to write it down in 2 places (planner/cell phone).
4. Bring copies of your Press Release and your Advertisement Flyers so that the business can read more about your book and what it can offer to the audience that they cater to.
5. After the approval has been given, send a thank you letter to the business. You must always remember that it is a privilege to hold a Book Signing in their place of business. Sending a thank you letter shows that you appreciate the fact that they are allowing you an opportunity to sell your book to their clientele.
Here are some tips to follow on the day of the Book Signing:
1. Double check to make sure that you have everything that you need for the Signing (Receipts, Business Cards, Books, Table Clothes, Table Decorations, Cash Drawer, Ink Pens, etc.).
2. Make sure that the facility is opened at least 2 hours early so that you will have enough time to set up before the Signing begins.
3. Initiate the labor of others so that they can assist you in setting up.
4. If you have food or drink, make sure that your caterers show up at least 1-2 hours before the Signing begins.
5. 15-30 minutes before the Signing, make sure that everything is in place so that you look organized when the Signing starts. (Do a silent prayer in a quiet place so that you can be relaxed as you face your audience.)
6. When the Signing begins, you will need to make an Introductory speech. You need to be prepared to speak to your audience with confidence so that they will know that you know the contents of your Book.
7. Read a passage or two to your audience. You want to give them a brain teaser so that they can be drawn to buy your book. Only read a small portion of the passage and leave the rest to their imagination.
8. After reading a small passage, allow your audience to ask you questions about your book. Be prepared to answer the questions in an intelligent manner.
9. After questions, you should allow yourself about 5 minutes to make sure that you have all of your receipts, business cards, and books at your finger tips so that you can have a smooth transition of customers when the selling begins.
10. After that, guide your customers to your table (or have someone to direct traffic towards your Signing table).
11. For each customer, remember to smile as you greet them.
12. Write out your receipt for each customer. You need to keep track an accurate record of the books that you are selling.
13. Make sure that you place the receipt in your book along with your business card so that they will know how to contact you if they need more books.
14. Have a special place where you will keep all of your money/checks. Do not keep them out in the open because they will get stolen. A cash drawer or a large purse will help you to keep your money close to you.
15. At the end of each transaction, remember thank your customers for their patronage. Just because you hold a Book Signing, it does not mean that anyone has to buy your book. Saying thank you will go a long way especially when it comes to them telling other people about your book.
16. As the Book Signing draws to a close, make sure that you have a clean-up crew that will assist you in cleaning up.
17. After you have cleaned up the Signing area, have some trusted individuals who will take your supplies/books to your vehicle. You may need to walk with them to make sure that you are protecting your investment.
18. After loading up your car, make sure that you have made contact with the business owner so that you can thank them one final time for allowing you to use their place of business for the Book Signing.
19. After that, thank each person who helped you to set up the Book Signing and those who helped to clean up after the Signing was over.
20. Lastly, say a prayer of thanks to God for allowing you to have a great Book Signing. You didn't make it great.....he did!
The Author Journey continues.........................
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