5 Marketing Tips for Book Signing Events

by Margo Kelly 

You wrote a book, got it published, and now what? Here are five tips in five time periods for book signing events: 

3 MONTHS BEFORE EVENT:

1. Research bookstores
2. Speak with event coordinator in person
3. Give her an ARC (Advance Reading Copy) and an introductory letter
4. Have postcards or bookmarks printed, featuring book cover, short description, industry praise, and ordering information
5. Have tabletop poster (11x17 with easel back) made featuring cover and industry praise – add a starburst to top that reads: LOCAL AUTHOR 

2 WEEKS BEFORE EVENT:

1. Confirm details with event coordinator
2. Publicize event widely – on FB, Twitter, Community Calendars, etc.
3. Polish your website so when new contacts visit they’ll be impressed
4. Buy a new outfit to look and feel confident for your big day
5. Create an email newsletter signup sheet

SETTING UP AT EVENT:

1. Table – typically, the event coordinator will provide this
2. Tablecloth – solid color
3. Postcards or bookmarks – be liberal giving these away 
4. Ink pens – one to sign books and one for email signup form
5. Books – verify how many the store has and then sell them all! 

DURING EVENT:

1. Smile and sit up straight
2. Greet people and ask them how they are today
3. Ask people what type of books they like to read – engage them in conversation and describe your book
4. Tell people you’re a local author
5. Keep a positive attitude – be nice to everyone, especially store employees, because they’ll be hand-selling your book later

AFTER EVENT:

1. Send a thank you card to event coordinator
2. Make notes about what worked and what did not for future reference
3. Blog about the event
4. Add new contacts to your email list
5. Email newsletter once a month with book related news

Margo Kelly is a native of the Northwest, and currently resides in Idaho. A veteran public speaker, she is now actively pursuing her love of writing. Who R U Really? is her first novel. Visit her at: https://www.facebook.com/MargoKelly.author; www.margokelly.net;  @MargoWKelly; and https://www.goodreads.com/margokelly 

When Thea discovers a new role-playing game online, she breaks her parents’ rules to play. And in the world of the game, Thea falls for an older boy named Kit whose smarts and savvy can’t defeat his near-suicidal despair. Soon, he’s texting her, asking her to meet him, and talking in vague ways about how they can be together forever. As much as she suspects that this is wrong, Thea is powerless to resist Kit’s allure, and hurtles toward the very fate her parents feared most. Who R U Really? will excite you and scare you, as Thea’s life spins out of control.