BOOK SIGNING TIPS/TRICKS/NECESSITIES
by Minnette Meador
This was written for an outside book fair, but a lot of the advice would work
for any book sinings.
- What to bring:
~ Books (of course)
~ Change for book buyers
~ A comfy chair (you're going to be in it for a
while)
~ Sun block (I got absolutely fried at one of these outdoor events)
~ Water, water, then more water
~ Goodies/Give Aways for
the book buyers
~ Something to bring them to YOUR table - I bring the two large the wonderful map. This seems to get people's attention.
~ Comfy shoes - No one is going to see your feet unless you're doing a reading and then you can always put another pair on for that.
~ Business Cards/Handouts so that people can contact you
~ Guest Book or Sign Up Sheet for your Newsletter, Blog, or whatever else
you have to share on the internet or emailed updates
~ Bookmarks if you have them
~ Whatever else you need to make you comfortable
and bring people to your table - Keep in mind you will be sharing with other people, so you only get a small spot of real estate.
Make your giveaways/traps count.
~ What to wear? I get asked this questions a lot. I wear business casual. Personally, I think you
want to look professional. Some authors wear costumes for the signing as well. Whatever you wear, make sure it's comfortable and worry
free. Sweaters on a hot day can be murder...I know!
- Patter for talking to book buyers: This is essentially what I do at book
signings. It is by no means the end all, be all of patter, but it's been pretty successful for me. I would love it if other authors
shared their patter here, too.
~When the buyer gets within your "bubble," smile directly at them. Here is the patter I usually use:
"Hi, I'm signing my books today. What kinds of books do you like?" This usually opens a dialog and gets the person to your table.
Here are some tips for talking to them once they are there.
~ If they are not interested in your genre, find out what they do like
and tell them about other writers there that might have something they like. Do your homework on this...check out the people that
will be there that day and find out what they write about. If everyone does this, we will sell a lot more books at the fair. I have
been to several of these and that is the best way of getting those books into the hands of buyers.
~ If they are interested, tell
them about the book in one to three short sentences, one preferably. My suggestion is that you develop this "pitch" way before you
get to the signing so you can memorize it. I can't tell you how many blank stare I got at first because I didn't have a snappy pitch
for my books. Whatever you do, make it short and sweet.
~ Keep conversations with the reader brief, but polite. I can't tell you how
many times someone comes up and wants to talk for hours about how I got published, would I read their manuscript, what their interests
are, and even some odd balls. You can miss other buyers by spending too much time with one...smile sweetly, thank them for stopping
by, hand them a card/bookmark with your web address/email on it, and tell them if they will drop you an email you'd love to chat with
them. For me, this has been the best way to get them to move on and still make them feel special.
~ Hand the book buyer the book to
look at the back. I can't emphasize the power of touch. It makes the book theirs and peaks their interest. Encourage them to read
the blurb on the back.
~ Once you've finished the pitch and they've examined the back, say something like, "Can I sign that for you?"
This moves you right to the sale. Use your own patter here, but make sure to make it clean. This is easy on you and the buyer.
- Networking - One of the most valuable things you can do at one of these events is to network with other authors. They are book
buyers, too. Plus, you may find some new friends, new professional contacts, and some valuable advice. Take cards from everyone at
the event and ask them if you add them to your mailing list. Ask to be added to theirs. Ask them if they are attending any other book
signings and see if there might be room for one more. Look at their books and get familiar with what they write so you can steer book
buyers in their direction.
- Have Fun - Everyone gets extremely nervous about these events...and I'm one of them. After having
done many signings, I'm still a nervous wreck on the way there. Once I get there, however, I start to have a lot of fun. Most writers
are shy about talking to people...we live in a cave, folks; it's one of the most common attributes writers have. But here's the deal;
book buyers are there to buy books. It's like a captive audience. Talk to them, put yourself in their shoes for a while, but most
of all have fun. These events can be a blast, but only if you decide they will be.
